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Archives for March 2022

Tracing Our Roots While We Have a Chance

March 15, 2022

Genealogy has soared in popularity in recent years as people around the globe use DNA tests and ancestry services to understand their heritage and personal histories. One man is on a quest to learn as much as he can about the lineage of community members in Pimachiowin Aki, and says it comes with unique challenges.

“Elders, who possess much of the knowledge, may have limited continued time with us,” cautions Gerald Neufeld (Kaahkaapish), who grew up in Pauingassi First Nation and has been working with his father Henry (Ochichaahkons) for years to help Anishinaabeg trace their roots. “Without Elders’ knowledge of history, progress in some key areas of research is at risk of coming to an end.”

Using decades-old photographs, recorded information and memories of others, Gerald is sharing and gathering as much information as possible. In an interview, he explains the importance of his work.

1. How are Elders in Pimachiowin Aki helping you with your work?

Elders usually know their family history going back at least two generations. They’re able to provide information on photographs and share knowledge of family connections from a time before photographs. For generations earlier than grandparents, my observation is that knowledge levels of ancestral history drop off.

Gerald reviews photographs with the (late) Elder Josie Strang, who enlarges the photo with her magnifying glass

2. You and your father have given close to 75 genealogical presentations to communities and schools in Little Grand Rapids First Nation and Pauingassi First Nation over the past 30 years. Please explain how a ‘Cool Jobs’ presentation got you started.

During the early ‘90s I began developing a focused interest in photos my dad had taken as well as a few Hallowell* photographs he had collected.

Omishoosh School at Pauingassi First Nation invited me to lead a presentation on employment opportunities. I had anticipated a fine, sunny day in June being an impediment to my success with the ‘Cool Jobs’ presentation, and my backup plan entailed switching to a presentation on ancestral photographs taken by my dad in the ‘50s and ‘60s. The ancestral photograph presentation was a hit! Students became immediately attentive and asked a lot of questions. From that trip, I realized that photos of Elders showed promise of something bigger. However, it took several years of tinkering with the idea before it evolved into the presentation format I currently use—a PowerPoint with well-labeled photographs.

*Alfred Irving Hallowell was an anthropologist who studied Ojibwe culture 

A slide from Gerald’s ‘One People’ presentation. Document (now out-dated) originally developed by A.I. Hallowell

3. What is the most profound or memorable experience you have had giving a presentation?

One experience that stands out is at Little Grand Rapids in October 2018. We took a lunch break during our community presentation. While doing research to prepare a response to a question, I landed on a website with a fundraiser pamphlet. It featured Hallowell photograph F052, an image of Little Grand Rapids resident Maggie Duck (Nenawan); daughter of John Duck. Feedback from Little Grand Rapids suggests she may be a daughter of Kiiwichens (John Keeper, Sr.) of Little Grand Rapids. 

Hallowell photograph F052; Maggie Duck (Nenawan) | American Philosophical Society

This sparked an interesting dialogue about rights the owners of the photograph should have versus the person photographed.

Another example took place in the Little Grand Rapids sub-office in Winnipeg. I mentioned to a former Chief that I had photographs of his grandmother and great-grandparents. He hadn’t known their names or that photographs existed. I promised to deliver him digital copies and he was very pleased!

4. What discovery stands out as most fascinating for you and families whose ancestry you have traced?

An item that is of significant interest to me is the disarray in surnames assigned by Indian Agents in 1891. Typical patrilineal (naming after the father) naming convention was not followed. Consequently, we have a mixture of names that makes it difficult for people of this region to fully understand family connections. 

When asking local people about these names, they express frustration with what appears to have been a half-hearted attempt at surname assignment which makes tracing of relatives complicated when it could be straightforward.

For example, the Keepers of Little Grand Rapids First Nation and the Strangs and Turtles of Pikangikum First Nation are fellow clans people—they originate from the same patriarchal head named Pasikwiikaapaw. Yet, based on my inquiries, people have limited knowledge of this.  

