DOCSLIB.ORG

HISTORIC POPULATIONS of NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO KAC Dawson Lakehead University Published In

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
HISTORIC POPULATIONS of NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO KAC Dawson Lakehead University Published In 157 HISTORIC POPULATIONS OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO K.A.C. Dawson Lakehead University Published in: Papers of the 7th Algonquian Conference (1975) 158 This paper was prompted by the continuing emphasis placed by some eth­ nologists on the rather vague historical references to Assiniboine peoples in northwestern Ontario as evidence of their occupation of portions of the area. The prime purpose of the paper is to examine the historical record. It is recognized that the early archaeological literature dealing with Minn­ esota and Manitoba (Wilford 1941, 1945, 1955; MacNeish 1954, 1958) strongly influenced the approach in equating the Terminal Woodland period Blackduck tradition as an exclusive product of the Assiniboine. This was prior to the record of the presence of the tradition in Ontario from the Severn River in the north, south to the border region of west of Lake Superior and east to roughly the Ottawa river region (Conway 1975; Dawson 1974, 1975a, 1975d; Hurley and Kenyon 1972; Kenyon 1961; Pollock and Noble 1975; Ridley 1954,19- 66; Wright 1965, 1966, 1968c, 1972, n.d.). The extensive spacial and temp­ oral depth of the tradition and its presence into historic times in this area historically dominated by Algonkian speaking peoples negates Assiniboine affinities in Ontario. Further it is implicit in the record that the Algon­ kian speakers are not recent arrivals to northwestern Ontario. Information pertaining to the early historic period is reviewed in this paper and the results of the extensive archaeological records are introduced concluding that northwestern Ontario has been occupied from time out of mind by Algonkian speaking peoples. In attempting to identify the indigenous populations resident in north­ western Ontario at the time of European contact, much of the earliest infor- Published in: Papers of the 7th Algonquian Conference (1975) 159 mation respecting the area is based on early French maps of the interior. Cognizance must be taken of the fact that, representation of details of the interior of the country on early maps is in the words of Warkentin and Ruggles following their detailed study of thousands of maps, both ''spurious and in­ cipient" (1970) hence a measure of conjecture is always involved in their interpretation. Map makers were usually unfamiliar with the country being mapped, hence they were working with second-hand information, which was pro­ vided by individuals who were involved in an internecine struggle for new territory, furs and souls. Consistent with this diversity of interest, in­ formation was jealously guarded hence wide cartographic differences exist even within one decade. In some cases, northwestern Ontario is represented by a bewildering confusion of lakes and rivers. The situation has often lead to misinterpretation of the location of Lake Nipigon, Winnipeg and the border lakes (Warkentin and Ruggles 1970; White 1914; Wilson 1910; Winchell 1911). These locations are salient to the consideration of which peoples were resident in the southern portion of northwestern Ontario at the time of contact. It has been recently contended by Charles A. Bishop and others that, the Assiniboine at the time of contact occupied portions of northwestern Ontario and that they were resident in the area west from the Kaministikwia River at Thunder Bay, (Bishop 1974; Bishop and Ray 1974; Bishop and Smith 1975). The "Handbook of American Indians" earlier made a similar inference (Hodge 1912:45). An initial important reference cited is to a single early mention of the Assiniboine beyond Lake Nipigon, reportedly recorded prior to the his­ toric records of major population shifts, circa 1637, (Bishop and Smith 1975:57). There are no maps or records of Euro-Canadians visiting the area at this early date, thus at best the reference would have to be based on second-hand information. It occurs in the Jesuit Relations of 1656-58. Published in: Papers of the 7th Algonquian Conference (1975) 160 Here it is stated that the people living thirty-five leagues or there­ abouts from Lake Alimibea (N'ipigon) are called the Nation of the Assinipoualak,(Assiniboine) or "Warriors of the rock", (Thwaites 1896- 1901, 44:249) Apart from the nebulous nature of the reference, to conclude from a single report that a particular people resided in an area is spur­ ious . On this basis a claim could be made for the early presence of Iro­ quois west of Lake Superior for they are so shown on a Dutch map of 16~5 (Winchell 1911:26). The claim is even more tenuous when such turbid all­ usions to Assiniboine, as the reference of Gabriel Marset's report from the mouth of the Nelson River in 1695 of Assiniboine and Cree towards Lake Superior, is used to support the position, (Bishop and Smith 19"5:5"). Even a cursory