Huron Before European Settlement

Huron County is a doubly lucky place - it is both a strong agricultural community and a popular tourist destination. The land is enriched by several rivers that wind their way through the farmlands on their way to empty into magnificent Lake Huron. 

When going to visit a foreign country, where they speak a different language and have a different way of life, it just makes sense to learn at least a bit about that place - if only to further your understanding, respect the culture, and enrich your experience of the place being traveled through.

Visiting Lake Huron can seem like a trip to a place that is familiar, but for a long time, this lake was understood in a completely different context, by groups of Indigenous people who spoke different languages. The lake and its watersheds have held cultural, spiritual, and economic importance for Indigenous peoples, including the Anishinaabe. 

Whether you are are heading to the beach in Goderich, walking along the Maitland River, or going to the edge of Lake Huron in Bayfield, you’ll be walking in a place that has always been of great significance to Indigenous society, and taking a little bit of time to learn about some of that history can, hopefully, create a deeper appreciation of the importance of these waters. 

The Huron County Museum (www.huroncountymuseum.ca, 110 North St, Goderich) is a great place to start for people looking for a place to learn about the history of Indigenous water rights around Lake Huron, before heading down to the beach in Goderich, after taking in the stunning mural created by Anishnaabe artist Jeannette Ladd of Saugeen First Nation. The museum has information about the history of treaties, traditional practices, and the concept of the inherent sovereignty of Indigenous nations. These treaties often included provisions  for fishing rights and access to waterways throughout what is now Huron County, which was understood to be  essential for the sustenance and cultural practices of Indigenous communities. The place where the Maitland River joins Lake Huron was of particular importance to numerous Indigenous groups who shared a perspective that water needed to be respected, and was deeply intertwined with various spiritual and cultural beliefs. Water is seen as a living entity with a sacred duty to protect it for future generations. This contrasts with the Western view of water as property. Anishinaabe teachings stress maintaining the purity and health of water, essential for the well-being of all life. The Goderich waters were one of the many resources protected by the ‘Dish with One Spoon’ philosophy. The ‘dish’ represented the resource to be shared, and the ‘spoon’ represented the individuals using that resource in co-operation, so it would not be left empty. 

When crossing the mighty Maitland River anywhere in Huron County, it is worth taking a moment to consider this impressive waterway as a transport route that would carry Indigenous people towards Lake Huron. The Anishinaabe and other Indigenous groups used waterways for transportation, with birch bark canoes enabling sustainable travel. They navigated rivers like the Bayfield and the Maitland and Lake Huron itself. This way of life was environmentally respectful and sustainable.

There are many places to stop in the county and reflect on the Maitland River, and the Maitland River Conservation Authority has much information on the importance of the history of these waters and the importance of stewarding them into the future.

When the Anishinaabe and other First Nations would travel from place to place, they were following a complex migratory pattern that settlers misinterpreted as nomadic wandering. In reality, their movements followed organized patterns over time.

Over decades and centuries, these movements, influenced by factors like war, famine, and environmental changes, demonstrated the Anishinaabe's deep understanding of and connection to their land. The Bayfield River was also essential to Indigenous life, and the place where it meets Lake Huron was an important gathering place. Bayfield Historical Society’s website and archives (www.bayfieldhistorical.ca, 20 Main Street N, Bayfield) are both great sources of information on treaties and the history of the area. Jordan George of Kettle and Stony Point First Nation has partnered with the Bayfield Historical Society to create ‘10,000 Years in 20 Minutes’ - an incredible resource and overview of the lesser known history of the area. It is available on the Bayfield Historical Society website, and will offer a greater sense of understanding to anybody who takes the time to check it out. George will also be taking people on a historical walk through the Bayfield River Valley Trails on Saturday, June 22, 2024 for National Indigenous Peoples Day.