Saulteaux

History
They are a branch of the Ojibwa people (aka Algonquin, Anishinabe, Bungee, Chippewa, Little Shell, Nez Perce, Ojibway, Ojibwe, Pembina, Saginaw, Sac, and Sauk. Their land was located just east of Lake Superior when the English and French first met them in the early 17th century. It was the French who supposedly named these eastern Lake Superior Chippewa District people the Saulteaux. It means "People of the Falls" in French. In Montana, the Gros Ventre are known as the People of the Falls or People of the Waterfallsor simply the Waterfalls People or Falls People. They are the Chippewas who forced their way from the west to the east, after the whites invaded. They are also the Montana Saulteaux. They originally lived in the Great Falls, Montana region and still do. The correct pronunciation of Saulteaux is sneaky. Nearly all think it is pronounced as So as in "so there" and to as in "your big toe." However, that is not correct. It is pronounced as Soo as in "Sioux" and to as in "your big toe." Sooto.

Their original land was located in the immediate surrounding region of Sault Ste. Marie. Ojibwa authors from the 19th century wrote about Chippewa's from the west forcing their way to the east, after the whites began to settle the area. According to George Copway, the Chippewas from northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, settled the region where Sault Ste. Marie is. They then worked their way further east. Copway wrote that these Chippewa settlers colonized the region east of Lake Superior and east of Lake Huron, after 1634 and 1635.

Surprisingly, Copway wrote that Minnesota served as a starting off point. Copway learned that a general council was held where Minneapolis-St. Paul is (Falls of St. Anthony) to distribute land to the Ojibwa's. He also wrote that the Ojibwa east of Lake Superior, considered the Minnesota region to be the land of their forefathers.

Not very long after the western Chippewas colonized the region east of Lakes Superior and Huron, they began to move westward. It was their Seven Fires Prophecy which forced them to leave for western lands. Among them were the Amikwa Chippewaswho are also known as the Nez Perce. They are the Nez Perce of Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Amikwa means Beavers in Anishinabe. The Beaver Tribe including the Kaska, Sekaniand Tahltan of British Columbia, are the Amikwa Chippewas.

According to the 1832 Edinburgh Encyclopedia, the Athabascan People or Dene People including the Apache, Chipewyan, and Navajo, are Algonquin. They speak Algonquian. Click this books.google.com/books link to read the 1832 Edinburgh Encyclopedia. A website about the Algonquin's is www.wilkesweb.us/algonquin/nations.htm here. You'll find the information about the Amikwa Chippewas at their website.

The focus will be on the northern Saulteaux Indians north of Lake Superior and exactly where their migration ended. From the Sault Ste. Marie region, they followed an old road north of Lake Superior which led to where Winnipeg, Manitoba is now situated. This same road led into what is now Saskatchewan then to what is now Edmonton, Alberta. It then branched off to where the Saulteau First Nations are located in British Columbia. That is where Moberly Lake is. Before the road reached Moberly Lake, it branched off where Dawson Creek, British Columbia is. It led up to where Fort Nelson, British Columbia is now.

Another branch of this same old road, branched off near Dawson Creek and extended into central British Columbia. From there, it led to where Prince Rupert, British Columbia is. The whites now call this old road the Highway of Tears. The Chippewas probably named the road Highway of Tears. Similar to the Trail of Tears in the United States which is now known as route 66.

Other branches of the Ojibwa Nation are the Little Shell, Pembina, and Saginaw. The Saulteaux lived north of them, excepting the Pembina who historians probably classify as being Saulteaux. To identify the Saulteaux Indians, information about the Little Shell, Pembina, and Saginaw must be separate so the information about the Saulteaux can be distinct.

This Saulteaux District bordered thePembina Band of Chippewa Indians District and theLittle Shell Band of Chippewa Indians, MontanaDistrict. It starts in eastern Saskatchewan and extends into Alberta. It may have included land in northern Montana, east of the Rocky Mountains. It also included much of British Columbia, particularly northern British Columbia. Another Chippewa District was probably located in southern British Columbia.

Only Reservations or Reserves, in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories will be included. Historians have written that the Cree Indians made no use of totems or clans. If that was correct it will signify that they are not Algonquian. However, it is known that the Swampy Cree and Woodland Cree used totems or clans. Woodland Cree are obviously Saulteaux. Their history is a fragmented one. There is one Saulteaux people in northeastern British Columbia and one in Alberta.

17th century:
They were living in Minnesota in the early part of the century. As a result of the white settlements into the area, many were sent east to support the eastern Chippewas in the wars against the whites and their Indian allies.

18th century:
Wars between the First Nations Peoples and the European white settlers became more frequent and more deadly. By 1795 (after the Battle of Fallen Timbers) the Saulteaux living east of Lake Superior and north of Lake Huron, began leaving the area. Some migrated up to northern Quebec. Most migrated north of Lake Superior then to the west.

