Saturday, March 30, 2019



Today I will be talking about my great great grandfather Michel Nenakowekapow.  He was born about 1860.  Around 1879-1880 he married to a Ahyahpeetahpetung's daughter of Crane River, took her $5 annuity money, and was reputed to have deserted her back to her parents at Crane River.  Michel was the son of Waterhen Councillor Gabriel Nenakowekapow, but who at this time was known only as Nanahkowweekahpow (in 1883, he was baptized and given the first name of Gabriel).

I am very interested though in his wife though, as I am taking a Canadian History course on Women, Gender and Sexuality, and so I want to research as much as I can, although I know there will be a lot of figuring out what archives I can research from.  Winnipeg, however, has some of the best archive centres, especially when doing Indigenous History of Manitoba.

Mrs Michel


1880 Crane River Treaty Pay List

Ahyahpeetahpetung, #1, 1 male, 1 female, 1 boy, 2 girls-In Remarks it says, "1 girl married to Nanahowwekahpow's son Waterhen River Band.

1880 Crane River Treaty Pay List from T.A.R.R.


The Allegations of Michel Nenakowekapow deserting his wife.

Manitoba House Indian Agency August 20th, 1883
Sir/
In answer to your letter dated June 1st, 1883, referring to the complaint of the Headman Ahyapeetapeetung "that Michel son of Nanahkowekahpow of Water Hen River Band married his daughter in 1880, and drew her Annuity that year but afterwards took her back to her father and deserted her, she applied for her own annuity to the Agent, but did not receive it," in which you instruct me "not to paid this woman's husband i, as alleged, he has deserted his wife." I paid the wife her Annuity this year together with arrears for last year, when making payments at Crane River. Michel her husband, whom I afterwards met at Water Hen River appeared before me and claimed his Annuity and arrears when I informed him o the complaint laid against him. He denied being guilty and expressed surprise at the fact of his money being kept back from him, and although the investigation which I held at his request seems to exonerate him o all blame in the matter. I decided not to pay his Annuity before placing the result o this investigation before the Department an until both sides o the question have been heard.
Trusting that I took the proper view in this matter, I am place it in your hands for your favorable reconsideration and instructions in the matter.
I have the honor to be H.Martineau
Indian Agent



Inquest in the matter of Michel, No. 13 of Water Hen River Band, accused of having deserted his wife.
Michel, sworn, deposes: ----Ahyahpeetahpeetung of Crane River my father-in-law sent word that he wished to see myself and wife. I stayed there four days, it turned out that he sent for me to induce me to join his band, I refused. I got ready and asked my wife but she refused to come, while I was in my canoe ready to start. My father in law came to me and he had angry words together. He concluded by saying that if I did not join his band, he would not allow my wife to return with me. When this accusation took place, the following persons were present, Keenoomostay, Nahkohgesik, the Headman, wife and daughter.
When I (word I cannot understand), on that visit I did not intend to leave my wife and in fact never had any such though. I felt offended at such conduct on my Father in law's part and went away intending not to return. I further produce evidence in my favor as follows in the declarations attached herewith.
Sworn before me this 4th day of August 1883 at Water Hen River Reserve. Signed by X Michel, his mark. Signed by H.Martineau
Indian Agent.



Alexander Munro, Trader and Clerk of the Hudson's Bay Company deposes.
In the summer of 1881, after the Treaty payment, being in charge of the Hudson's Bay Company's boat at Crane River Reserve, I was on the point of starting when the complainant, Michel asked me or a passage. I granted his request and while getting ready to start I heard Ahyahpeetapeetung his father in law telling him he would not let his daughter go with him, or words to that effect. This is all I know of this matter.
Signed Alex Munro.
Witness signed by A. Beauregard.
Sworn before me this 4th day of August 1883 at Water Hen River Reserve
Signed by H.Martineau Indian Agent


Indian Office,
Winnipeg, 15th December 1883.
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 2oth Sept 1883 No 6638 with enclosures referring to the desertion of his wife by Michel of Waterhen River. With regard to the declaration of Michel and the others mentioned, relative to my report of his deserting his wife I beg to submit in support of my previous representation to the Dept. that his wife positively states he premeditated abandonning her and told her to after marriage while returning from Waterhen River to Crane River Reserve, and this was before her father had ever entered one word to him of this matter.
Wm. Sabiston, the teacher says he was present last spring during an interview between Michel, his father- in-law, who asked him what he intended doing about his wife, when he Michel turned away in a rage, saying he would have nothing to do with her.
She herself denies ever refusing to accompany her husband back to Waterhen River, and during the last couple of years, she was most importimate in having me endeavor to persuade her husband to come after her.
I reprimanded her father for interfering in such a matter and also told her that it was her duty to accompany him to his reserve.
I have the honor to be Sir,
Your obedient Servant E.McColl
Inspector of Indian Agencies.


