Council of Keewatin
Encyclopedia
The Council of Keewatin was an unelected legislative body and territorial government for the now-defunct District of Keewatin
in Canada
. The District of Keewatin was created by the passage of the Keewatin Act on April 12, 1876 from a portion of Canada
's North West Territories
. Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris
convinced the government that the new territorial government of the North West Territories would be unable to effectively administer land to the north and east of Manitoba. Shortly after the District of Keewatin was formed a large group of Icelanders arrived, infected with smallpox which quickly spread to the indigenous First Nation population. The Government of Canada allowed the Council to be formed for the purpose of containing the smallpox
epidemic. The Council also administered Indian treaty claims, immigrant land claims, Hudson's Bay Company trading post concerns as well as policing and health care. The Council lasted from November 25, 1876, until April 16, 1877, after which control of the territory was returned under federal jurisdiction.
The founder of the Council of Keewatin as well as the District of Keewatin was Alexander Morris
. He selected and appointed the members to serve after being given permission by the Government of Canada. After the Council was disbanded in 1877, the legislation passed and departments organized by the council, such as the Boards of Health and Quarantine, continued to remain in force as late as 1878. The council was not reconstituted before the District of Keewatin was ceded back to the Northwest Territories
in 1905. All matters of administration were handled by the Government of Canada
and the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba.
, Canada
. Keewatin was an area extending north of the "postage stamp" province of Manitoba
, and the Canada – United States border to the northern shores of Canada. To the west was the North-West Territories
, to the east Ontario
and again the North-West Territories. The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, Alexander Morris, served exofficio as Lieutenant Governor of the district.
, The Lake Winnipeg Treaty in 1875. The purpose of the treaty would be to free up lands for immigration, and settlement which are presently inhabited by the first nations people. In return the first nations would be granted reserve land, $5.00 per person annual payment, two oxen, one bull and four cows for each band, an annual payment of $50.00, salary for the Chief and three executive officers amounting to $70.00 total, as well as agricultural implements. The Chief also received a flag and medal.
to settle western Canada in this era. Lord Dufferin
, Governor General of Canada
, and Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris granted the Icelanders territory at Sandy Bar south of the Icelandic River. Between 235 and 285 Icelanders arrived at Willowpoint near Gimli
on October 21, 1875, later that summer 1,200 new immigrants from Iceland joined them. The Icelandic settlers elected a provisional town council of five members for the colony administration. The Dominion Government granted free transportation within Canada and settlement rights for a reserve known as New Iceland (Nýja Ísland), established by an order-in-council. 27000 acres (109.3 km²) was set aside for the New Iceland territory, which comprised 57.9 kilometres (36 mi) astride the western shore of Lake Winnipeg
between Boundary Creek and White Mud River (Icelandic River) inclusive of Big Island (Hecla Island). The Icelanders were promised local self government, laws and judicial system and maintenance of their own school system by the Canadian government as well. The Icelanders received a loan which was offered to the settlement in stages. $15,000 was allotted to the first arrivals of 1875. Then to the summer immigrants, a loan of $5,000 was extended to cover the cost of tickets, and $8,000 for agricultural tools and provisions. An extra $9,000 was paid to cover travel costs and three months provisions. $25,000 was received in April which was used for seed and livestock, of which 250 head of cattle were purchased. October saw another loan of $18,000 for winter provisions, and 100 cows. Altogether, $80,000 was loaned to the Icelandic settlers, of which the 160 acres (64.7 ha) of settlement lands per settler was used as collateral. Their local council was dissolved April 12, 1876, when the District of Keewatin
was established by the Dominion Government under the North-West Territories Act. At this same time the territory of New Iceland underwent an official transfer to the District of Keewatin.
that started shortly after the territory's creation in the settlements of Gimli and Sandy Bar
. The disease originated from a large group of Icelandic
settlers that settled on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg
. The Icelanders thought the first appearance of the epidemic was chickenpox
and so it was not recognized as a deadly smallpox epidemic. The epidemic quickly spread to the local native population who were the predominate inhabitants of the territory.
The Council of Keewatin was created and its first and only members were appointed and sworn in on November 25, 1876, by Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris
. Morris sent word to Ottawa
by telegraph on November 24, 1876, asking for permission to setup the Council. The federal government responded quickly, allowing appointments and a proclamation to be printed the next day. Members appointed to the Legislative Council were entitled to use the prefix The Honourable
for the duration of their appointments. The first session of the Council opened on November 30, 1876, with Morris delivering the first and only throne speech. In his throne speech Morris emphasized the impending need for the council to deal with the smallpox epidemic that was inflicting the fledgling territory. The throne speech detailed the history of the Temporary North-West Council
, why the District of Keewatin was created, and outlined the powers that were made available to the members comprising the Council of Keewatin.
