| GENERAL BACKGROUND.
The Crown claimed title to the lands, waters and resources
of Ontario by agreement with Aboriginal people -- a process
which began in the 1760s and has continued to the present
day. The massive series of records on Crown administration
of Ontario lands and natural resources include much material
on aboriginal land and resource use both before and after
the Treaties. The Surveyor-General was responsible for surveying
lands claimed from Aboriginal people so that they could
be opened for European settlement. The Commissioner of Crown
Lands and his predecessors administered public lands. Various
resource offices disposed of timber, mineral and water rights.
Their records, which often mention native people, are combined
in RG 1.
2. RG 1 Series A-I-1.
Letters Received by the Surveyor-General. - 1766-1913.
- 13 linear feet (73 Volumes).
CONTENT.
Vols. 3-48. "Surveyors' letters": 1784-1913 .
Many surveyors from the early settlement period (1783-1812),
such as Patrick McNiff, Augustus Jones and William Chewett,
provide eyewitness accounts of Aboriginal village sites.
For example:
Vol. 6 (original Volume 3A), P. McNiff 1777-1816 [9] Survey
of north shore, Lake Erie 1790 (on MS 30, Reel 1)
"From a little West of Pt au Pins runing
N.E. behind the Little Lake the East side of Pt au Pins
10 Miles exceeding good land; in this place there had formerly
been a Large Indian Settlement & villages. The vestiges
of many of their houses still appearing; but now abandoned;
Timber Hard Maple Bass & Black Walnut; from this place
to River La Trench [Thames] 22 miles there is an open Road..."
Vols. 49-66. "Letters Received" Bound Volumes
of copies of letter received. Volumes 65 (1816-49) and 66
(1850s) consist almost entirely of documents about Aboriginal
people. Though the originals of some of these materials
are held in the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern
Development records (NA RG 10) at the National Archives
of Canada, others are not. For example:
Vol. 65 Pgs. 460, 519.
Letter to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, dated
18 October 1849 at Sault Ste. Marie, from the government
commissioners (Alexander Vidal and Thomas G. Anderson) appointed
to investigate Native claims to the North shores of Lakes
Huron and Superior.
FINDING AID.
For Volumes 3-48, there is a subject card index at the Surveys
Branch, Ministry of Natural Resources (Crown Land Survey
Documents, 90 Sheppard Avenue East, Toronto, M2N 3A1, tel.
416-733-5109) which can be used as a finding aid. Letters
are also indexed at the end of each volume. However, these
indexes do not refer specifically to Aboriginal people,
so researchers will need to follow their own leads in searching
out material. For Volumes 49-66, there is an index at the
beginning or end of each volume. Unlike the earlier series,
these indexes are quite useful. Researchers should check
listings under "Indians", or by name of ethnic
group. See also the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Yes. For
conservation reasons, researchers must use the microfilm,
MS 30, for Volumes 3-48 and MS 626 for Volumes 49-66.
ACCESS. Open.
3. RG 1 Series A-I-2.
Surveyor-General's Letter Books. - 1792-1908. -
21 linear feet (98 Volumes).
CONTENT.
Virtually all 98 volumes have general descriptive and technical
survey material relating to Native lands and settlements
-- although most of it consists simply of instructions to
surveyors. Volumes 49-98 cover the period 1842-1908.
FINDING AID.
The volumes are indexed. Researchers should check under
the headings "Indians", "Indian Reserves"
or "Indian Lands", as well as by name of ethnic
group and reserve.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Volumes 1-98
(1792-1908) are available on MS 627, Reels 1-56.
ACCESS. Open .
4. RG 1 Series A-I-6.
Letters received, Surveyor-General and Commissioner
of Crown Lands. Loose original letters. - 1786-1905. - 19
linear feet (39 Volumes).
CONTENT.
Though difficult to use, this sizeable collection has significant
material on Native lands and settlements in Ontario. Particularly
in the post-Confederation period, these files represent
the provincial counterpart to files in the Department of
Indian Affairs and Northern Development records (NA RG 10)
at the National Archives of Canada. Researchers should note
as well that at least some material relating to what is
now Québec -- from the period of the United Province
of Canada (1841-1867) -- can also be found in this series.
