The Rural Voice, 1994-08, Page 38Children once studied in dim log schools houses such as
this one relocated at the Bruce County Museum.
junction of thc two highways is the
historical plaque for thc Allenford
Pow Wow. Here in 1855 several'
bands of Ojibway Indians campcd at
what was then Floodway Crossing for
a meeting with Lord Bury,
superintendent general of Indian
affairs. Thc bands were unhappy with
the interpretation of boundaries of the
territory they relinquished under thc
1854 Saugcen Indian Trcaty. After
negotiations with the Indians, Lord
Bury agreed to give thc bands
considerably morc acreage.
West of Allcnford you quickly
realize why Bruce County has a repu-
tation for beef country. The rolling
fields arc devoted to pasture or hay
and there's hardly a row crop in sight.
It's not long before you enter thc
Saugcen Reserve arca, not looking
much different than thc rest of the
region except for the band's own
community buildings. There's a real
jewel ahead, however, just before you
reach Southampton itself: to the left is
the Saugecn Amphitheatre and
Friendship Garden. You're in store
hcrc not just for a history lesson, but
for one of the most spectacular views
in Bruce County.
The amphitheatre, built of stone
and located on the side of the cliff
overlooking the Saugcen River
Valley, is a remarkable structure.
Nearby is the Friendship Garden
where the view of thc river below is
breathtaking. The band maintains
beautiful gardens set among the rock
of the hillside. There's also a nature
34 THE RURAL VOICE
Reserves and
Ground.
The second weekend in August
this is the site of the Three Fires
Confederacy Pow Wow, bringing
natives from across the province to
join the Saugeen band in celebrations.
Back on the road and heading
south (left), you'll soon enter
Southampton, crossing the Saugeen
River. Watch for the signs pointing
the way to the Bruce County Museum
which will be off a block to your left.
Thc Museum, located at 33
Victoria St., began in an impressive,
two storey school, later expanding
with a new addition and moving a log
house and a log
school house to
the grounds. On
the day we
arrived, in a nice
bit of contrast, a
group of modern
children were
taking classes on
a picnic table in
front of the old
school.
Inside, the
museum was just
preparing to
close an exhibit
of photographs
by E. S. Curtis
who travelled the
continent west of
the Mississippi
late last century,
capturing the
trail that offers more
Bruce County beauty
but is not for those
who can't take a little
rugged exercise. A
warning too that some
of thc steps on the
trail have seen better
days so be careful.
The amphitheatre
and garden are on the
site of the signing of
the Saugcen Treaty on
October 13, 1854.
Here at First Mission
Church, the Ojibway
under Chicf James
Ncwash, turned over a
huge piece of land,
retaining only six
tracts including the
Saugecn, Cape Croker
and Chief's Point
the Saugecn Hunting
disappearing way of life of the native
people. The quality of the work is
stunning, making a modern photo-
grapher jealous for the magic realism
of the large pieces. It's all the more
amazing when you realize he had to
cart cumbersome wooden cameras
and heavy, fragile glass plates on his
travels across the country. Still he
took more than 40,000 photographs
that bring a bit of history to life.
The museum provides a graphic
look at the long, long history of the
region, a history that makes the time
since European settlement seem
miniscule by comparison. The native
people first came to North America,
the exhibit says, when a land bridge
formed between Asia and North
America in what is today Alaska,
from about 23,000 to 12,000 B.C.
These people stayed in the western
part of the continent until the glaciers
began to retreat about 18,000 B.C. By
about 10,000 B.C. the climate had
begun to change and movement south
and east was underway. By about
9,000 B.C. southwestern Ontario
began to be populated. The people of
the period adapted to a changing
environment as hunters and fishers.
Up to about 5,000 B.C. they hunted
caribou in the growing spruce forests
of the region. After Lake Algonquin
began to recede about 8,600 B.C. the
area was left with rich vegetation that
attracted moose, elk and deer.
From about 5,000 B.C. to 1,100
B.C. deciduous forests established
themselves in the area and the
The fishing boats are in at Southampton harbour — another
part of the Bruce County food industry.