A Visitor's Guide to the Red Lake/Ear Falls District
Aboriginal History
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Our story begins around 9000 years ago when stone-age people first inhabited this area. Into this region came the ancestors of the Cree and Ojibway people who live here today. This period is known as the Woodland Era. Aboriginal people were ingenious,
hardy people, familiar with the properties of plants and wood, and with
the habits of wild animals. They lived
off the land along the
many waterways, and carved tools from stones, wood, and the bones of
wild animals. |
 Their clothing was made from the hides of the wildlife they killed for food. They treated their environment with respect, and celebrated its bounties through their spirituality. |
| According to
Ojibway legend, thousands
of years ago two hunters came upon a very large moose beside a
lake. They believed the beast was Matchee Manitou (evil spirit)
and tried to kill it. Wounded, the animal escaped by diving deep
into the lake. A large pool of blood coloured the water red, and
the hunters named the body of water Misque Sakigon, or Colour of Blood
Lake. |
 Over the years it became known as Red Lake. The pictograph (right) which illustrates the Legend of Red Lake can still be seen today. |
Woodland
Caribou Park, a 462,000 hectare wilderness park located west of Red
Lake, is one of the best places in Ontario to experience harmony with
nature, as did the Native people. The park's main artery, the
Bloodvein River, was recently designated as part of the Canadian
Heritage Rivers System for its outstanding natural and cultural
heritage values and recreational opportunities. The ancient,
weathered landscape supports the largest woodland caribou herds
south of the Hudson Bay Lowlands. Other wild animals and birds,
such as moose, bears, beavers, bald eagles and owls, live in abundance
in the park as well.
Paddling along the Bloodvein River.
For more information check out the park website
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Pow-wows were large gatherings held at specified places, at certain times of the year, so that people could come together from far-reaching places. This is where family ties were renewed, courtships begun or completed, and tribal alliances strengthened. Marriages might be celebrated, children named, leaders chosen and honors awarded. In Red Lake, pow-wows were traditionally held at various places, such as Kinsmen Beach at Forestry Point, Rahill Beach, and Sandy Point. In the early 1900s, Chief Tom Paishk was one of the best known drummers and most respected elders. He passed on his knowledge to his brother John, pictured at right with his wife, Flora, who continued the tradition until the middle of the century. |
  Woodland Caribou herd |
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In 1959, Norval
Morrisseau, a young
Ojibway man from Beardmore, Ontario, came to Red Lake to work in the
gold mines. A self-taught artist with a grade three education,
Morrisseau began interpreting the legends of his people through his
paintings. "My aim is to reassemble the pieces of a once proud
culture, and to show the dignity and bravery of my people. The
time has come for us all to write and to record the story of our
people; not only for ourselves, but for our white brothers so that they
will be able to understand and respect us" wrote Morrisseau. These early paintings marked the birth of Woodland Art in North America. Morrisseau experienced unprecedented fame as the founder of this art movement. Red Lake was the launching pad for the artist, as well as the place from which he drew inspiration for his work, from the landscape and rock paintings surrounding the area. |
 Norval
Morrisseau Painting  Carl Ray Painting. Morrisseau’s success inspired many Aboriginal artists such as Carl Ray of Sandy Lake to pursue careers in art. |
The Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre is a charitable organization, funded by the Municipality of Red Lake and the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. Reg # 87315 2714 RR001
