History of the Plains-Ojibway and the Waywayseecappo First Nation
By: [edited by] Lawrence J. Barkwell, Lyle N. Longclaws.
Contributors: Barkwell, Lawrence J., 1943-; Longclaws, Lyle N., 1955-; Waywayseecappo First Nation.
Publisher: Waywayseecappo First Nation
Published: 1996
Place of publication: Rossburn, Man
Language: eng
Subjects: Waywayseecappo First Nation -- History.; Ojibwa Indians -- Manitoba -- History.; Ojibwa Indians -- North Dakota -- History.; Indians of North America -- Canada -- Treaties.
Description: PREFACE

We initially began discussions of the history of Waywayseecappo First Nation with Sydney Longclaws, Chair of the Waywayseecappo Edu-cation Authority. He shared some historical material he had at home and this stimulated our interest in seeing what else was available. The plan to do this book came out of discussions with the Waywayseecappo Chief and Council in 1991. We were reviewing some historical materials that the co-editors had gathered and they expressed great interest in pulling these his-torical materials together in a more formal way.
The object of this first volume is to cover the early roots and history of the Plains-Ojibway or Saulteaux people with particular emphasis upon the groups which have their roots in the Turtle Mountain area of the United States and the Fort Ellice area of Manitoba. Thus, the early history of the Waywayseecappo, Gambler and Turtle Mountain groups is covered quite extensively. To this end we have drawn historical material from the mid-1800s and included excerpts from the research of cultural anthropolo-gists done during the 1910 to 1960 period. More importantly, we have reviewed this information with the Waywayseecappo Elders and included their insights. The Waywayseecappo Elders have also shared their knowl-edge of the life and customs of the Anishinabe and this is to be included in a second volume. Most of these Elders were born just after the turn of the century. For students who are interested in doing further reading we have included an extensive bibliography.
Waywayseecappo Elder, the late Hugh McKay, strongly supported this initiative and stressed the importance of such historical records for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal students. It is at his insistence and that of Howard Mecas, that we have included extensive historical documenta-tion with regard to the Treaty Four negotiations and agreements. As Mr. McKay so cogently pointed out, the Treaties were to be the basis for peo-ple living in harmony with each other, and with this land.
This first book is a brief introductory view of Plains-Ojibway history and culture. The majority of the chapters in this book were written by An-ishinabe or from an Anishinabe perspective. Unfortunately, many of the records have been lost; through fires in band offices, residences and churches; due to the fact that people have moved to many different parts of the country, and; through the fact that the mainstream educational system did not, until recently, pay much attention to the First Nations of 
North America. For these reasons, some of the continuity we wished to achieve in this volume has not been possible. In the second volume we hope to expand upon the themes presented here, and to present some more contemporary views.  

Lyle N. Longclaws,
Lawrence J. Barkwell