TheThe ShuniahShuniah NewsNews Shuniah, Ontario A Municipality with a Silver Lining Volume Two, Issue Three August 2012 Woodpecker 3 Archeological Site ~ Shuniah, Ontario by Mackenzie Plichta, 4th year Lakehead University Student-Department of Anthropology For those of you who drive down pecker 3 archaeological site. Be- says Dr. Scott Hamilton of Lake- ing process. Other exciting finds the highway towards the Macken- cause of the rapid expansion of the head University. that have been uncovered at the zie area, just before you hit the highway, the archaeological team “These ancient aboriginal people site are tools that were used for Mackenzie Inn you’ll notice all the of Western Heritage Inc., a west- are archaeologically recognizable scraping and cutting. The process construction. Nothing but giant ern Canadian archaeological con- from the stone tools they pro- of finding the artifacts is strenuous tractors plowing and blasting away sulting company, is doing a salvage duced from locally available silica- and somewhat backbreaking. the bedrock to make way for the excavation to recover as many arti- rich bedrock. The Thunder Bay When digging, there is a certain new twinned highway. But if you facts as quickly as possible. The area contains a number of such process of measuring a one meter look a little closer you’ll notice a ancient site was formed around sites where people periodically by one meter square, which can small white tent on top of the last 9,500 years ago, which was then a came to the ancient shores to take anywhere from a few minutes construction area. Most of you beach front for a much larger Lake hunt, fish and gather plant food, to an hour –depending on the would probably assume that it is Minong – which is today Lake Su- quarry stone, and manufacture ground conditions. Once the unit just another part of the construc- perior. “By about 8,000 years ago it tools” Dr. Hamilton explains. is measured and the perimeter is tion area, but it’s actually some- is thought that glacial Lake Mi- Most of the artifacts being found set, workers must gently scrape thing completely of its own. That nong water levels began to decline, at the site are flakes, which are left away the soil with a trowel in 5cm white tent marks the gathering leading eventually to the current over discarded pieces of sharp rock levels in hopes to expose discarded place for the workers at the Wood- configuration of Lake Superior” that flake off during the tool mak- artifacts. If the artifacts are small ...continued on page 2 A Whole New Look for the Office The Corporation of the Municipality of Shuniah Due to much needed repairs Shuniah’s Municipal Administrative Office Building is in the midst of getting a new look. The exterior renovations include a new roof design along with new siding with a bit of stone work in the front. This project also includes the installation of a new energy efficient ventilation system that replaces the existing failed system making for a much more pleasant working environment for our staff, as well as a better atmosphere for our ratepayers and the general public when visiting the office on business. Archeological Dig - continued from front page... and not easily seen in the dirt, they field school with Western Heritage THE CORPORATION OF THE are then screened out in a giant under the supervision of Dr. sifter on legs and collected at the Hamilton who is one of the MUNICIPALITY OF SHUNIAH bottom at the screen. After the ar- leading archaeologists at Lakehead tifacts are founds, they are bagged University and in the city of Thun- and extensively tagged then sent der Bay. Currently, the last docu- away to a lab for further analysis. mented site is being excavated in FINAL 2012 TAX INSTALLMENT Students at Lakehead University hopes to be finished by the end of have been fortunate enough for the July 2012. DUE DATES: last three years to participate in a August 31, 2012 and October 26, 2012. Bills will be mailed out the last week of July. Questions about your taxes? Give us a call: 807-683-4545 THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF SHUNIAH WAYS TO PAY YOUR PROPERTY TAXES: There are many convenient ways to make your tax payments: - pre-authorized payment (automatic withdrawal on due dates) - payment at a bank machine with debit card Woodpecker 3 Archeological Site near Mackenzie Station Road. - internet banking (can set up as one time or monthly payments) Picture taken by Chris McEvoy - have your bank pay the taxes with your mortgage payments - mailing cheques to the Municipal Office - telephone banking You can also make payments by cheque, cash, and debit at the Municipal Office. Note: credit card payments are not available at the Municipal Office. Photo of a biface found at the Woodpecker 3 site. A biface is a type of prehistoric stone tool flaked on both faces or sides. Photo by Mackenzie