14
On the oldest maps of the region we can see its situation.15
Map of Seigneurie de Vaudreuil and Cavagnal, 1791, Centre d'Histoire de La Presqu'île1791
Seigneurie de Vaudreuil and Cavagnal
16
Right across the water lies the Mohawk community of Kanesetake and a little further East Phoebe could see the spire of the church at Oka.17
Map of Lake of Two Mountains and the Ottawa River, Centre d'Histoire de La Presqu'île1815
Lake of Two Mountains and Ottawa River
18
Our story is about the connection between a person and a place. It is also the story of a river and a meeting of peoples. It is a story of past and present, a story of Canada.19
Engraving of Samuel de Champlain1880
New France
20
It was in early summer, 400 years ago that French explorer Samuel de Champlain had himself paddled up river here hoping to find access to the source of beaver pelts and maybe even to that mysterious western route to China that Europeans then kept longing for.21
Map of the Seigneurie de Vaudreuil, Centre d'Histoire de la Presqu'île1791
Lake of Two Mountains and Ottawa River
22
Phoebe was fascinated by history and no doubt, when looking at the river, she saw Champlain's little party in her mind's eye. Not far from here, up river, on a spit of land near Carillon, Champlain spent the night on shore.23
Map of Montreal and environs, Centre d'Histoire de la Presqu'île1744
Montreal, Quebec
24
Entering through the Lake of Two Mountains into the St. Lawrence, the Ottawa River, once the major thoroughfare for the canoes of Nipissings, Hurons, Algonquins, Iroquois and Mohawks, became the trade route for the fur trade, especially the beaver pelts Europeans coveted. Later still it was the great avenue for the logs that were floated, sailed and later towed down river, timber carried towards Europe's wharves to be crafted into the great sailing ships that plied the world's oceans. One might call it the Trans-Canada highway of its day.25
W.H. Bartlett Colour Print of Oka, Centre d'Histoire de la Presqu'île1850
Oka at Ottawa River
26
Across the river where Phoebe could see Oka, the Sulpician order had first started a mission. It was still at the far outreach of the French settlement of Ville-Marie, now Montreal. After a while French traders, and a few colonists gathered there. Soon they crossed the water, explored the forest, cleared some land and grew crops. Then a few hardy souls built a cabin and settled there.27
Greenwood. Watercolour, early 19th Century, Greenwood Archives1800
Greenwood, Hudson, Quebec
 |
 |
 |
 |