Our Stories
January 25, 2021
2 min read

Historically significant pictograph returns home

Together, Temagami First Nation (TFN) and OPG have returned a special artifact back to its rightful home.

An image of a pictograph showing three figures.
In 1977, a pictograph depicting three figures was removed from the Matabitchuan River in northeastern Ontario. It has now been returned to its rightful home.

In 1977, a pictograph depicting three figures was removed from the Matabitchuan River in northeastern Ontario and transported to a regional Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry office in Sault Ste. Marie for study.

At the time, there were concerns that development on the river could cause water levels to fluctuate, potentially damaging the rock slab that contained the image, which is at least 370 years old. Over the years, the identity and home of the piece were obscured. Being culturally significant to Temagami First Nation, the community has been searching for the artifact for several years.

The collaborative effort to locate the project was undertaken by TFN, OPG (who operates facilities on the Matabitchuan River), archaeologist Ryan Primrose of Woodland Heritage Northeast, and the Sault Ste. Marie Museum.

Supported through OPG’s Corporate Citizenship Program, the repatriation of the pictograph took place in early December, with a team from TFN travelling to bring the piece home.

“The pictograph is now in a display case here on Bear Island, to the great pleasure and delight of all who have seen it.”
Victoria Winsor, GIS Lands Technician with TFN
A close-up view of the pictograph.
A close-up view of the pictograph.

“The pictograph is now in a display case here on Bear Island, to the great pleasure and delight of all who have seen it,” said Victoria Winsor, GIS Lands Technician with TFN. “Its presence has sparked joy, pride and curiosity. The process of knowledge-sharing has just begun, and we are excited that more community members will see the pictograph and share their stories.”

The pictograph will be displayed in TFN’s administrative/Community building, where it can be viewed by all community members, as well as visitors when in-person meetings and visits are safe to resume.

“Ontario Power Generation is very honoured to be able to assist with this repatriation to return this important piece of culture and history back to its rightful home,” said Bruce Robertson, Vice President of OPG’s Eastern Operations. “We continue to support the sharing of knowledge and history within Indigenous communities in our regions, and we congratulate Temagami First Nation on this significant achievement.”

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