This event marks a step forward in the creation of a continual consultation process with Anishinabekwe. It will cover a wide variety of issues – specifically governance. As Elder for the Southeast Region of the Union of Ontario Indians, Elsie Knott moved a resolution in 1992 to study and implement a system that expands the Anishinabekwe role within the leadership circle. During that same year, she received national and international recognition when she accepted an Outstanding Women’s Award, during International Women’s Year. Elsie Knott, the first woman elected chief of a First Nation community in Canada, is fondly remembered for her contributions as Curve Lake First Nation’s school bus driver, as well as the example she set as a determined leader for 16 years. Fond memories For many Curve Lake members, thoughts of Elsie Knott often turn to those cold winter mornings in the mid 1950’s when she would pull up to driveway entrances in a converted hearse, picking up a teenager or two every other household. She would deliver her precious cargo to the nearest school 20 kilometres down a frozen dirt road. Born Elsie Taylor, she grew up in Curve Lake and completed grade eight in the community school. At age 15 she married Cecil Knott. Her daughter Rita Rose and others share their memories of Elsie and her desire to see the children in Curve Lake as teachers, lawyers – whatever they wanted to be. And they remember the hardships as well as the progress. Her first bus was a converted hearse. It wasn’t long before they needed a larger vehicle and Elsie convinced the Indian agent to co-sign a loan for her. Former students who travelled that route to Lakefield remember the early days. Winston Taylor, now a drug and alcohol counsellor said, “Her example inspired me when I went back to school. She was that kind of lady who made up her mind to do something, and she just did it.” Leaving the rez Randy Knott, a Native symbolic artist stated, “I was so scared to leave the reserve and go to this other school. But through her we all got brave.” Still others like Wilma Taylor recall Elsie Knott’s presence. “A bus driver was a man. That was a stereotype that we had. And for me...it was good to have that connection everyday,” said Taylor. Tim Whetung often dropped in to thank Elsie for driving him to school. “Now he’s a judge,” stated Rose. Elsie drove a bus for some 30 years and seldom missed a day. A level of commitment that caused her to ride a wheelchair for several years leading to her passing in 1995. Winter driving from this rural area was often a challenge, and even when the road was dry, the pounding of the stiff, heavy-duty struts shattered her knees. And when the bad weather hit, “If Elsie wouldn’t go. Nobody would go,” continued Rose. The Indian Act was amended in 1951 giving Aboriginal women the right to vote in band elections. This new regulation became the stepping stone for many Aboriginal women determined to make a difference in their communities. And in 1954 the rest became history for the community of Curve Lake, and the first female elected chief, 32-year-old Elsie Knott, a mother of three. Former chief, Dalton Jacobs (often referred to as Jake) remembers the leadership role he shared with Elsie. They were often sitting opposite one another at council meetings as chief and councillor. “There was no animosity in our rivalry. We were both determined to help the reserve. We put our resources together and this is what you see now. She was a community worker. We were involved in everything – sports, the pow wows... I suppose I followed in her footsteps. We went into long term improvements for the village rather than the day-to-day things,” recalls Jacobs. “She always made sure she worked around our schedules to or she’d take us along. So it was very good for me,” said Rose. Elsie Knott served her community as chief and councillor for a total of 16 years. She advocated for secondary and post secondary education, Ojibwa language instruction, better housing, water, roads, hydro, and to renew a defunct annual pow wow. She spearheaded fundraising activities to start the boyscouts and cubs, girl guides, and her final endeavour - the construction of a new church. Meanwhile she managed a small convenience store where she also managed to served as post-mistress. Rose smiled as she remembered the controversy raised when her mother burned the 1969 ‘White Paper’, providing a cherished image of Elsie and other community members dancing on the ashes. In 1975 she lead a four-hour confrontation defying the wildlife authorities by fishing on the shores of Chemong Lake with more than 100 Indians (many of whom were AIM members). “She was right against the Indian Act and how it put us on little pieces of land - she made a lot of changes. And she liked to get other people involved...to be the leaders. She didn’t do it just to help herself. If she had... she could have been a very rich woman – but she wasn’t,” explained Rose. Good human relations “What made us successful was sitting there and listening to the people. Keep your mouth shut; your ears open. Sound them out. Good human relations is the best teacher there is. With Elsie it seemed to flow – that give and take,” stated Dalton Jacobs. Artist Norman Knott describes his aunt. “To me she was just like anyone else in the village. All the people were taught to treat everybody special. Becoming chief wasn’t anything. She had enough spunk to get out there and she was right for the job. That’s the way they thought in those days. She made a lot of people realize that women can do a lot of things that men can do...she opened our eyes.” “She was a pioneer. She made real accomplishments,” commented Margaret Spencley a Burleigh Falls residents and Curve Lake member. Jumping hurdles “She was the one who could jump the hurdle,” stated Rose. Elissa Pearson added, “I think that made her fight more – having the hurdle. It made her want it more.” “She wasn’t afraid of consequences. She knew that to take a chance, had a cost. But if you put it out to the people like she did you get the people to volunteer. You get the people that care,” stated Randy Knott. So perhaps in true Aboriginal fashion Elsie Knott was not unlike many other women in Aboriginal communities. Perhaps she, like them, a gregarious leader, was simply a creative social engineer inspired by her community. Elsie Knott passed away Dec, 3, 1995. But she is not forgotten.
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