History
Radio-carbon dating of a human burial site nearby suggests that the region has been occupied for at least 7000 years. The people of the region are called Inninuwug. The first Europeans gave various names to people of the region including Kiristinon or Kritinou which was eventually shortened to Cree. This reservation is located at the major head-water lake of the Fawn River and subsequently the Severn River to Hudson's Bay. Consequently it's been a traditional gathering place for centuries.
The first recorded European trader was James Swain who, in 1807, was charged with establishing a trading post at "Trout Lake" for the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). Upon entering the area he noticed the ruins of a settlement left by the rival North West Company who possibly settled as early as 1793; though it was left apparently disused. The community is predominantly Christian (Anglican and Pentecostal). The exposure to Christianity occurred as early as the late 1700s; brought by early fur traders. The first recorded missionary was W.W. Kirkby and his wife who, in 1872, formally brought the Anglican faith to the community. He discovered that many community members were already Christian reading from biblical texts written in Canadian Aboriginal syllabics (in some cases on birch bark texts). These texts were provided by the people living in Fort York (Churchill, MB. Even one of the islands off the shore of Big Trout Lake roughly translates to "Catholics dwelling island".
The HBC post played an important role locally as it facilitated the trade of furs for goods (fur trade). Everything was traded according to the beaver pelt (Made Beaver - MB). For example, a blanket would cost 6 MB. Local people were then hired to ship the furs down the Fawn River to the Severn then up the Hudson Bay cost to Fort York (present day Churchill, MB). The voyage would take 5 days downstream and 15 days upstream.
In 1940 a weather station was constructed and included hourly observations which were transmitted to the department of transport. In 1952 the station was enlarged and had a staff of six people. The building is now used by the as the Health Administration office.
The first regular communications with the outside world occurred with the "radio sked" which were regular communications between the weather station and the Winnipeg Airport via Morse Code. Northern Telecom supplied phone service in 1963 (by HF radio) which was upgraded in 1975 to satellite service.
Read more about this topic: Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug First Nation
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“Every literary critic believes he will outwit history and have the last word.”
—Mason Cooley (b. 1927)
“Considered in its entirety, psychoanalysis won’t do. It’s an end product, moreover, like a dinosaur or a zeppelin; no better theory can ever be erected on its ruins, which will remain for ever one of the saddest and strangest of all landmarks in the history of twentieth-century thought.”
—Peter B. Medawar (1915–1987)