Georgina Island

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      Georgina Island is located in southern Ontario, Canada about an hour north from Toronto. It is the largest island within Lake Simcoe.[1] The island is a Native reserve occupied by the Ojibwa people. It is also within the township of Georgina and in the York Region District.

      Before the completion of the Trent Severn Waterway, the water level on Lake Simcoe was quite low, enabling residents to cross in wagons or walk in ankle-deep water to the mainland, Virgina Beach, Ontario. After the Trent Severn Waterway was complete, the water table increased by several feet after which required a boat to cross.

      On a neighbouring island Pope John Paul II stayed on Strawberry Island for four days just before World Youth Day 2002 in Toronto.[2]

      The island is accessed by a ferry in summer and an airboat in winter. On the coldest days of winter Lake Simcoe is cold enough for an ice road to be built allowing light vehicles to drive across the frozen lake. The Women's Support Network of York Region has worked with the First Nations of Georgina Island.[3]

      Settlement

      The Ojibwas residing along the Lake Simcoe region were of two groups. Led by William Yellowhead and Joseph Snake they occupied an area in the most southern area of Simcoe County. A third group led by John Aisance occupied an area of Kempenfelt Bay, with the creation of the Coldwater and Narrows Reserve, located between Lake Couchiching, and the Severn River. Yellowhead and Snake primarily settled at the Narrows, while Aisance and his people settled at Coldwater. During the War of Independence in 1776, Europeans began to strategically engage in relationship with the Native people for purposes of defense and of British North America. The role of the colonial government had a significant impact on the people, enforcing a policy to enroll the people and grow dependent on the crown. The influence of this policy resulted in repeated promises of protection, food, clothing, lodgings and general welfare of the people. The transformation from a strong and independent people to one of complete dependence for the most part resulted.The area between Lake Ontario, Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe represented a region of prime military vulnerability and defense for Upper Canada.[4] This region was not only occupied by the Lake Simcoe Indians, but also the people under the leadership of Joseph Brant of the Six Nations.Six Nations is Located in the town of Ohsweken, Ontario.[5] With fear that the Six Nations and the Chippewas would unite and become a threat, deliberate attempts were made to sabotage any attempts of interaction between the two groups that took place.The separation prevented an alliance between the Ojibwas and the Six Nations tribe and it further promoted the dependence on the Colonial government. Government efforts to obtain the Ojibwa land was accomplished in exchange a treaty was written and resulted in the surrender of the a portion of what is now Simcoe County.

      The Island seen from space.

      References

      1. ↑ http://atlas.nrcan.gc.ca/site/english/learningresources/facts/lakes.html#ontario
      2. ↑ John Paul to rest as cross makes way through Toronto
      3. ↑ "Council Meeting Minutes". Aurora. September 28, 2010. p. 12. Retrieved November 29, 2013. 
      4. ↑ http://www.georginaisland.com
      5. ↑ http://www.sixnations.ca/

      Coordinates: 44°22′29″N 79°17′37″W / 44.3747°N 79.2937°W / 44.3747; -79.2937 (Georgina Island)

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