Added Map on April 28, 2010:

                Map Source: A Short History of Quebec                               Drawing Source: Where Rivers Meet: An Illustrated History of Ottawa                                                                            
                  by John Dickinson and Brian Young, page 5                                                     by Courtney C.J. Bond, page 15                                                                              
                                                                                                                                      
  

Keywords: Samuel de Champlain, Charles William Jefferys, petun / tobacco sacrifice
____________________________

February 28, 2010:
Here is a remarkable watercolour painting by Henry Pooley (Pooley's Bridge) dated 1833. This painting
is part of the National Gallery of Canada's collection.

I scanned this image from the Ottawa Citizen of May 18, 2002. It's part of a feature article by 
Randy Boswell about early native history in the Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec regions.

Now, this painting is dated 1833. But the Rideau Canal was completed in 1832 and, in the painting, we see
the point where the headlocks of the Canal should be. Mr. Pooley must have created his watercolour from
memory, or from a sketch made, before the locks were constructed.

... Al





As a retired employee of the Dept. of Indian and Northern Affairs I can mention 
the existence of the Indian (membership) Registry at the Dept. HQ in Hull,  
Les Terrases de la Chaudiere complex, north tower).  There you should be able to 
look up, or have a staff member look up, the band membership lists for the Indian 
Reserve at Maniwaki.  If registered, her parents name should be there.  Scan 
the DIAND website for a phone contact and make an appointment to visit.  
Good luck and good hunting.  
... Will Dunlop

Odawa Native Friendship Centre, 
12 Stirling Avenue, Ottawa, 
ON K1Y 1P8
Tel: (613) 722-3811, 
Fax: (613) 722-4667, 
E-mail: info@odawa.on.ca 
March 20, 2003:

Dear Al:
 
While recently visiting your web site I noted that you may have information that I have 
been long searching for.  My great grandmother was grew up in a town very close to OKA.  
She was native and I have been desperately searching for information to prove the such.  
Can you direct me to any sources of information regarding the area surrounding and including 
OKA that may posses a listing of it's band members.  I am searching for the 1800 era.
 
Thank So Much
 
Lisa
________________________
Hi Lisa:
 
Thanks for your e-mail.
 
I'm forwarding it to Ellen Paul who (I think) has transcribed the registers for the RC 
church at Oka and may be able to help you.
 
... Al Lewis
April 10, 2004:

Susan Sirois is researching her Aboriginal ancestors in the River Desert
area near Maniwaki. Her Great Grandparents are Cecile McDOUGAL and John DALE.
I believe (somebody correct me if I'm wrong) that Maniwaki was a fur trade
post in the 1600s and 1700s and became important in the logging industry
in the 1800's. The Algonquin band was indigenous to the area.
There was a great influx of settlers around 1850, mostly arranged by
the Catholic Church who brought Irish settlers to the area (see the story of
Father Deleage around 1850 on our Maniwaki page). About the same time, OKA, which is (I think),
a Mohawk reserve, was re-organized and the Algonquin members from OKA went to
the River Desert area at Maniwaki and also to the region of Golden Lake, 
east of Algonquin Park.
By the 1970's the population of Maniwaki was about 7,000 -- a mixture of
English, French and Algonquin speakers.
The last, and most prominent, of the original builders of birchbark canoes
were William Commanda and Jocko Carle. William Commanda was the Band Chief
until the 1970's.
In the 1600's, the Jesuit missionaries worked at translating the Algonkian 
language into French and English. This dictionary is stored at one of the
churches in Maniwaki. Algonkian was also spoken by Native groups other
than the Algonquins.
December 21, 2004:
I notice you have a number of individuals on your site requesting information
on Aboriginal genealogy. They may be interested in the section of the Canadian 
Genealogy Centre site on this subject under "How to" at 
http://www.genealogy.gc.ca/07/070702_e.html or click here.


January 14, 2004:

I have been looking for a long time for a book about Native Canadian
history in the Ottawa / Gatineau area.

Eric McGregor has just given me the book I was looking for.
His brother, Stephen McGregor, is the principal author. Here's the book:

Since Time Immemorial: "Our Story", by Stephen McGregor, 
The Story of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinàbeg,
Kitigan Zibi Education Council, 2004, ISBN 0-9734910-1-9,
Research Team: Sandra Diabo Decontie and James Odjick, 344 pages.

