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---1 -- s- -- Constitutional peared off the face of the earth, how many people would care? How many would even It has been suggested that those provinces pushing for a re- vamped Senate are really interested in ways 10 wrestle more control over such things as resource development. Senate reform that comes 1 mind is 10 abolish it completely. Under its present form, that would save taxpayers $60 million If we end up with some kind of Triple E Seaste with more pow- ors, weighted voting and 50 on, can you imagine the cost? Canadians want an end 10 the Constitutional impasse, so that The best kind A travesty To think that Canada's future could be in danger over a moribund instinution like the Senate is a travesty. It scoms that one of the major hang-ups now 10 reaching » on the Senate, or more politicians can spend their Lime, energy and ow money on important nd the shamef . rate which things, like the is hovering about 12 per cent. An elected Senate? Who needs it. To have two elected chambers in Ouaws running side by side would be the height of inefficiency and a buge waste of scarce tax dollars. Canadians go 10 great length, not mention expense, 10 elect bers of Part 10 the C Surely, those men and women are capable of effectively representing the interests of the people and this country every four years or so Ah A Suvis we First Nation re EDITOR'S NOTE: The following article was pre- pared by Dr. IVB. Johnson, an historian and researcher on abo- riginal peoples and issmes in southern Ontario. The article deals mainly with the Mississangas of Scugog Island. Readers may also want io refer 10 the letter to the editor in this week's Citizen from Scugog oe Aldred. themselves Anishinabek (Algonkian) The three largest tribes were the Ojibway, the Odawa and the Potawatomi. The Mississauga are a branch of the Ojibway who originally lived in the Minsissagi River Valley on the north shore of Georgian Bay. They and the Council of Three Fires had a trading alliance with the Hurons who occupied that portion of Ontario between Bay and the Niagan P until 1690 whep the now famous battles took place They were a branch of the famous Council of Three Fires Confederacy which consisted of those tribal groups that called the Iroquois Confederacy from New York State and the Huroas over control of the When the Hurons lost that war, many survivors sought refuge among their Anishinabek allies who counter-sitacked the when the French and later the British, established relations in the region, the con- trolled all the from Brockville 10 Niagara Palls and the Grand River Valley as far north as the Haliburton The Mississaugas of Scugog have lived in the areas Bordered by Lake Simcoe, Lake Ontario, the Kawarthas and Haliburton Highlands since they arrived in the area in 1695. As settlement grew in the 19th century, they were restricted to smaller and smaller areas of their traditional lands. There are many reports of set- tiers shooting at hunting parties and fencing off family hunting grounds. In the carly 19th century the they moved home and re-estab- lished their villages on the Island and at Indian Point. They were fi 10 use their own money 10 purchase lands on Scugog Island and the federal government declared these lands a reserve. The land at Indian Trading Point was lost when the Province passed an act in 185] transferring the land to Cartwright, later this year. The Mississaugas have hired former Chief Justice Thomas 10 represent them in these calls images of a proud heritage and a hopeful future claims. As well, they have been active participants in the national effort 10 have self government rights gnized in the Canad Constitution, part of the nine First Nations in Ontario known as the United Indian Council to start main villages occupied by the Pp mship a sur- 8 on self go were of Indian Point render from the Mississaugas. The United Council is set to in Balsam Lake, Indian Trading They have been « land an agreement in on Point on Lake Scugog and claim involving the Pojnt land government in 1993. Island. The Methodist Church since the 1890s. They have also changed the established 8 mission among them The Mississaugas of S$. language of "band" to "First in the 1820's. Island have not been treated well Nation," from coast to ceast in was flooded by a dam boy breve bpp 4 1000 acres of land were drowned, including the wild rice and cran- berry marshes. As a result of the fNooding, crops rotied causing noxious gas that led 10 the deaths The Mississaugas were forced 10 move away 10 the Coldwater Reservation near Orillia from 1835-37, but as the devastation of the Lake Scugog area subsided Published by Scugog Citizen Publishing Ltd. Crpubtihms: Vales Bho | Canada. The old term, used by the Indian Dept. since 1755 carries a galory J J for many Indians. First Nation recalls images of a proud heritage and a hopeful future. In the final analysis, the Scugog Mississaugas and others across Canada are participating in & movement of significant social change, working 10 recapture the proud heritage of their forefa- thers........that will secure a betier future for their children. Georgina Island reserve, Port Perry, Ont. L9L 1)2 Phone: 345-NEWS Fax 985-1410