Who was Wally Williams? Walpole Island Elders and their Rights to Live Off the Grid

By Aaron Lombardi

October 21, 2016

Government benefits provided to the First Nations Peoples of Walpole Island allow them to live a lifestyle devoid of some modern elements.

The Johnston Channel runs from Lake St. Clair into the swampy bayou of Walpole Island, a land reserved for First Nations people. Along the riverbank on a small island, an old wooden cabin sits intact and well-preserved. Wally Williams, the cabin owner was a trapper, an outdoors guide by trade, and medical healer who lived on a small island away from the Walpole Island town.  He died in 1996.

“Steal anything from this place and you’ve got the voodoo for the rest of your life,” said Jim Desjardins, a local guide. “That’s what the Indians believe and that’s why everything is still here.”

Materials of the four-room cabin stand in place, as if they had not been touched in 20 years.

Maxine Nahdee is the Meti, Inuit and First Nations counselor from St. Clair College who recalls memories of Williams from her childhood.

“I remember him very well, I used to play with his kids,” said Nahdee. “He wasn’t crazy or anything. He was very wise and chose to earn his keep living away from the general population.”

The Jurisdictions of Distinct Nations Act of Canada allows First Nations People like Williams to move wherever they wish on land reserved for First Nations People of Canada. Williams was able to live on this small island, paying only for building supplies.

“He didn’t have to pay property tax or building tax. A lot of people on the island avoid these types of things,” said Nahdee, “but these are the benefits we’ve gotten after the years of turmoil.”

The Distinct Nations Act, also known as the act of First Nation Sovereignty, calls for the Canadian government to honour and respect treaties and barters made to them by First Nations Peoples. With Canadian land being a source of identity for the people of Walpole Island, the terms of land rights must be governed by Walpole’s own council.

Chris Riley, chair of the Walpole Island Council, respects the proper building laws zoned on the island.

“In reality, you can build a house anywhere you want but today is different than when he (Williams) built his cabin,” said Riley.

Williams was also allowed to build a cabin along the Johnston channel, a popular trapping area, because it worked with his profession.

“If you are just looking to build a cabin somewhere around the island you will have to pay a fee for zoning requirements to be done,” said Riley.  “A lot of this land is sacred and we’ve got to make sure you are native to the island and will be building in an okay spot.”

The Jurisdictions of Distinct Nations Act of Canada provides benefits to people such as Williams who wish to live as they please and according to their profession off the mainland.