The Saulteaux (pronounced , or in imitation of the French pronunciation , also written Salteaux, Saulteau and
other variants), otherwise known as the Plains Ojibwe, are a
First Nations band government
In Canada, an Indian band or band (french: bande indienne, link=no), sometimes referred to as a First Nation band (french: bande de la Première Nation, link=no) or simply a First Nation, is the basic unit of government for those peoples subjec ...
in
Ontario
Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...
,
Manitoba
, image_map = Manitoba in Canada 2.svg
, map_alt = Map showing Manitoba's location in the centre of Southern Canada
, Label_map = yes
, coordinates =
, capital = Win ...
,
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan ( ; ) is a province in western Canada, bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North ...
,
Alberta
Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...
and
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include ...
,
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tota ...
. They are a branch of the
Ojibwe
The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains.
According to the U.S. census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of ...
who pushed west. They formed a mixed culture of
woodlands and
plains Indigenous customs and traditions.
Ethnic classification
The Saulteaux are a branch of the
Ojibwe
The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains.
According to the U.S. census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of ...
Nations within Canada. They are sometimes called the Anihšināpē (
Anishinaabe
The Anishinaabeg (adjectival: Anishinaabe) are a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples present in the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States. They include the Ojibwe (including Saulteaux and Oji-Cree), Odawa, Potawato ...
). ''Saulteaux'' is a
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to their former location in the area of
Sault Ste. Marie
Sault Ste. Marie is a cross-border region of Canada and the United States located on St. Marys River, which drains Lake Superior into Lake Huron. Founded as a single settlement in 1668, Sault Ste. Marie was divided in 1817 by the establishment of ...
. They are primarily hunters and fishers, and when still the primary dwellers of their sovereign land, they had extensive trading relations with the French, British and later Americans at that post.
Location
The Saulteaux historically were settled around
Lake Superior
Lake Superior in central North America is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface areaThe Caspian Sea is the largest lake, but is saline, not freshwater. and the third-largest by volume, holding 10% of the world's surface fresh w ...
and
Lake Winnipeg
Lake Winnipeg (french: Lac Winnipeg, oj, ᐑᓂᐸᑲᒥᐠᓴᑯ˙ᑯᐣ, italics=no, Weenipagamiksaguygun) is a very large, relatively shallow lake in North America, in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Its southern end is about north of t ...
, principally in the areas of present-day Sault Ste. Marie and
northern Michigan. Pressure from European Canadians and Americans gradually pushed the tribe westward to
Manitoba
, image_map = Manitoba in Canada 2.svg
, map_alt = Map showing Manitoba's location in the centre of Southern Canada
, Label_map = yes
, coordinates =
, capital = Win ...
,
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan ( ; ) is a province in western Canada, bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North ...
and
Alberta
Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...
, with one community in
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include ...
. Today most of the Saulteaux live in the
Interlake
Interlake was a provincial electoral division in the Canadian province of Manitoba. It was created by redistribution in 1979, and has formally existed since the 1981 provincial election. Previously, much of the Interlake region was includ ...
District; Swan River, Duck Bay, Camperville, the southern part of Manitoba, and in Saskatchewan (Kamsack and surrounding areas). Because they were forced to move to land ill-suited for European crops, they were lucky to escape European-Canadian competition for their lands and have kept much of that assigned territory in reserves. Generally, the Saulteaux have three major divisions.
Ontario Saulteaux
The Eastern Saulteaux, better known as the Ontario Saulteaux, are located around
Rainy Lake and
Lake of the Woods in
Northwestern Ontario and southeastern
Manitoba
, image_map = Manitoba in Canada 2.svg
, map_alt = Map showing Manitoba's location in the centre of Southern Canada
, Label_map = yes
, coordinates =
, capital = Win ...
. Many of the Ontario Saulteaux First Nations are signatories to
Treaty 3. Their form of ''Anishinaabemowin'' (Anishinaabe language) is sometimes called
Northwestern Ojibwa language (ISO 639-3: OJB), or simply ''Ojibwemowin'' (Ojibwe). Today English is the first language of many members. The Ontario Saulteaux culture is descended from the
Eastern Woodlands culture.
