Although the area now known as the Township of Wellington North was settled by European immigrants in the early 1800s, the land has a much deeper and richer history rooted in the presence of Indigenous Peoples.
Long before European settlement, this region was home to various Indigenous communities, whose history and connection to the land span thousands of years.
Learn more about the history of Indigenous Peoples in Wellington North below, or watch the Wellington North Cultural Roundtable's Cultural Moment on the History of Indigenous Peoples in Wellington North.
The area now known as the Township of Wellington North has a rich pre-settler history rooted in the activities of Indigenous peoples. Before European settlement, the land was primarily inhabited by the Neutral, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. These groups had complex societies with distinct cultures, languages, and traditions.
The Neutral people, known for their role in trade and diplomacy, occupied much of what is now Southern Ontario, including parts of Wellington North. They were named "Neutral" by French explorers due to their neutrality in conflicts between the Iroquois Confederacy and the Huron-Wendat Nation. The Anishinaabe, including the Ojibwe, Mississauga, and Odawa nations, also utilized the area for its rich resources and as part of their extensive trade networks.
During this period, the land that would become Wellington North was characterized by dense forests, fertile soil, and numerous waterways, making it an ideal location for hunting, fishing, and agriculture. These Indigenous groups established seasonal camps and villages, practiced sustainable agriculture, and managed the land through controlled burns to clear areas for cultivation and to attract game.
In the early 17th century, European explorers and fur traders began to arrive in the region, initiating changes that would eventually lead to significant disruption of Indigenous ways of life. Despite this, the Indigenous presence remained influential in shaping the early interactions and development of the area.
There are well-known reports of the contributions of Ojibway Chief James Nawash to the early surveyors of Wellington and Grey counties, notably Charles Rankin. Rankin, who surveyed the Garafraxa Road in 1837, noted that Chief Nawash provided the most accurate information about the country and its rivers and streams. One significant piece of information shared by Chief Nawash was that the river Rankin reached outside of what is now Mount Forest was a branch of the “Saugin,” now referred to as the Saugeen River.
By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, treaties and land agreements began to cede large portions of Southern Ontario to the British Crown, paving the way for European settlers and the establishment of townships such as Wellington North.
The Township falls within the lands covered by the Nanfan Treaty (1701), Treaty 3 (1792), the Nottawasaga Purchase/Treaty 18 (1818), the Ajetance Purchase/Treaty 19 (1818), and the Saugeen Tract Purchase/Treaty 45.5 (1836). These treaties, however, often resulted in displacement and significant changes for the Indigenous populations, whose ancestral lands were transformed by new settlements and agricultural practices.
The pre-amalgamation history of the area now known as the Township of Wellington North can be viewed below:
Former Township of West Luther
A brief history of the Township of Wellington North is available at the link below:
As part of the township’s ongoing reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples, Council approved a Land Acknowledgement in June 2023. This came following an extensive report commissioned by the lower-tier municipalities in Wellington County. Click the link below to read the Wellington North report.
Wellington County Municipalities Land Acknowledgment Project (PDF)
This Land Acknowledgment will be included as a sign of respect and remembrance at key Township meetings/business as follows:
Shall be included:
- inaugural meetings of council;
- official meetings with Indigenous nations;
- formal unveilings/ceremonies.
May be considered if appropriate:
- other council meetings or committee/public meetings;
- community meetings;
- Public Information Centres, open houses, and/or public workshops where there is a formal presentation or welcome.
The Land Acknowledgment is as follows:
The lands that we know today as the Township of Wellington North have been home to Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. We acknowledge that we are on the treaty lands and traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee.
With increasing encroachment by non-Indigenous settlers in the Township of Wellington North, the Anishinaabe and the Haudenosaunee could not continue their traditional lifestyle and settled in their villages on the Credit River, Lake Huron, Lake Simcoe, and in the Grand River Valley. These nations uphold their Treaty Rights within our jurisdiction.
Today, the Township of Wellington North remains home to Indigenous peoples from across Turtle Island. We are grateful to have the opportunity to share and respect Mother Earth and are committed to building constructive and cooperative relationships with Indigenous nations.