examination of the early records of peoples in northern Ont­ ario reveals a confusing array of names few of whom can be positively identified and virtually none of whom are consistently located in a specific local, (cf. Wright 1965). An examination of French records shows that Etienne Brule visited Lake Superior as early as 1622 but it was only following the return of the French Colonies in 1632 that they actually sought out the Indians in their own territory on the rivers draining the north slope. This was by way of the Great Lakes system, (Ontario 18"8:135). The earliest known map to show a portion of the area is Champlain's map of 1652 "Carte de la Nouvelle France". (op. cit.) It shows the country westward to the limits of discovery. This includes territory north of the eastern end of Lake Superior (Grand Lac) to approximately the Michipicoten River. On Nicolas Sanson's similar map of 1650 'X'Amerique Septentrionale", a number of the peoples of the area are shown. The Irini Nadous are shown to the northwest of the river and the Kiristinous are shown to the north, (Warkentin and Ruggles 1970:51). Medard Chouart des Groseilleirs and Pierre Esprit Radisson penetrated Published in: Papers of the 7th Algonquian Conference (1975) 161 the interior during their explorations in 1658-59, (Nute 1943) but it was not until Father Franciscus Creuxius (Du Creux) map of 1660 "Tabula Novae Franciae" that the interior between Lake Superior and James Bay is portrayed. Lake Nipigon (Lacus Alimibegoueci) is shown with the Nipigon River (Klistonum Fl.) draining south to Lake Superior. North of the lake are shown the Kilistones Alimibegoueci (Cree of Lake Nipigon). From an unnamed lake to the west a river, the Assinipoualacus Fl. is portrayed draining east into Lake Nipigon. This appears to be the first use on a map of the synonym for Assiniboine which gradually becomes synomymous with the major lakes of Manitoba (Warkentin and Ruggles 1970:12). Father Allouez in the Jesuit Relations of 1666-67 reported that to the north and north-west of Lake Superior were several Indian Nations, one of which laying far beyond the Cree were called the Assinipoulac, (Thwaites 1896-1901, Vol. 51:57). He also describes a river (Nelson?) entering Hud­ son Bay used by the Assinipoualacs. Father Marquette in 1669 reported that he heard of a river (Nelson?) which flows into the western Ocean from the lands of the Assinipouars, who live to the west of Lake Superior on a lake (Winnipeg?) where they gather wild oats, (rice) and fish are plenty, (Thwaites 1896-1901, Vol. 54:193). The reference has to be to the lake complex at Winnipeg not Lake Nipigon, for it is north of Lake Superior not west and there is no great river flowing north out of the lake as it lies south of the height of land. Father Dablon in the Jesuit Relations of 1670-71 states that the peoples called Assinipoulac were reported to live in one large village or thirty small villages in one group about two weeks journey west and north-west of Lake Superior, (Thwaites 1896-1901, Vol. 55:97-98). On the Jesuit Re­ lations map of 1671 the western end of Lake Superior and the border lakes and rivers are depicted for the first time. Very significantly, there is Published in: Papers of the 7th Algonquian Conference (1975) 162 an inscription on the north shore of Lake Superior opposite Isle Royale which states "R. par ou l'on va aux Assinipoualac a 120 licucs vers le nor ouest", (Thwaites 1896-1901; Vol. 55: facing 95). A similar note is affixed to Marquette's map of 1673 (Ontario 1878:136b). The reference appears to be from a location at the mouth of the Kaministikwia River, the route to the west used by Jacques de Noyon in 1688. Another map dated 1680 (Carte d'une grande partie du Canada, depuis Quebec jusq'au fond du Lac Superior...) has a similar note on the shore which reads "Par cette riviere on va aux Assin- epoulacs a 150 lieues vers le Nord-Ouest ou il y a beaucoup de castors", (Ontario 1878:136b). The same note appears on Abbe Bernou's map of 1682, (Warkentin and Ruggles 1970:42). Franquelin's map of 1681 and Hennepin's map of 1683 place the Assiniboine around Lake Winnipeg. (Winchell 1911; Thwaites 1903). It is clear from these references that the Assiniboine resided about 300 to 375 miles (1 lieue = 2 1/2 miles) to the northwest from a point on the north shore of Lake Superior about the Kaministikwia River. This places them at or beyond Lake of the Woods at the time of contact. Further, on the map of 1680 and on the Jesuit map of 1670-71, there is a note at the St. Louis River in Minnesota which reads "Par cette riviere on va au pays des Nadouessiens a 60 lieues au couchant..." Another early map ("Carte dc l'Amerique Septentrionale contenant le pays du Canada ou la Nouvelle France la Louisiane.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Kenora District Human Capital Series