Surname assignment is often complicated, making it difficult to trace relatives. Example:

Shenawakoshkank—Moose Clan from Pauingassi First Nation

·     Oldest son Pishiw becomes Sandy Owen
·     Pishiw’s next youngest full brother Ochiimaaso becomes James White, Sr. 
·     Back to Sandy Owen, several sons are assigned surname Quill (Pikangikum)
·     One son is assigned Dunsford (Little Grand Rapids)
·     Many are correctly assigned Owen
·     Back to Quill, an additional name of Peters was added to some from the next generations

5. In addition to complicated surname assignment, what are the challenges of tracing ancestry in Pimachiowin Aki? 

It seems there’s no aspect of this work that provides instant results. Genealogy research is a relatively complex process. It is time intensive and requires attention to detail, but as a picture emerges, the outcome can be quite interesting.

a) Archived Treaty annuity pay-lists

Years of archived information needs to be reviewed to gain information—a review of pay-lists is necessary to identify family characteristics such as individuals’ names and years of birth.

b) Different spellings

From 1875-1891, names on Treaty annuity pay-lists were written mostly in Ojibwe. Indian Agents at the time didn’t always use the same spelling, so tracing names from one year to the next is difficult.

c) Different numbers

In early years, a Treaty reference number was assigned to heads of households where names were given. These reference numbers often changed from one year to the next, which adds an element of confusion to the research. 

d) Smudged documents

Aged documents can be difficult to read. Sometimes the writing is smudged.

e) Additional research required

When information is found, it frequently leads to more questions than answers. More research is required, such as:

  • Interviews with Elders—having knowledge of the language is an asset in some areas of this work, particularly as it relates to conversing with Elders to validate information
  • Reading history books or books written by former residents
  • Reviewing material such as Government Archives, Hudson Bay Company Archives, and Church Archives

6. What drew you to the work of recovering lost genealogical history in Pimachiowin Aki?

My hometown is Pauingassi First Nation. I’m intrigued about what life in the area was like long ago. 

My dad took many photographs in the ‘50s and ‘60s. Over the years I would make phone calls to people, gathering information and photographs.

What I learned about genealogy is through self-study, my memories, reading books about the region, research on the internet, and discussions with my dad. I had done some earlier work in the ‘90s, however,the first sincere efforts at understanding family connections and genealogies for Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids areas dates to 2011. I was relatively new to this area of work.

Gerald discusses photos and family histories with Pauingassi residents Kwiiwisens (Gerald Lambert Pascal) (left) and Gerald Sonkaape (right)

7. How did you begin?

In 2010, Dad and I decided to assemble a photo album for Pauingassi First Nation. It featured nearly 300 labeled photographs that were laminated and bound into books. In 2011 we held evening meetings at Pauingassi to present the photographs by PowerPoint. Three albums were gifted to the community, one to the school, another to the Band Office, and one to the Church.

In 2017, Dad and I presented in Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Pikangikum First Nation and Poplar Hill First Nation. The presentations included Hallowell photographs along with others we had collected. We brought a colour printer and laminator to make copies of photos on request, which families could post in their houses.

8. How many presentations have you given in Pimachiowin Aki over the years?

I  estimate up to 75:

  • 25 community presentations in Little Grand Rapids First Nation and 15 in Pauingassi First Nation  
  • 25-35 school presentations. More were presented in Little Grand Rapids than in Pauingassi. This was partially due to the school at Little Grand Rapids having more classrooms   

9. What has the reception been like?

People have a genuine interest in the topic. It was clear from the levels of engagement and emotion that occasionally surfaced that we were meeting our objectives of providing valuable presentations. It seems we’ve just scratched the surface in satisfying curiosities and desires for ancestral information. Older photographs are most appealing to the audience.

10. Did school presentations lead to more discoveries?

The work my dad and I undertook was to present photos with as many identified names as possible. Teachers Aids would figure out which students were related to these photographs. Teachers Aids were also helpful in naming unidentified individuals in photographs.

