Who We Are
Point Pelee and Pelee Island are the heart of our ancestral territory. Caldwell First Nation will exercise its responsibility to use, possess and protect the air, waters, lands and resources as it has from time immemorial. According to customs, the People continue to work in harmony with Mother Earth to preserve, protect, harvest, hunt and fish from the wealth of her resources.
That respect continues today.
Source: www.caldwellfirstnation.ca
One of the few First Nations in Canada without a reserve, the Caldwell First Nation, previously known as the Chippewas of Point Pelee secured reserve status for an 80-hectare property on the band’s traditional territory in what is now Leamington, Ontario on the north shore of Lake Erie. The federal government finalized a settlement offer with the Caldwell First Nation in 2011 with a 105 million dollar settlement. This money was used in the securement of property.
The Caldwell’s dispute dates back 220 years, to the signing of the 1790 Treaty First Nations surrendered title to lands in southwestern Ontario. The Caldwell First Nation was not included as a signatory to that Treaty. So “after decades of bureaucratic struggle, members of the Caldwell First Nation in Leamington, Ontario finally took full possession of their 80-hectare property in November 2020. Councillor and acting Chief Robyn Perkins discusses plans for the community.” Watch the interview below with the CBC.