Indigenous history and heritage in Ontario
Fort William Historical Park | Destination Ontario
Indigenous leaders, storytellers and elders have gone to great efforts to protect and preserve their invaluable knowledge. Indigenous stories are best told by Indigenous People. Learn about Indigenous history at Indigenous-owned and run experiences.
In addition, some heritage attractions, such as reconstructed villages, museums and cultural centres, offer insight into aspects of Indigenous history.
Northwest Ontario
Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre
Owned and operated by the Rainy River First Nation, the Manitou Mounds is the location of early habitation and one of the most significant ceremonial burial sites in Canada.
The award-winning Centre features a wealth of educational resources and activities for learning about Ojibwe history and culture.
Location: 340 Ross Road, Stratton
Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre
Open year-round, this heritage centre is home to a great museum featuring multimedia exhibits and displays about the history of the region, including the Cree and Ojibwe bands whose ancestors still live there today.
Location: 51A ON-105, Red Lake
Fort William Historical Park
One of the largest living history museums in North America, Fort William is a reconstruction of an 1816 fur trade post. Learn about Métis and First Nations cultures and daily life during the early days of the trading era.
Location: 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay
Northeastern Ontario
Ojibwe Cultural Foundation
Dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Anishinaabe culture, customs, language and art on Manitoulin Island, the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation offers special teaching series, events and workshops.
As well, meaningful and beautiful art forms such as porcupine quill boxes, baskets and carvings are on display in the museum. Unique exhibits provide authentic interpretations of Anishinaabek history and culture.
Location: 15 Highway 551, M’Chigeeng, Manitoulin Island
Kawarthas and Northumberland
Curve Lake Cultural Centre
Immerse yourself in the history, traditions, ceremonies and culture of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg (uhnish-nahbe) people of the Curve Lake First Nation just north of Peterborough.
Location: 1024 Mississauga Street, Curve Lake
Petroglyphs Provincial Park
View amazing depictions of animals and people carved into a flat expanse of white marble rock by the Algonquians between 600–1,000 years ago at Petroglyphs Provincial Park.
Location: 2249 Northeys Bay Road, Woodview
Hamilton, Halton and Brant
Woodland Cultural Centre
This multi-use attraction serves as a cultural centre, library, heritage museum and three art galleries showcasing over 25,000 artifacts and art.
Location: 184 Mohawk Street, Brantford
Royal Chapel of the Mohawks
The first Protestant church in Upper Canada is now the oldest surviving church in Ontario and is owned and maintained by Six Nations of the Grand River.
It is the final resting place of Chief Joseph Thayendanegea Brant, a Mohawk warrior and leader who played a key role as an ally to the British during the American Revolution.
Location: 301 Mohawk Street, Brantford
Chiefswood National Historical Site
Built between 1853 and 1856 by Mohawk Chief George Johnson, this was the birth home of poet E. Pauline Johnson, the youngest child of Chief Johnson and his English wife, Emily Howells. Pauline drew inspiration from her grandfather, John "Smoke" Johnson, the natural environment and her blended heritage.
Location: 1037 Brant County Highway 54, Ohsweken
Kayanase Greenhouse and Longhouse
Ecological restoration is at the heart of this Six Nations company. Learn about native plant species and tour a replica 17th-century longhouse.
Location: 973 Brant County Highway 54, Caledonia
Crawford Lake Conservation Area
Tour a reconstructed 15th-century Haudenosaunee village, complete with longhouses, artifacts and tools of the time, demonstrating pre-contact Indigenous life.
Enjoy seasonal exhibits and check the schedule for interpretive programs and demonstrations.
Location: 3115 Conservation Road, Milton
Bruce, Grey and Simcoe
Huronia Museum and Huron-Ouendat Village
Explore the lookout tower, longhouse, sweat lodge and shaman’s dwelling at the first Indigenous village to be reconstructed in Canada, depicting Huron-Ouendat culture before the arrival of the Europeans in the late 1500s.
There are also thousands of artifacts in the museum. Book a guided tour for an in-depth experience.
Location: 549 Little Lake Park Road, Midland
Simcoe County Museum
Simcoe County Museum focuses on the earliest inhabitants of the county and features a fascinating replica of a Wendat (Huron) longhouse that you can explore.
Location: 1151 Highway 26, Minesing
Sainte-Marie Among the Hurons
Founded in 1639, this French Jesuit Mission to the Huron Wendat people served as the first European headquarters for ten years and featured barracks, a church, workshops and residences.
The recreated attraction provides insight into the interaction between the Wendat nations and French visitors.
Location: 16164, Highway 12 East, Midland
Southeastern Ontario
Native North American Travelling College
Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Kanienkehaka (Mohawk) culture, this education centre and museum provide immersive tours demonstrating Mohawk culture.
Location: 1 Ronathahonni Lane, Akwesasne
Southwestern Ontario
Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum
Constructed in 1973 within the Longwoods Road Conservation Area, this interactive heritage attraction preserves and promotes the story of the Haudenosaunee, the People of the Longhouse.
Based on archaeological research and discoveries, the village demonstrates what a Haudenosaunee settlement would have looked like over a thousand years ago and offers tours, workshops and detailed exhibits.
Location: 8348 Longwoods Road, Mount Brydges
Tecumseh Monument
The death of the great Chief Tecumseh during the War of 1812 is commemorated at the Tecumseh monument. Travel the Tecumseh Parkway and retrace the final steps of Chief Tecumseh leading up to the Battle of the Thames.
Location: 14249-14431 Longwoods Road, Thamesville
Ottawa Region
National Aboriginal Veterans Monument
Pay your respects at this monument in Confederation Park commemorating the contributions and sacrifices of all Indigenous Peoples in war and peacekeeping operations dating back to World War I.
Location: east side of Elgin Street across from Lord Elgin Hotel, Ottawa
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Last updated: March 29, 2024