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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)