    Northern Projections Kenora District Human Capital Series Dr. Bahktiar Moazzami northernpolicy.ca Huskie the Muskie, McLeod Park, Kenora, ON Northern Policy Institute / Institut des politiques de Nord Kenora District | August 2019 3 Who We Are Northern Policy Institute Northern Policy Institute is Northern Ontario’s independent think tank. We perform research, collect and disseminate evidence, and identify policy opportunities to support the growth of sustainable Northern Communities. Our operations are located in Thunder Bay and Sudbury. We seek to enhance Northern Ontario’s capacity to take the lead position on socio-economic policy that impacts Northern Ontario, Ontario, and Canada as a whole. About the Series This Human Capital Series is an update of an earlier series published in partnership with Northern Ontario Workforce Planning. Workforce Planning Ontario is a network of 26 Workforce Planning Boards covering four regions across the province. Workforce Planning Boards gather intelligence on local labour market supply and demand, and work in partnership with employers, employment services, educators, researchers, economic development, government and other stakeholders to identify, understand and address labour market issues. This includes supporting and coordinating local responses to meet current and emerging workforce needs. Given the unique geography and labour market issues that impact Northern Ontario, all 6 planning boards in the north have collaborated to form Northern Ontario Workforce Planning. They include: Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation (AWIC); Far Northeast Training Board (FNETB); The Labour Market Group (LMG); Northwest Training and Adjustment Board (NTAB); North Superior Workforce Planning Board (NSWPB); and Workforce Planning for Sudbury & Manitoulin (WPSM). FNETB and NSWPB are currently pilot sites for Local Employment Planning Councils (LEPC).
    [Show full text]
  • District of Rainy River Community Profile & Demographics
    District of Rainy River Community Profile & Demographics January 2021 Prepared by: Rainy River Future Development Corporation District of Rainy River Contents Community Futures Development Corporation ............................................................... 3 Natural Resources........................................................................................................... 5 Strategic Location ........................................................................................................... 6 Levels of Government ..................................................................................................... 7 Municipal Contact Information ......................................................................................... 7 Regional First Nation Communities ................................................................................. 8 Regional Chambers of Commerce .................................................................................. 9 Education ...................................................................................................................... 10 Educational Institutions ................................................................................................. 11 Rainy River District Schools .......................................................................................... 12 Telecommunications ..................................................................................................... 15 Utilities ..........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Black-Billed Magpie in Ontario
    6 The Black-billed Magpie in Ontario David H. Elder The Black-billed Magpie (Pica hud­ American Bison (Bison bison) that sonia) is a spectacular, long-tailed, through death by predation, dis­ black and white corvid (Figure 1) ease, accident and old age provided that is found in western North a constant food source. America from Alaska south to New In Ontario, it is a fairly recent Mexico and Arizona (Sibley 2000). colonizer in the northwestern part Its Canadian range extends from of the province and breeds mainly extreme western Ontario through in two separate areas, one west of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Fort Frances and one west of British Columbia and the Yukon Dryden (Figure 2). Both are exten­ (Godfrey 1986). The original range sive agricultural areas that have of the species likely coincided with been developed since the late 1800s the great central North American and early 1900s; farmland carved prairies populated by huge herds of out of the forested wilderness. Figure 1: The Black-billed Magpie is a recent colonist to Ontario. Photo by George K. Peck. ONTARIO BIRDS APRIL 2006 7 r:: r:: co 0 ~ Figure 2: Northwestern Ontario, showing the two main breeding areas of the Black­ billed Magpie in the province, near Dryden and Fort FranceslRainy River (hatched areas). Map by Andrew Jano. Nesting (Salix spp.) growing under The first documented Black-billed Trembling Aspen (Populus tremu­ Magpie nests (four) in Ontario loides). Occasionally, they are were found by John Lamey, A. placed in a tall tree, well above Gray, B. Duncan and W. Wilson in a ground, a location that is favoured small patch of aspen woodland in the more western part of the about 10 km northeast of Rainy species' range (Figure 4).