See, for example:
RG 1 A-I-6, Vol. 29 Envelope 7, May-July 1851 (on MS 563,
Reel 27)
Letter #2251. Pgs. 25737-25740. A dispatch from
the Roman Catholic Bishop of Bytown to the Commissioner
of Crown Lands, 30 June 1851, respecting a promise of land
for the Indians on the Gatineau River.
FINDING AID.
The original Registers and Index Registers to this correspondence
have not survived. However, the letters are indexed up to
1868 in the Crown Lands Index in the Reading Room. There
are numerous entries under "Indians", "Indian
lands", "Indian Reservations", etc. This
index is not exhaustive, so researchers are well advised
to check references in a particular date range for material
of interest to them. For the volumes of correspondence 1868-1905,
the only possible entry is through the Registers and Index
Registers in the Provincial Secretary records' RG 8-2 and
RG 8-3 (previously RG 8 Series I-1-E and I-1-F respectively).
That department was the original point of reception for
all federal government correspondence with Ontario on Indian
matters.
Once researchers have a file number (from the Index Registers
I-1-F), they can check the Register (I-1-E) for remarks
on disposition of the file. If it went to the Crown Lands
Department (C.L.D.) or the Commissioner of Crown Lands (C.C.L.),
researchers should note the date and check the appropriate
volume in RG 1 Series A-1-6. The material is arranged chronologically
on the microfilm. For further information on the interrelationship
between government record groups, see the entry for Provincial
Secretary RG 8-1 (previously RG 8 Series I-1-D.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Yes. For
conservation reasons, researchers must use microfilm MS
563, Reels 1-36. The RG 1 Inventory has a conversion list
for the microfilm.
ACCESS. Open.
5. RG 1 Series A-I-7.
Subject Files. - 1790-1890. - 8 linear feet (21
Volumes).
BACKGROUND.
This series contains material selected from the general
correspondence and documents in the Crown Lands Papers,
and placed in artificial subject files.
Contents . A great number of interesting and original
documents will be found here, which relate among other matters
to the major pre-Confederation purchases of land from the
Aboriginal people of Ontario. Though these files are very
useful, the fact that the documents in them have been lifted
out of their original context is a major problem. They do
not, of course, exhaust the material in the Crown Lands
papers. Examples include:
Vol. 7 Indian Lands: letters and accounts 1793-1867. 10
Envelopes.
Vol. 8 Indian Lands (continued): letters, reports, memoranda
1784-1924. 7 Envelopes.
FINDING AID.
There is no detailed finding aid to these documents, other
than the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Yes. Researchers
must use the film MS 892, Reels 1-14.
ACCESS. Open.
6. RG 1 Series A-I-8.
Minister's Correspondence and Reports. - 1963-1972.
- 86 linear feet.
BACKGROUND.
After Confederation, Ontario's residual role with respect
to Aboriginal people -- at least until the mid-1960s --
was limited to such issues as enforcement of provincial
game and fish regulations, and economic development programs
for off-reserve Native people.
CONTENT.
Researchers need to use their judgement in deciding which
types of ministerial correspondence would profit from scrutiny.
Any files which deal with Game and Fish matters probably
contain material relating to Aboriginal people. The files
are retained by calendar year in alphabetical sequence,
and the finding aid discloses many items under the heading
"Indians". See, for example:
Box 3 General Files 1967
Indian Advisory Committee 1966
Indians-James Bay 1966-1967
FINDING AID.
The RG 1 Inventory, Appendix X has a detailed box listing.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Subject to FOI/P Act restrictions.
7. RG 1 Series A-I-10.
Advisory Committee to the Minister. - 1950-1977.
- 10 linear feet.
CONTENT.
Though Aboriginal people are only occasionally listed, much
of the material undoubtedly covers topics of interest. Researchers
should check entries for known areas of aboriginal settlement,
game and fish policy, Northern parks and wilderness areas,
and other such suggestive headings. See, for example:
Box 14 File 1: Correspondence & Minutes (Field Trips)
April-June 1974 (includes Primitive Parks; visit to Polar
Bear Park, Cochrane District).
FINDING AID.
See the RG 1 Inventory, Appendix P for a detailed box listing
and possible leads.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Subject to FOI/P Act restrictions.
8. RG 1 Series A-IV.
Schedules and Land Rolls. - 1784-1922. - 16 linear
feet (81 Volumes).
CONTENT.
The only material of interest in this series relates to
Crown management of lands surrendered by First Nations people
to be sold for their benefit. Thus:
Vol. 62 Indian Lands in Brantford Twp. 1841
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Yes. Researchers
must use the film in MS 400, Reels 6-16.
