Tay Valley indigenous artifacts

Mar 22, 2017

Tay Valley Township is hosting the ceremonial opening of an exhibit of Indigenous artifacts found in the township, with presentations on the history and archaeology of the artifacts.

The ceremony is set for Saturday, March 25 at the township office, 217 Harper Road,  just up the road from Glen Tay Public School off Hwy. 7.

Maberly’s Brenda Kennett, principal archaeologist with Past Recovery Archaeological Services, curated the exhibit, using materials from the Perth Museum, which are on loan to the township for the duration of the exhibit.

Kennett became involved in the project after sitting on the working group for the 200th anniversary of the Perth and Tay Valley last year. Some of those efforts have been extended to this project, which is one of Tay Valley’s Canada 150 projects.Much of the display material was collected in early 19th century.  

“A lot of it was found along the Rideau lakes, and some along the Tay River and Bobs Lake areas, but We do also have projectile points that are of a style that we call Paleo-Indian could be 8,000 years old, going back to early occupation,” she said.
After the last ice age, a body of water called the  Champlain sea covered much of Eastern Ontario. It formed around 13,000 years ago and last until about 10,000 years ago. There is evidence of the Omàmiwininì (Algonquin) settlement in this region from that time forward.

“Their [Omàmiwinini] history is evidenced by artifacts found in several areas of Tay Valley Township and local watersheds. Tools for fishing, hunting and woodworking; cooking pots for campsites – these found objects and fragments all contribute to the story of the gathering places and activities of indigenous societies over thousands of years,” said a press release from Tay Valley Township.

The artifacts that form the display will be celebrated with song, drumming, prayers and history presented by Francine Desjardins, Larry McDermott, and Brenda Kennett.

After the formal ceremony, all are invited to view the artifacts and share refreshments and stories.

Larry McDermott, from the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation, will present a talk called  “10,000 years of the Algonquin Drum Beat Upon the Land,”  about both oral and western history of the Algonquin presence in this area. Brenda Kennett will talk about “The Omàmiwininì and their Ancestors: Archaeological Glimpses into the Settlement of Tay Valley Township.”

The book “At Home in Tay Valley”, a history of indigenous peoples and European settlers, will be available for purchase. Proceeds from book sales go to a scholarship for a student graduating from Perth and District Collegiate Institute or St John Catholic High School and beginning post-secondary education.

For further information, contact the Planning Department at Tay Valley Township, 613-267-5353 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Lanark County Neighbours for Truth and Reconciliation helped to organize the event in coordination with the township.