Walpole Island First Nation facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Walpole Island 46
Bkejwanong
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| Walpole Island Indian Reserve No. 46 | |
Governance building
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 Walpole Island 46
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| County | Lambton |
| First Nation | Walpole Island |
| Area | |
| • Land | 137.47 km2 (53.08 sq mi) |
| Population
(2006)
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| • Total | 1,878 |
| • Density | 13.66/km2 (35.4/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Area code(s) | 519 and 226 |
Walpole Island is an island and a First Nation reserve located in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It sits right on the border between Ontario and Michigan in the United States. You can find it at the mouth of the Saint Clair River, where it meets Lake Saint Clair. It's about 121 kilometers (75 miles) by road from Windsor, Ontario, and 124 kilometers (77 miles) from Detroit, Michigan.
Walpole Island is believed by some to be the final resting place of Tecumseh. He was a very important leader of the Shawnee people in the 1800s. Tecumseh was well-known for trying to stop American expansion westward. He formed a group called Tecumseh's confederacy and started Tecumseh's War.
Contents
Walpole Island's Land and Location
Walpole Island is considered unceded territory. This means the land was never officially given up or sold by the Indigenous peoples who lived there. The island is home to the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa peoples. They are part of the Walpole Island First Nation. In their language, Anishinaabemowin, they call it Bkejwanong. This name means "where the waters divide."
Islands and Waterways
Besides Walpole Island itself, the reserve includes other islands. These are Squirrel Island, Saint Anne Island, Seaway Island (mostly), Bassett Island, and Potawatomi Island. Rivers and creeks flow around these islands. This is why the area is also called Swejwanong, which means "many forks of a river."
Location and Neighbors
Walpole Island is its own community. However, it is located within the larger area of Lambton County. It is also next to the municipality of Chatham-Kent and the township of Saint Clair. Across the Saint Clair River, to the west, are the American towns of Algonac, Michigan, and Clay Township. Another island, Harsen's Island, is also traditional Anishinaabe territory. It is now on the American side of the border. The border was set in the 1800s by the United Kingdom and the United States. They did not consider the rights of the Indigenous peoples living there. Because of this, the First Nation is working to resolve these issues with the Canadian government. This is done through a process called a Specific Claim.
History of Walpole Island
The exact origin of the name "Walpole" is not fully known. It might be linked to surveyors named Arthur Walpole or John Walpole.
Early Settlement (1600s–1800s)
In the late 1600s and early 1700s, the area now known as Walpole Island was settled. People from the Ojibwe and Odawa nations made their homes there. In 1844, a group of Jesuits (religious missionaries) built a mission on the island. This caused problems because the community did not invite them. The Jesuits also cut down oak trees that the community wanted to keep. This created tension between the two groups. The Jesuits left in 1850 after their mission building was destroyed.
Forest Changes (1869–1883)
During this time, many oak trees on Walpole Island were cut down. This happened because of agreements made by non-Native companies to harvest the wood. These agreements led to a lasting feeling of mistrust. This mistrust was between the Walpole Island community, the government's Indian Affairs department, and the companies.
Hunting Rules (1884–1899)
As part of an effort to control the island, the Indian Affairs department made a rule. This rule illegally banned hunting ducks on Saint Anne's Island. This ban was later removed in 1899. This happened after the Aboriginal Title (the right of Indigenous peoples to their land) was confirmed.
River Traffic in the 1900s
By the early 1900s, the river around Walpole Island became very busy. Many large ships carrying industrial goods traveled through it.
Walpole Island's Environment
Walpole Island is a special place for nature. Many efforts are made to protect its environment. These include the Walpole Island Land Trust and the Purple Martin Project. The island is also home to a unique bird. It has the only wild population of northern bobwhite (a type of quail) in all of Ontario and Canada.
Population and Community
As of January 2011, the Walpole Island First Nation has 4,315 registered members. About 2,213 of these members live on the reserve. Another 2,080 members live off the reserve.
| Canada census – Walpole Island 46 community profile | |||
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| 2006 | |||
| Population: | 1878 (1.9% from 2001) | ||
| Land area: | 137.28 km2 (53.00 sq mi) | ||
| Population density: | 13.7/km2 (35/sq mi) | ||
| Median age: | 30.9 (M: 29.0, F: 32.9) | ||
| Total private dwellings: | 753 | ||
| Median household income: | $27,627 | ||
| References: 2006 earlier | |||
| Historical population | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1991 | 1,370 | — |
| 1996 | 1,525 | +11.3% |
| 2001 | 1,843 | +20.9% |
| 2006 | 1,878 | +1.9% |
| 2011 population unavailable. | ||
Getting Around Walpole Island
Walpole Island is connected to mainland Canada by the Tecumsah Road Bridge (Route 32). There is also a ferry service, the Walpole-Algonac Ferry. This ferry connects the island with the US city of Algonac, Michigan. This ferry has been running for over 100 years.
Education on Walpole Island
Students who finish their elementary school education on Walpole Island usually go to Wallaceburg District Secondary School nearby. In the mid-1990s, about 20% of First Nations students graduated from high school. By the mid-2010s, this number had greatly improved to about 75%. The Harriett Jacobs Center is located within Wallaceburg District Secondary School. It hosts the Walpole Island First Nation Secondary School Program. This program helps over 150 students.
Sports on Walpole Island
Walpole Island has its own junior hockey team, the Walpole Island Wild. They play in the Provincial Junior Hockey League. The Walpole Island First Nation bought the team in July 2022. The team used to be called the Wallaceburg Thunderbirds. In April 2023, the team was allowed to move to the Walpole Island Sports Complex. That's when they changed their name to the Walpole Island Wild.
Notable People from Walpole Island
- Bauzhi-Geezhig-Waeshikum (died around 1842) – An Ojibwa chief and medicine man from the Lake Saint Clair area.
- Sacramento Knoxx – A talented artist who works in many different fields, including hip hop. He is also a director and an activist.
- Alexander McKee (1735–1799) – An agent for the British Indian Department. He helped establish the Walpole Island settlement.
- Tecumseh (around 1768–1813) – A very important 19th-century chief and warrior. Some believe his remains were first buried on Saint Anne Island. They were then reburied at Walpole Island in 1941.
Images for kids
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Saint Clair River with Walpole Island in the background
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View of Walpole Island as seen from across the Saint Clair River
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Entry to Walpole Island from ferry to Algonac
