THE ODAWA AND AMIKWA NATIONS
South West of Killarney, in Wikwemikong is the ancestral home of the Odawa on what is known as Odawa Mnis or “Manitoulin Island”. In 1968, an amalgamation took place between the Manitoulin Island Indian Reserve, South Bay West Band, and Point Grondine Band to form what is now the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve. Point Grondine was used seasonally for harvesting berries, wild rice, and game but also had a permanent settlement along the Beaverstone River. Logging camps at Collins Inlet were a primary source of employment for families living in the Beaverstone village. Upon closing of the mills in the early 1900’s, families had vacated the territory and moved to Wikwemikong and other neighboring communities. Wikwemikong citizens still utilize the land to harvest berries, rice, fish and wild game. As you begin your trek through the coast trail you will travel the traditional routes of the Odawa and Amikwa Nations of Manitoulin and the French River. The abundance of fish species, game, berries and wild rice attracted our people to the Point Grondine and Collins Inlet area. Located at the eastern entrance of Collins Inlet, the Beaverstone Bay is sheltered with wild rice beds, cranberries and was the major east-west canoe travel route, in ancient times as well as during the fur-trade era. The Mahzenahzing, Beaverstone and Chikanishing rivers allowed passage into the interior lakes and wetlands where beaver and moose were plentiful. It is believed that Samuel De Champlain met with a large band of Odawa what he described as “Cheveux-Releves” or “high hairs” at the southern shores of Point Grondine in 1615.
