Past and Present Residents of the Golden Dawn
Submitted by Christie Amyot,
Volunteer/Director, Golden Dawn
This brief story is one of a series of articles featuring past and present indigenous residents of Golden Dawn Senior Citizen Home in Lion’s Head, ON.
Summarizing almost a century of life for any one person is intimidating, but summarizing the history of our indigenous residents is something that is best left to their families – who resided on the Peninsula for many, many centuries before us. Please enjoy this special story, reader, as it brings to light the unique and amazing history of our indigenous friends and neighbours.
A special thank you to Johnny Keeshig, who has embraced the opportunity to share his father Donald’s history alongside the history of his ancestors – the original settlers of this beautiful Peninsula!
Donald Keeshig
Written by Johnny Keeshig
Long before the arrival of the people across the great salt water; we were informed that light skin people would be coming. Many hundred years prior to this foretold arrival, our people set out on a quest to survive. They followed a Giant Megis, down what is now the St. Lawrence, through what is now known as the Great Lakes, in search of the place where the food rested on the water. It is not said how long they travelled, just that they made several stops along their way.
After the arrival of the visitors from across the great salt water, the English prompted the People of the Long-House (Haudenosaunee) to move against the Huron-Wendat who were allies of the French, in order to control the fur-trade. The Huron-Wendat were driven from this land known as South Western Ontario. Some found refuge in the lodges of their neighbours, many were eventually absorbed into these lodges.
The alliance of the Council of Three Fires moved against the Haudenosaunee, in a three prong attack all on the same day and same time, to take control of South Western Ontario.
After their victory, a group of the Alliance volunteered to stay behind to safeguard against any future incursions by the Haudenosaunee. This group was known as the Mississagi, where the now-a-day City of Mississauga gets its name.
There was peace, until the 1800’s, when Tecumseh sent his wampum to collect warriors to protect what was now British controlled North America against the young upstart the United States. The members of the Council of Three Fires answered Tecumseh’s call. The majority of the bands found around the Great Lakes sent warriors.
This loyalty to the British Crown, placed the indigenous people of the Americas in the sights of General Andrew Jackson, when he found his way to the White House in 1829. After his inauguration in 1829, Jackson implemented a policy of removing all indigenous peoples in the Eastern States to west of the Mississippi River. This policy is known to the indigenous people as the Trail of Tears. Villages upon villages of indigenous people were forced to abandon their homes, then escorted by the United States army west of the Mississippi to Oklahoma.
Many of the people living on the Southern Shores of Lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron refused to go to Oklahoma and sought refuge in the lodges of their relatives who had yet to return from fighting the Haudenosaunee or assisting Tecumseh.
It was during this time, the many groups of Boodawaadmii made their way across the line their visitors had drawn across their homeland declaring two separate countries. One of these groups crossed the area around nowaday Sault Ste. Marie, then made their way down to Manitoulin Island near South Baymouth, where they stayed for a time, before moving to join their relatives living in the area now known as Goderich. This community was led by Chief Kegodonce, who was asked by his older brother to protect the families of those warriors who were fighting alongside Tecumseh in the War of 1812.
Chief James Nawash, who also fought alongside Tecumseh, upon passing by the village of Goderich, extended an invitation to people housed in this settlement to join his band at the head of the Bay at Owen Sound, the original home of the Chippewas of Nawash.
After the Surrender of the Saugeen Peninsula in 1854, members of the Chippewas of Nawash moved to Neyaashiinigmiing (Cape Croker).
This is where my father, Donald Keeshig, was born. And where he chose to raise his family of five girls and five boys.
About Golden Dawn
Golden Dawn Senior Citizen Home is a non-profit, registered charity – the only long-term care home and senior apartments complex in Northern Bruce. Located in the village of Lion’s Head, Ontario, it is also the largest year-round employer in Northern Bruce.
For more information, please contact: Christie Amyot, Volunteer/Director, 519-636-8505, christieamyot1@gmail.com or visit www.goldendawn.ca
