The Saulteaux are a branch of theOjibweNations within Canada. They are sometimes called theAnihšināpē (Anishinaabe).[2]Saulteaux is aFrench term meaning 'waters (eaux) - fall (sault)', and by extension "People of the rapids/water falls", referring to their former location in the area ofSault Ste. Marie, Ontario, on theSt. Marys River (Michigan–Ontario), which connectsLake Superior withLake Huron. They are primarily hunters and fishers, and when still the primary dwellers of their sovereign land, they had extensive trading relations with the French, British and later Americans at that post.
The Saulteaux historically were settled aroundLake Superior andLake Winnipeg, principally in the areas of present-day Sault Ste. Marie andnorthern Michigan. Pressure from European Canadians and Americans gradually pushed the tribe westward toManitoba,Saskatchewan andAlberta, with one community inBritish Columbia. Today most of the Saulteaux live in theInterlake District; Swan River, Duck Bay, Camperville, the southern part of Manitoba, and in Saskatchewan (Kamsack and surrounding areas). Because they were forced to move to land ill-suited for European crops, they were lucky to escape European-Canadian competition for their lands and have kept much of that assigned territory in reserves. Generally, the Saulteaux have three major divisions.
The Eastern Saulteaux, better known as the Ontario Saulteaux, are located aroundRainy Lake andLake of the Woods inNorthwestern Ontario and southeasternManitoba. Many of the Ontario Saulteaux First Nations are signatories toTreaty 3. Their form ofAnishinaabemowin (Anishinaabe language) is sometimes calledNorthwestern Ojibwa language (ISO 639-3: OJB), or simplyOjibwemowin (Ojibwe). Today English is the first language of many members. The Ontario Saulteaux culture is descended from theEastern Woodlands culture.
The Central Saulteaux, better known as Manitoba Saulteaux, are found primarily in eastern and southernManitoba, extending west into southernSaskatchewan. During the late 18th century and early 19th century, as partners with theCree in thefur trade, the Saulteaux migrated northwest into the Swan River and Cumberland districts of west-central Manitoba, and into Saskatchewan along theAssiniboine River, as far its confluence with the Souris (Mouse) River. Once established in the area, the Saulteaux adapted some of the cultural traits of their allies, the Plains Cree andAssiniboine.
Consequently, together with the Western Saulteaux, the Manitoba Saulteaux are sometimes calledPlains Ojibwe. Many of the Manitoba Saulteaux First Nations are signatories toTreaty 1 andTreaty 2. The Manitoba Saulteaux culture is a transitional one from the Eastern Woodlands culture of their Ontario Saulteaux neighbours and Plains culture of the Western Saulteaux neighbours. Often, the termBungi orBungee (frombangii, meaning "a little bit") has been used to refer to either the Manitoba Saulteaux (who resemble the Cree in culture) or theirMétis population (who are a little bit Anishinaabe). The language of their Métis population is described as theBungi language.
The Western Saulteaux are found primarily in centralSaskatchewan, but extend east into southwesternManitoba and west into centralAlberta and easternBritish Columbia. They call themselvesNakawē (ᓇᐦᑲᐍ)—anautonym that is a general term for the Saulteaux. The neighbouringPlains Cree call them theNahkawiyiniw (ᓇᐦᑲᐏᔨᓂᐤ), a word of related etymology. Their form ofAnishinaabemowin (Anishinaabe language), known asNakawēmowin (ᓇᐦᑲᐍᒧᐏᐣ) orWestern Ojibwa language (ISO 639-3: OJW), is also anAlgonquian language. Like most First Nations, most members use English as the first language. Many of the Western Saulteaux First Nations are signatories toTreaty 4 andTreaty 6; Saulteau First Nations in North Eastern British Columbia are a signatory toTreaty 8. The Western Saulteaux culture is that of thePlains culture.
Hungry Hall 1 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Hungry Hall 2 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Little Forks Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)[Canada]— Little Forks Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)[United States], the southern half of the former, became part ofBois Forte Band of Chippewa.
Long Sault 1 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Long Sault 2 Band of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Manitou Rapids 1 of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
Manitou Rapids 2 of Rainy River Saulteaux (Historical)