The council sat in Fort Garry
, Manitoba
despite being outside of the boundaries of the District of Keewatin. Morris determined during the creation of the territory that the affairs of the District of Keewatin should be administered from Fort Garry until November 7, 1876. A total of six members were appointed to the Council. The law that created the territory allowed for a minimum of five members.
William Hespeler was appointed to serve on the Executive Council as a cabinet minister serving Lieutenant Governor Morris. His portfolio gave him the title of Territorial Immigration Agent. This office was needed to put measures and people in place to control access by settlers in the territory to help quarantine the smallpox epidemic.
The other members of the council were all chosen for their medical knowledge rather than a political background. The Council met at Early Government House in Fort Garry, which also served as the home for Alexander Morris. The first and only clerk and secretary appointed to serve the council was F.G. Becher. The Council chose William Osborne Smith to chair the proceedings of the Council as well as the Board of Health.
and a quarantine station at Netley Creek. The Grassy Narrows House, a Hudson’s Bay “outpost" also became an emergency hospital during the epidemic. The nearby Sandy Bar Band first nation community at Riverton
was reached by Lynch and Young, and had been abandoned. The buildings were burned to contain the smallpox epidemic. Following the trail, they found the remaining 17 residents of the Sandy Bar band of about 60 people. The Sandy Bar Band fled to the east shore of Lake Winnipeg. This had the effect of infecting any bands living there spreading the smallpox epidemic. Ramsay guided the doctor to the various bands. At Sandy River 200 persons were discovered dead. The Hudson's Bay Company warehouse, houses and teepees were all burned.
After the throne speech was read on November 30, 1876, the council of Keewatin got to work quickly and passed its first piece of legislation. The Act was entitled An Act respecting Small Pox, and it served as the centre piece of the council. The act defined penalties and provisions to enforce Morris' proclamation on outlawing intercourse by people outside the infected zone who did not have permission from the Council. The Act and also offered advice and procedures for medical treatment of the disease. For the entire span of the Council, all acts and regulations passed were geared towards dealing with smallpox. Everyone who wanted to do business with or visit the infected areas had to obtain permission from the council.
By April 1877, the small pox epidemic abated, however the quarantine remained until June 20, 1877. The Icelanders demonstrated to Netley Creek, the southern border of New Island, requesting an end to the quarantine, which had been lifted the previous day, June 19. Of the 1,200 Icelandic settlers, 102 of them died of the Smallpox epidemic. Many of the immigrants had been previously immunized in Iceland before the trip to Canada.
During the short existence of the Council, it became involved with regulating the fur trade
. The Council feared furs contaminated with smallpox would be exported outside the quarantine zone. The Council invited people involved in the fur trade from Keewatin, Manitoba, and even the United States
government to discuss the matter. The purpose of the meeting was to solicit testimony and gain support of the industry, in order that the Council could effectively draft, implement and enforce legislation.
The Council passed an act on February 26, 1877, which was subsequently given Royal Assent. The measures adopted effectively quarantined furs from areas of the district deemed infected and prevented their export. However, furs from areas in the District of Keewatin deemed to be free of smallpox could be exported as long as they did not come into contact with infected furs.
All furs before being exported from the district had to pass through depots manned by a quarantine officer appointed by the Board of Health. Any furs believed to have come into contact with parts of the district infected by smallpox were to be destroyed. This led to some problems for the Government of Canada after the Council was dissolved. Some persons affected by having their furs destroyed by the regulations applied to the Government to have compensation for lost property, as no mechanism was put in place when the act was drafted. Claims for compensation were effectively considered, delayed and ultimately ignored.
The Hudson's Bay Company lost a full year in the northern fur trade and therefore pressed for further steps to be taken to prevent another smallpox outbreak. Dr. D.W.J. Hagarty was appointed as medical superintendent of the Manitoba and North-West Superintendencies in October 1878. His mission was to vaccinate all Native person resident in the Manitoba Superintendency. Every spring vaccinations were initiated to the population that was not away hunting.
.
