Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve

Coordinates: 45°42′46″N 81°42′22″W / 45.712892°N 81.706009°W / 45.712892; -81.706009

Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve (usually known as Wikwemikong or Wiky) is an Indian reserve in the north-eastern section of Manitoulin Island in Manitoulin District, Ontario, Canada. Wikwemikong is an unceded Indian reserve in Canada, which means that it has not "relinquished title to its land to the government by treaty or otherwise."

The name Wikwemikong means "bay of beavers".

The reserve is occupied by Ojibwa, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples, under the Council of Three Fires. The current band chief is Hazel Fox.

Geography

Wikwemikong occupies a large peninsula on the eastern end of Manitoulin Island, which is connected to the rest of the island by an isthmus separating South Bay from Manitowaning Bay. The reserve's primary access is via Wiky Road, which continues off the reserve as Cardwell Street and connects to Highway 6 at Manitowaning.

History

From 1836 to 1862, the entirety of Manitoulin Island was set aside as the "Manitoulin Island Indian Reserve" under the Bond Head Treaty. In 1862, most of the island was ceded to the government of Canada under the MacDougall Treaty for new settlement by non-natives, resulting in the creation of new reserves at West Bay, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Cockburn Island and Sucker Creek. However, two bands which occupied the land that now comprises Wikwemikong refused to sign the treaty, and thus continued to exist as a remnant of the Manitoulin Island Indian Reserve.

Wikwemikong as it exists today was created in 1968, when the two unceded bands and the Point Grondine band amalgamated as the Wikwemikong band.

Communities

In addition to the primary settlement at Wikwemikong, smaller settlements on the reserve include Buzwah, Kaboni, Maiangowi, Murray Hill, South Bay, Two O'Clock, Wabozominissing and Wikwemikonsing. The Point Grondine reserve, on the mainland near Killarney, also belongs to the Wikwemikong band.

The reserve is served by four churches, two elementary schools and Wasse Abin High School.

Culture

The reserve is also home to the Wikwemikong Cultural Festival (Wikwemikong Pow Wow) which is held annually every Civic Holiday Weekend (August 1,2,3).

This annual event is touted the largest and oldest Pow Wows in Eastern Canada. Considered to be one of the major Pow Wows in North America it is attended by many Aboriginal Dancers who participate in competition of all age ranges demonstrating Tradition, Grass, Jingle, and Fancy Dancing

Wikwemikong is also the home to a professional theatre company, De-ba-jeh-mu-jig Theatre Group, which stages and produces plays about First Nations life and culture.

People

Notable people from Wikwemikong include country music artist Crystal Shawanda. NHL hockey player Chris Simon was born and raised off-reserve to a father from Wikwemikong.

External links

• Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve
• Wikwemikong Heritage Organization

	Manitowaning Bay / Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands	North Channel / Killarney		v • d • e
	Assiginack		Georgian Bay
		Wikwemikong Unceded
	South Bay / Tehkummah	Lake Huron