ACCESS. Open.
9. RG 1 Series A-VI.
Inspection and Valuation Reports. - 1822-1913.
- 8 linear feet (216 Volumes).
BACKGROUND.
Prior to sales of Crown and Clergy Reserves or other ungranted
public lands, surveyors and specially appointed inspectors
filed reports of inspection and valuation.
CONTENT.
There is a limited amount of useful material. It helps if
researchers know whether particular areas were inhabited
by Aboriginal people. See, for example:
Series A-VI-15 Western District 1794-1909
Vol. 8 Moravian Tract, Zone Twp. 1844
Vol. 9 Indian Lands in Zone Twp. 1844
Series A-VI-19 Various Districts 1828-1872
Vol. 6 Sault Ste. Marie 1846. Contains list of original
settlers at Sault Ste. Marie -- First Nations, Métis,
and white -- as described by surveyor Alexander Vidal.
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
10. RG 1 Series AA-1.
Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Minister's Letter
and Memoranda Books. - 1857-1908. - 1 linear foot (5 Volumes).
CONTENT.
Despite the title, this is not a continuous series. Researchers
could check those volumes with indexes under various headings
such as "Indians". A random sampling of the volumes
discloses the following example:
Vol. 2 Asst. Commissioner's Letterbook 1857-1862. Pg.
68.
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
Letter from Fisheries Inspector, dated Collingwood,
27 March 1862, respecting the Upper Great Lakes. Refers
to Indian and Métis fishermen.
ACCESS. Open.
11. RG 1 Series B-III.
Financial Services Branch. Statements. - 1792-1869.
- 2 linear feet (45 Volumes).
CONTENT.
The few relevant materials in this series generally relate
to management of the Six Nations Indian lands on the Grand
River. See, for example:
Vol. 19
The Six Nations Indians in Account current with Peter
Robinson 1832.
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
12. RG 1 Series B-IV.
Financial Services Branch. Survey Accounts. - 1796-1915.
- 40 linear feet (84 Volumes).
BACKGROUND.
This series originally consisted of accounts, survey plans
and sketches. The plans, however, were retained by the Ministry
of Natural Resources, and are only now being transferred
to the Archives. Researchers should check with the Ministry
of Natural Resources for their whereabouts.
CONTENT.
The series title is misleading, in that many of the accounts
contain general correspondence of considerable interest.
For example:
Box 3 Accounts for 1851. Account #10. Indian Reserves
on Lakes Huron & Nipissing. J. Staughton Dennis.
There are some thirty documents in this file, including
accounts and original correspondence of Dennis's surveys
of Indian Reserves in 1851 and 1852. The letters include
the names of Indian and Métis axe and pack men or
guides. Researchers should use these records in conjunction
with the actual surveyor's field books, drawings, and diaries
in custody of Legal Survey Division (Surveys, Mapping and
Remote Sensing Sector; Energy, Mines, and Resources Canada,
615 Booth Street, Ottawa, Ontario, tel. 613-992-0804) and
the few reports in the Department of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development records (NA RG 10) at the National
Archives of Canada.
FINDING AID.
See the RG 1 Inventory, Appendix F. Researchers should consult
the box list -- which is arranged by date -- for geographical
area, or for name of a particular surveyor.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
13. RG 1 Series BB-1.
Hundred Year History Committee Files. - 12 linear
feet (29 Boxes).
BACKGROUND.
This series consists of copies of documents or reference
and background notes for the book Renewing Nature's Wealth:
A Centennial History of the Public Management of Lands,
Forests & Wildlife in Ontario 1763-1867 by Richard S.
Lambert and Paul Pross. The book was published by the (then)
Ontario Department of Lands and Forests in 1967.
CONTENT.
Though not the main topic, the book contains many references
to Aboriginal people. The authors and their research assistants
not only compiled documents, they also interviewed a significant
number of former departmental employees, particularly from
Northern Ontario. The files provide convenient summaries
of research about Aboriginal people.
FINDING AID.
See the RG 1 Inventory, Appendix R.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Some files are now closed under
FOI/P Act so researchers should check with reference staff.
14. RG 1 Series C-I-7.
Lands Branch. Descriptions. - 1794-1982. - 197
linear feet.
BACKGROUND.