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a Northern Centre of Excellence for Addiction and Mental Health
    Towards a Northern Centre of Excellence for Addiction and Mental Health Engagement Results for: RAINY RIVER DISTRICT Northwestern Ontario Engagement Nov 2017 - Mar 2018 Rainy River District Engagement Sessions NORTH WEST LHIN FACE-TO-FACE SESSIONS 2 Fort Frances 1: Jan 2018 Fort Frances 2: Jan 2018 VIDEOCONFERENCE SESSIONS Northwestern Ontario WEST: 2 Jan 2018 Northwestern Ontario WEST 2: March 2018 PARTICIPANTS FROM 15 ORGANIZATIONS serving Fort Frances, Atikokan, Emo, Rainy River, surrounding rural communities, and 10 First Nations RAINY RIVER 23 Of these, 5 participants were affiliated with Indigenous DISTRICT organizations and organizations serving Indigenous people 20 110 people | 15 474 km2 42% rural ** 2% Francophone SECTORS ROLES 27% Aboriginal* Identity 17% adults over age 65 Addiction, Mental Health, Front-line workers and Managers 30% children and youth 0-24 years Hospital, Emergency Medical in Indigenous-specific and non- Services, Primary Health Indigenous organizations, including 4 major towns, 10 First Nations Care, Public Health, Tribal Nurse, Paramedic, Policy Maker, Fort Frances to Thunder Bay: Health Authority, Social Social Worker, Counsellor, Volunteer 4 hours drive Services, Education, Health Coordinator, Superintendent, (Source: Statistics Canada, 2016 Census) Administration Director, People with Lived Experience *“Aboriginal” is used to reflect census terminology **inclusive definition INSIDE: What are the mental How could a Northern What should a Centre health and addiction Centre of Excellence for of Excellence
    [Show full text]
  • Rainy River District Human Capital Series
    Northern Projections Rainy River District Human Capital Series Dr. Bahktiar Moazzami northernpolicy.ca Tomahawk Lighthouse, Sleeman, ON Northern Policy Institute / Institut des politiques de Nord Rainy River District | August 2019 3 Who We Are Northern Policy Institute Northern Policy Institute is Northern Ontario’s independent think tank. We perform research, collect and disseminate evidence, and identify policy opportunities to support the growth of sustainable Northern Communities. Our operations are located in Thunder Bay and Sudbury. We seek to enhance Northern Ontario’s capacity to take the lead position on socio-economic policy that impacts Northern Ontario, Ontario, and Canada as a whole. About the Series This Human Capital Series is an update of an earlier series published in partnership with Northern Ontario Workforce Planning. Workforce Planning Ontario is a network of 26 Workforce Planning Boards covering four regions across the province. Workforce Planning Boards gather intelligence on local labour market supply and demand, and work in partnership with employers, employment services, educators, researchers, economic development, government and other stakeholders to identify, understand and address labour market issues. This includes supporting and coordinating local responses to meet current and emerging workforce needs. Given the unique geography and labour market issues that impact Northern Ontario, all 6 planning boards in the north have collaborated to form Northern Ontario Workforce Planning. They include: Algoma Workforce Investment Corporation (AWIC); Far Northeast Training Board (FNETB); The Labour Market Group (LMG); Northwest Training and Adjustment Board (NTAB); North Superior Workforce Planning Board (NSWPB); and Workforce Planning for Sudbury & Manitoulin (WPSM). FNETB and NSWPB are currently pilot sites for Local Employment Planning Councils (LEPC).
