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- an ancient place of meeting
- an enduring technology
- a dedicated people
"Mnjikaning" in the Ojibway language
means "the place of the fish fence". Over many thousands
of years, wooden stakes were driven into the silt bottom of
the Narrows between Lake Simcoe and Lake Couchiching to direct
fish to an area where they could easily be speared or netted.
Until about 100
years ago, this complex system of underwater fences or weirs was in
continuous use by Aboriginal peoples to harvest fish. It is one of
the oldest known wooden fish weirs in North America.
In recognition of
this rare and ancient place, the government of Canada officially declared
the Mnjikaning Fish Weirs a National Historic Site of Canada in
1982.
Today, the Atherley
Narrows at Orillia, Ontario is part of the busy Trent-Severn
Waterway. While much has changed, the fish still congregate there
spring and fall.
The place of
the Fish Fence offers many teachings. Join us on our journey
of discovery.
The Mnjikaning Fish Fence Circle gratefully acknowledges the financial
support of The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry
of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. With $100 million in annual
funding from the province's charitable gaming initiative, the Foundation
provides grants to eligible charitable and not-for-profit organizations
in the arts, culture, sports, recreation, environment, and social
service sectors.
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