This is a fascinating book describing the history of the Algonquin Nation
in the Ottawa River Valley and it's watershed, mainly in the River Desert 
region at Maniwaki. As I read through the book, I'll add some material to
this web site regarding Algonquin history. The web site until now has begun with
the first white settlers in this region, led by Philomen Wright in 1800.
Now, we will be able to push the beginning date back further.

The Ottawa River was named the Grand River by the French Canadien voyageurs.

The river was called Kitchissippi which is how you often 
see the name of the Ottawa River spelled.
As you would have seen in the book, Al, the proper Algonquin spelling
would be Kitchi Zibi (which does mean The Great River). (... Eric)

January 17, 2005:

We are also trying to ascertain the Algonquin name for the Rideau River.

Dear Al:

This week end I was in Maniwaki and I saw the book that you are talking 
about.  It is a great book, I love history.  I am writing a booklet on 
Merrickville and the business district from Past to present.  You will get a 
copy when I am finished if you would be interested in it.

The Algonquin inhabited Montague and Grenville counties where 
Merrickville is located, so I know they must have had a name for the 
Rideau river prior to 1600s.

I have a partial copy of a newspaper, dated June 5 1856 "Mirickville 
Chronicle and Weekly Advertiser" @  http://jasonlackie.tripod.com

Yes al you do have permission to give my data on your website
Regards
Ronald Lackie
E-mail: lackie@videotron.ca
March 17, 2005:
I'm Stephen McGregor, writer of Since Time Immemorial: Our Story. The Story of the 
Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Eric McGregor is my brother. He mentioned that you were 
trying to determine the original Algonquin name for the Rideau River. 
It's original name was "Pasapkedjiwanong," which means, "the river that passes 
between the rocks."
 
Stephen McGregor
e-mail: stephen.mcgregor@kza.qc.ca

April 6, 2005:
The Algonkin Tribe: The Algonkins of the Ottawa Valley, An Historical Outline, 
by Peter Hessel, Kichesippi Books, Arnprior, ISBN 0-921082-01-0

This is another excellent book regarding the local history of the Algonquin nation.
It covers both sides of the Ottawa River and includes the Maniwaki and Golden Lake
areas.
... Al
May 18, 2005:
Constance Bay is on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River in Torbolton Township.
Today it is within the limits of the City of Ottawa. The bay and nearby 
Constance Lake is named after Simon Constant who was a member of the Algonquin
nation and who was in the area before the white settlers arrived.

If you are driving towards Calabogie Lake in Renfrew County, you'll cross Constant 
Creek which flows between Constant Lake and Calabogie Lake. These were also
named after Simon Constant who moved to Renfrew County from Torbolton.
Source: Carol Bennett, People of St. Patrick's, Mount St. Patrick Parish, 1843-1993.

Mr. Jocko was a gentleman who lived near Calabogie Lake. He was also of native 
descent and told me many stories of the Calabogie area when I knew him in the 1970's.
... Al
March 16, 2006:

October 20, 2007:

Daniel Bernard's ancestors, Jean-Baptiste BERNARD and Angelique SIMON were at the
Petite Nation (Buckingham area, including Lac Simon), later moving to Pembroke 
(Renfrew County) in the 1880's.

December 3, 2007:

More about Oka / Lake of Two Rivers / Lac des deux montagnes

Thanks to Jean-Claude Dubé for the following (also pertaining to the
Chabot / Sharbot page referred to in the previous posting ... Al)

Hello Cathie
I have no idea which First Nation that Francis Sharbot belonged to. He could have 
come from the Lake of Two Mountains Mission because there were three groups living 
there around the Catholic mission. Mohawk, Nipissing and Algonquin. The Mohawks  
(Kanesatake) and the Algonquians were kept at opposite ends of the mission. Apparently, 
most of the Mohawks moved out in the mid-19th century and went mostly in central 
Ontario to live with other Iroquoian-speaking people. Francis Sharbot could also have 
come from two other Mohawks societies: Kanahwake on Lake St. Louis south of Montreal 
(30-45 minutes by canoe to Kanesatake) and Akwasasne, a bit upstream on the St.Lawrence, 
south of Cornwall, Ont. (St.Regis). 

