KI History

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 Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug is a traditional title of the Anishnaabe people who live in the customary territory around Big Trout Lake. Historically, these Anishnaabe people resided in their customary hunting areas at distances of fifty (50) to a hundred and fifty (150) mile radius around Big Trout Lake. These Anishnaabe people maintained their customary hunting area's in accordance with clan tradition and all family groups showed respect for each other. An individual who was recognized and respected among the clan was given the title of a headman that would represent that family group. These territories covered the customary hunting areas for the Anishnaabe of Wapekeka, Wawakapewin, Kasabonika, Kingfisher Lake (Big Beaver House), Wunnumin Lake, Weagamow, Muskrat Dam, Bearskin Lake and Sachigo Lake.

After spending long winter months hunting and trapping the clans often traveled to Big Trout Lake for part of the summer to spend time with friends and relatives. The trip to Big Trout Lake was always an occasion being looked forward to by these anishnaabe. This gathering held a special meaning for the people in that it became a sacred event where nationhood, culture and traditional values were upheld that marked the distinct. entity of these peoples. During this time, the Anisnaabe people carried out these activities:

• to give thanks to the Creator for protecting and sustaining the Anishnaabe throughout the winter and to seek His continued blessings
• to strengthen the identity of Anishnaabe of the area and their heritage as Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug
• to preserve the language and traditions of the people through teachings and practical activities
• to celebrate the Anishnaabe customs as practiced by Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug from time immemorial
• to renew and establish clan relationships
• to carry on traditional custom of sharing through giving of gifts and feasts
• to share stories of events that have occurred during the winter
• to do fur trading with the Hudson's Bay Company supplies and hunting equipment.

The James Bay Treaty Number Nine was signed in 1905 at Moose Factory and on July 5,1929 the Adhesion to the James Bay Treaty Number Nine was signed in Big Trout Lake with Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug and the Crown as represented by Canada and Ontario. The following people were signatory to the treaty signing:

• Chief Samson Beardy
• Councillor George Winnipetonga
• Councillor Jeremiah Sainnawap
• Councillor Isaac Barkman
• Councillor Jake Mckay
• Councillor Jacob Frogg

Each councillors represented their respective settlements in their title as headmen.

• Jeremiah Sainnawap represented Big Trout Lake as head councillor 
• George Winnipetonga represented Wunnumin Lake and Big Beaver House
• Jake Mckay represented Bearskin Lake 
• Isaac Barkman represented Sachigo Lake 
• Jacob Frogg represented Kasabonika

The people that were present at the first treaty came from Bearskin, Sachigo, Kasabonika, Wunnumin Lake, Angling Lake and Kingfisher Lake. During this time Kingfisher Lake was not established because the people here were residing at Big Beaver House and the people of Angling Lake were residing at Big Trout Lake.

A small number of elders who are still alive today remember the treaty signing event and recall that Commissioner Awrey affirmed that the anishnaabe people would retain control and jurisdiction over our lands. They understood this to apply not only to harvesting activities including hunting, trapping and fishing but also to it's resources. It is also understood that the treaty process would set up boundaries of our traditional lands. These lands were to be for the exclusive use of our people. The elders also hold the view that the promises made in the treaty were to extend throughout our customary lands. There was an understanding by our people that the government was prepared to negotiate an arrangement where we would have the autonomy required to be able to protect our customary lands: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Aaki.

At the first signing of the treaty in Big Trout Lake, each registered lndian member was given $5.00 which is to be received annually (however shortly thereafter the annual payment is $4.00 a head). A small amount of food was also provided so the people would celebrate the treaty with a feast and this was done only during the signing of the treaty. It was also intended that farming implements would be provided to the people so they could learn agricultural activity as a supplement when hunting is scarce however these tools were never given.

During the treaty signing, a Royal Canadian Mounted Police was present as a symbol of the Queen's commitment to protect the Indians and lands designated for them.

The land area covered by the adhesion to Treaty 9 was 128,320 square miles. The Indian people were given 314.6 square miles as reserve lands. The Big Trout Lake Band of Indians were given three reserves for a total of 126 square miles. The reserves were at Big Trout Lake, Sachigo Lake and Wunnumin Lake. The reserve at Big Trout Lake was approximately 85 square miles near Fawn River. The government carried out an official survey of the reserves in the 1970's. According to the Adhesion to Treaty 9, the Indian people were to be given one square mile for each family of five.