The Board of Health was led by Chief Health Officer Walter R. Nursey. All matters regarding quarantine within the district were handled by Edmund A. Struthers. The board was established to confine and treat the smallpox epidemic in the territory, and had broad powers available at its disposal to carry out the mission. The Board of Health established vaccination programs among native populations in the District of Keewatin based on legislation that continued well after the life span of the Council. Mr. Nursey was despatched by Governor Morris in February 1877 with a quarantine party to Lake Winnipeg to establish a northern quarantine and sanitary cordon between the City of Winnipeg and the infected area. This party was to regulate the trafficking in fur as well. The party arrived at Dog Head outpost in May 1877, having travelled the winter months by foot. There were no supplies, money or instruction on arrival. The quarantine party returned to Winnipeg in July 1877 half starved.
James Aikins
. Aikins had the council resign as a cost saving measure, he also did not want members of the council to abuse the powers of their appointments.
Control of the District of Keewatin returned to the federal government under the management of the Department of the Interior in cooperation with the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. The council was not reconstituted before the remaining portions of the territory were once again merged with the Northwest Territories in 1905. The land formally comprising the territory is today governed by the provincial and territorial governments of Ontario
, Manitoba and Nunavut
.
20,000 and the Government of Manitoba $5,000 in settlement of claims. $20,00 is equivalent to $ in present day terms and $5,000 is equivalent to $.
). As the quarantine ended in July 1877, it was too late to seed. The Federal government voted to survey a road in the colony with an allotment of $8,000.00 to employ labourers. Workers were paid sixty to seventy cents a day along with their daily expenses. The women looking after camps were also similarly paid. This monetary income enabled settlers to remain at New Iceland till the following agricultural season of 1878. New Iceland became a part of the province
of Manitoba
in 1881. This regional Icelandic government continued until 1887.
negotiations, Norway House Band requested the Grassey Narrows area which was the White Mud River – Icelandic River area which was a portion of New Iceland. The Norway House Band (Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation) agreed to settle at Fisher River. Norway House Band was a Western Woods Cree community of the Algonquian (Central) language group
. The Sandy Bar group wanted also a reserve in the Grassey Narrows area. Their settlement area was on the northern edge of New Iceland. The Sandy Bar saulteaux
/Cree
of the Algonquian (Central) language group may have been a portion of the Peguis-St. Peters Band. This group was almost entirely decimated during the smallpox epidemic, those who were left were re-located. The Island band requested a reserve on Big Island (later re-named Hecla Island). This band settled at Hollow Water River and renounced the traditional lands at Big Island. Blood Vein River
, Big Island, Sandy Bar, Thickfoot and Jack-Fish Head bands met with Messrs. Reid and Howard in October 1876 and requested lands for their reserves. The Dog Head Band requested a point opposite the Dog Head River. Similarly the Blood Vein River Band made a request for lands at the mouth of the Blood Vein River
. The Big Island Band at this time requested the lands at the mouth of Badthroat River. The Jack-Fish Head Band made requests for the north side of Jack Head Point at the Lobstick River. The Sandy Bar Band, a branch of St. Peter's Band requested White Mud River site on the west Side of Lake Winnipeg. The Blood Vein River Band was a Saulteaux
(Ojibwa
) first nation of the Algonquian (Central) language family. The Moose Lake (Big Island) band which signed Treaty 5 in 1875 was a Cree
first nation of the Algonquian (Central) language group. The Big Island band which signed Treaty 2 in 1877 was an Ojibwa
first nation of the Algonquian (Central) language group.
District of Keewatin
The District of Keewatin was a territory of Canada and later an administrative district of the Northwest Territories.The name "Keewatin" comes from Algonquian roots—either kīwēhtin in Cree or giiwedin in Ojibwe—both of which mean north wind in their respective languages...
in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The District of Keewatin was created by the passage of the Keewatin Act on April 12, 1876 from a portion of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's North West Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
. Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris
Alexander Morris
Alexander Morris, PC was a Canadian politician. He served in the cabinet of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald , and was the second Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba...
convinced the government that the new territorial government of the North West Territories would be unable to effectively administer land to the north and east of Manitoba. Shortly after the District of Keewatin was formed a large group of Icelanders arrived, infected with smallpox which quickly spread to the indigenous First Nation population. The Government of Canada allowed the Council to be formed for the purpose of containing the smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
epidemic. The Council also administered Indian treaty claims, immigrant land claims, Hudson's Bay Company trading post concerns as well as policing and health care. The Council lasted from November 25, 1876, until April 16, 1877, after which control of the territory was returned under federal jurisdiction.
Alexander Morris
Alexander Morris, PC was a Canadian politician. He served in the cabinet of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald , and was the second Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba...