11. What are the most common questions asked during your community presentations?

Recently, questions have been focused on identifying specific dates regarding education history of their parents. This is related to the need to validate their parents having attended a Day School. In March 2021, the federal government announced that eligible Indian day school students will be entitled to receive individual compensation.

Gerald gives a school presentation. The slide reads: Aapanaapita (looking back), Opasaatihkaank (Poplar Hill), Kashkatinikiisihs (the month the water freezes), 2019 tahso ahki (the year 2019)

12. Besides live presentations, how can people learn about your work?

My goal is to develop an information system that can help the people of the region understand their heritage in detail on a generation-by-generation basis. 

An information system would include a genealogical chart customized for each of the Pimachiowin Aki and other Berens River communities that portrays information on genealogical history and intermarriages between communities going back to the time of Treaty signing, and earlier where information is available. 

Each individual genealogical chart would:

  • Contain a significant amount of detail
  • Demonstrate the inter-relatedness of these communities and portray family connections between communities in this region
  • Reference photographs for individuals and their families where available

These charts could be used in the schools as well, sharing knowledge of the history of the region. Based on feedback received during presentations, this would represent a source of pride.

13. When will the information system be available?

The first charts will be several years from now at the earliest. I’m still in design stages, working at featuring the genealogical chart in a way that provides intelligence regarding in what community individuals may have been raised (giving consideration to inter-community marriages) and how to provide an easy reference to photographs featured in school hallways.

14. Do you have presentations planned for 2022?

Because of COVID, we haven’t been scheduling presentations. However, Dad and I are currently identifying names for approximately 300 photographs of people and places to be hung on the walls of Omishoosh School in Pauingassi. We’re in the early stages of identifying the names, which will be spelled phonetically, in syllabics, and English. We estimate the first names will be complete in a few months, after which Dad and I hope to schedule a trip to Pauingassi to participate in an opening ceremony for the display (Dad is 92 and so far, is healthy and could easily make such a trip).

If you have details or note any corrections to ancestral histories in this story, please contact Gerald Neufeld: gerald.neufeld4@gmail.com

Feature image: Gerald and Taki (Albert Pascal) in Paunigassi.

Filed Under: First Nation Communities, Geneaology, Uncategorised Tagged With: Bloodvein River First Nation, Elders, Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Pauingassi First Nation, Poplar River First Nation

Ancestry Puzzles: Solved & Unsolved

March 15, 2022

Gerald Neufeld’s (Kaahkaapish) painstaking genealogical research has solved several ancestral mysteries, including the four below. Can you help him solve number 5?

1. Choshup | Joseph Crow Jr. (Sturgeon Clan)

Family at Pauingassi First Nation, 1970 | Photo: Henry Neufeld

Choshup—Joseph Crow Jr. (Sturgeon Clan)
Wapishkiink—daughter Helen Crow
Cheni—son Jerry Crow
Ahkahk—wife Bella Pascal (Kingfisher Clan)
Young girl—not confirmed

Joseph Crow Jr. was the eldest son of Joseph Crow, Sr. (A’aasi, which translated to English means ‘Crow’ and was thus assigned Crow as last name by an Indian Agent) and Elizabeth Quill (Shaapohkamikohk) (Hallowell A294).  Joseph Jr. was born in Pikangikum, Ontario. He moved with his father and siblings to Pauingassi sometime after his mother passed in approximately 1934.

Father’s side

Grandparents

Nihtaawisens (Henry McColl) of Pikangikum First Nation
Ishkwaantemo (Mary Pascal) of Little Grand Rapids First Nation

After Nihtaawisens passed, Ishkwaantemo moved to Pauingassi and married Okimaa. Okimaa was half-brother of Naamiwan and son of Shenawakoshkank of Pauingassi. Shenawakoshkank (passed 1881/82) is viewed as having been the patriarchal head of the Moose Clan from that era. 

