Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nationa

Kichesipirini Algonquin First Nation

Celebrate with our family after a 150 year separation.

Allumette Island Heritage Days, July 2, 2006

We celebrated many things together. The formal closing of the Notre Dam du Lac Church 50 year anniversary of the building of the inter-provincial bridge The proud history of the Kichesipirini Algonquins through presentations and a mini pow wow

Kichesipirini The Great River People - The People from the Island •Kichesipirini (meaning: "people of the great river") kiche – great, big, sipi-river, ini-people -Largest and most powerful group of Algonkin. Known variously as: Algoumequins de l'Isle, Allumette, Big River People, Gens d l'Isle, Honkeronon (Huron), Island Algonkin, Island Indians, Island Nation, Kichesippiriniwek, Nation de l'Isle, Nation of the Isle. Villages and trading posts on Morrison's and Allumette Island. -By far the two most important sites of the Middle Archaic Period in northeastern North America are those found at Allumette Island and Morrison Island by Clyde Kennedy, an avid amateur archaeologist from Chalk River.  They are especially notable for the very significant quantities of Lake Superior native copper objects found there. -1962  Archaic Hunters in the Ottawa Valley.  Ontario History 54(2):122-128. 1967  Preliminary Report on Morrison's Island-6 Site.  Contributions to Anthropology V, Bulletin 206.  National Museum of Canada, Ottawa, pp.100-125.

Kichesipirini and how they differed from other Algonquins at time of contact Kichesipirini Algonquin

Other Algonquin

Permanent Location: Because of the establishment of permanent villages the Kichesipirini were better protected from enemy raids. They were better able to devout time to activities other than hunting and gathering, ie elaborate pottery and of farming. Economiccarving, Activity: Because permanent

Transient: Followed well established seasonal migrations through family or clan territories to access food and resources. A great amount of time and energy was spent traveling and setting up camp.

settlement more dependent on trade. Collection of surplus goods for trade through collection of tolls on river and farming. Experienced external traders.

Hunting and Gathering: Relied heavily on hunting, fishing and gathering, moving to follow food sources. More involved in trade after posts established in territory.

Arts and Culture: Numerous copper and clay items have been found on the Islands. The Kichesipirini were also noted to be more tattooed and adorned than other Algonquins. Burial traditions were also very different.

Arts and Culture: Minimum of items to allow for greater mobility. Most of Inland Algonquin culture suited a people that migrated in search of food. Culture was not primarily trade based.

Governance: More permanent communities and governance system, chief and council or sachems, directly involved in international and trade relations.

Seasonal: Formal politics and governance during summer, but broke into smaller clans during remainder of year.

Challenges and Change

The Island Algonquins have known many challenges and changes. The drums and the singers have been silent since the mid 1800’s.