. He selected and appointed the members to serve after being given permission by the Government of Canada. After the Council was disbanded in 1877, the legislation passed and departments organized by the council, such as the Boards of Health and Quarantine, continued to remain in force as late as 1878. The council was not reconstituted before the District of Keewatin was ceded back to the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
in 1905. All matters of administration were handled by the Government of Canada
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada, formally Her Majesty's Government, is the system whereby the federation of Canada is administered by a common authority; in Canadian English, the term can mean either the collective set of institutions or specifically the Queen-in-Council...
and the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba.
Location
The new district of Keewatin was separate from the North West TerritoriesTerritorial evolution of Canada
The federation of Canada was created in 1867 when three colonies of British North America were united. One of these colonies split into two new provinces, three other colonies joined later...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Keewatin was an area extending north of the "postage stamp" province of Manitoba
History of Manitoba
Manitoba is one of Canada's 10 provinces, and the easternmost of the Prairie Provinces. Fur traders first arrived in what is now Manitoba during the late 17th century. It was officially recognized by the Federal Government in 1870 as separate from the Northwest Territories, and became the first...
, and the Canada – United States border to the northern shores of Canada. To the west was the North-West Territories
Territorial evolution of Canada
The federation of Canada was created in 1867 when three colonies of British North America were united. One of these colonies split into two new provinces, three other colonies joined later...
, to the east Ontario
History of Ontario
The history of Ontario covers the period from the arrival of Paleo-Indians thousands of years ago to the present day. The lands that make up present-day Ontario, currently the most populous province of Canada, have been inhabited for millennia by distinctive groups of Aboriginal peoples, with...
and again the North-West Territories. The Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba, Alexander Morris, served exofficio as Lieutenant Governor of the district.
Treaty 5 land negotiations
Morris had fully expected the Sandy Bar Saulteaux to sign Treaty 5Treaty 5
Treaty 5 is a treaty that was first established in September, 1875, between Queen Victoria and Saulteaux and Swampy Cree non-treaty tribes and peoples around Lake Winnipeg in the District of Keewatin. Much of what is today central and northern Manitoba was covered by the treaty, as were a few small...
, The Lake Winnipeg Treaty in 1875. The purpose of the treaty would be to free up lands for immigration, and settlement which are presently inhabited by the first nations people. In return the first nations would be granted reserve land, $5.00 per person annual payment, two oxen, one bull and four cows for each band, an annual payment of $50.00, salary for the Chief and three executive officers amounting to $70.00 total, as well as agricultural implements. The Chief also received a flag and medal.
Icelandic land grant
Icelanders emigrated from Iceland due to volcanic eruptions, shortage of grasslands, as well as a population increase which limited access to resources. Canada was enticing immigrants with landDominion Lands Act
The Dominion Lands Act was an 1872 Canadian law that aimed to encourage the settlement of Canada's Prairie provinces. It was closely based on the United States Homestead Act, setting conditions in which the western lands could be settled and their natural resources developed...
to settle western Canada in this era. Lord Dufferin
Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava
Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood, 1st Marquess of Dufferin and Ava, KP, GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCIE, PC was a British public servant and prominent member of Victorian society...
, Governor General of Canada
Governor General of Canada
The Governor General of Canada is the federal viceregal representative of the Canadian monarch, Queen Elizabeth II...
, and Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris granted the Icelanders territory at Sandy Bar south of the Icelandic River. Between 235 and 285 Icelanders arrived at Willowpoint near Gimli
Gimli, Manitoba
Gimli is a a rural municipality located in the Interlake region of south-central Manitoba, Canada, on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg. It is about north of the provincial capital Winnipeg...
on October 21, 1875, later that summer 1,200 new immigrants from Iceland joined them. The Icelandic settlers elected a provisional town council of five members for the colony administration. The Dominion Government granted free transportation within Canada and settlement rights for a reserve known as New Iceland (Nýja Ísland), established by an order-in-council. 27000 acres (109.3 km²) was set aside for the New Iceland territory, which comprised 57.9 kilometres (36 mi) astride the western shore of Lake Winnipeg
Lake Winnipeg
Lake Winnipeg is a large, lake in central North America, in the province of Manitoba, Canada, with its southern tip about north of the city of Winnipeg...
