Kichesippirini standing guard over the Great River            The first people came to this region some 6500 years ago. For many years the area was populated by Aboriginals who had migrated across the Bering Strait at a time when the two continents were connected by a land and ice bridge. Over a period of hundreds of years, these people evolved to become, what we call, Native Indians.

     The Algonquin Indians were a peaceful people who lived along these shores for hundreds of years. They had great respect for other people, the land and the animals.

     They recognized the importance of the river, not just as a source of food, but as an important highway into the rich fur country to the north. They called the river "Kichesippi" which translated to "Great River" and they called themselves "Kichesippirini" or, "People of the Great River". For that reason, early French cartographers referred to the river as "La Grand Riviere des Algoumequins".

     To this day there is much dispute regarding the name "Ottawa". Some believe the name is anglicized from the Aboriginal tribes who lived along these shores and variously referred to as Outauac, Outaouais, or Outaouit - more commonly known as the Ottawa Tribe. Others prefer to think the Algonquins were responsible for the name. The Algonquin word "Aw dewa" was commonly used in reference to the river and translates to "meeting place"

                                                                                                                                               Algonquin Lodge - Wigwam
     The Algonquin lived in small bands of 100 to 300 members. Each band was divided up into smaller hunting groups of up to 25 close relatives who worked and hunted to support each other. Contrary to popular belief most did not live in Teepee's. These Native Indians, while nomadic, tended to settle in locations for longer periods. They lived in lodges made of bent saplings covered with birchbark or the skins of animals. They were known as Wigwams or Hogans. In the winter they hunted deer, moose and other small animals. During the rest of the year they fished and gathered fruits, nuts and roots.

     When the Europeans arrived the Algonquins partnered with them in the fur trading business. It has been suggested that the Indians positioned themselves on Big Sand Point and Mohr Island and levied tolls on the traders as they moved along this important inland highway. The Europeans adopted many Algonquin methods and used Indian terms such as canoe, moccasin and toboggan.

   Algonquin Indian "Currency" - Wampum

     The Algonquin Indians were no strangers to trading. For hundreds of years Native Indians across the continent bartered for everything. Their preferred method of payment was with something called Wampum.

     It was the Europeans who expanded on the original idea by offering trinkets that included buttons, beads and small mirrors but genuine Indian Wampum consisted of a belt colourfully decorated with tiny beads. There was a period when European coinage was in such short supply, that Native Indian Wampum was commonly used in it's place.

                                                                                                                                    Medicine Man throws Tobacco on Fire
     Tobacco played a significant role in the life of all Native Indians. Myth has it that in ancient times, when the land was barren and the people were starving, the Great Spirit sent forth a woman to save them. As she traveled over the world, everywhere her right hand touched the soil, there grew potatoes. And everywhere her left hand touched the soil, there grew corn. And when the world was rich and fertile, she sat down and rested. When she arose, there grew tobacco.

     Since ancient times, Indians have used tobacco to show reverence for the Great Creator, and respect for others. Northern tribes smoked pipes filled with the inner bark of the dogwood plant and called it "kinnikinnik". Real tobacco, grown only in warmer climates, was known as Uppawoc. Tobacco was used in daily offerings such as sprinkling tobacco on a fire to ask for strength in an upcoming battle or a safe journey to or from home.

    Ceremonial "Peace" Pipe
     In early times, most Indian tribes carried these beautiful ceremonial pipes that signified their peaceful intent.

      White explorers eventually began carrying these pipes in case of a chance meetings with Indians. They used the pipes to seal treaties or demonstrate friendship by smoking some tobacco. Hence the term "peace pipe".

                                                                                                                                                       Native Indian Arrowheads
     The Algonquins were not without enemies and there is a story told of a bloody massacre that took place on Big Sand Point. It is said that the Iroquois had set up their own levy and had posted a sentry on the large sand bluff overlooking the river. A group of French fur traders had been warned of the encampment and, with their Algonquin allies devised a plan to crush their opponents. Under cover of darkness, they decided to launch a preemptive strike against the superior and larger Iroquois war party. In the middle of the night they took to their canoes and quietly landed at the southern end of Sand Bay. From here the French fur traders and their allies made their way overland back towards Sand Point, bringing them in behind the Iroquois camp. The attack apparently caught the Iroquois off-guard and they were all massacred.

     Evidence of these attacks has been well documented and many artifacts have been collected from this location.

                                                                                                                                        The Fire - Algonquin Meeting Place
     Fire was the life breath of all the tribes. Without it they would not be able to stay warm or cook their food.

     These fires were an important component of Indian life - as a meeting place where stories of famous battles and heroic braves were anxiously retold. A time for the elders to share their knowledge and wisdom. A time for the young braves to begin dreaming of future conquests. In that way the history of the tribes and families was maintained, while at the same time ensuring that the ways of the past were respected.

     We can only imagine that Big Sand Point must have hosted many such fires where the warrior's danced while they watched over the Great River.

                                                                          Sacred Indian Burial "Mounds"
     Death was a serious matter with all Native Indians. Sacred Indian burial grounds invoke images of long dead spirits and ghostly apparitions. The Algonquin Indians who lived and died along our shores buried their dead in mounds made in the soft sand. These mounds were generally kept in close proximity so the spirits of their dead would be together for eternity.

      Not unlike the Pharaoh's of Egypt, the Algonquin buried their dead with tools and treasures that they might use in the afterlife. When the white man returned to the area in the 1800's many of these burial grounds were discovered. In the 1950's hundreds of these artifacts were taken from Big Sand Point, considered by most to be a significant ancient Indian burial ground. Similar sites were found throughout the area.

     The Algonquin and their allies the Huron fought a bitter war against the Iroquois during the 1600's but that only marginally impacted their population. It was the white man who eventually brought the Algonquin to their knees. By 1640, the Algonquin Indians, weakened by epidemics of measles and smallpox introduced by the Europeans, and vastly outnumbered, were finally defeated and driven from the area. Their population had been reduced from about 4,000 down to about 1000 during a 10 year period.

      It was the end of one era and the beginning of another.