Manitoba Saulteaux
The Central Saulteaux, better known as Manitoba Saulteaux, are found primarily in eastern and southern
Manitoba
, image_map = Manitoba in Canada 2.svg
, map_alt = Map showing Manitoba's location in the centre of Southern Canada
, Label_map = yes
, coordinates =
, capital = Win ...
, extending west into southern
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan ( ; ) is a province in western Canada, bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North ...
. During the late 18th century and early 19th century, as partners with the
Cree in the
fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of a world fur market in the early modern period, furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the mo ...
, the Saulteaux migrated northwest into the Swan River and Cumberland districts of west-central Manitoba, and into Saskatchewan along the
Assiniboine River
The Assiniboine River (''; french: Rivière Assiniboine'') is a river that runs through the prairies of Western Canada in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It is a tributary of the Red River. The Assiniboine is a typical meandering river with a sing ...
, as far its confluence with the Souris (Mouse) River. Once established in the area, the Saulteaux adapted some of the cultural traits of their allies, the Plains Cree and
Assiniboine.
Consequently, together with the Western Saulteaux, the Manitoba Saulteaux are sometimes called Plains Ojibwe. Many of the Manitoba Saulteaux First Nations are signatories to
Treaty 1
''Treaty 1'' (also known as the "Stone Fort Treaty") is an agreement established on August 3, 1871, between the Imperial Crown of Great Britain and Ireland and the Anishinabe and Swampy Cree nations. The first of a series of treaties called th ...
and
Treaty 2. The Manitoba Saulteaux culture is a transitional one from the Eastern Woodlands culture of their Ontario Saulteaux neighbours and Plains culture of the Western Saulteaux neighbours. Often, the term ''
Bungi'' or ''Bungee'' (from ''bangii,'' meaning "a little bit") has been used to refer to either the Manitoba Saulteaux (who resemble the Cree in culture) or their
Métis
The Métis ( ; Canadian ) are Indigenous peoples who inhabit Canada's three Prairie Provinces, as well as parts of British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, and the Northern United States. They have a shared history and culture which deri ...
population (who are a little bit Anishinaabe). The language of their Métis population is described as the
Bungi language
Bungi (also called Bungee, Bungie, Bungay, Bangay, or the Red River Dialect) is a dialect of English with substratal influence from Scottish English, the Orcadian dialect of Scots, Norn, Scottish Gaelic, French, Cree, and Ojibwe (Saulteaux). ...
.
Western Saulteaux
The Western Saulteaux are found primarily in central
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan ( ; ) is a province in western Canada, bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North ...
, but extend east into southwestern
Manitoba
, image_map = Manitoba in Canada 2.svg
, map_alt = Map showing Manitoba's location in the centre of Southern Canada
, Label_map = yes
, coordinates =
, capital = Win ...
and west into central
Alberta
Alberta ( ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada. It is part of Western Canada and is one of the three prairie provinces. Alberta is bordered by British Columbia to the west, Saskatchewan to the east, the Northwest Ter ...
and eastern
British Columbia
British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include ...
. They call themselves ()—an
autonym that is a general term for the Saulteaux. The neighbouring
Plains Cree Plains Cree may refer to:
* Plains Cree language
* Plains Cree people
Plains Indians or Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains and Canadian Prairies are the Native American tribes and First Nation band governments who have historically liv ...
call them the (), a word of related etymology. Their form of (Anishinaabe language), known as () or
Western Ojibwa language
Western Ojibwa (also known as Nakawēmowin (ᓇᐦᑲᐌᒧᐎᓐ), ''Saulteaux'', and ''Plains Ojibwa'') is a Ojibwe dialects, dialect of the Ojibwe language, a member of the Algonquian languages, Algonquian language family. It is spoken by the S ...
