It stretches:
- North to the top of the Saugeen Peninsula
- East to the Nottawasaga River
- South to the town of Arthur
- West to Goderich
- Across significant portions of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay
The territory includes the lands, shorelines, waters and lakebeds that have sustained the Saugeen Anishnaabek for generations.
Today, many people know this area for its beaches, cottages, farms, communities and natural beauty. For SON, it is more than a destination - it is a homeland.
Treaty History
When settlers arrived, the Saugeen Anishnaabek entered into treaties with the Crown. These agreements made it possible for newcomers to live on and benefit from parts of our territory.
In return, the Crown made promises.
Those promises included responsibilities related to our lands, the proceeds from land sales and the protection of the lands reserved for our communities. Despite written commitments, continued settlement and government action resulted in SON losing access to much of its territory.
Important moments in this history include:
1763: The Royal Proclamation
The Royal Proclamation recognized that First Nations lands could not simply be taken or settled without agreement.
1836 - Saugeen Treaty No. 45 ½
Negotiated with the Crown. SON agreed to open up 1.5 million acres of land for settlement in exchange for economic assistance and protection from settler encroachment “…upon which proper houses shall be built for you, and proper assistance given to enable you to become civilized and to cultivate land, which you Great Father engages for ever to protect for you from the encroachments of the whites.”
1851 - Half Mile Strip Treaty No. 67
Negotiated with the Crown. Surrendered over 4,000 acres for a road to join Owen Sound and Southampton.
1854 - Saugeen Peninsula Treaty No. 72
Negotiated with the Crown. Interpreted by settler governments as the surrender of the Saugeen Peninsula in exchange for reserves - certain tracts of land set aside - and proceeds from the sale of the land “...agreed that it will be highly desirable for us to make a full and complete surrender unto the Crown of that Peninsula known as the Saugeen and Owen Sound Indian Reserve, subject to certain restrictions and reservations to be hereinafter set forth.”.”
Under Treaty No. 72, most of the Saugeen Peninsula was opened to settlement. The Crown promised to protect the remaining lands and hold the proceeds from land sales for the benefit of the Saugeen Anishnaabek.
Further land surrenders followed. Over time, SON’s land base was reduced from approximately two million acres to a small portion of the territory our ancestors had occupied and cared for.
1857 - Owen Sound/Nawash Treaty No. 82
Negotiated with the Crown. 10,000 acre Nawash Reserve to the northwest of Owen Sound was surrendered, with residents moving to Cape Croker, although many did not want to.
1861 - Colpoy’s Bay Treaty No. 93
Negotiated with the Crown. The Colpoy’s Bay Reserve (6,000 acres) was surrendered. Some residents moved to Neyaashiinigmiing and Saugeen, but the majority moved to Christian Island.
1885-1899 - Islands
The Fishing Islands, Cape Hurd Islands, Griffith Island, Hay Island and White Cloud Island were surrendered.
1968 - Return of Island
Approximately 90 fishing islands in Lake Huron were returned to the Saugeen Ojibway Nation.
1994 - Treaty 72 Claim
Argues that Treaty 72 is not equitably valid, Crown breached its duty to “for ever to protect for you from the encroachments of the whites.”
2003 - Aboriginal Title Claim
Claiming Aboriginal Title to parts of the Lake Huron and Georgian Bay waterbeds.
2019 - Treaty 72 Claim in Court
Start of the Treaty 72 Land Claim being seen in the Court of Law.
Treaties still matter. Promises still matter.
SON today
SON continues to protect its rights, uphold its responsibilities and strengthen its role in decisions affecting Saukiing Anishnaabekiing.
That includes working with governments, municipalities, organizations and industries operating within the territory. SON expects these relationships to be respectful, transparent and grounded in the recognition that SON is not simply another stakeholder.
Decisions about our territory can have lasting environmental, cultural, social and economic effects. SON must be involved from the beginning—not informed after the important decisions have already been made.
Our territory. Our future. Our say.
Stand with Saugeen Ojibway Nation
Learn the history. Share the facts. Help call on governments to honour their promises and respect SON’s voice in decisions affecting its territory.
Promises matter. Consent is the bare minimum. It is time to act.
