Elsie Marie Knott was the first woman in Canada to be elected as Chief of a First Nation. Knott became Chief of the Curve Lake First Nation in 1954, three years after the Indian Act was amended to give First Nations women the right to vote and hold positions in band governments.

She was known for her work relating to preserving the Ojibwe language.

The Curve Lake Anishinaabe (Ojibway) community traces their origins to 1829, when a small band settled around Curve Lake and Mud Lake. The community officially became a reserve in 1837.

Photo: Original publication: unknownImmediate source: http://www.ammsa.com/content/elsie-knott-footprints, Fair use