Effect of Treaty # 9

Treaty # 9 was signed in July 1906 which included the Missinabie River system but no representatives from the community were present. Many of the former residents were evicted by the Indian Agent and moved to Moose Factory, Brunswich House, Chapleau or Constance Lake. Many of the old residents from Constance Lake remember living in Mattice. The whole community was displaced. If anyone would review a map containing First Nations, they would immediately notice a void in the middle of Ontario. That would be the Missinabie River and it's sisters river systems.

Remaining

A few families remained in the Mattice area. The Indian agent told the remaining peoples if they settled, they would not receive any aid from the government and were still encourgaed to move. During the 1940's to the 1960's, the few remaining families were the Neegans, Frazers, Maqiwis, McCready, Davis and Sutherland Famiies which lived in the community of Mattice until recent times. During the 1970's, the only remaining families were David and Christiana Neegan; Gary and Wilma Neegan; Ken and Beula Neegan; Irene Peltonen; Fred Neegan; and DA Neegan. During the 1980's seen only Fred Neegan and Irene Peltonen remaining in Mattice.

At the moment there are efforts by Clara Neegan and Andrew Reuben to re-start the community of Crees and Ojibways in Mattice. The importance of Mattice and the Missinbie River can been seen in many books and documentaries in Canada. Clara has been researching for many years on the history of the people of Mattice. The river and the people of the river played an important role in history. It is hoped that Clara with Andrew's help can bring back which was lost.