The original people of the Treaty No. 9 area are known as the Nishnawbe Aski.  The name is based on a principle which is sacred to our people: the notion of the people and the land, especially the unique relation between them.  In our languages, this is "Nishnawbe Aski".  This concept is our central self-reliance for our people.

Languages

The Treaty No. 9 people speak one of two distinctly separate languages: Cree and Ojibway.  These both belong to a common stock known as the Algonkian group of languages.  Cree is spoken by the coastal people and the Ojibway by the interior groups.  Within both of these languages, there are many dialects, each associated with a particular First Nation and location.  In Northwestern Ontario alone there are over 30 Cree and Ojibway dialects

Geographical Area

The area of Nishnawbe Aski Nation runs from the Manitoba border to the Quebec border within the Hudson Bay's and James Bay's watersheds.  The more than 45 communities represented by Nishnawbe Aski Nation are scattered throughout this area.  The Treaty area includes the districts of Cochrane, Temiscaming, Sudbury, Algoma, Thunder Bay and Kenora.  It occupies between one-half and two-thirds of the whole of Ontario, spanning a land mass 700 x 400 miles across the north of the province.

Living Conditions

Some serious problems are caused by these physical circumstances; in addition to other social, legal, and economic factors.  Apart from the isolation and lack of employment opportunities, there are other difficulties, including inadequate housing, community services, medical and dental services, and education.  Problems are also caused by the rapid disappearance of a traditional way of life which includes the pursuits of hunting, fishing, and trapping due to advancing resource development.

Population Represented

The estimated population of the more than 45 communities is 25,000.  All communities are "bands" within the meaning of the Indian Act.

The British North American Act (BNA), 1867

The relations between Canadian Aboriginal people and Canada formally begins with the provision in the BNA Act, Section 91, which gave the Federal Government authority to legislate with regard to Indians and Lands reserved for Indians.  By virtue of this power, the Government also became obligated to act always in the best interests of Natives and to ensure that Indian rights and lands are protected.  However, this grant of authority evolved in such a way as to effectively regulate the internal affairs of Indians as well as to determine Canada's relationship with Natives.

The Indian Act and Other Legislation

On the basis of this federal jurisdiction over Indians, there are many regulations, laws and statutes formulated which concerned Indian people.  These were first compiled into the Indian Act in 1867 - 1881, which despite revision over the years, are still in effect today, with control over all aspects of Indian life.  Furthermore, many Provincial laws which are concurrent with Federal law or which contravene treaty terms further complicate the legal context of Indian life.

The Indian Act gives authority to the Federal Government to administer the affairs of Indians on the basis of the Indian Act.  No other people in Canada have been so legislated by such a discriminatory act.