HISTORY OF SERPENT RIVER FIRST NATION

900AD-1400 AD

• Anishnabe migration from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes basin (Benton, The Mishomis Book)
• Formation of the Three Fires Confederacy:
  • Potawatami-Keepers of the Sacred Fire
  • Odawa- Providers-Hunting, Traders
  • Ojibwe- Military Protection, Preservation of Teachings
• Woodland Culture:
  • Trade routes throughout North America
  • Clan System
  • Hunter/Gatherer, nomadic societies travel north in the winter, south in the summer

1600 AD

• Ojibwe living east of Lake Superior
• European contact introduces the use of guns
• Inter-tribal warfare over fur trade
• Dependence on European goods increases, introduction of alcohol
• Diseases (Smallpox, TB) ravage Anishnabe

1615

• Samuel de Champlain explores Lake Huron with Etienne Brule and meets Ojibwe at Spragge, gathering and drying blueberries and raspberries.
• Spiritual gatherings at the mouth of the Serpent River are consistent with the traditional responsibilities of the Ojibwe.

1640

• Jesuits enter Anishnabe territory (Jesuit Relations 13 volumes Stan Mealings ed.)

• By 1670, Jesuits have a reasonably accurate map of North Western Ontario

• 1500 Anishnabe convene at Sault Ste. Marie to exchange furs for European goods. Gathering lasts a few weeks. (North of Superior)