New Trilingual Ontario Heritage Trust Historic Site Plaque for Moose Factory
In partnership with MRHHA, the Ontario Heritage Trust produced a new trilingual (Cree, English and French) plaque for Moose Factory that was unveiled on August 5, 2023, during the combined More than 350 Nipin Celebration, Omushkego Creefest, and Moose Cree Gathering of Our People.
Moose Factory — Môsonîwi-Miništik
Môsonîwililiw oral tradition describes an ancestral couple, lowered here from a sky world, who were shown how to survive and thrive by animals who also gifted their lives for this purpose. The Creator’s laws, including honesty, courage and šawelihcikewin — sharing with gratitude and generosity — were reinforced over generations by lived experience of the benefits or consequences of upholding or ignoring these principles. After receiving hospitality at this Môsonîwililiw summer gathering site, Hudson’s Bay Company traders built Moose Fort in 1673, and relations quickly extended beyond commerce to mutual support in hard times. Over the next two centuries, Moose Fort became Moose Factory: a regional transatlantic trade hub marked by cultural exchange and intermarriage. This history influenced Môsonîwililiw expectations for Treaty 9, signed in 1905. Despite treaty violations, many volunteered for Canadian military service in the World Wars. By the mid-20th century, Moose Factory’s linkages were shifting towards Canada as it transitioned away from being a fur trade company town. The Moose Cree First Nation’s primary reserve was surveyed here in 1948. Veterans helped lead postwar self-governance and treaty renewal efforts, exemplified by the 1973 creation of Nishnawbe-Aski Nation. While Môsonîwi-Miništik is Ontario’s oldest English-speaking settlement, its primary history remains with the Môsonîwililiwak.
The writing team for this project included:
Cecil Chabot (lead writer and researcher), Thomas Blampied (researcher), Lawrence Martin, Greg Spence, Virginia Barter, Geraldine Govender, Stan Louttit, Bernice Kapashesit, Stan Kapashesit, Paula Rickard, Richard Preston, Bill Louttit
The translation team:
Angela Ashishkeesh, Kevin Brousseau, Bill Louttit, Geraldine Govender
The plaque was unveiled at 2 pm, on August 5, at the Cree Cultural Interpretive Centre with special guests:
Councillor Kathy Faries-Quachegan, Moose Cree First Nation
Lawrence Martin, Mushkegowuk Council
Mayor Wayne Taipale, Town of Moosonee
John Ecker, Chair of the Ontario Heritage Trust Board
Wayne Kelly, Executive Director, Ontario Heritage Trust
Dawson Bridger, Manager, Special Projects, Ontario Heritage Trust
A highlight video of the event is in production.
Photo by Roger Lamothe
