Smith's Canadian gazetteer - ElectricCanadian.com

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and share in the same annuity. The Pottawataniics are recent iinmigjantf
fi'om the United States.
The settlement at Walpole Island was commenced at the close of the American
wur, when Colonel McKie, called by the Indians " White Elk," collected
and placed upon this island the scattered remains of some tribes of Ch![)pe\vas
who had been engaged on the British side. Jk'iiig kit for many \ears without
any interference or assistance on the part of the government, tliey became a
prey to the ])rofligate whites settled on the frontier, who by various frauds, and
ill moments of intoxication, obtained leases, and took possession of the most
fertile and valuable part of the island.
When the settlement was first placed under the charge of an assistant superintendent
in ls.'!!l, these Indians possessed scarcely an acre of arable land, but
he has succeeded in expt'llin"- many of the most mischievous intruders, under
tiie authority of an act of the Provincial Legislature, passed in 1839 ; and has
placed their farms at the disposal of the Indians, who have since become more
Settled, and have tiuTied their attention more generally to agriculture.
The number on the Island has increased considerably since 18.'39, owing to
the influx of several bands of Pottawatamies, and Ottavas, invited by the proclamation
of 1S.'}7, relative to the discontinuance of presents to visiting Indians.
Previously to that year tlu-y did not exceed three hundred; but in 1842, presents
were distributed to one thousand, one hundred and forty, viz.
Chippewas, old residents 319
Chippewas, arrived within a year 197
Pot'awatamies and Ottawas from Michigan 507
On their way to settle 117
Total 1140
The new comers are very different in character and habits from the resident
Chijjpewas. The Pottawatamies especially, are skilful hunters, ai.d luive long
depended solely upon the chase. They are wild, turbulent, mendicant and dishonest.
They possess no land or property. They have been kindly received
by the resident tribes, and allowed to settle on their lands; but their roving
habits render them averse from settling; they prefer remaining poor, ragged
and filthy, to the restraints of civilized life; they are a burthen on their brethren,
a nuisance to the white farmers in the district which they frequent, and their
arrival in the province is in every respect to be regretted. Their chief hunting
grounds arc near the Thames, and the upper piirts of the two branches of Bear
Creek. They also hunt in the United States, but with some danger to themselves,
as the Americans do not allow it.
The Indians who are settled upon Walpole Island, occupy the farms and
houses hitherto possessed by the white squatters, together with a few houses
erected by themselves. Tlie present number of dwellings is twenty-eight, of
which three are framed, with several more in the course of erection, and four
log barns. There is no village, the farms being detached, as among the white
settlers. There are five inferior chiefs among the Chippewas, who live surrounded
by their own relations and connections by marriage; and the young
men, who though under the controul of the hei^d chief, recognise esjiecially their
own leader. These, on the expulsicm of the squatters, met together, and subdivided
the farms and arable land among themselves, according to their numbers.
Thus, each separate band ctdtivates one vast enclosure; each man planting
more or less according to his industry. It is intended, however, to lay out the
fields more regularly.
Their acquaintance with agriculture is of recent date, but their progress has
been satisfactory. In 18.'i9, they planted only Indian corn, and used no otlef
implement but the hoe. At present they have nine ploughs, and as many yoke
of oxen, besides scythes and sickles in abundance. They have also a large
number of pigs and horses, and the chief has two cows. Steps liave been taken
to improve the breed of these animals; a large ([uantity of marsh iiay is saved