Ignace Tonené
Ignace Tonené (1840 or 1841 – 15 March 1916), also known as Nias or by his Ojibwe name Maiagizis ('right/correct sun'), was a Teme-Augama Anishnabai chief, fur trader, and gold prospector in Upper Canada. He was a prominent employee of the Hudson's Bay Company.
Ignace Tonené | |
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Tonené in 1909 | |
| Born | 1840 or 1841 near Lake Temagami, Upper Canada |
| Died | 15 March 1916 (aged 74–75) near Lake Abitibi, Quebec |
| Burial place | near Mount Kanasuta, Quebec |
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| Employer | Hudson's Bay Company |
| Known for | Teme-Augama Anishnabai leadership |
| Title | Chief |
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| Children | 7 |
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Tonené was the elected deputy chief before being the lead chief and later the life chief of his community. In his role as deputy, he negotiated with the Canadian federal government and the Ontario provincial government, advocating for his community to receive annual financial support from both. His attempts to secure land reserves for his community were thwarted by the Ontario premier Oliver Mowat.
Tonené's prospecting triggered a 1906 gold rush and the creation of Kerr Addison Mines Ltd., although one of his claims was stolen from him by white Canadian prospectors.
Tonené died in 1916 at the age of 74 or 75. He is buried near Mount Kanasuta in Quebec.