Plichta Mackenzie Plichta with Jill Taylor, instructor conducting a soil analysis Located on Mission Island We purchase Scrap Autos, Steel, Copper, Aluminum, etc. $$$ Recycle Metals Make some money & save our environment 623-4559 www.lakeheadscrap.com Some restrictions may apply page 2, The Shuniah News, August 2012 A Message Chain of Office from the Reeve The Corporation of the Municipality of Shuniah To all residents and visitors to our community I would like to express wishes for a safe, wonderful summer and hope you enjoy many The history that has evolved over the years is enormous; this good times with family and friends. As always Chain of Office acknowledges those people who gave of their time so freely to serve this Municipality. I would like to thank all of Council for their dedication and hard work on behalf of our There are thirty-six names of the Reeves 133 years. There are community and to all the staff and volunteers four name bars remaining, which will bring it up to 150 years. of the Municipality of Shuniah for their Located on the right and left shoulder epaulets are two Municipal Lapel persistent commitment to providing quality Pins which were specifically cast for this Chain of Office from an old lapel service to our residents. button. These pins also reflect the insignia found on the corporate seal Have a safe and memorable summer! dating back to 1873. Respectfully, Maria Harding Interesting fact - long before the Maple Leaf was adopted by Canada for its flag, a red Maple Leaf was used for the corporate seal. Municipal Office At the back of the Chain of Office at the half way point, the code of arms of the Province HOURS OF OPERATION of Ontario is found, this is meant to represent the political relationship between the two Located at 420 Leslie Avenue, Thunder Bay tiers of government, the Municipality being a creature of statue. Monday through Friday 8:30 am until 4:30 pm Summer Hours – At the front of the Chain of Office at the bottom position is the placement of the June to August closing on Fridays at 4:00 pm current Municipal Logo. MACGREGOR LANDFILL SITE Located on Highway 11/17, 2 miles west of The Pendent to the Chain of Office is a slice of polished "SILVER" ore McKenzie Station Rd. Open on Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 representing the Silver Mining Boom that occurred right here in pm; "SHUNIAH" 133 years ago. We know from history, that "Shuniah" when Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 5 pm translated from Ojibwa means "Silver". Also affixed on the Pendent is a MCTAVISH LANDFILL SITE piece of Amethyst donated by Precious Purple Gemstones, a long Located on Highway 11/17 1000 feet west of Sil- standing Amethyst Mine located in Shuniah. Amethyst is the ver Lake Road and open Wednesdays: designated gemstone of Ontario. (April 1 to Oct 31) from noon until 8 pm (Nov 1 to Mar 31) from 10 am to 6 pm Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am until 5 pm OFFER ENDS NOVEMBER 30, 2011 Hit the Road this Summer in the Kia Sorento! That’s The Power to Surprise 0% + $1000 for 60 mos Cash back Cash savings vary by model & trim. Sorento EX LUX shown A e drive TAKE A s Te t driv TODAY! We Want to be your New Car Dealer! PERFORMANCEKIA .CA Like us on 545 13th Avenue 345-2552 b The Shuniah News, August 2012, page 3 What is Happening at the MacGregor Recreation Centre? 800 Lakeshore Drive - information call 344-1908 Or visit us for a monthly calendar www.shuniah.org(youthcentre) *PLEASE NOTE* SHUNIAH board, pool table, air hockey, video Hatha Yoga $5/week drop in YOUTH PROGRAMS WILL BE games, and computers with Inter- Tuesdays at 6:30pm -starting in rate. All fitness CLOSED AUGUST DUE TO net access. September levels are wel- RENOVATIONS TO THE MAC- Communities Together For This gentle type of yoga is one that come! Call 344- GREGOR RECREATION CEN- Children Best Start is pleased to students can take to a level that 1908 for more TRE. work in cooperation with the suits their needs. Please bring a information. township of Shuniah to offer a Best mat and a small blanket to cover WATCH FOR SPECIAL ACTIVI- Start Together Time Drop In pro- you during final relaxation. TIES COMING TO THE YOUTH gram at the McGregor Recreation CENTRE THIS FALL Centre, Tuesday mornings, 9:30am • Adventures in Cooking classes to 11:30am. THE CORPORATION OF THE • Sewing project classes All Best Start Sites offer families - • Babysitting Course •Programs MUNICIPALITY OF SHUNIAH • Halloween Dance with where all chil- Haunted House dren prenatal to • Sports nights – soccer, 3-pitch, 6 years old are capture the flag welcome at no • Theme nights – dances, fear cost to parents The 2011 Audited Financial Statements factor, minute to win it and • A place for your are available on the website along with much, much more! child to play, make friends 2012 monthly financial statements.