The First Nations people were the earliest explorers of this region more than 8000 years ago, gradually settling and building their communities. In the seventeenth century, the French travelled up the St. Lawrence and explored the region in hopes of tapping into the lucrative fur trade, spreading the French Empire in North America and finding the Pacific route to Asia.
They formed alliances— political, commercial, military, as well as marital—with the First Nations people, who provided expertise about the land, waterways, and difficulties of living in this environment and climate.
Aboriginal science and technology included a brilliant pharmacopoeia, and knowledge of geography, agriculture, hunting, fishing, wilderness survival, clothing and housing, food, and the art of birchbark canoeing.
Kitchissipi (“great river”) is part of the northern route travelled by illustrious explorers and voyageurs. Known today as the Ottawa River, it has been a primary waterway, with its many tributaries (the Rideau and Gatineau rivers, and further upstream, the Mattawa River).
This communication route helped to foster networks of rich human relations and to develop territories as vast as countries, as well as to forge the unique Canadian character.
The prosperity and quality of life that have come about over the centuries have flowed largely from this river route, a channel of hope, perseverance and human initiative. This route has led us to “Vanier-on-the Ottawa”.