(Cameron Longo''s Added Thoughts.  I find it VERY interesting in the above letter, that it says..."I reprimanded her father for interfering in such a matter and also told her that is her duty to accompany him to his reserve."  The word DUTY sticks out, and shows, according to the Canadian Government's role was that she as an Indigenous woman was owned and controlled by her husband, that she had a role to fulfill.



Indian Affairs
The Narrows, Lake Manitoba 13th June 1885.
Sir,
Referring to the case of No.13, Michel, a member of the Water Hen River Band of Indians and No.13 A, Michel, wife of, Crane River Band. The Chie, Councillors and the Members of the Water Hen RIver Band of Indians beg to lay this matter beore you to ask the Department to reconconsider their decision and grant those two parties their annunity money and remain as they are on their own Reserve; as after enquiries made in the matter they find that it had been a compulsory affair (Indian old way) and in consequence those young people will never agree together.
I have the honor, to be, Sir,
Your Obedient Servant H. Martineau
Indian Agent
E.McColl, Esqr,
Inspector of Indian Agencies, Winnipeg,
Manitoba.



1881 Census (Manitoba)

James Apitapeetoon, Male, 60, Hunter, Married.
Shaykeeshekok Apitapeetoon, Female, 50, Married.
William Apitapeetoon, Male, 28 Hunter.
Janet Apitapeetoon, Female, 13.
Angelique Apitapeetoon, Female, 10.
Naookeeshike Apitapeetoon, Female, 25. 

1881 Census from Canada and Library Archives online website.



1906 Census (Crane River Indian Reserve, Manitoba).

Mrs. Michel, Female, Widow, age 40.

1906 Census from Automated Genealogy website online.




1911 Crane River Treaty Pay Lists

Michel, #13 A- In Remarks section, it says, "Dead."

Crane River Treaty Pay Lists from T.A.R.R.




**********

Now, Michel Nenakowekapow, there is probably triple documents for him.  I cannot place all of it here, as this project mostly has to due with Mrs. Michel.  However, I do have a baptism for Michel Nenakowekapow:

B.69
Le deux Aout mil huit cent soixante dix neuf, nous prêtres soussigné avons baptise a la reserve sauvage de la Rivière Poule d'eau, Michel Nenakowegabo, age d'environ dix neuf ans.  Le parrain a été Pierre Nepinak (Junior) at la marraine Marie Katchiwe.  C.J. Camper OMI.

The 2nd of Augus, 1879, we the priests, baptize at the Indian Reserve at Waterhen River, Michel Nenakowegabo, age of about 19 years.  Godfather is Pierre Nepinak (Junior) and Godmother is Marie Katchiwe.  C.J. Camper Oblates of Mary Immaculate.

Info from St. Boniface Historical Society, St. Laurent Church Registers.



He shows up on the 1881 Census, 1906, 1911, 1916, 1921 and 1926 Census.

1906 Census.

Michel, Head, age 39.
Mrs. Michel, wife, age 28.
Joseph Michel, son, age 13.
Ellen Michel, daughter, age 6.
Clare Michel, son, age 4.


1911 Census.

Michael Nahwahkeekapow, No.2, Male, Head, Married, born Aug 1866, age 48.
Bella Nahwahkeekapow, Female, Wife, Married, born May 1879, age 32.
Joseph Nahwahkeekapow, Son, born Oct 1896, age 15.
Ellen Nahwahkeekapow, Daughter, born My 1901, age 10.
Elaise Nahwahkeekapow, Daughter, born Dec 1904, age 7.
Maria Nahwahkeekapow, Daughter, born May 1909, age 2.
NOTE: Family is really Nenakowekapow.  Census taker made error.



1916 Census.

Michael Nakawakekapow, Head, age 53.
Bella Nakawakekapow, wife, age 35.
Marie Nakawakekapow, daughter, age 9.
Medeline Nakawakekapow, daughter, age 5.

1921 Census.

Nenakawikkapow, Head, age 58.
Bella Nenakawikkapow, Wife, age 38.
Marie Nenakawikkapow, daughter, age 18.
Madeline Nenakawikkapow, daughter, age 12.