19th century:
Many Saulteaux Indians had migrated into northwestern Ontario then southern Manitoba. They probably participated in the Pemmican War which was a part of the War of 1812. By the 1860s, they were realizing they had to migrate again. Under the leadership of Saulteaux leaders Chief Yellow Quill, his sub-chief Chief Kinistin, Chief John Smith and his brother Chief James Smith, the diasporas commenced. From southern Manitoba, they migrated into southeastern and central Saskatchewan. Other Chippewa leaders who followed prophecy and led migrations were Chief Kahkhagooguns and Chief Napaneegwan. Both leaders did as instructed and led the Saulteaux people to northern British Columbia, from southern Manitoba.

Chief Kinistin led many Saulteaux people up to northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan. They merged with the Chippewa's native to those regions. They also migrated into Alberta then British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, including what is now Nunavut.

Leaders:
Chief Pontiac: He was an important Sauteaux Ojibwa leader of the eastern Great Lakes region. His influence ranged from north of Lake Superior, to the southeastern part of what is now the United States. His family was an important family. His father was from the military totem of the Ojibwa's, while his mother was from the merchant totem of the Ojibwa's who are known historically as the Odawah or Ottawa. The military totem of the Saulteaux Ojibwa's were known as the Noka. It's probably short for Nakawe.

During the early 1750s, both the English and French were agitated about the powerful Saulteaux Ojibwa's preventing them from advancing west. They conspired to instigate trouble and that trouble erupted into the 7 years war (aka French and Indian War). Saulteaux Ojibwa soldiers launched massive military campaigns against their French enemies which led the English to send soldiers to Quebec to prevent the powerful Saulteaux Ojibwa's from defeating the French.

By 1759, the English had helped the French halt the powerful Saulteaux Ojibwa military. However, the war continued on. Chief Pontiac became an important Saulteaux Ojibwa military commander early in the 7 years war. By the early 1760s, chief Pontiac was the highest ranking Saulteaux Ojibwa military commander.

He sent 1,000s of Saulteaux Ojibwa soldiers to launch massive raids against English settlers. They killed and wounded 1,000s during the war including the 1763 war known as Pontiac's War. By 1763, the English no longer wanted war. A peace treaty was had yet the Saulteaux Ojibwa's knew from prophecy, the whites had evil intentions. The whites only advanced as far west as what is now central Pennsylvania. They had fortifications further west but it was dangerous. They advanced further west down south.

After 1763, little had changed since 1670. Whites had advanced to what is now eastern New York State, parts of Vermont, parts of New Hampshire, and parts of Maine. Chief Pontiac's war strategy was successful. His soldiers kept the white advance limited.

Reserves
Manitoba

Berens River

Black River

Bloodvein

Brokenhead

Buffalo Point

Chemawawin

Cross Lake (Cree and Saulteaux)

Ebb and Flow

Fort Alexander (Sagkeeng)

Fox Lake (Cree and Saulteaux)

Fisher River (Cree and Saulteaux)

Gamblers

Garden Hill

Gods Lake (Cree and Saulteaux)

Gods River (Cree and Saulteaux)

Grand Rapids

Hollow Water

Lake Manitoba

Lake St. Martin

Little Saskatchewan

Keeseekoowenin

Little Grand Rapids

Long Plain

Marcel Colomb (settled by chief KInistins Saulteaux)

Mathias Colomb (settled by chief KInistins Saulteaux)

Mosakahiken (Cree and Saulteaux)

Nelson House (Cree and Saulteaux)

Norway House (Cree and Saulteaux)

O-chi-chak-ko-sipi

O-Pipon-Na-Piwin (Cree and Saulteaux)

Opaskwayak (Cree and Saulteaux)

Oxford House (Cree and Saulteaux)

Pauingassi

Peguis

Pinaymootang

Pine Creek

Poplar River

Red Sucker Lake

Rollin River

Roseau River

St. Theresa Point

Sandy Bay

Sapotaweyak (Cree and Saulteaux)

Shamattawa (Cree and Saulteaux)

Skownan

Swan Lake

Tataskweyak (Cree and Saulteaux)

Tootinaowazibeeng

War Lake (Cree and Saulteaux)

Wasagamack

Waywayseecappo

Wuskwi Sipihk (Cree and Saulteaux)

York Factory (Cree and Saulteaux)

Barren Lands (Chipewyan)

Churchill (Chipewyan)

Nothlands (Chipewyan)

Sayisi Dene (aka Tadoule Lake - Chipewyan)

Saskatchewan

Crooked Lakes Reserve (Cowessess, Kahkewistahaw, Ochapowace, Sakimay) - Saulteaux largely from chief Yellow Quills subjects

Cumberland House (Cree and Saulteaux)

File Hills Reserve (Little Black Bear, Okanese, Peepeekisis, Star Blanket) - Cree and Saulteaux