Great grandparents—Nihtaawisens’ parents

Sukashki (E. McColl)
Minchimoo (great grandmother)

Mother’s side

Grandparents (both of Pikangikum)

Inchoke (Joseph Quill) (Moose Clan)
Inkoke (also named Kakike’ ihkwe)  

Inchoke is one of two men after whom the school in Pikangikum First Nation is named. Inchoke is the eldest son of Pishiw (Sandy Owen) who in turn, was the eldest son of Shenawakoshkank of Pauingassi First Nation. 

Pishiw was raised in Pauingassi. When he married, he moved to Stout Lake (in Ojibwe, called Kihchi Opaawankaank), located on the Berens River part way between Little Grand Rapids and Poplar Hill, east of Moar Lake (formerly Eagle Lake).

2. Kohko’o (Charlie Moose Owen) | Moose Clan

Kohko’o (Charlie Moose Owen; also named Saakachiwe) holding unique rocks at Pauingassi First Nation, 1974 | Photo: Henry Neufeld

Charlie Moose Owen lived at Pauingassi. He was married to Jessie Keeper (Weweshii’o) of Pauingassi. He was the fifth child of Shawtail Owen (Kihchi Ahkakochiish) and Jane Leveque (Kohkohkotiyi) of Little Grand Rapids. Kihchi Ahkakochiish was a younger half-brother to Naamiwan who led traditional ceremonies at Pauingassi.

Charlie Moose Owen also has relatives in Bloodvein River First Nation, resulting from his aunt (younger sister to mother Kohkohkotiyi) marrying a man in that community.

As a young man, Charlie Moose is reported to have participated in the freighting of goods up Berens River to the Little Grand Rapids Hudson’s Bay Company post. He is described as a man having exceptional physical strength on portages and wouldn’t be outdone by anyone. There are approximately 45 portages over that stretch of river. If Charlie’s tumpline (strap that crosses the head or chest to carry goods) and arms weren’t loaded with more weight than other couriers who were carrying freight, he’d tip the balance in his favour by carrying goods with his teeth!   

Kohko’o has two sons currently residing in Pauingassi First Nation and one daughter in Poplar Hill (First Nation.

Charlie Moose represented a family that in his age cohort, was a generation older than most of his peer group. Using Shenawakoshkank as a reference, Charlie Moose was a grandson.  Other descendants of Shenawakoshkank born in a similar timeframe were great-grandchildren.

Father’s side

Grandparents

Shenawakoshkank of Pauingassi
Aanahk (grandmother)

Mother’s side  

Grandparents (both of Little Grand Rapids)

Arthur Leveque (Kihchi Mohkomaan), Sturgeon Clan
Peggy Green (Pineshiwaash)

Charlie Moose’s uncle Dick Green (Nanahkowaanakwape – older brother to Peggy) was the first official Councillor of Little Grand Rapids First Nation, following the Adhesion to Treaty 5 signed at Little Grand Rapids on August 4, 1876.

3. Shooniman (Solomon Pascal), Kingfisher Clan

Shoniman (Solomon Pascal) of Pauingassi First Nation, 2015 | Photo: Gerald Neufeld

Solomon Pascal was the youngest child of George Pascal (Kihchi Omootayi) and Elizabeth (Anchikwanepiihk) of Stout Lake (Kihchi Opaawankaank), located east of Moar Lake (formerly Eagle Lake) on the Berens River. 

Solomon was married to Agnes Owen (Akin) of Pauingassi. She was the daughter of Charlie George Owen (Omishoosh) and his first wife Piiwiite, who was likely from Little Grand Rapids. 

Father’s Side

Grandparents

William Pascal (Wiskechaahk)
Elizabeth (Kaakaanaan; also named Maanaatis)

Great-grandparents

Parents of William Pascal:

Paashkaan of Little Grand Rapids
Wakoshens of Bloodvein

Sister of William Pascal: Ishkwaantemo, mother of Joseph Crow, Sr. (A’aasi)  

Parents of Elizabeth (Kaakaanaan):

John Owen (Naamiwan) of Pauingassi
Koowin of Berens River

Mother’s side

Grandparents

Peter Turtle (Wiishwaw), Sturgeon Clan of Pikangikum First Nation
Annie Owen (Ihkwet) of Stout Lake, located east of Moar Lake on the Berens River  

Great-grandparents

Parents of Annie Owen:
Sandy Owen (Pishiw), originally of Pauingassi
Kaakokishkish, originally of Little Grand Rapids

Sandy Owen (Pishiw) is the eldest son of Shenawakoshkank, head of the Moose Clan during the time of signing of the Adhesion to Treaty 5.  

