Tweed and Area News

Historical Research On the heels of the conceptualization Our Heritage magazine comes a new development that will benefit area historical research. Gerry and Sylvia Heaysman, experienced amateur photographers from Tweed . All three are knowledgeable in the outdoors and with canoes have lent their talents to the recovery of local heritage. Paul McDonald of the Tweed Native Research group is delighted. "With the additional help we can do more field work and with Gerry and Sylvia’s considerable photographic background we can better document what we discover. We plan to take notes for the Quinte Conservation Authority as well and this should make everything easier." Originally tentative plans had been made to do a thorough exploration of the Skootamatta River because it is thought to have been a heavily used north south trade route for both Native and Settler. The Clare River may very well have been a significant east west as route with Tweed being the hub. This may be one of the reasons why Hans Waltimeyer founder of Belleville established a trading post on Stoco Lake in 1719. Now with the additional help these plans are closer to reaching fruition. The group is also seeking information on "Sacred Rock" in Stoco Lake, The Curtis Mounds on Sugar Island and the location of the first trading post. Topographical maps are already being studied and during the winter places to launch canoes and park vehicles will be sought out. Information will be collected concerning what is known of local history along the river and potential sites to explore will be mapped out. McDonald considers this to be a significant project, perhaps one of the most ambitious to undertaken in the area and expects it to yield multi-faceted results. He feels that this area has a remarkable and ancient history that should be retained for future generations. The members are planning on "toughening up" (exercising) over the winter and starting out in the spring with day trips that will culminate in working from base camps for 2 and 3 days at a time. When the first tentative plans were considered 8 months ago Mr. McDonald went on a weight lose regime that shed 30 pounds. He jokingly says, "maybe it’s time I start sleeping in the woods now so I’m ready for the spring adventure." Gerry and Sylvia Heaysman are planning on snow shoeing throughout the winter to get in shape. Anyone wishing to contribute information that would help with the research may contact The Tweed Heritage Centre at 613-478-3989 Or Paul McDonald at 613-478-0022 story by Henry Pritchard

Grinding Rock Gerry and Sylvia Heaysman with Paul McDonald at the Skoottammatta "grinding rock". Along he Skoottamatta River and Black River there once were a number of Native encampments. Utilizing what was available these Peoples sometimes may have stayed in a area for generations. The grinding hole on The Skottamatta River is indicative of this. The hole is in a declivity in granite ridge and may have originally been a naturally concave. It is identical to others in Ontario and the United States, which have been found in granite and marble. The Native Pioneer Research group with the aid of a area resident located, photographed and documented the site which, after further investigation could prove to be similar to those found around Melon Lake, Kaladar and Northbrook. In all likely hood Hickory nuts, pine nuts and acorns were ground here, with acorns being the most commonly used food. Since the passing of the ice age, the days of the Oak Savannah’s and the Mega Fauna such as the wooly mammoth acorns were often a food staple. Not only did the Native Peoples avail themselves of he acorn which has been common in this region Pioneers clearing inhospitable land areas used the acorn as a food source for their livestock as well. Natives gathered acorns in the fall and those that were not used right away were stored in woven granaries woven from small straight branches. These granaries would be covered with pine or balsam pitch and animal hides, which would deter squirrels and other animals. The acorns were cracked with stones, hulled, cleaned and pounded into a flour pestle. The next step in preparing the acorns was leaching out the tannic acid. A carefully prepared hole in the earth was lined with leaves. The ground acorns were placed in the hole, covered with leaves, and then rinsed with water with water until the bitter taste was gone. Afterward the acorn flour could be turned into a bread. Nutritional information - Per 100 grams Calories - 48 Niacin - 0.5 mg. Thiamin - 0.02 mg. Calcium - 12 mg. Phosphorus - 314 mg. Vitamin A - 6 IU Fat - 0.1 grams Protein - 0.2 grams Iron - 0.02 mg. Riboflavin - 0.40 mg. Paul McDonald