If Chief Fransway was a Mohawk, he could have come from any one of those places. 
If we can find out where he came from, most of our questions will be answered. 
Kathy (my spouse) and I go to Sharbot Lake every few years to attend the Blue Skies 
Folk Festival in Clarendon, 10 miles north of Sharbot Lake. We also spent a day 
canoeing on Sharbot Lake. The lake is actually two lakes connected a narrow stream 
over which the highway passes over. The east lake have very few cottages, except in 
the south end. There are osprey nests on one of the islands in the North and we 
enjoy bird watching also. Some time ago, in the North-east end, we went down a small 
stream which connected to a beautiful but small lake having a vintage cottage hidden 
in the pines. Then we went down a narrow and shallow but very pristine river that 
we did not know existed. We turned around we got close to highway 7 and could hear 
the cars going by. 

I did not know then but I know now that was the Fall River that Francis Sharbot 
took to go to Sharbot Lake. If you look on a topographical map, Fall River would 
eventually connect to the Mississippi River West which flows into Mississippi Lake 
and then eastward to the Ottawa River near Arnprior. Of course, Kanesatake, Kanahwake 
and Akwasasne are downstream from there. So, Francis Sharbot did not from Fall River 
but rather by Fall River. 

Could you explain to me what is meant by "the Sharbots brought the Antoine here to 
Ontario when they came for a second time" I do not understand. 
Speaking of Antoine: when Peter Sharbot passed away at age 79 in Sharbot Lake on 
Dec 18th, 1925, his brother-in-law, Leslie Antoine, said that Peter Sharbot's 
parents were Francis Sharbot and Mary Susan Guigue. Do you know who she may be 
and where she came from? There were 3 Antoines living with Francis and Mary Susan 
and children in 1861.
 
I have turn of the century map of OSO County with Concession lines etc and we can 
locate where Francis Sharbot and everybody else lived in Sharbot Lake. 
That will be my next mailing on this subject. Probably in a few days. 
 
Bye 
 
... Jean-Claude
_______________________
 
I used to spend some time in the Ardoch, Ontario area, northwest of Sharbot Lake. We 
used to canoe on the Mississippi River, from below the bridge near where the wild rice 
is harvested in the fall, down to fish for pickerel in Crotch Lake.
 
Does anyone know if the village of Ardoch is part of the area of the Shabot Mishigama 
First Nation ?
 
... Al 
_______________________

Hello Al
The Mattawa-North Bay Algonquins' website www.madadjiwan.com state in their history 
section that the Sharbot (sic) Mishigama First Nation is based in Sharbot Lake and 
that the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation is also based in Sharbot Lake . Gordon M. Day 
has written a Glossary of Indian Tribal Names. I'll look at it when I go to the 
National Library next week.
 
... Jean-Claude
December 4, 2007:
Hello Cathie and all:
There is another Mohawk reserve in Eastern Ontario. It is Tyendinaga, between Napanee 
and Belleville, on the Bay of Quinte, east of Kingston. It would be just a few days' 
canoe trip up to Sharbot Lake via a combination of a few rivers and lakes including 
the Rideau Lakes which is part of the Rideau Canal. Three of the clans, Turtle, Wolf, 
and Bear were Mohawk and the other two, Snipe and Deer were Onondaga (Fingers Lakes, 
New York State). From the 37,000+ hectares that they had in early 19th Century, after 
the War of 1812 with the U.S.A., it was wittled down to half as much within 30 years 
and then wittled down more to about 6,000 hectares in mid-20th Century. Elizabeth 
Simcoe, the wife on the lieutenant-governor of Upper Canada, wrote, in 1793, that 
the Mohawks of Akwesasne "speak French, are much civilized, and have a good deal of 
the manners of Frenchmen". 

Many of the Iroquois that formerly lived around the French settlements on the Island 
of Montreal were moved to Lake of Two Mountains (Oka) (ethnic cleansing?). They and the 
Algonquins and Nipissing staying at that Mission, had free use of vast woodlands 
for hunting and fishing in what we now call the Lower Laurentians. Later on, in early 
to mid 19th Century, these hunting grounds were encroached upon by french-speaking 
settlers coming mostly from the north St.Lawrence River shore downstream of Montreal. 
A lot of the Iroquois packed up their bags and went westward to a reserve near Lake 
Simcoe, Ontario and other such areas. The Algonquin left en masse to Maniwaki 
(River Desert Reserve).
 