Kaakokishkish is the sister of Dick Green, the first assigned Councillor at Little Grand Rapids following the signing of the Adhesion to Treaty 5 on August 4, 1876.

4. Paakak (William Baptiste), Sturgeon Clan

Paakak and son Harlan, September 1964 | Photo Henry Neufeld

Paakak (William Baptiste) lived at Little Grand Rapids First Nation. This photo was possibly taken at Kaamanominihkaank (the place where there’s wild rice) near Assinika Lake, north of Pauingassi First Nation.

Paakak was a middle child of John Baptiste (Pachiish) and Sarah White (Mahkache), both of Little Grand Rapids. He was married to Ens. Records show that Ens was likely the daughter of Roderick Keeper. Known names of their children are Harlan, Sarah (Pakaan) and We’we’. 

Father’s side

Grandparents

Adam Bigmouth Sr. (Ochiipwaamoshiish)
Fanny Bigmouth (Inchinii, or Injenii*)

*As described in Dr. Jennifer Brown’s writing in “Ojibwe Stories from the Upper Berens River: A. Irving Hallowell and Adam Bigmouth in Conversation.”

Mother’s side

Grandparents

James White Sr. (Ochiimaso)
Michishk (grandmother)

James White Sr. is the son of Shenawakoshkank and a brother of Pishiw, who resided at Stout Lake (Kihchi Opaawankaank) east of Moar Lake (earlier known as Eagle Lake). 

Michishk is the daughter of Okaawapwaan and Jane Ross of Berens River.

Other relations

Paakak’s family had relations in Little Grand Rapids, his community of residence, and other communities:

Poplar River

  • Paakak’s grandfather Adam Bigmouth Sr. (Ochiipwaamoshiish) had an older brother named Kaashaapowiiyaasit who settled at Poplar River   
  • Kaashaapowiiyaasit had three sons, two of whom carried the family name with their own children:
    • Neninkikwaneyaash (later known as Alex Whiskis) had three sons
    • Tetipaahkamikohk (later known as George Franklin) had ten sons and two daughters

Pauingassi

Paakak had multiple family connections to Shenawakoshkank of Pauingassi through:

  • His maternal grandfather Ochiimaso
  • His aunt Anii, who was Shenawakoshkank’s daughter, a full sister to Naamiwan, and was married to Nishkashakaye

Poplar Hill, Pikangikum and Berens River  

Paakak’s trapping cabins were located near the community of Berens River. It’s possible the cabins were located here because of his family connection to the Ross family of Berens River.

5. Can you help solve this puzzle?

This photo, documented by Gerald Neufeld, is stored in the United Church Archives in Winnipeg.

“I believe this photo features some individuals originally from Pauingassi and Little Grand Rapids,” says Gerald Neufeld (Kaahkaapish).  

It may be a photo of Pishiw (oldest son of Shenawakoshkank and oldest brother of Naamiwan) along with wives Chankishkish and Kaakokishkish, and other family members, including children Ochooshihshimaa, Miinwaanik and Kakikepinesh, he says.

Do you know?

Is this Piihtos (born 1880-1881; died 1941); daughter of Tetepayapan and Kiitawan; wife of Kakiiweyaasii; grand daughter-in-law of Pishiw?

If you have information, please contact Gerald: gerald.neufeld4@gmail.com

Feature Photo: Henry Neufeld

Filed Under: First Nation Communities, Geneaology, Uncategorised Tagged With: Bloodvein River First Nation, Geneaology, Little Grand Rapids First Nation, Pauingassi First Nation, Poplar River First Nation

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