Chief Island / Ogimaa Mnis

A Village Site

We know now that our ancestors certainly lived there immediately before 1830, as there is historical reference to moving from “Yellowhead’s Island” to Orillia in that time frame. As to when the island first became occupied, it is impossible to say. Mnjikaning (the place of the fish fence), only a short paddle away, has been in place for over 5,000 years. With Chief Island being in the middle of a well-travelled lake and part of a vital route north into hunting territories, it is safe to say people have lived or camped there for millenia.

The island at one point had a church/school, and was staffed by a missionary. There would have also been wiigwaaman (homes) on the island too.

There is reference to Chief Island in the 1851 Census. The text states,

“The Indians cultivate small patches of land on an island in Lake Couchiching upon which they raised up little Indian corn and potatoes...”

The soils of Chief Island supported small gardens. Although the majority of our community had moved to our current village in Rama between 1838-1848, Chief Island was still regularly used and visited. More recently, there is living memory of the island being home to many pigs!

There has been a lot of focus on Chief Island in the past few years in regards to it being accessed without permission by non-community members. This has been particularly concerning due to the island being considered sacred by many as it contains many gravesites.

Burial Place

In the early 1920s, Indigenous remains found in the ground at Mary Street in Orillia were taken to Chief Island and reinterred.

“Rama Council resolved to give these people a final resting place on Chief’s Island. In the recent past, the community had fought vehemently for privacy and control over the maintenance of this traditional burial ground, frankly telling outsiders who complained of its unkempt state to mind their own business. This was a sacred site not a public park. In fact, John C Simcoe and Norman Snache dug the grave themselves... at least 36 ancestors found a sacred and respectful resting place”. (Laurie Leclair , http://anishinabeknews.ca/2018/10/31/chiefs island grave story/story/)

Historically, there were many inquiries regarding potentially purchasing Chief Island. Indian Affairs were questioned whether it would be surrendered by ambitious settlers. Time and time again, Rama refused, pledging that the island would never be surrendered. The burials and importance of the island were always known to our ancestors.

There are 14 gravestones on the island:

-Maggie Sandy, June 1879 - October 30, 1903

-Eva Frances York, Born May 6, 1908

-Betsy L. Myrtle, April 10, 1901 - December 12, 1909

- “B.L.M.Y.”

-Arthur Shilling, 1900 - October 8, 1920

-Chief John Kenice, 1837 - May 28, 1902

-William Jacobs, 1843 - February 19, 1859

-Albert Nelson Snache, July 11, 1906 - October 7, 1927

-Phoebe Ann Joe, January 20, 1860 - September 11, 1906 - and two gravestones with illegible names and dates.

However, there are many more ancestors buried on the island but not identified with a grave markers. Historical documents such as death certificates report many burials occuring at Chief Island, but there are no gravemarkers for them.

Chief and Council recognized our ancestors’ resting place with a beautiful monument installed in the summer of 2019. In addition, the existing gravestones, many of which were well over 100 years old and in rough shape, were completely remade with exact replicas. The originals were later crushed and taken back to the island to be put back on the earth.

An Important Part of our History

Throughout Rama First Nation’s history, Chief Island has played an important role. Whether it be a burial site, village site, or spot of refuge, it has always been waiting for us in Lake Couchiching. Chief Island has always