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Table of Contents
Nahnebahwequay, also known as Catherine Sutton, was an Ojibwa spokeswoman and Methodist missionary who advocated for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada over their land.
See the fact file below for more information on the Catherine Sutton (Nahnebahwequay) or alternatively, you can download our 24-page Catherine Sutton (Nahnebahwequay) worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
FAMILY AND EARLY LIFE
- Nahnebahwequay was born in the early fall of 1824 on the flats of the Credit River, now called Port Credit, Ontario.
- Nahnebahwequay means ‘upright woman’ or ‘standing woman’.
- She was born to Bunch Sunego (Tyatiquob) and Mary Crane (Myarwikishigoqua).
- Soon after her birth, her family paid a visit to the Grand River, where her uncle, Rev. Peter Jones, had recently converted many of his relatives to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
- The Sonegos converted to Christianity.
- In 1825, she was baptized Catherine Bunch by Rev. Thomas Madden.
- In the spring of 1826, her family moved to the Credit River together with other Ojibwa converts, who the Europeans called “Mississaugas”.
- The Credit Mission was a settlement of about 200 Ojibwe people who became Christian converts.
- They began a Methodist settlement in the Credit River, building a chapel which was also a school.
- Catherine’s bravery and leadership ran in her blood, as her grandfathers were tribal leaders.
- Her paternal grandfather, a Mississauga Tribal Chief from the Eagle doodem, was named Osunego.
- Her maternal grandfather was a War Chief from the Otter Clan named Otesoo.
- Catherine was also raised in Ojibwe traditions and customs; for example, she helped her mother to make herbal medicine.
EDUCATION AT THE MISSION SCHOOL
- Catherine studied at the Credit Mission school until 1837.
- Catherine was known as Nahnee to her friends.
- She later changed her name from Catherine Bunch to Catherine Brown, inspired by the name of a Cherokee missionary teacher who was one of the first Cherokee converts to Christianity.
- The mission school followed a Eurocentric education, with students not being allowed to practice their ancestral customs.
TRIP TO ENGLAND
- Catherine was unofficially adopted by her uncle, Reverend Peter Jones, and his wife Eliza Field, with whom she shared a close relationship.
- Reverend Peter Jones was the first Methodist minister of the Ojibwes.
- In 1837, with her parents’ permission, Catherine accompanied her English aunt on a year-long trip to England.
- At that time, Peter delivered a petition to the British Crown.
- The petition conveyed the desire to have the title deeds to and ownership of the lands which the Credit Mission stood to be legally transferred to the mission. In the end, the petition failed.
- This trip may have helped Catherine to become familiar with filing petitions and prepared her for being an advocate.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY LIFE, AND MISSIONARY WORK
- In January 1839, Catherine married William Sutton, an Englishman who had immigrated to Canada in 1830.
- William and Catherine Sutton lived at the Credit Mission with their three children at the time, Catherine Brown, Joseph Sunego, and Sophia Anne.
- Overall, William and Catherine had eight children together: Joseph, Catherine, Sophia, Wesley, Margaret, Alsop, Ainsley, and Christine.
- As she raised her own family in the mission, she also acted as a Methodist class leader.
- In summer 1846, the Credit tribe considered moving to Owen Sound, but had some hesitations due to the poor quality of the agricultural land there.
- The Sutton family and two other families eventually moved and settled in the Saugeen territory by June 1847.
- They were given 200 acres on which they built a house, barn, and enclosed garden.
- In winter 1848, Catherine fell ill, and the family relocated once Catherine recovered.
- The Newash tribe adopted the Suttons.
- In 1852, William was asked to superintend a model farm for the Wesleyan Methodist Church’s Mission in Garden River near Sault Ste. Marie, which he accepted.
- In Garden River, they taught the Grace of God and farming to the native residents.
- In 1854, they moved to Michigan where William worked on improving the Ojibwa Methodist Missions.
DENIED LAND TITLE
- In 1857, the Suttons finally returned to their farm at Owen Sound, but were met with their land being sold by the federal government after some tribe members signed a treaty that surrendered their Aboriginal land title.
- In September 1857, Catherine was not permitted to buy back her land at a public auction as she was told Indians were allowed to buy their ceded land.
- In 1858, she, along with other tribal leaders, unsuccessfully petitioned to get their title back or at least receive fair compensation.
- The Indian Department also decided that Catherine was not eligible to the land because she had married a white man, making her and her children not legally considered Indians.
PETITIONING THE BRITISH CROWN
- In 1859, Catherine Sutton decided to go to England to present their case to the British Crown.
- Catherine presented her case to Queen Victoria on June 19, 1860, declaring that Indigneous peoples had the right to legally own their land.
- As a result, Catherine was not able to legally purchase her land back, but she drew much attention to the rights of Indigenous peoples.
- She continued to advocate for Indigenous rights by documenting the people’s pleas and struggles and also by advising tribes of their rights.
THE SUTTON FARM AND CATHERINE’S DEATH
- In 1861, the Indian Department allowed William Sutton to purchase the Sutton family’s farm.
- At 41, Catherine died of an asthma attack in September 1865.
- Her husband served as a Methodist lay preacher until his death.
Catherine Sutton (Nahnebahwequay) Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Catherine Sutton (Nahnebahwequay) across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Catherine Sutton (Nahnebahwequay) worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Nahnebahwequay, also known as Catherine Sutton, who was an Ojibwa spokeswoman and Methodist missionary who advocated for the rights of Indigenous peoples in Canada over their land.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Catherine Sutton (Nahnebahwequay) Facts
- Color Me True!
- Catherine’s Biography
- History Check
- Life Events
- Missions Collage
- Indigenous Rights
- Sketch the Scenes
- Vocabulary Search
- Drafting a Petition
- Notable Canadian Women
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