Frequently, when visiting
the Lighthouse Theatre in Port Dover...or the beach for the
day...we'd stop either en route there (or the return) at Hewitt's
Dairy Bar along Highway 6 for lunch or simply to savour their
luscious ice creams offering over 60 flavours from pineapple to
cotton candy, from butter pecan to blueberry, etc. etc. etc. Lunches
are served at their diner-style-counter featuring homemade burgers,
western sandwiches, BLT's...and top it off with a milkshake or banana
split! Breakfast is served all day, every day. The coolers offer
milk and milk products to purchase.
Nearby is a sign on the
west side of Hwy. 6...New Credit Indian Reserve (also
known as The
Mississaugas of the First Nations)...which
I've always known as the Six Nations Reservation.
Frequently, I've driven into the Reserve to buy gas (which is
a lesser cost than the highway fuel prices). With a friend, Mary
once, she was frightened to do so...firmly believing we'd be attacked
by tomahawks or spears. She had expected to see teepees as the
Indian homesteads...maybe even warriors...however, she was amazed to
discover that they live peacefully in houses as we do. Their
properties are well maintained and very tidy. They have televisions
and modern cars. On that occasion, we stopped at a restaurant on the
Reserve...and Mary was delighted they served 'Canadian food'
and offered glasses of Niagara wine. Attached was a spacious gallery
filled with sculptures and paintings...craft hobbies of the
restaurant owner.
Oshweken is a
village on the Grand River First Nation Reserve near
Brantford, Ontario. Approximately 300 of the 2,700 homes on the
Reserve are in the village. It is the site of the Reserve
Governmental and Administrative Offices. Located here are
Veteran’s Park…Gaybird Powless Arena…Iroquois Village
Plaza... and a Speedway. Annual events: Six Nations Fall
Fair…Bread and Cheese Celebration… National Aboriginal
Day...Grand River Champion of Champions Pow Wow…and Elder Network.
Media: two Community
Newspapers...Turtle Island News and Two Row Times. A community Radio
Station broadcasts a variety of programs ~ local news, music,
language lessons and radio bingo.
In
the village is Chiefswood National Historical Site;
the
museum at 1037 Highway 54 in Ohsweken, is the birthdplace and
childhood home of the famous Six Nations poet and writer, Emily
Pauline Johnson. It
has since been restored to the 1880 period.
The Native Indians come
from all walks of life: actors, politicians and volunteers, civil
servants, poets, athletes, etc. They have recreation centres, grocery
stores, garages, craft shops, churches, meeting halls and various
other stores. Such a pleasure it is to see the 'native art work',
the crafted leather jackets adorned with feathers and beads; pottery
and beaded jewellery, paintings and sculptures, many
'dream-catchers' (I have two hanging in my home). At Christmas time,
I bought unique native-made ornaments...plus a few other items as
gifts for family and friends...which were uniquely appreciated.
The Grand River, since
pioneer days, has been their ‘highway’ for trading,
transportation, recreation and fishing. Today, it is a tranquil drive
along the river as it approaches Caledonia along Highway 6.
Six Nations of the
Grand River First Nation...
is the largest First
Nation band in Canada with a total of 25,660 members. Some 12,271
are reported living on the reserves. It is the only reserve
in North America that has all six Iroquois nations living
together: the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca and
Tuscarora. Some Delaware also live in the territory.
The vast Six Nation Reserve is bordered by: the County of
Brant, City of Brantford, Norfolk County, Haldimand County...and the
New Credit Indian Reserve. The acreage at present, covers
some 46,000 acres ~ representing approximately 5% of the original
950,000 acres of land granted to the Six Nations by
the1784 Haldimand Treaty.
So much history to
comprehend and a heritage to appreciate.
There are numerous Indian
Reserves located
throughout Canada's ten
Provinces and three Territories.
Ellsworth Huntington
commented,
“The coast of British
Columbia
was one of the chief
centres of Aboriginal America.”
A
Sunday-Drive Destination,
if in the area (offsite from Indian territory), is Ruthven...
Haldimand Hwy. #54 near Cayuga. Ruthven
Park National Historic Site consists
of approximately 1500 acres and is situated along the banks of the
Canadian
Heritage Grand River.
It was owned by five generations of the Thompson family from
1845-1993. The major feature on the estate landscape is an
exceptionally fine 1845
Greek Revival mansion
filled with original family furnishings and possessions. David
Thompson, soldier, politician and businessman, built Ruthven
as a symbol of his prosperity. A visit to Ruthven
may
include a guided tour of the mansion...hiking on one of four
trails...even 'High Tea' on a summer Sunday afternoon. The restored
'Coach House' is used for special events or programmes and can be
rented for mid-sized gatherings and conferences.
The property and mansion today is a project of the Lower Grand River
Trust Inc.
located at 243Haldimand Hwy. #54 near Cayuga, Ontario (east of Hwy.
6).
Open year-round, it's worth the drive to Ruthven!
Merle
Baird-Kerr...compiled March 4, 2015
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