Wahta Mohawks

Wahta Mohawk Territory
Indian reserve
Wahta Mohawk Territory Indian Reserve
Wahta Mohawk Territory
Coordinates: 45°01′N 79°44′W / 45.017°N 79.733°W / 45.017; -79.733Coordinates: 45°01′N 79°44′W / 45.017°N 79.733°W / 45.017; -79.733
Country  Canada
Province  Ontario
District municipality Muskoka
First Nation Wahta Mohawks
Area[1]
 • Land 61.17 km2 (23.62 sq mi)
Population (2018)[1]
 • Total 156
Website www.wahtamohawks.com

The Wahta Mohawks are a Mohawk First Nation in Ontario. The Wahta Mohawk Territory is their territory (reserve) in the District Municipality of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada near Bala. It is bounded on the west by Highway 400, a major north-south artery in the province. About one-third of the 831 citizens of Wahta Mohawk Territory live in the community of Wahta, along District Road 38, another third live within 100 km, and the remainder live elsewhere.

The land is made up of forest and lakes typical of the rugged Canadian Shield. It is used primarily for hunting and fishing by Mohawk from the reserves of Kanesatake and Kahnewake Quebec, who share access to this territory. It was the site of the now defunct Iroquois Cranberry Growers, which was Ontario's largest cranberry farm. The farm was shuttered because of economic reasons.

Wahta Mohawk Territory was founded in 1881 after the Sulpician Order bought land here for Mohawk from the community of Kanesatake, Quebec, where there had been political and religious strife over land use rights. About one-fifth of the Mohawk from that community moved to the new area.[2]

They also share the Indian River Indian Reserve with the Chippewas of Rama First Nation.

"Wahta Gap"

Due to a Mohawk land-claim dispute with the provincial government, the Wahta Territory, formerly known as the Gibson Reserve, prevented completion of a freeway through its land. Consequently, there was an eight-kilometre gap in Highway 400, where the roadway remained a two-lane highway for several years after construction of the freeway was completed further north.

In 2003 the government and the Mohawk First Nation reached an agreement allowing freeway construction through the reserve lands. Begun in 2004, construction was completed in 2008.

Demographics

As of March, 2018:

  • Population: 156
  • Area (km².): 61.17
  • Density (persons per km².): 2.55

Out of the total 831 Wahta Mohawks, 675 live off-reserve. [3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Wahta Mohawk Territory census profile". 2011 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  2. ↑ Smith, Donald B. (1982). "Onasakenrat Joseph". In Halpenny, Francess G. Dictionary of Canadian Biography. XI (1881–1890) (online ed.). University of Toronto Press. , accessed 13 October 2015
  3. ↑ http://fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/fnp/Main/Search/FNRegPopulation.aspx?BAND_NUMBER=134&lang=eng
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