Since "Crown" lands were only granted after they
had been purchased from the Aboriginal inhabitants, there
is not much material of particular interest in the petitions
and applications, orders-in-council, or fiats and warrants
of the Lands Branch papers. However, Series like this one
do have considerable information about what were called
"Indian Lands", mainly in the Six Nations Reserve
on the Grand River. This category -- not to be confused
with "Indian Reserves" -- encompassed lands which
had been surrendered to provide revenue for particular First
Nation Bands. Under the united Province of Canada (1841-67),
the Crown Lands Department managed these sales.
CONTENT.
This series contains official descriptions of land grants
or leases. See, for example:
Series C-I-7 Sub-series 12. Indian Land Sales 1845-1867
Nos. 1-3883. (20 Volumes).
These contain lists (by Township, lot, concession
and name of purchaser) of "Indian Lands" purchased.
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
15. RG 1 Series C-I-9.
Lands Branch. Miscellaneous Records. - 1784-1801.
- 1 linear foot (15 Volumes).
CONTENT.
This series has considerable information on Aboriginal people
living along the shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie in the
late Eighteenth Century. See, for example:
Vol. 1. Minutes of Land Board, District of Nassau 1788-1792.
Vol. 2. Letter Book No. 2, 1784-1792.
Vols. 4-6. Records of the Land Office, District of Hesse
1789-1794.
Virtually all of these records were published in The Report
of the Ontario Bureau of Archives 1905 (Toronto: King's
Printer, 1906). The book is available in the Archives of
Ontario Library.
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Yes. Researchers
must use the microfilm in MS 693.
ACCESS. Open.
16. RG 1 Series C-III-7.
Crown Land Sales. Sales of Indian Lands. - 1 linear
foot (7 Volumes).
BACKGROUND.
By 1840, virtually all of Southwestern Ontario had been
ceded by the First Nations for settlement purposes. These
sales were handled by the Office of the Commissioner of
Crown Lands.
CONTENT.
Much of this series deals with the technical and legal aspects
of the sale or disposal of lands once part of the Six Nations
Indian Reserve along the Grand River. See especially Volumes
1-7.
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Yes. Researchers
must use the microfilm (MS 693, Reels 199 and 200).
ACCESS. Open.
17. RG 1 Series CB-1.
Surveys and Mapping Branch. Survey Diaries and
Field Notes. - 1790-1928. - 20 linear feet (43 Boxes).
BACKGROUND.
In contrast to the Province of Québec, where diaries
and field notes remained the property of private surveying
firms, Ontario has a complete run of government survey records.
This series should be used in conjunction with Series B-IV
above. Many field notes and survey diaries are still held
by the Ministry of Natural Resources' Ontario Centre for
Remote Sensing (Crown Land Survey Documents, 90 Sheppard
Avenue East, Toronto, M2N 3A1, 416-733-5109). Maps are divided
between the Archives and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Researchers should check both locations.
CONTENT.
These records provide occasional information on Native villages,
settlements and campsites. Boxes 1-41 are arranged in alphabetical
order. Researchers should check either the Township in which
they are interested, or look for the general survey of which
their area formed a part. There are separate listings for
"Indian Lands". It helps if researchers know the
name of a Township in which a particular Indian Reserve
or settlement is located, such as:
Box 24 Moore Twp. (Indian Reserve) Surveyor J. Keating
30 November-19 December 1843.
FINDING AID.
For Boxes 1-41, see the RG 1 Inventory, Appendix E. Box
43 of this series contains an Index to the survey field
notes and diaries which is also of considerable use as a
finding aid. Researchers should check entries under "Indians"
-- many are cited -- as well as by name of tribe or parcel
of land (Alnwick, Six Nations Indians, Moravian Tract, etc.).
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? MS 924, Reels
1-29.
ACCESS. Open.
18. RG 1 Series D.
Crown Land Agencies. - 1839-1948. - 9 linear feet
(146 Volumes).
BACKGROUND.
Fragmentary surviving records of various local Land agencies
in the Province.
CONTENT.
Because of the many Indian Reserves in Northwestern Ontario
(for example, on the Lake of the Woods) this series may
have correspondence of interest. However, the documents
are indexed by name of correspondent, and arranged by date,
which makes retrieval of information difficult unless the
researcher has other facts to go on. The following series
are worth checking:
Sub-Series D-24 Rainy River District (South part) 1891-1935.
