Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation

The name Chippewas of Nawash is from Chief Nawash who fought with Tecumseh during the War of 1812. == History ==

Neyaashiinigmiing has always been the home of the Chippewas of Nawash. Their traditional lands included the entire Bruce Peninsula and roughly 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. ==Reserves==

Chippewas of Nawash have three reserves in perpetuity, amassing to . Of these three, the Neyaashiinigmiing 27 is considered the main reserve, and Saugeen & Cape Croker Fishing Island 1 is shared with Saugeen First Nation. Neyaashiinigmiing 27 Formerly known as Cape Croker 27, this reserve is located within Bruce County, Ontario. It is big. It is the largest reserve of the three. Cape Croker Hunting Ground 60B The reserve is surrounded by Bruce Peninsula National Park and Saugeen Hunting Grounds 60A. Saugeen and Cape Croker Fishing Islands The reserve consist of 89 island shared with Saugeen First Nation. == Government ==

Leaders of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation are elected every two years by the population registered on the band list. The current Chief and Council are: • Chief Veronica (Cha-Cha) Smith • Anthony Chegahno • Arlene Chegahno • Carlene Keeshig • Norma Tobey • Beverly Nadjiwon • Nick Saunders • Jessica Keeshig-Martin • Theron Solomon • Paul Jones ==Media==

FM Radio • 100.1 - CHFN - The Chippewas of Nawash operate a low power FM station that plays an eclectic mix of Rock, country, gospel, and pow wow. Local newspaper • ''Community Newsletter Eziwehbak (what's happening)'' • ''Winter Count: Neyaashiinigmiing's History Newsletter'' • Dibaudjimoh (no longer publishing) ==Culture==

The Chippewas of Nawash hold a traditional powwow every year. The 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". ==Land claims==

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. 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." ==Notable members==

• Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, poet, founder of Kegedonce Press • 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. • Basil H. Johnston (1929-2015), writer and educator, residential school survivor • Verna Patronella Johnston, author (Tales of Nokomis) and community organizer in Toronto during the 1960s and 1970s • Lenore Keeshig-Tobias, author (Emma and the Trees and Bird Talk) and major advocate for Indigenous writers in Canada • Bryden Gwiss Kiwenzie, musician • Michelle LaVallee, curator, artist, and educator • Naomi Smith, artist • Clifford Solomon, television actor • Mary Spencer (b. 1984), Canadian, World Champion, Pan AM, and Olympic middleweight boxer ==References==