Alderville First Nation facts for kids
Alderville First Nation is a community of the Mississaugas people, who are part of the larger Ojibway (also known as Anishinaabe) Nation. Their lands include two special areas called reserves: the main Alderville reserve and a smaller one called Sugar Island 37A. These reserves are managed by the First Nation's own government.
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About the Alderville First Nation
The Alderville First Nation is a group of Anishinaabe people living in southern Ontario, Canada. In December 2017, there were 1,162 registered members of the Alderville First Nation. Most of these members (about 839 people) live outside the reserve in nearby towns. Only 323 people lived on the reserve at that time.
How Alderville First Nation is Governed
The Alderville First Nation is led by a Chief and a Council, who are chosen by the community in elections. They work with other Indigenous groups like the Ogemawahj Tribal Council and the Anishinabek Nation to share ideas and make important decisions.
Where is Alderville First Nation Located?
The Alderville First Nation has two main land areas. The largest one is the Alderville First Nation reserve. It's located near the southern shores of Rice Lake in Ontario. This area is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Cobourg, and it covers about 1,200 hectares (nearly 3,000 acres). It's made up of six separate pieces of land within the Alnwick/Haldimand Township.
They also have a smaller piece of land called the Sugar Island 37A Indian Reserve. This island is about 40.5 hectares (100 acres) in size. The Mississauga people, who are part of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwa) Nation, have lived in these areas since the mid-1830s.
A Look Back: History of Alderville First Nation
For hundreds of years, until the early 1800s, the ancestors of the Alderville First Nation lived in their traditional lands. These lands were around the Bay of Quinte, which is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) east of where the Nation is today.
After the American Revolution, many people who were loyal to the British (called United Empire Loyalists) moved to Canada. The British government had lost its American colonies. These new settlers put pressure on the Indigenous communities. In 1783, a large area of land was bought from the Mississaugas in what was called the Crawford Purchase. Land around the Bay of Quinte was given to the Mohawks, led by Chief John Deserontyon. They had lost their lands in what is now New York State. This group of Mohawks became the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation. They now live on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
For the first few decades, the Mississaugas lived alongside the Mohawks and other Haudenosaunee people. In the 1820s, many Mississaugas became Methodists, a type of Christian faith. This led about 200 to 300 Mississaugas to settle on a small place called Grape Island. This island is located off Gravelly Point in Prince Edward County.
Famous People from Alderville First Nation
- Albert Smoke (1894–1944), an Olympic long-distance runner.
See Also