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of Fishes of Thunder Bay District, Ontario
    Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Checklist of Fish es of Thunder Bay District , Ontario 31 December 2019 Introduction This first edition of Checklist of Fishes of Thunder Bay District adds to existing checklists prepared by members of the Thunder Bay Field Naturalists (TBFN) covering other vertebrate taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles & amphibians), as well vascular plants, butterflies, and odonates. As with these other checklists, it covers the official judicial District of Thunder Bay (Figure 1). The District extends from the eastern border of Quetico Provincial Park east to White River, and from the international border north to Lake St. Joseph and the Albany River. Much of the District (60%) is within the Great Lakes watershed, with the remaining draining into the Arctic Ocean either north via the Hudson Bay Lowlands, or west via Rainy Lake/Lake of the Woods and the Nelson River watershed. Figure 1. Judicial District of Thunder Bay with primary watersheds and protected areas. 2 The fish species of the Thunder Bay District mostly reflect post-glacial colonization, modified by more recent ecological and anthropogenic influences. The Wisconsinan ice mass began to retreat north of Lake Superior circa 10,700 BP (Farrand and Drexler 1985), allowing fish to initially colonize the Thunder Bay area (Momot and Stephenson 1996). The Marquette advance circa 9900 BP likely wiped out these early colonizers, but its retreat around 9700 BP allowed many species access from glacial refugia in the Mississippi River basin to the south (Mandrak and Crossman 1992b; Stephenson and Momot 1994). Some species invaded from the east via the outlet of Lake Minong and Lake Superiors’ other post-glacial predecessors.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Ontario Commercial Vehicle Travel Profile
    TRANSPORTATION Final Report The Preparation of a Northern Ontario Passenger and Commercial Vehicle Origin-Destination Survey Northern Ontario Commercial Vehicle Travel Profile Submitted to Ministry of Transportation, Ontario by IBI Group October 30, 2013 Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................ ES.1 1. Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 1.1 Study Background .............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Report Purpose and Organization .................................................................... 1 1.3 Ontario Commercial Vehicle Survey Program ................................................. 2 1.4 Northern Ontario Commercial Vehicle Survey Background .......................... 2 2. Overview of Commercial Vehicle Travel ............................................. 4 2.1 Truck Traffic Levels ............................................................................................ 5 2.1 Vehicle Styles ...................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Truck Travel Origin-Destination Flows ........................................................... 12 Origin-Destination Flows by Number of Trucks 13 Origin-Destination Flows by Vehicle-Kilometres Travelled 16 Origin-Destination Flows by Commodity Value and Weight 18 2.3 Travel Origin-Destination Flows by Commodity Type .................................
    [Show full text]
  • A Birder's Guide to the Rainy River Area of Ontario
    A BIRDER’S GUIDE TO THE RAINY RIVER AREA OF ONTARIO Introduction The area around the small community of Rainy River in extreme Northwestern Ontario presents some exciting birding opportunities. A combination of geographic location, topography, climatic conditions and land uses has resulted in definite “western” condition that is reflected in the natural history of the area. In addition, the Rainy River empties into the Lake of the Woods here and together they provide unique and interesting habitats that are very attractive to birds as breeding and migrational staging areas. And where there are birds, there are birders. A good day in the Rainy River area can be incredibly rewarding; a week or longer – unbelievable! This guide will give visitors to the area nearly all the information they may need to see the local specialities whether their stay is only for a few hours or several days. It must be kept in mind, however, their circumstance, time of day and just plain luck affect the outcome of a visit to Rainy River. Scope of the Guide Through series of maps and written descriptions, information on what to see and where to see it is provided. Assuming that most area visitors will arrive from the south and the east, information from Thunder Bay (very general) to Rainy River (very specific) will be given. Although the entire region is of considerable interest, the area around the town of Rainy River will be given the most attention. General Information 1) Weather Assume the weather will be variable, so prepare for it, particularly in the spring and in the fall.
    [Show full text]
  • Reconnaissance Soil Survey of Parts of Northwestern Ontario
    RECONNAISSANCE SOIL SURVEY OF PARTS OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO BY G . A. HILLS EXPERIMENTAL FARMS SERVICE AND F. F. MORWICK ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE GUELPH, ONTARIO DECEMBER 1944 REPORT No. 8 OF THE ONTARIO SOIL SURVEY EXPERIMENTAL FARMS SERVICE, DOMINION DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE RECONNAISSANCE SOIL SURVEY OF PARTS OF NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO BY G . A. HILLS EXPERIMENTAL FARMS SERVICE AND F . F. MORWICK ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE GUELPH, ONTARIO DECEMBER 1944 REPORT No . 8 OF 1rHE ONTARIO SOIL SURVEY EXPERIMENTAL FARMS SERVICE, DOMINION DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE PREFACE The reconnaissance survey of Northwestern Ontario was made during the early part of, the summer of 1942. More time was spent in studying the types of soil formation and the capa bility of the soils for use than in locating the boundaries of the land types in detail. The report is intended to give a general picture of the present development of the region, to describe the soils and make suggestions as to their suitability for further agricultural development .. The three maps in the pocket at the back of this report show the approximate distribution of land types. The objectives of the survey may be stated briefly as follows : 1 ., To obtain information regarding the soils, particularly in the areas partially developed for agriculture. To chart the approximate location and extent of the soils in the three larger agricultural areas. 8. To study the factors affecting soil ,formation. To study the capability of the land for future agricultural use. ONTARIO SOIL SURVEY COMMITTEE DOMINION DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS SERVICE DR.
