Georgina Island

During the American War of Independence, British colonial authorities began to strategically engage in relationships with the Native people of present-day Ontario, seeking to acquire and settle their territories for the purpose of defending British North America. The Chippewas of Lakes Huron and Simcoe in the early nineteenth century consisted of several bands. Two groups, led by William Yellowhead and Joseph Snake, occupied areas of southernmost Simcoe County, which they relinquished to the government in 1818. A third group, led by John Aisance, occupied areas between Kempenfelt Bay and Penetanguishene, which they surrendered to the government in 1815. In 1830 the government set aside Georgina Island, Snake Island and Fox Island, all in Lake Simcoe, as a reservation for these groups, but encouraged them to settle instead in purpose-built villages at Coldwater (where Aisance and his people settled) and Atherley Narrows (where Yellowhead and Snake settled) where they might take up farming. The corridor of Crown land between Lake Couchiching, and the Severn River was informally given to the Chippewas as a hunting ground, but in 1836 a deal was struck to return this territory (including the two villages) to government hands, leaving the Chippewas with the Lake Simcoe islands as their last remaining reservation. Yellowhead and his band purchased land at Rama and settled there in 1838, whereas Aisance led his people to Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay in 1842, from which they relocated to Christian Island in 1856. As part of this final dispersal of the Chippewas of Lakes Huron and Simcoe, some remained behind on Snake Island and the neighbouring islands with Snake as their leader.

The role of the colonial government had a significant impact on the people, enforcing a policy to enrol the people and grow dependent on the crown. The influence of this policy resulted in repeated promises of protection, food, clothing, lodgings and general welfare of the people. The transformation from a strong and independent people to one of complete dependence for the most part resulted. The area between Lake Ontario, Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe represented a region of prime military vulnerability and defence for Upper Canada.[6] This region was not only occupied by the Lake Simcoe Indians, but also the people under the leadership of Joseph Brant of the Six Nations. Six Nations lies in the town of Ohsweken, Ontario.[7]