History of Mnjikaning

The name given to us, Mnjikaning, refers to the fishing weirs at the Narrows between Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching and means people of the fish fence. We cherish our role as Keepers of the Fish Fence and we are committed to maintaining and protecting the 4,500 year old weir systems which at one time made the community virtually self-sustaining.

Historically we didn't always tend the weirs. During the late 17th century, after our traditional friends and allies, the Wendat (Huron) had left, our ancestors, the Anishnaabeg, settled on the lands between Georgian Bay, Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching. The Anishnaabeg territories ranged far to the south of Lake Ontario, northward to the lands of the Nippissing and east, beyond Curve Lake.

Prior to this time our people had ranged far and wide on Turtle Island looking for a homeland prophesied to have food growing on the surface of the water. Stories tell that we originally lived on an island surrounded by salt water far to the east.
Our travels brought us to this land long ago and, from that time, the Anishnaabeg received gifts from the Huron which we took with us as we continued on our quest for new homeland. The stories say we didn't return to this area for hundreds of years.

It is said we stayed for awhile at Detroit and other areas along the shores of the Great Lakes. One place we stayed for many years was Niagara Falls.
Eventually our journey took us completely around the Great Lakes and back to the north shore of Lake Huron.

We renewed our alliance with the Huron and we helped them during the Huron-Iroquois wars of the 1640's.

Following the Huron departure, the Anishnaabeg slowly moved into this territory. At times there were conflicts with the Iroquois but before long the Anishnaabeg had settled all the lands above Lake Ontario. Eventually, a peace was made with the Iroquois and a wampum belt was created to symbolize the new relationship between the Five Nations Confederacy and the Anishnaabeg.

Stories tell that for awhile the Anishnaabeg assumed the role as Keepers of the Fence.

Because of the generous supply of food provided by the weirs, the area was reborn as meeting place for other First Nations. The people of Mnjikaning were said to be healers who shared their good fortune with others while nurturing the ill back to health.

It is said that at Mnjikaning, treaties were made, agreements struck, information among First Nations shared, goods exchanged and presents given. Word spread, this was a good place to visit.

By the early 1800's, the Chippewa of Lake Simcoe and Lake Huron had divided into three main groups under Chiefs Musquackie (Yellowhead) Aisance (Little Shell or Little Clam) and Snake. Musquackie was known as the principal chief.
During the 1830's, Musquackie people were living at the Narrows while records show he had a house in present-day Orillia. The location later became the site for the St.James Parsonage.

Chief Aisance's people lived primarily near Coldwater, although they were eventually to settle further west at Beausoleil Island. Chief Snake took his people to Snake, Fox and Georgina Islands in Lake Simcoe.

By 1836, under pressure form European settlement, Musquackie's people, now numbering around 200 as the result of diseases contracted from settlers, moved form the Narrows. They purchased 1,631 acres of relatively unfarmable land at the present site of Mnjikaning for $3,200.00.

Around this time they became known by the government as the Chippewas of Rama Township. And for over 100 years the people of Mnjikaning were known simply as the Chippewas of Rama.

These were not good times for the Anishnaabeg and some feared it would only be a matter of time before the First Nations would disappear altogether. For years, many people for Mnjikaning dispersed across Turtle Island looking for work. Those who remained no longer tended the fish fence.

Following 1836, enormous amounts of land were lost to the British and Canadian governments in a series of land surrenders. The final surrender of land came with the Williams Treaty in 1923.

Today, Mnjikaning sits on about 2,350 acres of land located on eight separate parcels. It has thrown off the old "Rama" designation and, in honour of the spirit of its ancestors, it has assumed its former name - Mnjikaning.

Population statistics vary, but recent figures place 458 band members in the community, 54 residents form other bands and 91 non-Natives for a total of 595 residents. About 695 band members live elsewhere. They are served by a Chief and six Councillors who are elected for two year terms.

For many years there was little economic activity in the community with the exception of one store, a trailer park and fishing guides.

However, since the late 1960's, the Chief and Council, alongside the community's economic development team, have encouraged a number of businesses to open. Today, there are about 25 businesses at Mnjikaning, including Black River Wilderness Park, Ojibway Bay Marina and the Rama Gift Shop.

Plans developed during the 1980's to increase tourism led to the opening of Casino Rama in 1996.

The 195,000 square foot casino is surrounded by a spectacular 37,000 square foot Native Art Studio composed entirely of community artists.

The overall impact of the casino has been felt throughout both the Aboriginal and the surrounding Lakeland communities of Simcoe County. Casino Rama is the largest employer in the region and while its full impact has yet to be determined, it is a welcome economic boost to the area.

The casino represents a significant source of business opportunities for the region and Mnjikaning has embarded upon a renewed ten year economic development strategy to ensure the demand for services generated by Casino Rama benefits everyone.

The Mnjikaning administration currently runs two day car centres, a library and resource centre, youth program, health services at a new medical clinic and a soon-to-open Senior's Complex. The Mnjikaning Arena and Sports Ki (MASK) has recently opened and is home to the Couchiching Terriers Hockey Team and Rama Kings Jr. A Lacross team.

The community also operates its own fire department and first response emergency unit as well as a police department, in cooperation with the Ontario Provincial Police. It has a state of the art water treatment centre that services both the community and the needs of the casino.
Mnjikaning is pleased with its accomplished as it takes its place alongside the neighbouring communities of Simcoe County. It is indeed a proud, progressive community.