(ISO 639-3: OJW), is also an
Algonquian language. Like most First Nations, most members use English as the first language. Many of the Western Saulteaux First Nations are signatories to
Treaty 4 and
Treaty 6; Saulteau First Nations in North Eastern British Columbia are a signatory to
Treaty 8. The Western Saulteaux culture is that of the
Plains culture.
Communities
: Population figures are as of May 2013, unless noted otherwise.
*
Asubpeeschoseewagong First Nation (formerly: Grassy Narrows First Nation (Ontario))(population 1,326)
*
Berens River First Nation
Berens River First Nation ( oj, Mememwi-ziibiing) is a First Nations band government in Manitoba, Canada. The First Nation has two reserves: Berens River 13 and Pigeon River 13A, located in the boreal forest east of Lake Winnipeg. The First Natio ...
, Berens River, MB (population 1851 on-reserve)
*
Buffalo Point First Nation, Buffalo Point, MB (population 110)
*
Cote First Nation, Kamsack, SK (population 3,059)
*
Cowessess First Nation
Cowessess First Nation ( oj, Gaa-awaazhishiid) is a Saulteaux First Nations band government in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. The band's main reserve is Cowessess 73, one of several adjoining Indigenous communities in the Qu'Appelle Valley. The b ...
, Cowessess, SK (population 3,570) (part Cree)
*
Eagle Lake First Nation, Migisi Sahgaigan, ON (population 458 in 2006)
*
Ebb and Flow First Nation, Ebb and Flow, MB (population 2,467)
* Foothills Ojibway Society (Non-status FN),
Hinton, AB
*
Gordon First Nation
The George Gordon First Nation ( cr, ᐳᓵᑲᓇᒌᕽ ''posâkanacîhk'') is a First Nations band government located near the village of Punnichy, Saskatchewan, in Canada. The nation has an enrolled population of 3,752 people, 1,191 of whom l ...
,
Punnichy, SK (population 3,065)
*
Iskatewizaagegan 39 Independent First Nation, Kejick, ON (population 568)
*
Keeseekoose First Nation, Kamsack, SK (population 2,145)
*
The Key First Nation, Norquay, SK (population 1,114)
* Lac des Bois Band of Saulteaux (Historical)
**
Big Grassy First Nation, Morson, ON (population 660)
**
Anishnaabeg of Naongashiing First Nation (Big Island), Morson, ON (population 360)
**
Northwest Angle 33 First Nation Northwest Angle 33 First Nation ( oj, Gii-zaagitoowaigamaag)Grand Council Treaty #3. “Pazaga'owin Reclaiming Our Wings: Transition to Nationhood.” Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure Developments, Pg 13https://caid.ca/RecWing010308.pdf is an Oj ...
(population 454)
**
Northwest Angle 37 First Nation (population 338)
**
Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, Kenora, ON
**
Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation (population 706)
**
Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation
The Anishinaabeg (adjectival: Anishinaabe) are a group of culturally related Indigenous peoples present in the Great Lakes region of Canada and the United States. They include the Ojibwe (including Saulteaux and Oji-Cree), Odawa, Potawatomi, M ...
, Kenora, ON (population 622)
*
Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation The Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, also known as Nizaatikoong (from ''Ne-azaadiikaang'' meaning "At a Point of Land Abundant with Poplars"), is a Saulteaux Ojibwe First Nation band government. The nation owns two reserves in the Thunder Bay Dist ...
(population 522)
*
Muscowpetung First Nation
The Muscowpetung Saulteaux Nation ( oj, mashkawabiidoong, In Syllabics, written as ᒪᐢᑯᐘᐲᑕᐣᐠ) is a Saulteaux band government in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. Their reserves include:
* Last Mountain Lake 80A, shared with 6 other ban ...
,
Fort Qu'Appelle SK (population 1,183)
*
Muskowekwan First Nation
Muskowekwan First Nation ( oj, Mashkawigwaning) is a Saulteaux ( Ojibway) First Nation who inhabit approximately 100 km northwest of Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. As of May, 2008, the First Nation has 1,517 registered people, of which ...