between Boundary Creek and White Mud River (Icelandic River) inclusive of Big Island (Hecla Island). The Icelanders were promised local self government, laws and judicial system and maintenance of their own school system by the Canadian government as well. The Icelanders received a loan which was offered to the settlement in stages. $15,000 was allotted to the first arrivals of 1875. Then to the summer immigrants, a loan of $5,000 was extended to cover the cost of tickets, and $8,000 for agricultural tools and provisions. An extra $9,000 was paid to cover travel costs and three months provisions. $25,000 was received in April which was used for seed and livestock, of which 250 head of cattle were purchased. October saw another loan of $18,000 for winter provisions, and 100 cows. Altogether, $80,000 was loaned to the Icelandic settlers, of which the 160 acres (64.7 ha) of settlement lands per settler was used as collateral. Their local council was dissolved April 12, 1876, when the District of Keewatin
District of Keewatin
The District of Keewatin was a territory of Canada and later an administrative district of the Northwest Territories.The name "Keewatin" comes from Algonquian roots—either kīwēhtin in Cree or giiwedin in Ojibwe—both of which mean north wind in their respective languages...
was established by the Dominion Government under the North-West Territories Act. At this same time the territory of New Iceland underwent an official transfer to the District of Keewatin.
Land claim dispute
A land claim dispute arose between the Saulteaux family of John Ramsay and the Icelandic family Ólafur Ólafsson. The Saulteaux believed the boundary line between the settlements was at the south shore of the river. Ólafur Ólafsson constructed his cagin on the river's north shore. J.A.N. Provencher supported Ólafsson. Ramsay brought his claim to Morris. Ramsay had recently lost his wife and four of his five children to smallpox and wanted the Saulteaux title to be recognized. The surveyor general and the Indian Affairs Department deputy superintendent both agreed Ramsay had entitlement to the land under the Indian Act. Treaty 5 was not signed by the Sandy Bar Saulteaux until 1876 after all appeals to federal agents regarding land claims failed.Smallpox
The District of Keewatin had a severe epidemic of smallpoxSmallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
that started shortly after the territory's creation in the settlements of Gimli and Sandy Bar
Sandy Bar, Manitoba
Sandy Bar is a small community located on Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. The town is located at Latitude: 52° 25' 0 N, Longitude: 97° 7 ' 0 W.-History:...
. The disease originated from a large group of Icelandic
Icelanders
Icelanders are a Scandinavian ethnic group and a nation, native to Iceland.On 17 June 1944, when an Icelandic republic was founded the Icelanders became independent from the Danish monarchy. The language spoken is Icelandic, a North Germanic language, and Lutheranism is the predominant religion...
settlers that settled on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg
Lake Winnipeg
Lake Winnipeg is a large, lake in central North America, in the province of Manitoba, Canada, with its southern tip about north of the city of Winnipeg...
. The Icelanders thought the first appearance of the epidemic was chickenpox
Chickenpox
Chickenpox or chicken pox is a highly contagious illness caused by primary infection with varicella zoster virus . It usually starts with vesicular skin rash mainly on the body and head rather than at the periphery and becomes itchy, raw pockmarks, which mostly heal without scarring...
and so it was not recognized as a deadly smallpox epidemic. The epidemic quickly spread to the local native population who were the predominate inhabitants of the territory.
Council formation
Alexander Morris
Alexander Morris, PC was a Canadian politician. He served in the cabinet of Prime Minister John A. Macdonald , and was the second Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba...
. Morris sent word to Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
by telegraph on November 24, 1876, asking for permission to setup the Council. The federal government responded quickly, allowing appointments and a proclamation to be printed the next day. Members appointed to the Legislative Council were entitled to use the prefix The Honourable
The Honourable
The prefix The Honourable or The Honorable is a style used before the names of certain classes of persons. It is considered an honorific styling.-International diplomacy:...
for the duration of their appointments. The first session of the Council opened on November 30, 1876, with Morris delivering the first and only throne speech. In his throne speech Morris emphasized the impending need for the council to deal with the smallpox epidemic that was inflicting the fledgling territory. The throne speech detailed the history of the Temporary North-West Council
Temporary North-West Council
The Temporary North-West Council more formally known as the Council of the Northwest Territories and by its short name as the North-West Council lasted from the creation of Northwest Territories, Canada, in 1870 until it was dissolved in 1876...