Research

Nature’s Art Springboarding from their successful photographic exhibit Sylvia and Gerry Heaysman have joined forces with Paul McDonald of The Native / Pioneer Research group to once again set new precedents and standards for creativity and art appreciation. Last year, in a The Tweed Heritage Centre in its endeavor to give insights into the many aspects of Heritage hosted the first of its kind Native Art Show in this area. This year The Centre has requested "Nature", as the theme for the June /July showing. Contributors from out of the area have been invited and it is expected that the works from Mazinaw and Belleville will help visitors gain broader view of creativity in the area. Using the premise that, "baking a good apple pie can be a art form," and, "Nature has a myriad of aspects," the Heaysmans and Mr. McDonald have invited a wide spectrum of contributors. Displays will include everything from "Fairie" art work by Sharon Jones of Crookston and metal working from the forge of Warren Turk. It is also been expected that the show will include interesting rock and mineral sample from the area as well as creative handiwork’s. Linda Brindle has been asked to present a selection of some of her new Native art work and special request has been made to the Heaysmans in honor of their incredible nature photography to extend a portion of their May showing into the summer months. Also well-known artist Rebecca Drake of Belleville has also been invited to provide a showing of her unique work. Scott Pettigrew has generously donated his time on Thursday June 7 between and 9 p.m. to provide interactive folk music for the "meet and greet" that will begin at 5 p.m. It is Mr. McDonalds hope that this years show will help to widen the appreciation of creativity and talent in our area that comes "in so many forms" as well as our natural surroundings. Henry Pritchard

Metis Man Fights for Rights "Do they think we lived in tree houses or something?" is Mr. Lloyd’s response when asked to prove "community" for the courts. Edward Lloyd’s six-year battle with the system has lead to frustration and discouragement. Mr. Lloyd is convinced that he has proof that he is Metis and deserves Metis hunting and fishing rights. Now the courts tell him that he has to prove "community". Similar frustration is echoed around the world by Aboriginal Peoples and Native Americans who feel that they have never turned sovereignty over to the present governments, or at least in some areas have not, but are trapped into working within the Canadian judicial system. According to international law unless an existing people turn over their sovereign rights no one has the right to dictate to them. Treaties for land use and other things can be made. This is akin to a landlord granting a tenant certain privileges under contract. In other instances even the treaties such as in the William’s treaty of 1929 there are in question. One school of though indicates that the Chiefs governing a land area between Trenton and Toronto were handed blank pieces of paper and told to sign them. In other instances treaties may have been re-written by the government after the First Peoples signed them. Born in Northbrook, not far from the original settlement of Glastonbury the sixty year old man has spent a great deal of time researching his ancestry in order to prove his claims. Through exhaustive research in books and heritage archives he has been able to trace his lineage to convince the courts. Many First Peoples adopted European names. At one time it was a common enough practice for First Peoples to trade furs for explorers and settlers names. Natives held the belief that a name holds strength and power and is extremely significant. Thus do we find Scots and other names to be not uncommon in Native communities. Many Metis, to avoid prejudice at one time claimed they were French or of other cultural descent and the true nature of their heritage is lost. Mr. Lloyd’s case is not such. He is fortunate in being able to prove his line of descent. David Thompson in the 1700’s explored British Columbia, Alberta and mapped at least part of the border between Ontario and the United States, finishing this work in 1826. Later his son William Thompson settled in Glastonbury, close to where Mr. Lloyd hails from. Edward Lloyd’s Native ancestors married into this family. Edward Lloyd, although encountering blocks at every turn has decided to continue the battle for what he is certain are the rights of his Native/Metis heritage.

