History
The original inhabitants of Hiawatha First Nation were descendants of the Southeastern Ojibway tribes that lived along the eastern shores of Georgian Bay in the mid-17th century. By the turn of the century, settlements were relocated to areas including the Bay of Quinte, Lake St. Clair and the northern shores of Lake Ontario.
The Hiawatha Ojibways, initially a component of a larger Band known as the “Mississaugas of Rice, Mud and Scugog Lakes”, surrendered a substantial portion of their established homeland to the Crown in 1818. This surrender would eventually cause division of the original Band into distinct, individual Nations.
After the division of the combined Mississauga Band, the members of Hiawatha First Nation were assigned an area of reserve land along the north shore of Rice Lake in 1828. At that time, they were regarded as the “Mississaugas of Rice Lake”, named as such for the abundant crops of wild rice that thrived in the Rice Lake area.
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Inspired by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s epic poem, “The Song of Hiawatha”, Prince Albert Edward of Wales crossed the sea in 1860 to personally visit the Ojibway Rice Lake village. History suggests that the prince was so taken with the picturesque scene of the settlement and its people, that he was moved to change the reserve’s name from Rice Lake to Hiawatha, after the legendary poem. The members of the Mississauga were in agreement. Hiawatha First Nation Indian Reserve would officially be designated as “Hiawatha First Nation” in the mid-1980’s.
In 1923, Hiawatha First Nation was a part of the “Williams Treaty” negotiations that included the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations of southern Ontario. One of the last Canadian treaties to be established, the Williams Treaty differed from previously signed treaties in the fact that the affiliated First Nations surrendered not only land, but also hunting and fishing rights. Dialogue and negotiations regarding these issues continue to the present day.
Geography
Located approximately 30 kilometers south of Peterborough, Ontario, in the Otonabee Township, Hiawatha First Nation is situated on the north shore of Rice Lake. Due east of the Otonabee River, the community covers a land area of approximately 1,952 acres, and has a registered population of 483 members.
Hiawatha First Nation belongs to Ontario’s “Unaffiliated Southern District” of First Nations. They are also affiliated with the “United Indians Councils of the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations” and the “Association of Iroquois and Allied Indians”.
Arts and Culture
Hiawatha First Nation is the keeper and caretaker of a sacred area within the Nations’ boundaries. “Serpent Mounds Park”, the burial site of the ancient Point Peninsula tribes, can be found on a high point of land near Rice Lake. A series of nine burial mounds, dating back 2,000 years in history, mark the final resting place of these early inhabitants.
Serpent Mounds Park was named in reference to the largest of the burial mounds, which zigzags in a serpentine formation, giving it a snake-like appearance. This hallowed site is unique to Canada and was officially named as a National Historic Site in 2002.
The Hiawatha community takes pride in sharing the history of Serpent Mounds Park with visitors, offering tours to individuals or groups, while focusing on First Nations awareness. Full recreation facilities are available in the park area including camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and Eco-Cabin rentals. Family programs and traditional Aboriginal arts and crafts workshops are also offered.
Hiawatha First Nation celebrates its ancestral Ojibway roots through the hosting of an Annual Traditional Pow Wow. Generally held in May, this anticipated event welcomes First Nation and non-First Nation audiences alike.
Sandra Moore, an Anishnaabe-kew from Hiawatha First Nation, holds the title of Manager of Health and Social Services in her home community. Her devotion to contributing to the education, counseling and healing of her people is extended through her use of traditional Ojibwe teachings and reinforcing cultural awareness.
Lynda Bradley is the designer behind “Lynda Bradley Creations”. Sought after for her skillful sewing abilities, she creates unique pow wow regalia, recognized on the pow wow grounds.
Barb, best known by her Anishnaabe name of Niiwinnodin, meaning Four Winds, is a local artist, creating paintings that depict and celebrate her ancestral culture and heritage. A mother of four, she is inspired to produce pieces that can be passed on to her children as reminders of their ancestors’ history.
Rice Lake Thunder is a Hiawatha First Nation drum group formed in 2005. Consisting of seven members, and growing, the original founders are dedicated to the continuation of their musical creation.
Achievements and Progression
Members of Hiawatha First Nation community are privy to a wealth of resources made available to them through the dedication and commitment of local professional, business owners and entrepreneurs.
Some of the major services available are:
- Employment and Training Services
- Lands and Housing Agency
- Education Counselor
- First Nations Policing Services
- Economic Development Officer
- Child Care Centre
- L.I.F.E. Services including child, youth and family programs and counseling, social services programs, addiction counseling, health and wellness guidance, community support, emergency response team and public works department
Hiawatha First Nation is a thriving, self-sustaining community. Focusing on tourism as the mainstay of their economic development, its people take great pride in conserving the natural beauty of the area and extending bona fide hospitality to its annual visitors.
The history of Hiawatha First Nation, otherwise known as the Mississaugas of Rice Lake, is rich and winding, rooted deeply in Ontario’s past. With physical and spiritual ties to land and lakes dating back thousands of years, present day ancestors of this proud Nation take care to maintain and restore their heritage within their own community and beyond.
Just the Facts Please
(Source: 2006 Statistics Canada Census)
2006 Population 483
2001 Population 297
Population Fluctuation 62.6%
Land Area (square km) 8.06
Population Density (per square km) 59.9
Total Private Dwellings 195
Total Population 15 Years and Over n/a
Knowledge of Aboriginal Language n/a