What is "shingwauk"

Shingwaukonse ( Fiero spelling: Zhingwaakoons; "Little Pine"), or Shingwauk ( Fiero spelling: Zhingwaak; "Pine") (1773–1854) was an Anishnaabe chief, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario as a signatory to the Robinson Huron Treaty of 1850.

Shingwauk is also known for his role as a National Leader during the War of 1812. In addition to his role as a prominent chief during the war years Shingwauk also strongly advocated education to help the Anishnaabe people preserve their language and culture. In 1832, he snowshoed all the way from Sault Ste. Marie to York to ask Governor John Colborne to provide a teacher for his people. He also advocated the creation of a "Teaching Wigwam Lodge" for the Anishnaabe people, a vision which culminated in the creation of Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig in 2008.

Shingwauk had two sons, Augustine and Buhgwujjenene ( Fiero spelling: Bagwajinini; "Wildman"), who both served as successive hereditary chiefs of Garden River after Shingwauk's death. A follower of traditional Anishnaabe religion for most of his life, Shingwauk converted to Anglicanism a few years before his death.