Aboriginal Ontario
Historical Perspectives on the First Nations

Rogers, Edward S.; Smith, Donald B.

Publisher:  Ontario Historical Studies Series/Dundurn Press, Canada
Year Published:  1994   First Published:  1994
Pages:  448pp   Price:  34.99   ISBN:  1-55002-209-1
Library of Congress Number:  E78.05A26 1994   Dewey:  971.3'00497
Resource Type:  Book
Cx Number:  CX6149

Abstract:  Aboriginal Ontario is a set of 17 essays on the history of Ontario's native people. The concept that aboriginal people actually had a changing history first emerged for Europeans in the 1950's, according to this book's preface. Before this, they were seen as a static people with a 'traditional' culture. In fact, native people have a varied and complex history and have gone through many changes, just as other cultures have. They did not document their culture in written form until recently however, so much of this information has to be interpreted from accounts left by Europeans and through archeological investigation.
These essays are written by experts in their fields, but are accessible to the general reader. The book is greatly enhanced by attractive black and white photos, maps and illustrations.
The book is divided into four parts. Part one provides background information. Chapter 1 concerns the physical landscape of Ontario around 1600 as it existed for the First Nations before the arrival of Europeans. Chapter 2 covers the origins and history of native people from 9000 BC, when it is believed tribes crossed over a land bridge from Asia to North America, to the period of first European contact.
The bulk of the essays are in parts two and three. Part two covers the histories of the First Nations of southern Ontario from 1500 to 1945. Part three covers the histories of the First Nations of northern Ontario for the same period. Finally, part four discusses the recent history of the First Nations in Canada following the second World War and touches on their present circumstances (to 1980). Aboriginal Ontario concludes with the note that much research remains to be done on aboriginal history, and the hope that this book is but the first of many.
A comprehensive bibliography is included, as is a detailed index.

(abstract by Eileen Neumann)

Subject Headings

• Aboriginal Communities
• Aboriginal Education/Training
• Aboriginal History
• Aboriginal Issues
• Aboriginal Women
• Agricultural History
• Anglican Church
• Bruce County, Ontario
• Christianity
• First Nations
• Fur Trade
• Fur Trade/Canadian Aboriginals
• History/Canadian
• Hunting
• Huron/Wendat History
• Huronia
• Images/Source of
• Indian Act
• Iroquois
• Jesuits
• Land Claims
• Land Ownership
• Land Rights
• Land Seizures
• Language/Aboriginal
• Missionaries
• Missions
• Native Peoples
• Ontario Government
• Ontario History
• Ontario Indians
• Religion
• Religious History of Canada
• Residential Schools
• Saugeen River
• Traps/Trapping