1926 Census.

Micheal Nenakawekapow, Head, Male, Married, age 70.
Bella Nenakawekapow, Wife, Female, Married, age 42.
Mary Madeleine Nenakawekapow, Daughter, Female, Single, age 16.


Michel Nenakawekapow, died on Nov 24, 1932 at Waterhen, at the age of 70.  He was born September 1862.  Info from Manitoba Vital Statistics.

There would also be various documents of him, general correspondence from his band Waterhen, and then when he switched bands to Pine Creek where the Residential School was, and of which he switched back when they were grown up.




*********
A quote that I used, in reference to Indigenous women was by Gina Starblanket, in her book, "Making Space for Indigenous Feminism," she say, "The Process of "regenerating" or "revitalizing" past ways of being and relating begins with the act of remembering.  It involves centring that which has been marginalized, reconstructing that which has been fragmented and communicating that which has been silenced."  

I chose this quote as it speaks to me about the need for women's stories to be examined, researched, told and shared, more importantly, in this case, Indigenous women's stories.  When it is told it is within us, and becomes a part of us, and it lives on.  We remember.  It becomes a booming voice, or a quiet voice, or a normal voice, but nonetheless it becomes a voice!

I hope some day soon to be able to go to Crane River and talk to the Moar relations and ask if they ever knew of Nahwahgeeshik or her siblings, and ask if they knew of Michel and his wife.  Many reserves are interconnected, and Waterhen (Skownan) and Crane River (Ochichakosipi) are no exception.  When we realize that Headman/Chief Ahyahpeetahpetung/Moar and Gabriel Nenakowekapow had children they wanted to marry each other, in the traditional old way.  And the clash of the old traditional way and the new non-Indigenous way of marriage.  And the roles each child had to play.
*********

Robin Jarvis Brownlie from "A Fatherly Eye: Indian Agents, Government Power, and Aboriginal Resistance in Ontario, 1918-1939," said, "Agents were required to submit a monthly diary detailing their daily activities, as well as a bewildering variety of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports."  He continues on saying, "Indian Agents had two primary functions: to implement DIA (Department of Indian Affairs) policies and to keep its officials informed of conditions and developments on the reserves."

We get an idea of how much power the Indian Agent had.  Any problems or issues were brought to him, and he dealt with it, by writing to Winnipeg, to his Superior, or to Ottawa, of which there is quite a bit of correspondence from the Library and Archives Canada.  Also, as some of great power, there would be a lot of documentation on him, via census records, Church Registers, City Newspaper articles on him, and because he was in charge of the Manitowapah Indian Agency and its Annual Reports, there would be documents with his name attached to it.


Conclusion: It was an interesting project to find out about Nahwahgeeshik aka Mrs. Michel.  I feel bad that there is not much more information on her, but she is one of our ancestors, and as we know, there does not exist a lot of documentation on female Indigenous women, unless they served a European husband, and then we might get an anglicized name with her tribe name as a surname (eg. Assiniboine, Chippewa, Iroquois, Ojibwe, Mohawk etc), as opposed to the majority of male Indigenous whose names are given, and sometimes in Fur Trading Journals of the 1600-1800's where they might list his father's name, or his brother's names and that way you have an idea of his kinship, whereas Indigenous women are non existent and you have them just as, for example, Michel's wife or Nenakowekapow's wife.




                                         Bibliography

1. 1880 Crane River Treaty Pay Lists, T.A.R.R. (Treaty and Aboriginal Rights Research).
2. Library and Canada Archives, www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
3. 1881 Census, www.collectionscanada.gc.ca
4.1906 Census, www.automatedgenealogy.com
5. 1911 Census, www.automated genealogy.com
6. 1916 Census, www.bac-lac.gc.ca
7. 1921 Census, www.bac-lac.gc.ca
8. 1926 Census, www.bac-lac.gc.ca
9. Michel Nenakowegabow Baptism, St.Boniface Historical Society.
10. Michel Nenakowekapow Death Record, Manitoba Vital Statistic, www.vitalstats.gov.mb.ca
11. Gina Starblanket, 2017, Being Indigenous Feminists:Resurgences against Contemporary Patriarchy, Winnipeg, Mb, Fernwood Publishing.
12. Robin Jarvis Brownlie, 2003, A Fatherly Eye: Indian Agents, Government Power, and Aboriginal Resistance in Ontario, 1918-1939, Don Mills, Ontario, Oxford University Press, p. 31-32.

posted by Cameron83 @ 3:57 PM 

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