The Aamjiwnaang First Nation (formerly known as Chippewas of Sarnia First Nation)(Ojibwe: Aamjiwnaang Anishinaabek) is an Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) First Nations Band located on reserve land by the St. Clair River in Ontario, Canada, three miles south of the southern tip of Lake Huron. The reserve is located across from the United States border from Port Huron, Michigan, and is a result of treaties that were negotiated with the Crown in the 1820s. There are approximately 2,000 band members with about 650 living on the reserve. Their heritage language is Ojibwe.
Aamjiwnaang | |
|---|---|
| Sarnia Indian Reserve No.45 | |
 Aamjiwnaang Resource Centre directly across from INEOS Styrolution | |
| Nickname: The Rapids | |
  Aamjiwnaang | |
| Coordinates: 42°55.5′N 82°24′W / 42.9250°N 82.400°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| County | Lambton |
| Indian Reserve | Sarnia 45 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council |
| • Chief | Christopher Plain |
| • Federal riding | Sarnia—Lambton |
| • Prov. riding | Sarnia—Lambton |
| Area | |
| • Land | 12.58 km2 (4.86 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
| • Total | 648 |
| • Density | 50.8/km2 (132/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Postal Code | N7T |
| Area codes | 519 and 226 |
| Website | www.aamjiwnaang.ca |
The word Aamjiwnaang (am-JIN-nun) means "meeting place by the rapid water", which describes the surrounding communities.
Environmental issues
editThe Aamjiwnaang community has expressed concern regarding its proximity to petrochemical, polymer, and chemical plants in the area, as birth rates of their people have been documented by the American journal Environmental Health Perspectives as deviating from the normal ratio of close to 50% boys, 50% girls.[2] The ratio as found between 1999 and 2003 by the journal was roughly 33% boys, and 67% girls,[3] the lowest live male birth rate in Canada.[4][5]
On April 25, 2024 Aamjiwnaang announced a state of emergency after preliminary data from an air pollutant monitor in the community showed elevated levels of benzene.[6] Seven days earlier, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks issued a provincial order to nearby INEOS Styrolution, and the facility shutdown operations temporarily.[7]
Demographics
edit| 2021 | 2016 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 648 (+1.4% from 2016) | 639 (-0.2% from 2011) | 640 (-9.3% from 2006) |
| Land area | 12.58 km2 (4.86 sq mi) | 12.57 km2 (4.85 sq mi) | 12.57 km2 (4.85 sq mi) |
| Population density | 51.5/km2 (133/sq mi) | 50.8/km2 (132/sq mi) | 50.9/km2 (132/sq mi) |
| Median age | 38.8 (M: 38.4, F: 39.2) | 38.0 (M: 36.7, F: 39.3) | 32.8 (M: 30.9, F: 36.1) |
| Private dwellings | 265 (total) | 255 (total) | 254 (total) |
| Median household income |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 494 | — |
| 1996 | 621 | +25.7% |
| 2001 | 695 | +11.9% |
| 2006 | 706 | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 640 | −9.3% |
| 2016 | 639 | −0.2% |
| 2021 | 648 | +1.4% |
| [13] | ||
Notable members
edit- Lisa Jackson (filmmaker)[14]
- Christopher Plain - Current Chief [15]
- June Simon - Band Manager [16]
- Carolyn Nahmabin - Membership [17]
- Fred Plain - Former President of the Union of Ontario Indians
- David D. Plain - Author of The Plains of Aamjiwnaang:Our History [18]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Census Profile, 2021 Census - Sarnia 45, Indian reserve (Census subdivision), Ontario and Lambton, County (Census division), Ontario". Canada 2021 Census. Statistics Canada. Archived from the original on 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
- ^ C. A. Mackenzie; A. Lockridge & M. Keith (2005). "Declining Sex Ratio in a First Nation Community". Environmental Health Perspectives. 113 (10): 1295–8. doi:10.1289/ehp.8479. PMC 1281269. PMID 16203237.
- ^ "Aamjiwnaang First Nations concerned about chemical exposure". CBC News. 2005-09-02. Archived from the original on 2010-05-02. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
- ^ Mary Ann Colihan (1 April 2008). "Aboriginal Canadians, Chemical valley". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 March 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
- ^ "Environmental Rights--Human Rights and Pollution in Sarnia's Chemical Valley" (PDF). University of victoria. 13 June 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
- ^ "Aamjiwnaang First Nation declares state of emergency over benzene levels". cbc.ca. 25 April 2024. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Ontario takes action against chemical plant after Aamjiwnaang First Nation residents fell ill". globalnews.ca. 19 April 2024. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
- ^ "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2017.
- ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
- ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
- ^ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2021 census
- ^ "In Conversation with Lisa Jackson". Immerse. March 2, 2020. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ Plain, Chris. "Current Chief" (PDF). Directory Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ Simon, June. "Band Manager" (PDF). Directory Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ Nahmabin, Carolyn. "Membership" (PDF). Directory Administration. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ Plain, David D. (August 9, 2007). The Plains of Aamjiwnaang: Our History. Victoria, British Columbia. ISBN 978-1425122737. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
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