Letterbooks 1896-1927 (8 Volumes), Letters Received
1891-1924 (16 Boxes), Certificates of Discharge of Lien
1916-1935 (2 Boxes)
D-25 Kenora Crown Land Agency Records 1890-1948
Land Rolls 1896-1948, Correspondence and Patent
Letters 1897-1942
FINDING AID. See RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Most of the series is open. Researchers
should check with reference staff about the status of material
less than 75 years old.
19. RG 1 Series E-1.
Timber Sales Branch. Pre-1852 Records. - [ca. 1800]-1852.
- 3 linear inches.
BACKGROUND.
After Confederation, the Department of Indian Affairs and
Northern Development became solely responsible for the management
of timber on Reserve lands. Before 1867, however, the separation
of powers between Imperial officials and local government
with respect to lands reserved for the Indians was not nearly
so clear.
CONTENT.
Early Nineteenth Century records contain scattered references
to Aboriginal people. Researchers should check the correspondence
(Series E-1 Vol. 1) for particular geographical areas --
such as Grand River or Bay of Quinte. See, for example:
E-1 Vol.3 Miscellaneous Records. - 1806-1824. - 1 linear
inch. (on MS 893, Reel 1).
Includes letter, dated Executive Council Office,
York 29 December 1809, from John Small, Clerk, to Attorney
General William Firth. Returns (enclosed) draft of Proclamation
respecting the unauthorized removal of timber from the Six
Nations (Mohawk) Reserve on the Bay of Quinte.
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Yes. Researchers
are asked to consult the RG 1 Inventory conversion lists
for the specific series microfilmed.
ACCESS. Open.
20. RG 1 Series E-13.
Timber Sales Branch. Aerial Surveys Records. -
[ca. 1920]-1960. - 545 linear feet.
BACKGROUND.
The Ontario Forestry Branch and its successor, the Department
of Lands and Forests, used aerial photography as an aid
in compiling forest resources inventories. The first flights
took place in the early 1920s.
CONTENT.
The records contain a limited amount of physical detail
on Indian Reserves and settlements, particularly in Northern
Ontario.
FINDING AID.
The finding aid is Series E-13-2 (Key Books Index 1930-1954)
which contains maps showing the flight lines. The Archives'
staff have also prepared an alphabetical area and roll listings,
which are available in the Photographic Records Section.
Microfilm version available . None.
ACCESS. Open.
21. RG 1 Series EA-3.
Forest Management Branch. Advisory Committee to
the Minister of Lands and Forests. - 8 linear feet.
CONTENT.
Series EA-3 contains records of the Advisory Committee to
the Minister of Lands and Forests, which was appointed in
1950. See especially:
Sub-series EA-3-1. Minutes of the Committee 1951-1962.
- 1 linear foot.
Sub-series EA-3-2. Correspondence Files 1951-1962. - 6
linear feet. These are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Researchers should check headings under "Indians",
"Game and Fish", etc.
FINDING AID. See RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Subject to FOI/P Act restrictions.
22. RG 1 Series F-I.
Timber Agencies. Ottawa (Bytown) Agency. - 1830-1931.
- 27 linear feet.
BACKGROUND.
The Ottawa (Bytown) timber agency covered both sides of
the Ottawa River and its tributaries, including Lake Temiskaming
in the north.
CONTENT.
Sub-series F-I-3 (Surveys 1841-1926) is of particular interest
because it contains Plan Indexes for maps and localities
in the Bytown Agency. Volume 11 contains an Index to plans
for the north side of the Ottawa River (in what is now Québec).
Volume 12 has a similar Index for rivers on what is now
the Ontario side, such as:
1850 New No. 134 (Old No. 232).
Name of River - French river. Description of
survey - L(ake) Nipissing, Indian Reserve
It is unclear, however, whether maps like these are now
in the possession of the Archives or whether they are still
held by the Ministry of Natural Resources.
FINDING AID. See the RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? Licenses
(Series F-I-2) are on MS 899, Reels 1-14. There is no microfilm
of Series F-I-3.
ACCESS. Open.
23. RG 1 Series G-1.
Mining Lands Branch. Sundry Mining Records. - 1845-1898.
- 1.3 linear feet.
BACKGROUND.
The discovery of minerals on the north shores of Lakes Huron
and Superior in the 1840s caused serious difficulties in
relations with Aboriginal people. Their protests led to
the making of the Robinson Treaties of 1850.
