Saugeen First Nation - History - From Traditional To An Elected Style of Government

From Traditional To An Elected Style of Government

Kezigkoenene (Giizhigowinini) or David Sawyer was the cousin of Peter Jones-Kahkewaquonaby and was from the Credit River. He was the son of Nawahjegezhewabe: Chief Joseph Sawyer b.1786, Genesee County, New York. Records in the Canadian Archives note that David Sawyer came to live with some of the people at the Owen Sound village which eventually became known as Nawash. It is recorded that the Nawash," on March 9, 1855, passed a resolution that David Sawyer replace Kegedonce as their chief and interpreter." David Sawyer attended the mission school taught by Peter Jones' brother: Thayendanega or John Jones. David Sawyer signed the treaty of 1854 to surrender most of Saugeen Territory.

Records in Library and Archives Canada also state that,"when Sawyer was absent from the Owen Sound area in 1856, the Indian Department" secured the surrender" when, "a few Indians were invited to Toronto to sign a Treaty" where they surrendered the Owen Sound village, "including Sawyer's farm" and Catherine Sutton's new home.

Treaty No. 82 was signed at Toronto, February 9, 1857. It sold, “the land upon which we now reside, commonly known as the Nawash or Owen Sound Reserve.”

Treaty No. 93, surrendered the area known as Colpoy’s Bay of Saugeen Territory.

The 1851 census lists John Johnston as American Potawatomi. He signed the treaty of 1854.

In the Directory of First Nations Individuals in South-Western Ontario 1750-1850, Greg Curnoe records James Newash as an Odawa. He is reported to have moved to Saugeen after the war of 1812 and the Battle at Moraviantown. It is said that Nawash fought with Tecumseh. He settled with his community on the fighting islands of Detroit River around 1815 and moved to the Miami River in 1819. James Newash also signed the Treaty of 1854 .

Charles Keeshig is recorded as being a very well educated Pottawatomi from the United States who worked as an interpreter in Saugeen Territory. He was the brother in law of Peter Jones Kegedonce. Peter Jones Kegedonce was the son of Kegedonce Chief of the Ausable River people by Kettle and Stony Point.

The Department of Indian Affairs replaced David Sawyer with Charles Keeshick as an agent for the people who became known as the Nawash of Owen Sound. Library and Archives Canada, notes that "during Keeshick's term of office the band ceded to the government in 1854, almost all of the Bruce Peninsula." He signed the Treaty of 1854.

The Treaty of 1854 was one of the biggest land grabs in history. It involved the surrender of 1.5 million acres (6070 km²) of the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway. It is recorded as No.72 : Surrender of the Saugeen Peninsula.

The doodem of Chief Wahbudick appears on that treaty even though Thomas Anderson, as Superintendent of Indian Affairs removed him from official office as the Chief of the Saugeen Ojibway.

The time of surrenders and treaties was very difficult for the Saugeen Ojibway. Most could not read or write English and that was the language used to sign and record land surrenders and treaties.

It was also the time that people from other places allowed the Department of Indian Affairs into Saugeen Ojibway Territory to set up an elected form of government.