In 1876, Lieutenant Governor Alexander Morris recognized the people of Berens River and the people of Little Grand Rapids as two separate groups. The families now belonging to the Pikangikum First Nation were thought to be included with the Little Grand Rapids people.
When Little Grand Rapids adhered to Treaty Five, Lieutenant Governor Morris reported:
“I have the honor to inform you that I was waited on today by Jacob Berens Chief of the Berens River Indians, one of his councilors and Na-na-qua-wa-na-qua, principal Indian of those residing at the Grand Rapids of the Berens River, one hundred miles above the mouth of the River. I learn that the latter number one hundred and seventy, including sixty two of the Lac Seule Band who originally belonged to the Rapids and have returned there.”
The people of Pikangikum did not have their own Chief until around 1926. The first Chief was a man named Birchstick or John Sugashie. One of the councillors was Abraham Keeper.
Letter from Alex. Morris, to the Minister of the Interior, dated July 12th, 1876, LAC RG10, vol. 3636, file 6765