The Saulteaux are a branch of the
OjibweNations within Canada. They are sometimes called the Anihšināpē (
Anishinaabe).[1]Saulteaux is a
French term meaning "people of the rapids," referring to their former location in the area of Sault Ste. Marie. They are primarily hunters and fishers, and when still the primary dwellers of their sovereign land, they had extensive trading relations with the French, British and later Americans at that post.
Location
The Saulteaux historically were settled around
Lake Superior and
Lake Winnipeg, principally in the areas of present-day Sault Ste. Marie and
northern Michigan. Pressure from European Canadians and Americans gradually pushed the tribe westward to
Manitoba,
Saskatchewan and
Alberta, with one community in
British Columbia. Today most of the Saulteaux live in the
Interlake District; Swan River, Duck Bay, Camperville, the southern part of Manitoba, and in Saskatchewan (Kamsack and surrounding areas). Because they were forced to move to land ill-suited for European crops, they were lucky to escape European-Canadian competition for their lands and have kept much of that assigned territory in reserves. Generally, the Saulteaux have three major divisions.
Ontario Saulteaux
The Eastern Saulteaux, better known as the Ontario Saulteaux, are located around
Rainy Lake and
Lake of the Woods in
Northwestern Ontario and southeastern
Manitoba. Many of the Ontario Saulteaux First Nations are signatories to
Treaty 3. Their form of Anishinaabemowin (Anishinaabe language) is sometimes called
Northwestern Ojibwa language (ISO 639-3: OJB), or simply Ojibwemowin (Ojibwe). Today English is the first language of many members. The Ontario Saulteaux culture is descended from the
Eastern Woodlands culture.
Manitoba Saulteaux
The Central Saulteaux, better known as Manitoba Saulteaux, are found primarily in eastern and southern
Manitoba, extending west into southern
Saskatchewan. During the late 18th century and early 19th century, as partners with the
Cree in the
fur trade, the Saulteaux migrated northwest into the Swan River and Cumberland districts of west-central Manitoba, and into Saskatchewan along the
Assiniboine River, as far its confluence with the Souris (Mouse) River. Once established in the area, the Saulteaux adapted some of the cultural traits of their allies, the Plains Cree and
Assiniboine.
Consequently, together with the Western Saulteaux, the Manitoba Saulteaux are sometimes called Plains Ojibwe. Many of the Manitoba Saulteaux First Nations are signatories to
Treaty 1 and
Treaty 2. The Manitoba Saulteaux culture is a transitional one from the Eastern Woodlands culture of their Ontario Saulteaux neighbours and Plains culture of the Western Saulteaux neighbours. Often, the term Bungi or Bungee (from bangii, meaning "a little bit") has been used to refer to either the Manitoba Saulteaux (who resemble the Cree in culture) or their
Métis population (who are a little bit Anishinaabe). The language of their Métis population is described as the
Bungi language.
Western Saulteaux
The Western Saulteaux are found primarily in central
Saskatchewan, but extend east into southwestern
Manitoba and west into central
Alberta and eastern
British Columbia. They call themselves Nakawē (ᓇᐦᑲᐍ)—an
autonym that is a general term for the Saulteaux. The neighbouring
Plains Cree call them the Nahkawiyiniw (ᓇᐦᑲᐏᔨᓂᐤ), a word of related etymology. Their form of Anishinaabemowin (Anishinaabe language), known as Nakawēmowin (ᓇᐦᑲᐍᒧᐏᐣ) or
Western Ojibwa language (ISO 639-3: OJW), is also an
Algonquian language. Like most First Nations, most members use English as the first language. Many of the Western Saulteaux First Nations are signatories to
Treaty 4 and
Treaty 6; Saulteau First Nations in North Eastern British Columbia are a signatory to
Treaty 8. The Western Saulteaux culture is that of the
Plains culture.
Communities
Population figures are as of May 2013, unless noted otherwise.
Hungry Hall 1 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Hungry Hall 2 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Little Forks Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)[Canada]— Little Forks Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)[United States], the southern half of the former, became part of
Bois Forte Band of Chippewa.
Long Sault 1 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Long Sault 2 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Manitou Rapids 1 of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Manitou Rapids 2 of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)