We extend our gratitude to all those who contributed their time, knowledge, and wisdom in the development of The History of the Land. This project would not have been possible without the invaluable input and guidance from Archaeological Research Associated Ltd. (ARA), as well as the First Nations and their representatives, whose voices and histories are at the heart of this work.

We especially wish to thank the following people and Nations for their generosity in sharing their knowledge, insights, and cultural perspectives. Your contributions have enriched the content of this site and provided essential context to the histories of the land we now steward. Specifically, to the elders, leaders, and community members who offered advice and feedback at every stage of this project, we offer our sincerest thanks. May your dedication to preserving and teaching the history of your peoples be a source of inspiration for many, as it was for those working on this project.

Tanya Hill-Montour
Lonny Bomberry
Phil Montour
Dawn Russel
Tayler Hill

Darin Wybenga
Adam LaForme

Todd Williams
Owen Greene
Sharann Martin

Adrian Jacobs

Meghan DeVries
Shelby Haggerty

Nicole Benbow

This website is a reflection of a collective effort, and we hope it serves as a meaningful tribute to all who came before us. We will continue to learn from all that we discovered throughout this process.

To learn more about the First Nations who represent the ancestral communities of the people who stewarded this land before us, we invite you to visit their websites:

Six Nations of the Grand River
Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
Haudenosaunee Confederacy

“About Us,” Woodland Cultural Centre, accessed November 4, 2022.

Ancestors Family Search - Ontario. Founder’s Plaque in the Bowman United Church (Founded in 1796). Image. Ancestors Family Search Ontario. Accessed August 13, 2022.

Asch, Michael. On Being Here to Stay: Treaties and Aboriginal Rights in Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2014.

Assembly of First Nations, “Our Laws Arise from the Land,” AFN, November 20, 2019, video, 8:05.

Bellfy, Phil. Three Fires Unity: The Anishinaabeg of the Lake Huron Borderlands. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2011.

Belshaw, John Douglas. Canadian History: Pre-Confederation. Victoria: BC Open Textbook Project, BCcampus, 2015.

Belshaw, John, Chelsea Horton, and Sarah Nickel. Histories of Indigenous People and Canada. Kamloops: Thompson Rivers University, 2020.

Brandao, Jose Antonio. Your Fyres Shall Burn No More: Iroquois Policy toward New France and Its Native Allies to 1701. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1997.

Bursey, Jeff, Hugh Daechsel, Andrew Hinshelwood, and Carl Murphy. “Summary of Ontario Archaeology — Ontario Archaeological Society.” Ontario Archaeological Society. Accessed July 26, 2022.

“Clan System.” Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Accessed September 5, 2024.

Cooper, Justin. Interview by Nicole Benbow, August 17, 2022.

De Bolster, Henry R. Stepping Forward in Faith: Redeemer University College, 1974-1994. Belleville, Ont.: Guardian Books, 2001.

Fenton, William N. The Great Law and the Longhouse: A Political History of the Iroquois Confederacy. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1998.

Ferris, Neal and Michael Spence. “The Woodland Traditions of Southern Ontario.” Journal of American Archaeology 9 (1995): 83-138.

Glover, Fred. “A Dish with One Spoon.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. March 31, 2020.

Grimwood, Paul, and Ancaster Township Historical Society (Ont. Ancaster’s Heritage, Volume 2 : A History of Ancaster Township. Ancaster, Ont.: Ancaster Township Historical Society, 1998.

Hamilton Civic Museums. “Between the Lakes Treaty (No. 3),” 2021.

Hele, Karl S. “Doctrine of Discovery.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. December 1, 2023.

Laxer, Daniel, Jean-Pierre Morin, and Alison Norman. “A Short History of Treaty Nomenclature in Ontario.” Active History, November 5, 2018.

Library and Archives Canada, and Government of Canada, Department of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. Royal Proclamation, 1763. October 7, 1763. Image. University of Toronto Library Archives.

MacDonald, Robert. “Ontario Iroquoian Sweat Lodges.” Ontario Archaeology 48 (1988): 17-26.

McCulloch, A. “Lot 49, Con. 3” In Ancaster’s Heritage: A History of Ancaster Township, edited by Ancaster Township Historical Society, 6-7. Ancaster, 1973.

Mcmillan, Alan D, and Eldon Yellowhorn. First Peoples in Canada. Vancouver: Douglas & Mcintyre, 2004.

Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation. “The Mississaugas of the Credit: Historical Territory, Resource and Land Use.” n.d.