Lestock, SK (population 1,524)
*
Naotkamegwanning First Nation Naotkamegwanning First Nation, formerly known as Whitefish Bay First Nation and known in the Ojibwe language as ''Ne-adikamegwaning'' (Of the Whitefish Point), is an Ojibwe Nation from the Treaty Three Territory a 45min drive from Kenora, Ontario ...
(formerly: Whitefish Bay First Nation), Pawitik, ON (population 1,109)
*
Obashkaandagaang Bay First Nation (population 280)
*
O-Chi-Chak-Ko-Sipi First Nation (population 600)
*
O'Chiese First Nation, Rocky Mountain House, AB (population 963)
*
Pasqua First Nation,
Fort Qu'Appelle, SK (population 1,775) (part Cree)
*
Pauingassi First Nation, Pauingass, MB (population 575)
*
Pinaymootang First Nation, Fairford, MB (population 2500+)
*
Pine Creek First Nation
The Pine Creek First Nation is a Saulteaux First Nation in Manitoba, Canada. The First Nation's homeland is the Pine Creek 66A reserve, located approximately 110 kilometres north of Dauphin along the southwestern shore of Lake Winnipegosis ...
, Pine Creek MB (population 2,730)
* Poorman's Band of Cree (historical)—primarily Cree but historically part Saulteaux
**
Kawacatoose First Nation, Raymore, SK (population 2,748)
**
Muskowekwan First Nation
Muskowekwan First Nation ( oj, Mashkawigwaning) is a Saulteaux ( Ojibway) First Nation who inhabit approximately 100 km northwest of Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada. As of May, 2008, the First Nation has 1,517 registered people, of which ...
*
Poplar River First Nation, Poplar River, MB (population 1,439)
* Portage Band of Saulteaux (Historical)
**
Long Plain First Nation, Portage la Prairie, MB (population 3,388 in 2006)
**
Sandy Bay First Nation (formerly: White Mud Band of Saulteaux), Marius, MB (population 5,521)
**
Swan Lake First Nation
The Swan Lake First Nation ( oj, Gaa-biskigamaag, meaning ''The lake that is curved'') is a Saulteaux band government located along Swan Lake in the Pembina Valley Region of Manitoba, Canada.
Its main reserve is Swan Lake 7, which is surrounded ...
, Swan Lake, MB (population 1,206)
*
Rainy Lake Band of Saulteaux (Historical)
**
Couchiching First Nation,
Fort Frances, ON (population 1,989)
**
Naicatchewenin First Nation, Devlin, ON (population 370)
**
Nigigoonsiminikaaning (Nicickousemenecaning) First Nation,
Fort Frances, ON (population 293)
**
Stanjikoming First Nation
''Mitaanjigamiing'' First Nation, formerly known as Stanjikoming First Nation, is an Ojibwe First Nation band government who inhabit north of Fort Frances, Ontario, along the shores of Stanjikoming Bay of Rainy Lake. As of November, 2011, the Firs ...
, Fort Frances, ON (population 142)
*
Rainy River Bands of Saulteaux (Historical)
**
Lac La Croix First Nation, Fort Frances, ON (population 397)
*** Lac La Croix Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)—on Lac La Croix Indian Reserve 25D (now known as Neguagon Lake Indian Reserve 25D)
*** Sturgeon Lake Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)— as on Sturgeon Lake Indian Reserve 24C until the Reserve was delisted by the
Ontario Provincial Park Act in 1950, took this
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve (french: réserve indienne) is specified by the ''Indian Act'' as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty,
that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band."
Indi ...
and made it part of
Quetico Provincial Park.
**
Rainy River First Nations
Rainy River First Nations ( oj, Manitoo-baawidigoong)Grand Council Treaty #3. “Pazaga'owin Reclaiming Our Wings: Transition to Nationhood.” Christian Aboriginal Infrastructure Developments, Pg 13https://caid.ca/RecWing010308.pdf is an Ojibwe ...