Grizzly Bears Head-Lean Man-Mosquito-Red Phesant Reserve (Cree-Dakota-Saulteaux)

Qu' Appelle Reserve (Muscowpetung, Pasqua, Piapot, Standing Buffalo) - Saulteaux

Day Star-Kawacatoose Reserve (Cree and Saulteaux)

Gordon-Muskowekwan Reserve (Saulteaux)

Little Pine-Poundmaker Reserve (settled by chief Big Bears Saulteaux - Little Pine is a part of Moosomin and Saulteaux) - Cree and Saulteaux

Saulteaux-Moosomin Reserve (Cree and Saulteaux)

Cote (Saulteaux largely from chief Yellow Quill's subjects)

Fishing Lake (Saulteaux largely from cheif Yellow Quill's subjects)

James Smith (settled by Saulteaux Ojibwa's from St. Peters Reserve in Manitoba)

Keeseekoose (Saulteaux)

Kinistin (Saulteaux largely from chief Yellow Quill's subjects)

Lac La Ronge (settled by chief Kinistins Saulteaux)

Montreal Lake (settled by chief Kinistins Saulteaux)

Muskoday (settled by Saulteaux Ojibwa's from St. Peters Reserve in Manitoba)

Ocean Man (Saulteaux largely from chief Yellow Quill's subjects)

Onion Lake (settled by Saulteaux Ojibwa's from Montana)

Peter Ballantyne (settled by chief Kinistins Saulteaux)

Red Earth (Cree and Saulteaux)

Shoal Lake (Cree and Saulteaux)

The Key (Saulteaux largely from chief Yellow Quill's subjects)

Thunderchild (settled by chief Big Bears Saulteaux)

Waterhen Lake (Saulteaux)

White Bear (Saulteaux)

Witchekan Lake (Saulteaux)

Black Lake (Chipewyan)

Birch Narrows (Chipewyan)

Buffalo River (Chipewyan)

Clearwater (Chipewyan)

English River (Chipewyan)

Fond Du Lac (Chipewyan)

Hatchet Lake (Chipewyan)

La Loche (Chipewyan)

Alberta

Alexis (Assiniboine-Cree-Saulteaux)

Beaver Reserve (Amikwa Chippewas)

Heart Lake (Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Horse Lake (Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Montana Reserve (settled by Saulteaux Chippewas from Montana)

O'Chiese-Sunchild Reserve (Cree and Saulteaux)

Paul (Assiniboine-Cree-Saulteaux)

Athabascan Chipewyan

Chipewyan Priaire

Cold Lake (Chipewyan)

Dene Tha' (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Fort McKay (Chipewyan)

Fort McMurray (Chipewyan)

Northwest Territories

Behchoko (Chipewyan-Dogrib)

Behdzi Ahda (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Colville Lake (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Deline (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Deninu K'ue (Chipewyan)

Dettah (Chipewyan-Dogrib)

Fort Good Hope (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Fort Laird (Chipewyan-Slavey - aka Acho Dene Koe)

Fort Norman (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Fort Providence (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Fort Simpson (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Fort Rae (Chipewyan-Dogrib)

Gameti (Chipewyan-Dogrib)

Hay River (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Jean Marie River (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Liidlii Kue (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Lutsel K'e (Chipewyan)

Nahanni Butte (Chipewyan-Mountain Dene)

N'Dilo (Chipewyan-Dogrib)

Norman Wells (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Salt River (Chipewyan)

Sambaa K'e (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Smith's Landing (Chipewyan)

Tulita (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Wekweeti (Chipewyan-Dogrib)

Wha Ti (Chipewyan-Dogrib)

Wrigley (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Yellowknife (Chipewyan-Yellowknife)

British Columbia

Kwadacha (Sekani or Beaver who are Amikwa Chippewas)

McLeod Lake (Sekani or Beaver who are Amikwa Chippewas)

Takla (Sekani or Beaver who are Amikwa Chippewas)

Tsey Keh (Sekani or Beaver who are Amikwa Chippewas)

Fort Nelson (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Prophet River (Chipewyan-Slavey)

Blueberry River (Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Doig River (Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Halfway River (Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Saulteau (aka East Moberly Lake)

West Moberly Lake (Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Dease River (they are Kaska who are Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Iskut (Tahltan or Beaver who are Amikwa Chippewas)

Kaska (they are Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Tahltan (they are Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Yukon

Liard (they are Kaska who are Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Lower Post (they are Kaska who are Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Ross River (they are Beaver or Amikwa Chippewas)

Records
The majority of records of individuals were those created by the agencies. Some records may be available to tribal members through the tribal headquarters.They were (and are) the local office of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and were charged with maintaining records of the activities of those under their responsibility. Among these records are:


 * Allotment records
 * Annuity rolls
 * Census records
 * Correspondence
 * Health records
 * Reports
 * School census and records
 * Vital records