Morton, John B. “The Indian Era.” In Ancaster’s Heritage: A History of Ancaster Township, edited by Ancaster Township Historical Society, 6-7. Ancaster, 1973.

Munson, Marit K, and Susan M. Jamieson, eds. Before Ontario: The Archaeology of a Province. Montréal & Kingston: Mcgill-Queen’s University Press, 2013.

Neusius, Sarah W. and G. Timothy Gross (2014). “Seeking Our Past: An Introduction to North American Archaeology.” Oxford University Press.

New Directions Archaeology Ltd. “Report on the Uren Burial Located in the North Part of the Redeemer College Site (AhGx-114), Redeemer University College Property, Lot 49, Con 3, Geographic Township of Ancaster, City of Hamilton.” Ancaster: New Directions Archaeology Ltd., February 2012.

———. “Stage 3 Archaeological Assessment of the Whaley I (AhGx-115) and Whaley II (AhGx-116) Sites, 149 Stonehenge Road, Town of Ancaster, City of Hamilton.” Ancaster: New Directions Archaeology Ltd., April 2007.

———. “Stage 4 Archaeological Assessment of the New Spring Site (AhGx-419), Redeemer University College Property, City of Hamilton.” Ancaster: New Directions Archaeology Ltd., January 2006.

———. “Stage 4 Archaeological Excavation of the Southern Part of the Redeemer College Site (AhGx-114), Redeemer University College Property, Town of Ancaster.” Ancaster: New Directions Archaeology Ltd., October 2008.

———. “Stage 4 Excavation of the North Part of the Redeemer College Site (AhGx-114), Redeemer University College Property, Lot 49, Con 3, Geographic Township of Ancaster, City of Hamilton.” Ancaster: New Directions Archaeology Ltd., February 2012.

Noble, William C. “The Neutral Confederacy.” The Canadian Encyclopedia. November 20, 2015.

Nunn, Nathan, and Nancy Qian. “The Columbian Exchange: A History of Disease, Food, and Ideas.” Journal of Economic Perspectives 24, no. 2 (2010):163-188. doi=10.1257/jep.24.2.163.

Onondaga Historical Association. “Oren Lyon’s PBS Interview.” YouTube Video, 55:26. May 17, 2015.

Ontario Land Registry Access. Abstract/Parcel Registry Book. Hamilton Wentworth (62), Ancaster, Book 266. Concession 3, Lot 48-50. 70-98.

Parks, Amanda. “The Semi-Subterranean Sweat Lodges of the Redeemer Site.” Graduate Thesis. The University of Western Ontario, 2018.

Parmenter, Jon. “After the Mourning Wars: The Iroquois as Allies in Colonial North American Campaigns, 1676 - 1760.” The William and Mary Quarterly, 64, no. 1 (2007): 36-76. https://www.jstor.org/stable/4491596.

Parmenter, Jon. The Edge of the Woods: Iroquoia, 1534-1701. Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press, 2010.

Parsons, Jeremy. “The Making of Meadowlands: How Ancaster’s Fields Became Hamilton’s Suburbs.” Master’s Thesis, McMaster University, 2015.

Rice, Brian. The Rotinonshonni. Syracuse: Syracuse University Press, 2013.

Starr, Taylor D., Amina Dirie, Wyeth Robertson, Heather Driscoll, and Catherine Ellis. “Appendix D: Life and Legacy of Egerton Ryerson.” Last modified August 20, 2021.

“Statement of Claim.” Six Nations of the Grand River: Litigation. Six Nations of the Grand River. 2023.

Talking Treaties Collective. A Treaty Guide for Torontonians. 2nd ed. Toronto: Art Metropole, 2022.

“The Haldimand Treaty of 1784.” Six Nations Lands and Resources. Last modified 2008, Six Nations Council.

Tomchuk, Travis. “The Doctrine of Discovery.” Canadian Museum for Human Rights. Last modified May 11, 2023.

United Empire Loyalists' Association of Canada. “Isaac Horning, Loyalist.” United Empire Loyalists’ Association of Canada. Accessed July 22, 2022.

Woodhouse, T. Roy. “Survey and Settlement Method.” In Ancaster’s Heritage: A History of Ancaster Township, edited by Ancaster Township Historical Society. Ancaster, 1973.

Woodhouse, T. Roy. “The First Actual Settlers.” In Ancaster’s Heritage: A History of Ancaster Township, edited by Ancaster Township Historical Society. Ancaster, 1973.