, Manitou Rapids, ON (population 767 in 2006)
*** Hungry Hall 1 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
*** Hungry Hall 2 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
*** Little Forks Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
anada�� Little Forks Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
nited States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
the southern half of the former, became part of
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa.
*** Long Sault 1 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
*** Long Sault 2 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
*** Manitou Rapids 1 of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
*** Manitou Rapids 2 of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
**
Seine River First Nation, Mine Centre, ON (population 697)
*
Sagkeeng First Nation (formerly Fort Alexander First Nation), Fort Alexander, MB (population 6,844)
* St. Peter's Band of Cree and Saulteaux (Historical)—primarily Cree but historically part Saulteaux
**
Muskoday First Nation (formerly: John Smith First Nation), Muskoday, SK (population 1,579)
**
Peguis First Nation, Peguis, MB (population 8,410)
*
Saulteau First Nations
Treaty 8 Tribal Association (T8TA) is an association of six of the eight Peace River Country First Nations bands who are signatories to Treaty 8 in northeastern British Columbia. They have joined together in an effort to negotiate with British C ...
, Moberly Lake, BC (population 792 in 2006)
*
Saulteaux First Nation
Saulteaux First Nation ( oj, Ginoozhe-zaaga'iganiing Nakawewag, "the Saulteaux at Jackfish Lake") is a Saulteaux Anishinaabe First Nation band government, whose reserves are located near Cochin, Saskatchewan. In February 2012, the First Nation had ...
, Cochin, SK (population 1,157)
*
Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, Shoal Lake, ON (population 542)
*
Skownan First Nation
Skownan First Nation ( oj, Ishkwaawinaaning) is a Saulteaux ( Ojibwe) First Nations band government whose reserve community, Waterhen 45
Waterhen 45 is a First Nations reserve in the Canadian province of Manitoba.
Geography
Waterhen 45 is ...
(formerly: Waterhen River Band of Saulteaux), Skownan, MB (population 1,246)
*
Wabaseemoong Independent Nations (formerly: Islington Band of Saulteaux), Whitedog, ON (1,716)
** One Man Lake Band of Saulteaux (Historical)
** Swan Lake Band of Saulteaux (Historical)
** Whitedog Band of Saulteaux (Historical)
*
Wabauskang First Nation
Wabauskang First Nation is a Saulteaux First Nation in northwestern Ontario, and is a member of the Bimose Tribal Council and the Grand Council of Treaty 3. Their reserve is located at Wabauskang 21.
References
Saulteaux reserves ...
(population 257)
*
Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (population 541)
*
White Bear First Nations
The White Bear First Nations ( cr, ᐚᐱ ᒪᐢᑿ ''wâpi-maskwa'', asb, Matóska oyádeCollette, Vincent. “Nakoda Vocabulary and Phrases.” Academia.edu, November 14, 2017Link ) are a First Nation band government in southeastern Saskatche ...
, Carlyle, SK—Multitribal band of Plains Cree, Saulteaux, Nakota and Dakota First Nations (population 2805)
* Yellow-quill Band of Saulteaux (Historical)
**
Fishing Lake First Nation
**
Kinistin Saulteaux Nation
**
Yellow Quill First Nation (formerly: Nut Lake Band of Saulteaux)
*
Zagime Anishinabek, Grenfell, SK (population 1,404) (formerly Sakimay First Nation, part Cree)
Notable Saulteaux
*
Adam Beach, actor known for his work in ''
Flags of Our Fathers'', ''
Windtalkers'' and ''
Arctic Air''.
*
Phil Fontaine, Former National Chief,
Assembly of First Nations
*
Robert Houle, artist, critic, and curator
*
Al Hunter, Anishinaabe writer and poet
*
Wilma Pelly, actor
*
Jennifer Podemski, actor
*
Tommy Prince, one of Canada's most decorated First Nations soldiers
*
Henry Boucha, Former NHL player and Olympian
References
External links
information, via Minnesota State University(Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre)
{{authority control
First Nations in Ontario
First Nations in Manitoba
First Nations in Saskatchewan
First Nations in Alberta
First Nations in British Columbia