Searching For Ganatsekwyagon The Location

ARCHAEOLOGY ALONG THE ROUGE

FIRST NATIONS ... ARCHAEOLOGY ... LEGENDS ... MEDICINE WHEEL
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Location, Location, Location

Just East of the Mouth of the river covers a lot of possibilities for a village site. We know the Haudosaunee placed their villages near water, and made sure land was available for growing corn, beans and squash. In 1687 the Rouge River was much wider. French documents state " the river was navigable for two leagues; ( about 5 miles ) and could easily accommodate bateaux or canoes ..... Before Hurricane Hazel struck, there were several homes and an orchard on the Rouge that are now under Lake Ontario " .. ( R.D.H.P Report 1956 ) Just look at the sand bar next time you cross the Rouge by train, something is missing and the opening is much smaller than what the French describe. The John Stegman Map of 1799 shows a much different river.

Mouth Of The Rouge Today
Photograph taken from The Hiking Trail

The Wendat, Neutrals Petuns, and Seneca were particular about where they placed a village, and it would not be out in full view for their enemies to see. Even the major Seneca Villages on the south shore; which Nonville destroyed; were located some distance away from the lake.

The ideal location for a village would be inland, with a clear view down stream, and ability to control access to and from the upper river. Steep banks would provide protection on several sides. ( R.D.H.P Report 1956 )

The perfect location for a village like Ganatsekwyagon, would be a similar location, up-river, like the one on the Humber ... Teiaiagon.

One event attributed to La Salle' is the meeting of the Chiefs of Ganatsekwyagon with Governor Frontenac in 1673. Frontenac's comments a year later in 1674 on the results. "They have given their word not to continue the trade which I informed you last year, they establish at Gandaskiagon" A History of Scarborough .. Robert Bonis"

Gandaskiagon gave way to Fort Cataraqui and if Nonville destroyed a village, it was no longer a major player in the fur trade. Lost over time to weather, erosion, and development; there is a place local residents called Indian Point, that may be connected to the village. When considering the stories and location it makes sense, but nothing has been found.

Firsts Nation Contributions
Canoes, Kayaks
Tobaggans, Snoweshoes

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