An Indian agent was placed inside the reserve to oversee all the activity that was conducted on the reserve. The responsibilities of the spokesman and the headmen which were now officially recognized under the Indian Act as Chief and Councillors had very limited powers and could only conduct affairs of the settlement upon approval of the Indian agent.

The Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg or Big Trout Lake First Nation Band Council Resolution Duly Conducted on May 15, 1996, on the issue of Former Political Separation or Withdrawal from the Provincial Territorial Organization known as Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. ADOPTED ON THE 16TH. DAY OF MAY 1996 AT BIG TROUT LAKE, ONT.

WHEREAS, the Creator, Keshay Manitou has from time immemorial placed the ancestors and descendants of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg on their traditional territories and lands, and has given them the spiritual beliefs and their Ojibwa and Cree languages as the basis of their dialogue; and.

WHEREAS, the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg have an unextinguished right to self-government and a right to self-determination as Aboriginal Peoples; and,

WHEREAS, the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg have a land rights based on original occupancy and traditional use and that the basis of their aboriginal sovereignty their inherent Creator-derived rights and aboriginal title; and,

WHEREAS, the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg have documented their position on land rights and governance in the two reports entitled "The exercise of Autonomy In The Way We Have. Been Taught By Our Ancestors (Dated: June 1993) and Keeping Our Land In The Way That Has Been Handed On To Us From Our Ancestors (Dated: June 1993); and,

WHEREAS, the Non-Aboriginal Governments of Canada entered into a Treaty Relationship with the ancestor's of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg on July 5, 1929, at Big Trout Lake, Ontario and the Federal Government of Canada has legal fiduciary obligations to act in the best interest of the Big Trout Lake First Nation or Band; and,

WHEREAS, the Treaty Status of the Big Trout Lake First Nation remains in accordance to the provisions of Treaty Number 9, and the Treaty Rights are protected under the Constitution of Canada; and,

WHEREAS, the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg have conducted a community referendum on the issue of separating from the Provincial Territorial Organization known as Nishnawbe-Aski Nation which is an umbrella organization representing the fifty First Nations of the Treaty Number Nine Signatories; and,

WHEREAS, the basis for this community referendum was the collective aspirations and wishes of the local Band Members and that reasonable notice and consultation with the whole of the Band Membership had been conducted; and,

WHEREAS, the community electorate of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg number Seven-Hundred and Fifty-Seven (757); and,

WHEREAS, the results of the May 15, 1996, Community Referendum duly conducted on the traditional territory and the soil of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg as presented:

Those in FAVOR of political separation from the Provincial Territorial Organization known as Nishnawbe Aski Nation:

Three Hundred and Fifty (350) Ballots

Those OPPOSED to political separation from the Provincial Territorial Organization known as Nishnawbe Aski Nation:

Thirty Four (34) Ballots

Spoiled Ballots Number: One (1) Ballot

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Pursuant to the formal binding results of the May 15, 1996, Community Referendum, the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg or otherwise known as the Big Trout Lake First Nation, is formally officially separated from the Provincial Territorial Organization known as Nishnawbe-Aski Nation;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Federal Minister of Indian Affairs is given due notice of the official binding results of this community referendum; and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Grand Chief and the three Deputy Chiefs of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation are given notice of the official binding results of the community referendum; and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the other Chiefs, Elders, Leaders and other Representatives and Members of the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation are given due notice of the official binding results of the vote,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg are a separate independent Band or Nation of Ojibwa and Cree Peoples occupying the traditional territories of their ancestors; and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, all public funds held in trust by Nishnawbe-Aski for Big Trout Lake First Nation be released directly to the Band; and,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, all current negotiations being conducted by Nishnawbe-Aski Nation on the issues covered by the Memorandum of Understanding process does not bind or include the independent Nation of Ojibwa and Cree Peoples known as Kitchenuhmaykoosib Anishinaabeg or Big Trout Lake First Nation.

THEREFORE BE IT FINALLY DECLARED THAT, THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION RATIFIES AND CONSTITUTES FORMAL POLITICAL SEPARATION FROM NISHNAWBE-ASKI NATION.

KITCHENUHMAYKOOSIB INNINUWUG

Nationhood Gathering 2016