History
They are a branch of the Ojibwa people (aka Algonquin, Anishinabe, Bungee, Chippewa, Little Shell, Ojibway, Ojibwe, Pembina, Saginaw, Sac and Sauk. Their land was located just east of Lake Superior when the English and French first met them in the early 17th century. It was the French who supposedly named these eastern Lake Superior Chippewa's Saulteaux. It means "People of the Falls" in French.
Their original land was located at and in the immediate surrounding region of Sault Ste. Marie. Ojibwa authors from the 19th century wrote about Chippewa's from the west forcing their way to the east, after the whites invaded. According to George Copway, the Chippewa's from northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, settled the region where Sault Ste. Marie is. They then forced their way further east. Copway wrote that these Chippewa settlers colonized the region east of Lake Superior and east of Lake Huron, after 1634 and 1635.
Surprisingly, Copway wrote that Minnesota served as a starting off point. Copway learned that a general council was held where Minneapolis-St. Paul is (Falls of St. Anthony) to distribute land to the Ojibwa's. He also wrote that the Ojibwa east of Lake Superior, considered the Minnesota region to be the land of their forefathers.
Not very long after the western Chippewa's colonized the region east of Lakes Superior and Huron, they were forced to commence diasporas to the west. It was the Seven Fires Prophecy which forced them to leave for western lands. The focus will be on the northern Saulteaux Indians north of Lake Superior and exactly where they migrated to.
From the Sault Ste. Marie region, they followed an old road north of Lake Superior which led to where Winnipeg, Manitoba is now situated. This same road led into what is now Saskatchewan then to what is now Edmonton, Alberta. It then branched off to where the Saulteau First Nations are located in British Columbia. That is where Moberly Lake is. Before the road reached Moberly Lake, it branched off where Dawson Creek, British Columbia is. It led up to where Fort Nelson, British Columbia is now.
Another branch of this same old road, branched off near Dawson Creek and extended into central British Columbia. From there, it led to where Prince Rupert, British Columbia is. The whites now call this old road the Highway of Tears. The Chippewa's probably named the road Highway of Tears. Similar to the Trail of Tears in the United States which is now known as route 66.
Other branches of the Ojibwa Nation are the Little Shell, Pembina, and Saginaw. The Saulteaux lived north of them, excepting the Pembina who historians probably classify as being Saulteaux. To identify the Saulteaux Indians, information about the Little Shell, Pembina, and Saginaw must be separate so the information about the Saulteaux can be unique. By that, i am referring to a unique Saulteaux District.
This Saulteaux District bordered the Pembina Band of Chippewa Indians District and the Little_Shell_Band_of_Chippewa_Indians,_Montana District. It commences in eastern Saskatchewan and extends into Alberta. It may have included land in nortern Montana, east of the Rocky Mountains. It also included much of British Columbia, particularly northern British Columbia. Another Chippewa District was probably located in southern British Columbia.
Only Reservations or Reserves, in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the Northwest Territories will be included. Historians have written that the Cree Indians made no use of totems or clans. If that was correct it will signify that they are not Algonquian. However, it is known that the Swampy Cree and Woodland Cree used totems or clans. Woodland Cree are obviously Saulteaux.
Their history is one that is fragmented and difficult to place together. There is one Saulteaux people in northeastern British Columbia and one in Alberta. However, there is something weary about this predicament. Probably because of the Seven Fires Prophecy which has played a major role in Saulteaux history.
Brief Timeline
17th century:
Were living in Minnesota in the early part of the century. As a result of the white invasion many were sent east to support the eastern Chippewa's in the wars against the whites and their Indian allies.
18th century:
Wars against the whites intensified. As the 18th century progressed, the wars became more deadly. By 1795 (after the Battle of Fallen Timbers) the Saulteaux living east of Lake Superior and north of Lake Huron, commenced diasporas. Some migrated up to northern Quebec. Most migrated north of Lake Superior then to the west.
19th century:
Many Saulteaux Indians had migrated into northwestern Ontario then southern Manitoba. They probably participated in the Pemmican War which was a part of the War of 1812. By the 1860s, they were realizing they had to migrate again. Under the leadership of Saulteaux leaders Chief Yellow Quill, his sub-chief Chief Kinistin, Chief John Smith and his brother Chief James Smith, the diasporas commenced. From southern Manitoba, they migrated into southeastern and central Saskatchewan. Other Chippewa leaders who followed prophecy and led diasporas were Chief Kahkhagooguns and Chief Napaneegwan. Both leaders did as instructed and led the Saulteaux people to northern British Columbia, from southern Manitoba.
Chief Kinistin led many Saulteaux people up to northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan. They merged with the Chippewa's native to those regions. They also migrated into Alberta then British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, including what is now Nunavut.
Additional References to the History of the Tribe
Reserves
Crooked Lake (Cowessess, Kahkewistahaw, Ochapowace, Sakimay)
Qu' Appelle (Muscowpetung, Pasqua, Piapot, Standing Buffalo)
Day Star-Kawacatoose
Gordon-Muskowekwan
One Arrow
Beardy's & Okemasis
Muskeg Lake
Lucky Man
Mistawasis
Ahtahkakoop
Big River
Sturgeon Lake (Saskatchewan)
Wahpeton
Whitecap
Wood Mountain
Nekaneet
Montreal Lake
Lac La Ronge
English River
Canoe Lake
Buffalo River
Birch Narrows
Clearwater
Hatchet Lake
Black Lake
Fond du Lac
Waterhen Lake
Flying Dust
Pelican Lake
Ministikwan Lake
Thunderchild
Witchekan Lake
Saulteaux-Moosomin
Little Pine-Poundmaker
Sweetgrass
Grizzly Bears Head-Lean Man-Mosquito-Red Pheasant
Big Island
Onion Lake
Blood
Piikani
Siksika
Tsuu T'ina
Stoney
Hobbema (Ermineskin, Louis Bull, Montana, Samson)
Wesley
O'Chiese-Sunchild
Paul
Alexis
Alexander
Enoch
Saddle Lake
Cold Lake
Kehewin
Frog Lake
Beaver Lake
Heart Lake
Chipewyan Prairie
Fort McMurray
Fort McKay
Bigstone
Athabasca Chipewyan
Mikisew
Little Red River
Tallcree
Beaver
Dene Tha'
Sawridge
Driftpile
Sucker Creek
Kapawe'no
Whitefish Lake
Sturgeon Lake (Alberta)
Duncan's
Horse Lake
Loon Lake
Lubicon Lake
Woodland
Smith's Landing
Salt River
Deninu K'ue
Lutsel K'e
Sambaa K'e
Acho Dene Koe
Fort Nelson
Prophet River
Halfway River
Doig River
Blueberry
West Moberly
Saulteau