, why the District of Keewatin was created, and outlined the powers that were made available to the members comprising the Council of Keewatin.
| Council of Keewatin Members |
|---|
| Alfred Codd, M.D. Alfred Codd Alfred Codd was a Canadian pioneer medical doctor and politician. He served on the Council of Keewatin from 1876 to 1877 and was a well-respected physician in Manitoba.-Early life:... |
| William Hespeler William Hespeler William Hespeler was a German - Canadian businessman and immigration agent and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba. He served as Speaker of the Legislature and as honorary consul of Germany to Winnipeg and the Northwest Territories... |
| Albert G. Jackes, M.D. Albert G. Jackes Albert G. Jackes was an early Canadian politician and medical doctor. Jackes served on the short lived Council of Keewatin.-Early life:... |
| Gilbert McMicken Gilbert McMicken Gilbert McMicken was a Canadian businessman and political figure. He served on the Council of Keewatin the governing body of the District of Keewatin from 1876 to 1877.... |
| Joseph Provencher Joseph Provencher Joseph Alfred Norbert Provencher was a Canadian pioneer, politician and newspaper editor. He served as a member of the Council of Keewatin from 1876 to 1877 and as Indian Agent for the Government of the Northwest Territories.-Political career:... |
| Lieut.Col. Osborne Wm. Smith William Osborne Smith Lieutenant-Colonel William Osborne Smith served as the first Acting Commissioner of the North West Mounted Police, from September 25 to October 17, 1873.... |
The council sat in Fort Garry
Fort Garry
Fort Garry, also known as Upper Fort Garry, was a Hudson's Bay Company trading post at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine rivers in what is now downtown Winnipeg. It was established in 1822 on or near the site of the North West Company's Fort Gibraltar. Fort Garry was named after Nicholas...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
despite being outside of the boundaries of the District of Keewatin. Morris determined during the creation of the territory that the affairs of the District of Keewatin should be administered from Fort Garry until November 7, 1876. A total of six members were appointed to the Council. The law that created the territory allowed for a minimum of five members.
William Hespeler was appointed to serve on the Executive Council as a cabinet minister serving Lieutenant Governor Morris. His portfolio gave him the title of Territorial Immigration Agent. This office was needed to put measures and people in place to control access by settlers in the territory to help quarantine the smallpox epidemic.
Emergency quarantine
Fearing the disease would spread to Manitoba and the North West Territories, Morris advised the Department of the Interior that a territorial government needed to be setup to deal with the crisis. Morris appointed Dr. Lynch to care for the Saulteaux smallpox epidemic. Sigtryggur Jonasson visited John Taylor to seek help, returning to New Iceland November 8, 1877. Drs. David Young, James S. Lynch, and A. Baldwin arrived to New Iceland placing the area under quarantine as of November 27, 1876. A hospital was established in Gimli, KeewatinGimli, Manitoba
Gimli is a a rural municipality located in the Interlake region of south-central Manitoba, Canada, on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg. It is about north of the provincial capital Winnipeg...
and a quarantine station at Netley Creek. The Grassy Narrows House, a Hudson’s Bay “outpost" also became an emergency hospital during the epidemic. The nearby Sandy Bar Band first nation community at Riverton
Riverton, Manitoba
Riverton is a village in the province of Manitoba in Canada located approximately 110 kilometres north of Winnipeg. It is surrounded by the Rural Municipality of Bifrost. The CPR's train conductor is reputed to have named the town....
was reached by Lynch and Young, and had been abandoned. The buildings were burned to contain the smallpox epidemic. Following the trail, they found the remaining 17 residents of the Sandy Bar band of about 60 people. The Sandy Bar Band fled to the east shore of Lake Winnipeg. This had the effect of infecting any bands living there spreading the smallpox epidemic. Ramsay guided the doctor to the various bands. At Sandy River 200 persons were discovered dead. The Hudson's Bay Company warehouse, houses and teepees were all burned.
By April 1877, the small pox epidemic abated, however the quarantine remained until June 20, 1877. The Icelanders demonstrated to Netley Creek, the southern border of New Island, requesting an end to the quarantine, which had been lifted the previous day, June 19. Of the 1,200 Icelandic settlers, 102 of them died of the Smallpox epidemic. Many of the immigrants had been previously immunized in Iceland before the trip to Canada.
The fur trade
Fur trade
The fur trade is a worldwide industry dealing in the acquisition and sale of animal fur. Since the establishment of world market for in the early modern period furs of boreal, polar and cold temperate mammalian animals have been the most valued...
. The Council feared furs contaminated with smallpox would be exported outside the quarantine zone. The Council invited people involved in the fur trade from Keewatin, Manitoba, and even the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
government to discuss the matter. The purpose of the meeting was to solicit testimony and gain support of the industry, in order that the Council could effectively draft, implement and enforce legislation.
The Council passed an act on February 26, 1877, which was subsequently given Royal Assent. The measures adopted effectively quarantined furs from areas of the district deemed infected and prevented their export. However, furs from areas in the District of Keewatin deemed to be free of smallpox could be exported as long as they did not come into contact with infected furs.