Stone Circle? North of Madoc Tweed Native Research Group member Paul McDonald explored a local mystery. On the property are at least three stone circles of various sizes. Two are fifteen feet in diameter and the larger, more in the shape of an oval than a circle would be approximately twenty feet at the longest point. It is about three feet high with the central part filled in and a oblong mound of small stones on the top. Some of the stones used in the construction would likely weigh over five hundred pounds and trees growing out the one end are likely one hundred years old, if not more. Mr. McDonald felt that the site should be documented for historical archives at The Tweed Heritage Centre. "Unfortunately I had only a few minutes to spare that day, but I would like to return with members of the research group and take a photographic record and accurate measurements." Mr. McDonald felt that the construct was of some importance. "Settlers did not have time for frivolous activity, and this construction would have required a lot of work and time. The constructs probably had a distinct purpose, this larger one in particular. There are some fairly mature trees around and the property has reverted back to woodland conditions which also indicate a fairly old construction." Cairns have been located in Ontario and the upper U.S. that may date back 2-3 thousand years, which may be the age of the Curtis Mounds in Tweed. Influence by the Adenas ( u.s. mound builders) may have lead to such works. McDonald is hoping to find whether or not there is a connection between the northern circle and the Black River Cairn. In the planning is a look at where remains were recovered and buried on The Skoottamatta River which may be a more recent family burial site and some stone work on Quinmolac Rd. McDonald claims that he not quick to jump to conclusions about the circle north of Madoc or the Black River cairn. He thinks that there may be a number of possible answers. " Without more evidence it is possible that a mistake could be made in the age. Things are not always cut and dried either. What if some of the old pagan religions came across the ocean? This is a aspect of historical research that seems to be largely ignored. There were "fringe" groups to. Groups that broke off from established Native religion and went their own way. It is to easy to try to make a find fit into a nice preconceived slot and I do not think that is a good approach here." McDonald also feels that Tweed was at one time the juxtaposition of a north-south and east west route that supplied many Native and in more recent history Settler needs. Topographical changes in the last two hundred years and the lack of recorded material make this difficult to ascertain. He is also seeking information on the "Sacred Rock" in Stoco Lake. Henry Pritchard

Yard Sale Phenomena What is it about yard sales? Whole city blocks and in the United Sates whole states become involved in them. People get up early in the morning, gulp down their coffee and scurry to be the first patrons at the sales. They haggle, wheel and deal and negotiate, often to the dismay of the vendors. Yard sales although they are more regulated now are still a good way to get rid of unneeded unwanted items. For some people they are a means of augmenting their income. For some charitable organizations, such as The Tweed heritage Centre, which raised $2200.00 they are a means of paying taxes and other expenditures. For some folks yard sales are a means by which they can not only help themselves but the community. Wayne and Rosemary Bongard (maiden name Rosemary Hooper), have decided to lend their experience to the community. After reading the humorous short stories about the "fictional Hamlet of Hooper" written by a local author the Bongards set about planning The First Annual Hooper Giant Yard Sale and Barbecue. Wayne and Rosemary of 60 Byers Lane (Hooper?) near Actinolite have invited participants to donate a portion of the proceeds to help give the Tweed and Area Native / Pioneer Research Group a boost. The Native/Pioneer Group, are documenting and both Native and Settler heritage that is on the verge of being lost forever. They also wish to document natural phenomena that are unique to the area. In the spirit of community involvement the Bongards have taken the initiative in aiding the groups efforts. George Logan of Actinolite Graphics and publisher of The Hooper Chronicles hopes to have Honorary Citizen of Hooper certificates on hand for the July sale day , the proceeds of which will also go to The Research Group. The exact location of The First Annual Event has yet to be determined. But, whether it is held on Byers Lane or in the Actinolite Hall, Mr. Logan and the Bongards claim that it will be all "Hooper" and fun. Henry Pritchard

Our Heritage Begins Our Heritage is the latest publication to originate in Tweed. The magazine claims to embrace heritage both local and regional and presents what it calls history "past, present and future." Editors George Logan, Evan Morton of The Tweed Heritage Centre and Paul McDonald hope to tap into what has happened in the distant, and recent past and what they feel will be part of history in the making today. Information will be gleaned from local archives and it is expected that other heritage centers and historical societies will contribute. They editors feel that they will develop a magazine that will come to the attention of libraries, schools and universities. Paul McDonald a member of The Tweed Native Research Group, a group that is planning on extensive "field research" hopes to be able to present a photo journal of their excursions on a occasional basis to keep the public informed of both Native and Pioneer history that is on the verge of being lost. Origins Publications already gaining notice for unique presentations and style feel that they have another pathfinder and perhaps a one of a kind magazine now that they have joined with Evan Morton in this endeavor. All three editors are concerned with the preservation of heritage and know that sometimes during research that more question are raised than answered. They expect that there will be good public interaction and can be reached at The Tweed Heritage Centre 613-478-3989 or 613-478-0022 for those who wish to contribute information. Henry Pritchard