By Staff
October 8th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The Mississaguas of the Credit First Nation and the Oakville Community Foundation have launched “Debwewin”– the Oakville Truth Project, to further a shared understanding of Oakville’s Indigenous past and support local Truth & Reconciliation.
‘Debwewin’ refers to one of the Anishinabek seven grandfathers teaching for “truth.” This project will raise questions about Oakville’s Truth such as:
“What happened to the local Treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation?” and
“Why did Treaty 22 which includes coverage of Oakville main waterways, Sixteen Mile and Bronte Creek leave the Mississaugas homeless?”
This project brings together leadership of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) to share their knowledge and perspective. ”The Mississauga people have long historical roots in Oakville,” said Mississauga Gimma (Chief) Stacey Laforme.
“Understanding the local history of the Indigenous people in Oakville from an Anishinaabe perspective is an important first step on the path towards Truth and Reconciliation.”
Elder Peter Schuler is advising the Oakville Community Foundation
The Oakville Community Foundation’s Indigenous Cultural Advisor, Mississauga Elder Peter Schuler has graciously agreed to lead the multi-year “Debwewin” project.
“I believe this project is an important step in educating our community and recognizing Indigenous peoples in Oakville and beyond,” said Elder Peter Schuler. “This community collaboration allows us to create necessary changes and continued learning opportunities.”
“We are honoured to work on this initiative with the Mississaugas and support this important work that will benefit both of our communities, Oakville and the Mississaugas,” stated Bindu Cudjoe, The Foundation’s Board Chair.
This project will bring together Indigenous knowledge keepers, claims experts, historians and researchers to act as an Advisory Council to guide the project. Full details of the Advisory Council will be shared in the coming months.
Mississaugas of the Credit are an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nation with 2,600 Members, approximately 850 of whom live on the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation Reserve near Hagersville, Ontario.
The Oakville Community Foundation is a registered charity focused on Building Community Through Philanthropy. The Foundation acts as a vehicle for community members to fulfill their charitable passions and has granted $52.4 million to charitable organizations since its inception. The Foundation also supports investments of more than $110 million in assets. We welcome families, businesses and residents into our community and give everyone the opportunity to be a philanthropist. The Foundation is one of the largest members of a national network of more than 190 Canadian community foundations.
This is an interesting collaboration. A First Nation wanting a fairer interpenetration of a Treaty getting into a dialogue with an organization that manages philanthropic gifts from those that have title to the land that once belonged to the First Nations people.
Treaty 22 might reveal more than most residents of Oakville will want to hear or know about. The Mississaugas of the Credit traditional territory covers much of Burlington.
Background on Treaty # 22 – there were others
I thought I would help clarify some of the discussions regarding the Treaty #22 specifics around “Why did Treaty 22 leave the Mississaugas homeless?”. The Oakville Community Foundation recently hosted an event, on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, and had Claims Lawyer, Kim Fullerton presented some amazing details on this particular issue, details that also included often not seen before historic maps of the treaty areas. The Foundation recorded the session and I think you’ll find what the Lawyer provides is extremely insightful. Here’s the link to the youtube recording – https://youtu.be/eHXD48j-Ffc
Brant Tract, No. 3 ¾
To all persons to whom these presents shall come, GREETING: Know ye, that we Wabakanyne, Tabandan, Wabanip, Wanipanant, Okemapenes, and Potakquan, Sachems and Chief Warriors and principal women of the Messissague nation of Indians in the Province of Upper Canada, for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds good and lawful money of the said Province to us in hand well and tuly paid before the ensealing and delivery hereof, on the part and behalf of His Britannick Majesty, have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened, released, conveyed, and confirmed, and by these presents, Do give, grant, bargain, alien, release, convey, and confirm unto His said Brittannick Majesty, and to His heirs and Successors forever, a certain tract or parcel of Land, butted and bounded as follows, to wit, Beginning at the outlet (so called) between Burlington Bar and Lake Ontario, and thence extending down the said Lake on the North shore thereof about one mile or more to a Creek, falling into the said Lake, called by the said Messissague the former purchase line from the said outlet and carrying the full breadth between the said lines, full so far as to contain Three thousand four hundred and fifty acres.
To have and to hold the said granted and bargained premises, withal the privileges and appurtenances thereof to his said Britannick Majesty and to His successors, to His and their own proper use, benefit and behoof forever, we the aforesaid Sachems, Chief Warriors and Principal women, hereby engaging to warrant and defend the said granted premises against all claims and demands by, from or under us or any others of the Messissague Nation.
In Witness whereof we the said Sachems and Chiefs warriors and principal women of the said Mississague nation, have hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty-fourth day of October in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five.
I was able to find treaty #3 Between the Lakes Purchase, # 3/3/4 Brant Tract, #13 Toronto purchase and #14 Head of the Lakes purchase, that enccompass our region. I was not able to find Treaty 22 on the Ontario Treaty site. I am left to wonder if they are one and the same as, The Williams Treaties and/or The Johnson-Butler Purchase.
Interested parties may also want to acquaint themselves with The Royal Proclamation of 1763. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/royal-proclamation-of-1763-canada-s-indian-magna-carta-turns-250-1.1927667
Wasn’t all of Burlington’s land owned by Chief Joseph Brant, and didn’t he sell it off to the Europeans?
Editor’s note: Brant sold all of his property – but it wasn’t to Europeans – it was to residents of Burlington.