Kichesipirini Algonquin

First Nation

Celebrate with our family after a 150 year separation.

Allumette Island Heritage Days,

July 2, 2006
We celebrated many things together.
The formal closing of the Notre Dam du Lac Church
50 year anniversary of the building of the inter-provincial
bridge
The proud history of the Kichesipirini Algonquins through
presentations and a mini pow wow
 Kichesipirini
The Great River People - The People from the Island
•Kichesipirini (meaning: "people of the great river") kiche –
great, big, sipi-river, ini-people
-Largest and most powerful group of Algonkin. Known variously
as: Algoumequins de l'Isle, Allumette, Big River People, Gens d
l'Isle, Honkeronon (Huron), Island Algonkin, Island Indians,
Island Nation, Kichesippiriniwek, Nation de l'Isle, Nation of the
Isle. Villages and trading posts on Morrison's and Allumette
Island.
-By far the two most important sites of the Middle Archaic
Period in northeastern North America are those found at
Allumette Island and Morrison Island by Clyde Kennedy, an avid
amateur archaeologist from Chalk River.  They are especially
notable for the very significant quantities of Lake Superior
native copper objects found there.
-1962  Archaic Hunters in the Ottawa Valley.  Ontario History 54(2):122-128.
1967  Preliminary Report on Morrison's Island-6 Site.  Contributions to Anthropology V,
Bulletin 206.  National Museum of Canada, Ottawa, pp.100-125.
 Kichesipirini
and how they differed from other Algonquins at time of contact
Kichesipirini Algonquin
Permanent Location: Because of the
establishment of permanent villages the
Kichesipirini were better protected from enemy
raids. They were better able to devout time to
activities other than hunting and gathering, ie
elaborate
Economiccarving, pottery and of
farming.
Activity: Because permanent
settlement more dependent on trade. Collection of
surplus goods for trade through collection of tolls
on river and farming. Experienced external traders.
Arts and Culture: Numerous copper and clay
items have been found on the Islands. The
Kichesipirini were also noted to be more tattooed
and adorned than other Algonquins. Burial
traditions were also very different.
Governance: More permanent communities and
governance system, chief and council or sachems,
directly involved in international and trade
relations.
Other Algonquin
Transient: Followed well established seasonal
migrations through family or clan territories to
access food and resources. A great amount of time
and energy was spent traveling and setting up camp.
Hunting and Gathering: Relied heavily on hunting,
fishing and gathering, moving to follow food
sources. More involved in trade after posts
established in territory.
Arts and Culture: Minimum of items to allow for
greater mobility. Most of Inland Algonquin culture
suited a people that migrated in search of food.
Culture was not primarily trade based.
Seasonal: Formal politics and governance during
summer, but broke into smaller clans during
remainder of year.
Challenges and Change

The Island Algonquins have known many

challenges and changes. The drums and the
singers have been silent since the mid
1800’s.