All furs before being exported from the district had to pass through depots manned by a quarantine officer appointed by the Board of Health. Any furs believed to have come into contact with parts of the district infected by smallpox were to be destroyed. This led to some problems for the Government of Canada after the Council was dissolved. Some persons affected by having their furs destroyed by the regulations applied to the Government to have compensation for lost property, as no mechanism was put in place when the act was drafted. Claims for compensation were effectively considered, delayed and ultimately ignored.
The Hudson's Bay Company lost a full year in the northern fur trade and therefore pressed for further steps to be taken to prevent another smallpox outbreak. Dr. D.W.J. Hagarty was appointed as medical superintendent of the Manitoba and North-West Superintendencies in October 1878. His mission was to vaccinate all Native person resident in the Manitoba Superintendency. Every spring vaccinations were initiated to the population that was not away hunting.
Board of Health
The Council of Keewatin established a powerful Board of Health for the territory. The Board of Health was run out of a head office within the city of Winnipeg and a local office was also established resident within the District of Keewatin at the town of GimliGimli, Manitoba
Gimli is a a rural municipality located in the Interlake region of south-central Manitoba, Canada, on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg. It is about north of the provincial capital Winnipeg...
.
The Board of Health was led by Chief Health Officer Walter R. Nursey. All matters regarding quarantine within the district were handled by Edmund A. Struthers. The board was established to confine and treat the smallpox epidemic in the territory, and had broad powers available at its disposal to carry out the mission. The Board of Health established vaccination programs among native populations in the District of Keewatin based on legislation that continued well after the life span of the Council. Mr. Nursey was despatched by Governor Morris in February 1877 with a quarantine party to Lake Winnipeg to establish a northern quarantine and sanitary cordon between the City of Winnipeg and the infected area. This party was to regulate the trafficking in fur as well. The party arrived at Dog Head outpost in May 1877, having travelled the winter months by foot. There were no supplies, money or instruction on arrival. The quarantine party returned to Winnipeg in July 1877 half starved.
Dissolution
The council was short-lived, producing only a single legislative session in its history. Less than a year after its formation, the smallpox crisis in the District of Keewatin subsided. The Department of the Interior determined a territorial government for the district was no longer needed. The entire council resigned and was effectively dissolved after being requested to do so on April 16, 1877, by Secretary of StateSecretary of State for Canada
The position of Secretary of State for Canada was a Canadian Cabinet position with a corresponding department. It was established in 1867 as the official channel of communication between the Dominion of Canada and the Imperial government in London...
James Aikins
James Cox Aikins
James Cox Aikins, PC was a prominent Canadian politician in the 19th century. He twice served as a cabinet minister in the government of Sir John A. Macdonald, and was the fourth Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba from 1882 to 1888.-Early life and career:Aikins was born in Toronto Township, Upper...
. Aikins had the council resign as a cost saving measure, he also did not want members of the council to abuse the powers of their appointments.
Control of the District of Keewatin returned to the federal government under the management of the Department of the Interior in cooperation with the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba. The council was not reconstituted before the remaining portions of the territory were once again merged with the Northwest Territories in 1905. The land formally comprising the territory is today governed by the provincial and territorial governments of Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Manitoba and Nunavut
Nunavut
Nunavut is the largest and newest federal territory of Canada; it was separated officially from the Northwest Territories on April 1, 1999, via the Nunavut Act and the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Act, though the actual boundaries had been established in 1993...
.
Debate of the Senate of the Dominion of Canada
On February 25, 1878, the Honourable Mr. Girard presented to His Excellency the Governor-General the correspondence between the Government of Canada, the Council of Keewatin, and the Government of Manitoba regarding the Small-Pox disease claims and accounts. The Honourable Mr. Pelletier replied that the accounts were examined by Honourables Mr. Norquay and Mr. Begg representing the Province of Manitoba, and Messrs. McCall and Graham representing the Dominion Government. The resolution would be that the Government of Keewatin (Dominion Government) would pay $Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
20,000 and the Government of Manitoba $5,000 in settlement of claims. $20,00 is equivalent to $ in present day terms and $5,000 is equivalent to $.
New Iceland
New Iceland elected administrators again on February 13, 1877, and under provisional constitution, the colony was named Vatnsthing (Lake Region). It was divided into four districts with its own administration: Vidinesbyggd (Willow Point District), Arnesbyggd (Arnes District), Flotsbyggd (River District) and Mikleyjarbyggd (Big Island DistrictHecla-Grindstone Provincial Park
Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park is a provincial park located in Manitoba, Canada.Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park comprises Hecla Island, Grindstone , Black Island and a number of other small islands...
