Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation

Neyaashiinigmiing has always been the home of the Chippewas of Nawash. Their traditional lands included the entire Bruce Peninsula and roughly 2 million acres south of it. In 1993, the First Nation won a court battle giving them the right to fish for trade and commerce in their traditional waters surrounding the Bruce Peninsula.[4]

The name Chippewas of Nawash is from Chief Nawash who fought with Tecumseh during the war of 1812[8]

The name Neyaashiinigmiing loosely translated from Ojibwe as point of land surrounded on 3 sides by water. Which describes the location of Neyaashiinigmiing 27.[4]

Chippewas of Nawash have three reserves in perpetuity, amassing to 71.83 km² (27.73 sq. mi.). Of these three, the 63.81 km² (24.64 sq. mi.) Neyaashiinigmiing 27 is considered the main reserve and Saugeen & Cape Croker Fishing Island 1 is shared with Saugeen First Nation.

The Chippewas of Nawash hold a Traditional Pow Wow every year. Chippewas of Nawash is also the home of musician Ira Nadjiwon, Marc Merilainen (Nadjiwon), Jacques Pigeon, Kevin (The Hooch) Lavalley, and Bryden "Gwiss" Kiwenzie who grew up on Nawash. They are also home to an award-winning powwow singers group called "Chippewa Travellers".

In 1994, the Nawash and the Saugeen First Nations filed a lawsuit against the Government of Canada; the claims for land, and payment of rent on lands, discussed in early treaties are significant. "The two First Nations are claiming aboriginal title to the lands under the water covering an area of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay from south of Goderich, west to the international border and north to the mid-point between the tip of the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island; then east to the mid-point of Georgian Bay and south to the southernmost point of Nottawasaga Bay." This suit has yet to be resolved.[9]

The Official Plan for the Town of Saugeen Shores (2014) includes the following comment about this issue: "The Chippewas of the Saugeen First Nation and the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation have filed a Native Land Claim for the islands in the Saugeen River, the lands that border the north side of the Saugeen River and the shoreline from the mouth of the Saugeen River northerly around the Bruce Peninsula."[10]

• Mary Louise McLeod Canada's Silver Cross Mother for 1972. The first Native woman to be so recognized.
• Basil H. Johnston (1929-2015), writer and educator, residential school survivor
• Verna Patronella Johnston author of "Tales of Nokomis", subject of "I Am Nokomis, Too", by Rosamond M. Vanderburgh, and the Native Women's Association of Canada 1976 Woman of the Year.
• John Borrows (b. 1963), Professor Borrows, B.A., M.A., J.D., LL.M. (Toronto), Ph.D. (Osgoode Hall Law School), LL.D. (Hons.)(Dalhousie) F.R.S.C., is Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Law at the University of Victoria Law School.[11]
• Lenore Keeshig-Tobias, author (Emma and the Trees and Bird Talk) and major advocate for Indigenous writers in Canada
• Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, poet, founder of Kegedonce Press
• Clifford Solomon, television actor
• Delmar Ashkewe, (b. 1947), artist
• Chris 'Ice Bear' Johnston, artist[12]
• Mark LaVallee, musician, co-founder of "Chippewa Travellers".[13]
• Polly Keeshig-Tobias, artist, author and illustrator of The Illustrated History of the Chippewas of Nawash
• Jeremy Proulx, award-winning actor[14]
• Andrea Fowler, founded Johnston Research Inc and researcher
• Nyle Johnston, artist
• Adrian Nadjiwon, artist
• Bradley Kiwenzie, artist
• Kevin 'The Hooch' Lavallee, musician
• Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, musician
• Charmaine Jenner, artist
• Naomi Smith, artist
• Michelle LaVallee, curator, artist, and educator
• Patrick Lavalley, (b. 1968), artist, historian[15]
• Mary Spencer (b. 1984), Canadian, World Champion, Pan AM, and Olympic middleweight boxer[16]

Many Nawash members have gone on to have professional careers in TV, film, theatre and publishing.

• Official website
• "Hope Bay South East Shore Cottager's Group"