Peter Edmund Jones
Encyclopedia
Peter Edmund Jones M.D. (30 October 1843 - 29 June 1909) was a Mississauga
Ojibwa
chief of New Credit. In Ojibwe he was called Kahkewaquonaby, named after his father in two languages.
The third child of Peter Jones and Eliza Field, Jones was born in London, Canada West
. He was raised at the Muncey Mission, and later Brantford
. He was educated first by his governess
, and later at Brantford Grammar School. Although one quarter Indian in heritage, he was raised in a largely western fashion. Jones, who attended medical school at the University of Toronto
and Queen's College
, obtained a Medical Doctorate in 1866. He is the first known Status Indian to obtain such a degree in Canada.
After obtaining his medical degree, Jones moved to Hagersville, Ontario
and set up a practice in New Credit. Jones became involved in politics, both on the reserve and off. He was elected a chief of New Credit from 1874–1877, and 1880-1886. He developed connections in the Conservative Party of Canada
, where he argued for more Native rights and more Native control over their affairs. Unsuccessful in this, he did receive an appointment as the Indian Agent
for New Credit in 1887, which he held until 1896.
Jones edited The Indian, a journal for Indians. The journal was published in 1885-1886, and ran a total of 24 issues. It was the first Canadian journal for Indians edited by an Indian. The journal was distributed on Indian Reserve
s across Ontario.
Like his father, Jones lived across the cultural gap between the Whites and Indians of Canada. He married an English woman, Charlotte Dixon, but intended to raise any children as Indians. His cousin George Henry attempted to dislodge him as the New Credit band's doctor on the grounds that he was only one-quarter Indian, but failed. Jones practiced taxidermy
, which was eschewed by Indians, and was an avid chess
player. But he also refused to relinquish his Indian status, a practice that was encouraged by the Indian Department
for educated Indians.
Mississaugas
The Mississaugas are a subtribe of the Anishinaabe-speaking First Nations people located in southern Ontario, Canada. They are closely related to the Ojibwa...
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...
chief of New Credit. In Ojibwe he was called Kahkewaquonaby, named after his father in two languages.
The third child of Peter Jones and Eliza Field, Jones was born in London, Canada West
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
. He was raised at the Muncey Mission, and later Brantford
Brantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
. He was educated first by his governess
Governess
A governess is a girl or woman employed to teach and train children in a private household. In contrast to a nanny or a babysitter, she concentrates on teaching children, not on meeting their physical needs...
, and later at Brantford Grammar School. Although one quarter Indian in heritage, he was raised in a largely western fashion. Jones, who attended medical school at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
and Queen's College
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, obtained a Medical Doctorate in 1866. He is the first known Status Indian to obtain such a degree in Canada.
After obtaining his medical degree, Jones moved to Hagersville, Ontario
Hagersville, Ontario
Hagersville is a community in Haldimand County, Ontario which gained international notoriety in 1990 for a gigantic uncontrolled tire fire which spewed toxic smoke for seventeen days...
and set up a practice in New Credit. Jones became involved in politics, both on the reserve and off. He was elected a chief of New Credit from 1874–1877, and 1880-1886. He developed connections in the Conservative Party of Canada
Conservative Party of Canada
The Conservative Party of Canada , is a political party in Canada which was formed by the merger of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada in 2003. It is positioned on the right of the Canadian political spectrum...
, where he argued for more Native rights and more Native control over their affairs. Unsuccessful in this, he did receive an appointment as the Indian Agent
Indian Agent (Canada)
Indian Agent is the title of a position in Canada mandated by the Indian Act of that country. An Indian Agent was the chief administrator for Indian affairs in their respective districts, although the title now is largely in disuse in preference to Government Agent. The powers of the Indian...
for New Credit in 1887, which he held until 1896.
Jones edited The Indian, a journal for Indians. The journal was published in 1885-1886, and ran a total of 24 issues. It was the first Canadian journal for Indians edited by an Indian. The journal was distributed on Indian Reserve
Indian reserve
In Canada, an Indian reserve is specified by the Indian Act as a "tract of land, the legal title to which is vested in Her Majesty, that has been set apart by Her Majesty for the use and benefit of a band." The Act also specifies that land reserved for the use and benefit of a band which is not...
s across Ontario.
Like his father, Jones lived across the cultural gap between the Whites and Indians of Canada. He married an English woman, Charlotte Dixon, but intended to raise any children as Indians. His cousin George Henry attempted to dislodge him as the New Credit band's doctor on the grounds that he was only one-quarter Indian, but failed. Jones practiced taxidermy
Taxidermy
Taxidermy is the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display or for other sources of study. Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians...
, which was eschewed by Indians, and was an avid chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
player. But he also refused to relinquish his Indian status, a practice that was encouraged by the Indian Department
Indian Department
The Indian Department was established in 1755 to oversee relations between the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and those First Nations in British North America. At that time of its establishment it was a wing of the British Military.The department was initially led by...
for educated Indians.