CONTENT.
Many documents from the period surrounding 1850 have references
to Aboriginal people. See, for example:
Vol. 1 Registry Volume of Applications for Mining (and
Timber) Privileges, Lakes Huron and Superior 1845-1868.
Pg. 459.
14 and 25 February 1851, J.W. Keating applies
for a license to cut Timber "within the limits of the
Territory ceded to the Crown concluded last autumn"
commencing at the Western Boundary of the Indian Reserve
No. 3, extending inland towards Shibah-oh-nah-ning (Killarney).
Vol. 7 Miscellaneous papers Re: Mining Locations, Lake
Superior and Huron 1846-1874.
All folders are of interest. Folder 4 contains
documents (some copies) and sketch maps concerning the purchase
of Mining lands in the Batchewana Bay Indian Reserve (on
Lake Superior) 1864-1866. The sketches are originals.
FINDING AID. See RG 1 Inventory.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
24. RG 1 Series G-8.
Mining reference Files. - 1845-1919. - 15 linear
feet. - 31 Boxes.
BACKGROUND.
These are documents relating to Crown sales of mining lands,
mostly in Northern Ontario.
CONTENT.
Because mining activity on Lakes Huron and Superior was
so intimately connected with Native protests, the early
files contain numerous, though scattered, references to
relations with local Aboriginal people and applications
for mining permits on Indian lands. Unfortunately, there
is no simple way to use these records, other than to follow
leads by searching files for particular areas, or for individual
companies.
FINDING AID.
See the RG 1 Inventory. Files are arranged in numerical
reference order, with gaps, from File #2 to #8040. The files
are controlled by the Registers of Patents (Series G-4,
Vols. 1 and 2) which are indexed. Thus:
Series G-8 Box 1 Envelope 2-22A File #14.
Location Ticket, Mining Claim, Lake Superior.
Montreal Mining Company from William H. Merritt, 8 May 1847.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
25. RG 1 Series G.
Mining Lands Branch, Miscellaneous Files. - [ca.
1845]-1900. - 3 linear feet. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
Given the outside dates and the contents of RG 1 Series
G1 (see above), this series may well contain early records
of interest. However, there is as yet no convenient way
to use its contents.
FINDING AID. None.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
26. RG 1 Series HB.
Fisheries Branch. - 1927-1968. - 21.5 linear feet.
BACKGROUND.
This branch is a successor to the Ontario Department of
Game and Fisheries, which merged with the Department of
Lands and Forests at the end of the Second World War. Game
and Fisheries officials were responsible for the regulation
of hunting, fishing and trapping on Crown lands. This involved
extensive interaction with Aboriginal people.
CONTENT.
Unfortunately, no material concerning Aboriginal people
has survived in these files, as transferred to the Archives
of Ontario (see comments in Introductory paragraphs). It
is possible that future accessions from the Ministry of
Natural Resources may contain material of value. Researchers
should consult reference staff for further details.
27. RG 1 Series IA.
Park Management Branch. - 1893-1974.
BACKGROUND.
Many Ontario provincial parks - particularly those in more
northerly areas -- are adjacent to Indian communities. Some
(Winisk River, for example) actually include Indian settlements
and traditional land use areas (hunting/ fishing/ trapping)
within their boundaries.
CONTENT.
Several files contain material of interest. Researchers
should check the finding aids for appropriate headings.
For example:
Sub-series IA-1. Legislation and Policy Files 1954-1970.
Researchers should check such entries as:
Box 2 File Code 1-1-2-2: Trapping, Hunting and
Fishing 1966-1968
Sub-series IA-7. Parks established and operating Files.
See, for example:
Cochrane (District) Polar Bear Provincial Park. Park
Operating File No. 27-0304. Box 10 (1967-1970). Box 61
(1971-1975).
These files document the origins of the Park, along
with government attempts to ensure that trapping and hunting
rights of Indians were not affected. Extensive discussions
with Aboriginal people are included.
Sub-series IB-3. Proposed Parks and Recreation Area Files.
These include:
Box 58. Files Titles "WINIR-2" and "WINIR-6".
Correspondence 1977-1978 regarding Winisk River
Provincial Park and its effect on the rights of Aboriginal
people at Webequie settlement.
FINDING AID.
See the RG 1 Inventory, including Appendix T for Sub-series
IA-7 and Appendix U for Sub-series IB-3.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Subject to FOI/P Act restrictions.
