Welcome visitors, families and friends to Whitefish Island

Whitefish Island Reserve is a territory of the Batchewana First Nation. Two treaties, the 1850 Robinson Huron and the 1859 Pennefather, specifically retained Whitefish Island and the small islands used as fishing stations for its benefit and use. The location of the 22 acre island was significant to the Anishnabe. It provided access to the rich fisheries at the St. Mary's rapids and as the travel route between Lakes Huron and Superior the area was a centre for trade and settlement. There was continuous occupation of the island until 1905 when the Anishnabe families living on the island were removed because of the land expropriations.

Removal of the Whitefish Island Residents, Burial Grounds and Lands

From 1900 to 1901, the Federal Government issued improper land expropriations on Whitefish Island to 3 railway companies. By 1906 Whitefish Island was expropriated for railroad use, all residents were removed from the Island, and the Indian Burial Ground grave sites were relocated to areas in Sault Ste. Marie. Interestingly, the Railway companies were subsidiaries of the Lake Superior Power Company. In 1913, the Federal Department of Public Works expropriated the land from the railroad companies. In 1980, Batchewana First Nation issued a land claim with the Federal Government seeking return of the island to reserve status. After a long battle, the island was returned to Batchewana First Nation in 1998.

Anishinaabemowin: Adikameg Minising - Whitefish Island

Aaniin! Kina weyaa, dinmakoonim bii Dikmej mnisenhing.

Niish giidonan gchi minisneganan 1850 Robinson miinwaa 1859 Pennefather Niishtana shi niish aki Adikameg gii gwaabwaawan 1905 Anishinabec gii gojipcaan gi jigaaswok.

Mewsha kina anishnaabeg gii bii yaawag, Anishnaabeg gii bimaawnjid wagimziwe gii Binjibaawag gii bii gii goonkewaad pii dikmegoog Aamiwag pii daagwagiing Miinwaa giimesh toon gewag miijim Shkweganin sii wagmisgan wiigwas Jiimaanan nigii chimendaamin kina Weyaa gii bii shaawaad miinwaa Giiminemaawaat.

1900-1901 Gichi goma gii commaan Anhishinaben Adikomeg Minising mii dash niwsi gichi iskode daabaan miikaan gii zhitiwass miinwaa Lake Superior Power Co. and the Federal Department of Public Works mii dash 1980 Batchewana ntam Anishinabe gii zhitoowaad ji doopniwaad adikomeg Minising niyaab. Adikiameg Minising niyaab gii miingaazok 1998.