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tlement among themselves at Owen's Sound, where they might live in future, and to attend to other things of minor importance.

There were forty-eight Chiefs present from Canada West alone. Chief Sawyer took the chair, and the writer had the honor of being Vice President. Chief John Jones of Owen Sound, was appointed to deliver the opening address, in which he was to give an outline of the subjects to be discussed.

The meeting was called to order; and after singing and prayer, the former by the members of the council, the latter by Chief Sunday, in which all united, Chief Jones arose. After casting a piercing glance over the assembly, he spoke as follows:

"Brothers! You have been called from all parts of Canada, and even from the North of Georgia Bay.

You are from your homes, your wives and your children.

We might regret this separation were it not for the circumstances that call you here.

Fellow Chiefs and Brothers! I have pondered with deep solicitude our present condition; and the future welfare of our children as well as of ourselves. I have studied deeply and anxiously in order to arrive at a true knowledge of the proper course to be pursued in order to

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secure to us and our descendants, and even to others around us, the greatest amount of peace, health, happiness and usefulness. The interests of the Ojibways are near and dear to my heart; for them I have passed many a sleepless night, and have oftentimes been wearied with an agitated mind.

The people of these Nations, I am proud to say, are my brethren; many of them are bone of my bone; and for them, if needs be, I could willingly, yea cheerfully sacrifice my life.

Brothers, you see my heart.* Fellow Chiefs and Warriors! I have looked over your wigwams through Canada, and have arrived at the conclusion, that you are in a warm place your neighbors, the whites, are kindling fires all around you.† One purpose for which we have been called together, is to devise some plan by which we can live together; and become a happy people, so that our fires may not go out (Nation become extinct) but may be kindled in one place, which will prove a blessing to our children.

Brothers! Some of you are living on small parcels of

* Here the speaker held out a piece of white paper, emblematic of a pure heart.

† Reference was here made to the clearing of the lands-The trees being burnt for that purpose.

land, and others on Islands. We now offer you any portion of the land which we own in this region; that we may during the remainder of our days, smoke the pipe of friendship; live and die together, and see our children reared on one spot and join there in their youthful sports. We ask no more from you. We feel for you. We feel for your children's sake, and therefore we make this proposition.

Brothers! There are many subjects worthy of your consideration, but the most important are

1st. Whether it would be better for the whole Ojibway Nation to reside on this, our own territory?

2nd. Would it not be well to devise ways and means for the establishment and support of Manual Labor Schools, for the benefit of the nation?

3d. Ought a petition to be drawn up and be presented to our Great Father, (Governor General) for the purpose of fixing upon a definite time for the distribution of the annual "presents" and the small annuities of each tribe ?

4th. Is it desirable to petition our Great Father to appoint a resident Indian Interpreter, to assist the agent at Toronto?

5th. As we (the Christian part of the Nation) have abandoned our former customs and ceremonies, ought

we not to make our own laws, in order to give character and stability to our Chiefs, as well as to empower them to treat with the Government under which we live, that they may, from time to time, present all our grievances, and other matters to it?

My Chiefs, Brothers, Warriors! This morning, (pointing upwards) look up and see the blue sky; there are no clouds; the Great Spirit is smiling upon us. May he preside over us, that we may make a long, smooth and straight path for our children.

It is true, I seldom see you all; but this morning I shake hands with you all in my heart.

Brothers! This is all I have to say."

On taking his seat eighty-four Chiefs responded "Hah”! an exclamation of great applause.

Several Chiefs addressed the Council, highly approving of the plans proposed, and expressing their gratitude for the liberal offer of lands.

CHAPTER XII.

THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEF.

"The generous Author of the Universe,
Who reins the winds, gives the vast ocean bounds,
And circumscribes the floating world their rounds."

"Sees God in clouds or hears Him in the wind."

THE Ojibway Nation believed in a Great Good Spirit, and in a Bad Spirit. They had also "gods innumerable," among which was "the god of war," "the god of hunting," and "the god of the fowls of the air."

The skies were filled with the deities they worshipped, and the whole forest awakened with their whispers. The lakes and streams were the places of their resort, and mountains and vallies alike their abode. All the remarkable spots in the country were considered their favorite resorts. These were the peaks of rocky cliffs; the clefts of craggy mounts. Water-falls were thought to be their sporting scenes.

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