So, Francis Sharbot (Fransway Shabotte) could have been a Mohawk and Mary Sue Guigue 
could have been an Algonquin. The same goes for the housemates Antoine. Until we 
figure that out and have proof that we can't refute, we will never know. If your uncle 
can help you out with that, it would be greatly appreciated. But don't forget that 
oral history, while very useful, is not absolutely true. Some things are glorified 
and exagerated and other things are not said or even not known. Don't forget also 
that traditonally, sons and daughters of Indian heritage, did not carry the names 
of their father and mother. This makes it most difficult to establish a paternal or 
maternal lineage.
 
... Jean-Claude
February 12, 2008:

Here's a link to a very interesting article by Bill Allen called 
"Nineteenth Century Aboriginal Farmers of the Madawaska River".

This link was sent in by Jean-Claude.

http://www.ottawaoas.ca/Symposium/Allen.pdf
November 6, 2008:

Here is a photograph of a Sioux Medicine Man, c. 1904. It is printed in
a pamphlet published by Library and Archives Canada. The pamphlet is called "Souvenirs 
-- Canadian Council of Archives". 


February 13, 2009:

We recently had a query regarding land being set aside in Lawrence Township which is
in what is now Algonquin Park. Jean-Claude has provided the following detailed reply:

Hello Jan 
 
What you are asking for is a complicated and convoluted series of events that happened 
between 1857 and 1899. 
 
First of all, it must be remembered that Indians demarcate their land and hunting grounds 
according to physical features such as watersheds, heights of land, rivers, lakes etc and 
not as townships which are colonial standards introduced by the Crown. The particular 
Algonquin and Nipissing families or bands that lived in the area you are asking about were 
spread out throughout Algonquin Park and the townships of Lawrence, Nightingale and Sabine, 
on either side of the Madawaska River. The watershed is in the North-West of Algonquin Park.
 
Many petitions were sent in the latter part of the 19th Century by Chiefs Pon Somogneche, 
Nogn-nah-suh-way, Non-no-che-ke-shick, and especially, Peter Sharbot (Shabot,Chabot,Charbot). 
There were two Federal Departments involved (Crown Lands and Indian Affairs) and Provincial 
bodies in the succession of Upper Canada, Canada West and Ontario statutory governments. 
These bureucracies were usually at cross-current with each other. Crown Lands favoured 
settlers and loggers while Indian Affairs was supposed to look after the interests of the 
First Nations. 
 
The bottom line is that Indian Affairs implied at least once and possibly a number of times 
that land would be reserved for native people in the Lawrence and neighbouring townships area. 
Either through insufficient interest, incompetence, and, I suspect, lobbying by political 
and financial interests, the issue of Reserve land in that area ( in addtion to the 
Golden Lake Reserve which was the land of neighbouring band or bands), was never resolved.
 
Your very best source of information on this subject is a thesis entitled "LAND OF WHICH 
THE SAVAGES STOOD IN NO PARTICULAR NEED": DISPOSSESSING THE ALGONQUINS OF SOUTH-EASTERN 
ONTARIO OF THEIR LANDS, 1760-1930.   This was written by Marijke E. Huitema for her M.A. 
degree at Queens University, Kingston in the year 2000. A microfiche copy is available at 
Library and Archives Canada. I suspect that an inter-library loan could be made (???). 
I would refer you to Chap.4, pages 106 - 117, under the title Petitions from Lawrence, 
Nightingale, and Sabine Townships. 
 
Do not forget that this is copyright material. Substantial extracts or reproduction requires 
the author's permission. In fact, perhaps you should contact Marijke Huitema directly. 
I would think that Marijke would be happy to provide you with much more detailed information 
than I can provide you. 
Her e-mail address is   mhuitema@kos.net
 
It was a pleasure to write these few words to you. Hope that you find them satisfactory. 
 
Jean-Claude Dubé
March 10, 2010:

Read Native American History -- A Comparison of Two Articles, written by Al Lewis in 2003.

March 20, 2010:

Here is a photograph of a sign posted on the north side of Highway 7, near Sharbot Lake.
Seven words on the sign, but a picture is worth a thousand words.
Algonquins and Settlers -- what a nice turn of a phrase ...  Al




 July 31, 2010:
Photo Source: Birchbark Canoe, by David Gidmark, page 138



Keywords: Charlie Smith, River Desert Algonquin
          David Makakons, Rapid Lake Algonquin


E-mail Lisa, Ellen Paul, Susan Sirois, Stephen McGregor, Jean-Claude Dubé and Al Lewis


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