Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung facts for kids
The Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre, also known as the Manitou Mounds, is a very special place in Canada. It has the largest collection of ancient burial mounds in the country. This huge area includes 30 old village sites and 15 ancient burial mounds. These mounds were built over a long time, starting about 5,000 years ago and continuing until about 360 years ago.
The site is considered one of the most important places in Canada for early human life and ceremonial burials. It is located on the north side of the Rainy River, near a part called Long Sault Rapids. This is about 54 kilometers (34 miles) east of Fort Frances in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1969.
Quick facts for kids Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical CentreManitou Mounds |
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| Native name Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung | |
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| Location | near Ontario |
| Governing body | Rainy Lake First Nations Parks Canada |
| Type | Cultural, Spiritual |
| Criteria | Historic Sites and Monuments Act (Canada) |
| Designated | 23 October 1969 |
| Reference no. | 12056 |
| Rainy River District | Northwestern Ontario, Canada |
| Canada | List of National Historic Sites of Canada |
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Contents
What is Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung?
The name Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung comes from the Ojibway language. It means "place of the long rapids." This site is also known by other names like Manitou Mounds National Historic Site of Canada and Rainy River Burial Mounds.
The area with mounds stretches from Quetico in the east, through the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods, and into southeastern Manitoba. There are about 20 archaeological sites here. Some of the burial mounds are as tall as 12 meters (40 feet). The National Historic Site itself is a strip of land about 500 meters (1,640 feet) wide. It goes for 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) along the north bank of the Rainy River.
Why is This Place Important?
Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung was a very important meeting place for thousands of years. Its location was perfect because it was in the middle of major waterways in North America. This made it a busy trading hub. People from all over the continent would come here to trade goods, share stories, celebrate, and mourn.
The Ojibway people and their ancestors used the rapids along the Rainy River for fishing. The rapids never froze, so there was always plenty of fish. This helped support large groups of people living in the area.
The south-facing hills overlooking the Rainy River were also great for growing and collecting medicinal plants. Many First Nations people brought plants to trade when they visited.
A Sacred Place for the Ojibway
This site is very sacred to the Ojibway people, whose traditional land it is. They see it as a living connection between the past, present, and future. Because it was a central point in the waterway network, it is also important to other First Nations across North America.
The site's value comes from its history and its strong connection to the land. The ancient burial mounds and village sites show how people lived here for a very long time. It links the people who visited or lived here in the past with the Ojibway people of today.
History Before European Contact
The Rainy River was like a superhighway for travel and trade for thousands of years. It was wide, straight, and mostly calm, except for the Long Sault Rapids. Waterways were the main way to get around back then.
Archaeologists have found artifacts and sites that are about 5,000 years old. These show that the first people to live here were nomadic hunters, fishers, and gatherers. They are known as the Archaic people. They lived in many parts of North America and traded over large areas. First Nations believe these lands have been theirs since the beginning of time.
Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung has the largest group of earthwork burial mounds in Canada. These mounds were built on flat areas along the north side of the Long Sault Rapids.
The Mound Builders
The first people to build mounds at this site were the Laurel culture. They lived here from about 2,300 to 900 years ago. They lived in villages and built large, round burial mounds along the river as monuments for their dead. You can still see these mounds today.
Later, the Blackduck culture also built mounds along the Rainy River. They lived here from about 1,200 to 400 years ago. Their mounds were usually low and long.
Treaty 3 and Modern Times
Between 1873 and 1916, after Treaty 3 was signed, the Rainy Lake First Nations lived on this site. Evidence of old cabins and farm buildings from that time has been found.
The site was officially named a National Historic Site of Canada in 1969.
The Historical Centre and Museum
The Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung Historical Centre opened in 1987. It shows 10,000 years of Indigenous history. There is also a reconstructed village and a tepee camp for visitors to see. In 1995, Parks Canada helped fund improvements, including building the Historical Centre and a traditional Roundhouse. These are used by visitors and local First Nations communities.
The centre also has a special lab for preserving old artifacts and a storage area for its collection. It is used as a meeting place for Elders and is a great resource for learning about Ojibway culture. It continues the site's ancient role as a gathering place.
The museum has a modern design and is surrounded by nature, where you might even see bears and deer.
The Ojibway people of the Rainy River First Nation are the current guardians of Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung. They have built a wonderful historical center on this beautiful 90-hectare site. The center has five galleries, a conservation lab with over 10,000 artifacts, a gift shop with Ojibway arts and crafts, and a restaurant that serves traditional Ojibway food. It is the main entry point to the Manitou Mounds.
See also