    [Show full text]
  • Northern Ontario Passenger Vehicle Travel Profile
    TRANSPORTATION Final Report The Preparation of a Northern Ontario Passenger and Commercial Vehicle Origin-Destination Survey Northern Ontario Passenger Vehicle Travel Profile Submitted to Ministry of Transportation, Ontario by IBI Group October 30, 2013 Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................ ES.1 ES. 1 Introduction ................................................................................................... ES.1 ES.1 Border Crossing Travel ................................................................................. ES.2 ES.2 Provincial Highway Travel............................................................................. ES.5 ES.4 Summary ....................................................................................................... ES.11 1. Introduction ........................................................................................... 1 1.1 Study Background .............................................................................................. 1 1.2 Report Purpose and Organization .................................................................... 1 1.3 Design and Conduct of Survey ......................................................................... 2 1.4 Northern Ontario Context .................................................................................. 6 Population Distribution 6 Provincial Highway Network 7 2. Border Crossing Survey Summary – International Travel ................ 9 2.1 Overview of Border
    [Show full text]
  • Moose and Deer Population Trends in Northwestern Ontario: a Case History
    MOOSE AND DEER POPULATION TRENDS IN NORTHWESTERN ONTARIO: A CASE HISTORY Bruce Ranta1 and Murray Lankester2 1311 Austin Lake Road, Kenora, Ontario, Canada P9N 4N2; retired; 2101-2001 Blue Jay Place, Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada V9N 4A8; retired. ABSTRACT: Many interrelated factors contribute to the rise and fall of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and moose (Alces alces) populations in the mixed boreal forests of eastern North America where these species often cohabit. A question not satisfactorily answered is why do moose populations periodically decline in a pronounced and prolonged way while deer populations continue to do well during times when habitat conditions appear good for both? Long-term historical data from the Kenora District of northwestern Ontario, Canada provided an opportunity to better understand temporal rela- tionships between trends in deer and moose numbers and landscape-level habitat disturbances, ensu- ing forest succession, climate, predators, and disease. Over the past 100 years, moose and deer have fluctuated through 2 high-low population cycles. Deer numbers were high and moose numbers were low in the 1940s and 50s following a spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) outbreak. By the early 1960s, deer trended downwards and remained low during an extended period with frequent deep-snow winters; as deer declined, moose recovery was evident. Moose increased through the 1980s and 1990s as did deer, apparently in response to considerable habitat disturbance, including another spruce budworm outbreak and easier winters. However, despite conditions that were favourable for both species, moose declined markedly beginning in the late 1990s, and by 2012 were at very low levels district-wide while deer numbers remained high.
    [Show full text]
  • Checklist of Mammals of Thunder Bay District
    Checklist of Mammals of Thunder Bay District Thunder Bay Field Naturalists Revised July 2018 Introduction The 2018 edition of the Checklist of the Mammals of Thunder Bay District, Ontario, represents a significant update since the last Thunder Bay Field Naturalists (TBFN) mammal checklist by Keith Denis in 1978. In particular, there have been changes in nomenclature due to taxonomic revisions at the species, genus and family levels. Five new species have also been confirmed in the district since 1978 (American Badger, Cougar, Gray Fox, Wolverine and Virginia Opossum), and there have been changes in the at-risk status of a number of species. The Atlas of the Mammals of Ontario (Dobbyn 1994), The Natural History of Canadian Mammals (Naughton 2012), and two volumes of Handbook of Canadian Mammals (van Zyll de Jong 1983, 1985) were used to update species’ status. Increased use of acoustic monitoring and several small mammal trapping projects in the district (e.g., McLaren et al. 2011) have improved our knowledge about the distribution of bats, rodents, and shrews. Fur harvest and aerial survey data were used to update status of furbearers and ungulates respectively. Notes on any significant changes to the taxonomy or nomenclature of each species, as well as their distribution and abundance within the Thunder Bay District are provided. The geographical area referred to as Thunder Bay District in this checklist is the official judicial District of Thunder Bay (Figure 1). It extends from the eastern border of Quetico Provincial Park north to the Albany River system, and east to White River and Michipicoten and Caribou islands in Lake Superior.
    [Show full text]