28. RG 1 Series HB.
Fisheries Branch. Environmental Dynamics Section.
Outdoor Recreation Group. Ontario Hydro Generating Stations.
- 1967-1979. - 3 linear feet. Accessions 14539; 15698. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
Recommendations to Ontario Hydro on policy, design changes,
approval, or rejection of existing or proposed Hydro Generating
sites. Reports from Ontario Hydro, various Ministries and
consultants, correspondence, commentaries and proposals.
Some of these sites, such as Little Jackfish near Lake Nipigon,
would have potential effects on Native communities.
FINDING AID.
None, other than the transfer schedule list with the portfolio
archivist.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Subject to FOI/P Act restrictions.
29. RG 1 Series AA-2.
Deputy Minister's Correspondence. - 1971-1987.
Accessions 10563; 11089; 11461; 12040; 12679; 13395; 14004;
14853; 14785; 15555; 16302; 18523; 19347; 20538. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
These files seem to be arranged by topic in alphabetical
order. Presumably, they contain material on Indian resource
policy. See, for example:
Accession 18523 Deputy Minster's Files 1983. 6 linear
feet. Box 2
1 January-31 December 1983. Cons(ervation) Auth(ority)
- Ind(ian) Resource.
FINDING AID.
None, other than the transfer schedule list with the portfolio
archivist.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Subject to FOI/P Act restrictions
30. RG 1 Series A-I-8.
Minister's Correspondence. - 1981. - 27 linear
feet. Accession 23953. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
See Temporary Box 13 (January-December 1981) Indians to
Lands General.
FINDING AID.
None, other than the transfer schedule list with the portfolio
archivist.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Subject to FOI/P Act restrictions.
31. RG 1 Series BC.
Indian files. - 1962-1977. - 1 linear foot. Accession
16268/2. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
Based on a preliminary contents list, this accession may
contain files relating to aboriginal litigation.
FINDING AID. Content listings in boxes.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
32. RG 1 Series BC.
Legal Services, General Correspondence. - 1887-1973.
- 1 linear foot. Accession 16268/1. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
Based on a preliminary contents list, this accession may
contain files relating to aboriginal litigation.
FINDING AID. None.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
33. RG 1 Series CC.
Office of Indian Resource Policy. Reports on Indian
Land Claims. - 1980-1981. - 2.5 linear inches. Accession
14164. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
Direct transfer of files from Dr. David McNab of the Office
of Indian Resource Policy.
FINDING AID. None.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
34. RG 1 Series CC.
Office of Indian Resource Policy. Reports on Indian
Land Claims. - 1978-1981. - 2 linear inches. Accession 14651.
CONTENT.
6 reports on the general status of various First Nation
land claims. Direct transfer of Dr. David McNab.
FINDING AID. None.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
35. RG 1 Series CB.
Surveys and Mapping. Exploration Parties of Northern
Ontario. - 1900. - 4 linear feet. UNPROCESSED.
BACKGROUND.
In 1900, various survey parties were sent out by the Department
of Crown Lands to report on the mineral, timber and other
resources of Northern Ontario. They covered all the country
up to the Albany River, which was the then northern boundary
of Ontario. The official Report was published in 1901.
CONTENT.
Field notes, draft reports and other documents of the 10
different exploring parties. They contain several invaluable
references to the Cree and Ojibwa people of the regions
covered -- not all of which were printed in their final
Reports. The plans made by the parties are in the Cartographic
Collection.
FINDING AID. None.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open.
36. RG 1 Series HA.
Wildlife Branch, Crown Game Preserves. - 1932-1965.
- 1.5 linear feet. Accession 9112. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
Based on the transfer schedule list, this accession may
contain material of interest. The Chapleau Crown Game Preserve,
for example, which was created in 1925, covered an Indian
Reserve on Missinaibi Lake.
FINDING AID.
None, other than the transfer schedule list with the portfolio
archivist.
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? none.
ACCESS. Open.
37. RG 1 Series HA.
Wildlife, Miscellaneous Records 1908-1958. - 3
linear feet. Accession 10294. UNPROCESSED.
CONTENT.
Originated in the Department of Game and Fisheries. Minutes,
registers of licenses, statistical returns.
FINDING AID. None
MICROFILM VERSION AVAILABLE? None.
ACCESS. Open. |
