Seneca Villages in Southern Ontario

• How can we help students fully grasp the historical and contemporary presence of Indigenous Nations in what are now urban settings? 

• Might our students understand Indigenous presence and influence differently if they aware of local archeological sites?  
  

One of the most prominent historical sites in Toronto that I had previously heard of was Teiaiagon which was located at what is currently Baby Point. Teiaiagon was a Seneca village located near the Humber River in the 16th Century. Some information about the relationships between the Seneca and the Mississauga in Southern Ontario is in this article from Talking Treaties. I also found this article from Talking Treaties, focused on the overlapping histories of Toronto, helpful. 

Here are links to learn more about Teiaiagon

• Teiaiagon - The Canadian Enclyclopedia

• Teiaiagon - First Story

• Baby Point Heritage Foundation

• City of Toronto - history of the site

What I did not realize that there were six other Haudenosaunee villages around the same time located on the north side of Lake Ontario. You can learn more about Teiaiagon and these other six villages through this Wikipedia Article. 

One of the villages was Ganatsekwyagon which was located in present day Rouge Park (search Bead Hill on Google Maps and the marker is there, though the site is not open to the public). 

Here are links to learn more about Ganatsekwyagon

• Bead Hill - Wikipedia

• From the Toronto Historical Society

• Marked on a map from Quebecois explorer Louis Joliet circa 1670 

Finally, if you are interested to learn more about these villages, The History and Archaeology of the Iroquois du Nord edited by Ronald F. Williamson and Robert von Bitter looks promising but I have not received my copy yet. 

Bonus for aspiring Archaeologists! Click HERE to read an article by Stacy Taylor, an Anishinaabekwe archaeologist about the unique roles and responsibilities of an Indigenous archaeologist. 

Missisakis : On The Indigenous History Of The Tkaronto Islands

If you are hoping to centre the knowledge of Indigenous peoples in your teaching and bring social studies, geography, or history alive for your students, I think you will find this new short film VERY useful.

This month, the Bawaadan Collective released Missisakis: On the Indigenous History of the Tkaronto Islands. I loved watching this beautiful film and immediately thought it would be a wonderful resource to use in Junior, Intermediate, and Senior classrooms

• To discuss the limitations of the land acknowledgement

• To learn more about treaties and modern land rights from a Mississauga perspective

• To understand the significance of the Toronto (Tkaronto) Islands to the Mississauga people and how it has been used throughout time

• To introduce the concepts of land stewardship and revitalization.

The first voice you hear belongs to Darin Wynbega, who is the Traditional Knowledge and Land Use Coordinator of the Mississauga of the Credit First Nation. He is followed by Margaret Sault who is the Director of Lands, Membership and Research, also at the Mississauga of the Credit First Nation.

I have often heard about the sacredness of the Islands to the Mississauga people, and this video is a wonderful testament to this long history. I am so grateful that this video was produced.

If you are teaching in or around Toronto, I think this is a must-watch.

Here is the description text from the Bawaadan Collective, who created this video.

Moving beyond land acknowledgements, Missisakis explores the history and significance of the Toronto Islands from a Mississauga perspective. As with any short film, we present an introduction to history that spans centuries. We encourage viewers to continue to explore this history, learn from Indigenous historians who can share this history, and attend to their calls to action. We wish to express sincere veneration to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. Massive Miigwetch / Nya:wen to Darin Wybenga and Margaret Sault for their supreme trust and generosity. Our approach to the research, development and concept of this video was led by our combined understanding of community engagement best practices with Indigenous partners and First Nations.

Missisakis : On The Indigenous History Of The Tkaronto Islands

Written / Directed / Score

Darin Wybenga / Margaret Sault / Bawaadan Collective

Produced in partnership with - Waterfront BIA / City of Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation

Teaching Treaties Webinar Available to view! (FREE!)

Last month, Alan Ojiig Corbiere, Bne doodem (Ruffed Grouse Clan) joined us to speak about Pre-Confederation Treaties in Ontario associated with the Anishnaabe.  The video is now available for you and your students to view for free! I hope you find it as eye opening as I did. 

Alan has extensive knowledge of these treaties, and he shared information which goes beyond any school-aged resource that I have encountered so far. He emphasized the importance of teaching the perspectives of both Nations involved in any particular treaty and spoke about Anishnaabe ways of remembering, recording, decoding, and reciting treaties. He also covered a number of different agreements including the Dish with One Spoon. I hope this recording will be helpful to you and possibly your students as you deepen your knowledge about treaties.

Looking for more information on teaching about Treaties?
See my past posts:
How do I teach about treaties?
Under One Sun - Teaching Treaties in Kindergarten
Kayak Magazine's "We Are All Treaty People" Issue

Upcoming Webinars
Coming in January and February, Dr. Restoule and I are planning two new webinars:

- Integrating Indigenous ways of knowing into Mathematics Teaching
- Focusing on Indigenous Art in the Classroom

Stay tuned for the announcement about dates and times!