). As the quarantine ended in July 1877, it was too late to seed. The Federal government voted to survey a road in the colony with an allotment of $8,000.00 to employ labourers. Workers were paid sixty to seventy cents a day along with their daily expenses. The women looking after camps were also similarly paid. This monetary income enabled settlers to remain at New Iceland till the following agricultural season of 1878. New Iceland became a part of the province
Province
A province is a territorial unit, almost always an administrative division, within a country or state.-Etymology:The English word "province" is attested since about 1330 and derives from the 13th-century Old French "province," which itself comes from the Latin word "provincia," which referred to...
of Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
in 1881. This regional Icelandic government continued until 1887.
First Nation
During Treaty 5Treaty 5
Treaty 5 is a treaty that was first established in September, 1875, between Queen Victoria and Saulteaux and Swampy Cree non-treaty tribes and peoples around Lake Winnipeg in the District of Keewatin. Much of what is today central and northern Manitoba was covered by the treaty, as were a few small...
negotiations, Norway House Band requested the Grassey Narrows area which was the White Mud River – Icelandic River area which was a portion of New Iceland. The Norway House Band (Kinosao Sipi Cree Nation) agreed to settle at Fisher River. Norway House Band was a Western Woods Cree community of the Algonquian (Central) language group
Central Algonquian languages
The Central Algonquian languages are commonly grouped together as a subgroup of the larger Algonquian family, itself a member of the Algic family. Though this grouping is often encountered in the literature, it is an areal grouping rather than a genetic one...
. The Sandy Bar group wanted also a reserve in the Grassey Narrows area. Their settlement area was on the northern edge of New Iceland. The Sandy Bar saulteaux
Saulteaux
The Saulteaux are a First Nation in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.-Ethnic classification:The Saulteaux are a branch of the Ojibwe nations. They are sometimes also called Anihšināpē . Saulteaux is a French term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to...
/Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
of the Algonquian (Central) language group may have been a portion of the Peguis-St. Peters Band. This group was almost entirely decimated during the smallpox epidemic, those who were left were re-located. The Island band requested a reserve on Big Island (later re-named Hecla Island). This band settled at Hollow Water River and renounced the traditional lands at Big Island. Blood Vein River
Bloodvein First Nation
The Bloodvein First Nation is located on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, along the Bloodvein River in Manitoba, Canada. This area is a part of Treaty 5, and has long been inhabited by native peoples. The name “Bloodvein” was used in an 1818-19 Hudson's Bay Company journal...
, Big Island, Sandy Bar, Thickfoot and Jack-Fish Head bands met with Messrs. Reid and Howard in October 1876 and requested lands for their reserves. The Dog Head Band requested a point opposite the Dog Head River. Similarly the Blood Vein River Band made a request for lands at the mouth of the Blood Vein River
Bloodvein River
The Bloodvein River is a pristine river on the east side of Lake Winnipeg, in Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. This wilderness area has no logging roads, mines, or hydro developments nearby. Many native locals and tourists enjoy canoeing and fishing in this remote and clean river...
. The Big Island Band at this time requested the lands at the mouth of Badthroat River. The Jack-Fish Head Band made requests for the north side of Jack Head Point at the Lobstick River. The Sandy Bar Band, a branch of St. Peter's Band requested White Mud River site on the west Side of Lake Winnipeg. The Blood Vein River Band was a Saulteaux
Saulteaux
The Saulteaux are a First Nation in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia, Canada.-Ethnic classification:The Saulteaux are a branch of the Ojibwe nations. They are sometimes also called Anihšināpē . Saulteaux is a French term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to...
(Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
) first nation of the Algonquian (Central) language family. The Moose Lake (Big Island) band which signed Treaty 5 in 1875 was a Cree
Cree
The Cree are one of the largest groups of First Nations / Native Americans in North America, with 200,000 members living in Canada. In Canada, the major proportion of Cree live north and west of Lake Superior, in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Northwest Territories, although...
first nation of the Algonquian (Central) language group. The Big Island band which signed Treaty 2 in 1877 was an Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
first nation of the Algonquian (Central) language group.
External links
- District of Keewatin transcription.
- The Constitution of Canada – Page 35
- A Narrow Vision: Duncan Campbell Scott and the Administration of Indian ... – Page 11
- A Manual of Government in Canada – Page 166
- A History of the Original Peoples of Northern Canada
- Dreams and claims: Icelandic-Aboriginal interactions in the Manitoba interlake
- The Nes Cemetery Historic Site
- Interlake Spectator, Gimli, MB Restoring Nes Cemetery a priority
- Saga of Hope