Keywords Archaeological Sites

The first paintings represent canoes, which are preceded by animals (a heron, an eagle, and a beaver) that are probably the CLAN symbols of the canoes' passengers. According to Shingwaukonce, it is the great chief and SHAMAN Myeengun who drew those paintings to commemorate a war expedition.

The site's central part includes an individual on a horse, two long curved lines, four circles, one canoe beside two-legged snakes, and a large representation of MISHIPESHU, the Great Lynx. It is apparently Shingwaukonce himself who traced these paintings when he led a revolt against miners who exploited the copper deposit of Mamainse, on the shores of Lake Superior. After fasting several days at the Agawa rock to gain spiritual powers, he chose to paint Mishipeshu because this aquatic monster is the holder and protector of copper. The horseman was apparently drawn later, either to show Shingwaukonce's power as a shaman, as a few Natives of the region believe, or to commemorate a war expedition, as reported by Schoolcraft. The circles located under the horse represent, according to the former, the fact that he belongs to the fourth degree of the MIDEWIWIN lodge, whereas for the ethnologist, they are four suns that stand for four days.

The last panel of the site shows another representation of Mishipeshu with a turtle, a fish and a canoe. This part of the site is not accessible to visitors. The majority of paintings from the Agawa site probably date from the 17th and 18th centuries. This dating obtained through Shingwaukonce's testimonies is confirmed by the representations, since the horse only appeared in this region after the 17th century.

Pictographs
Commemoration of a war expedition at the Agawa site (courtesy of Serge Lemaître).

Pictographs
Central panel with horse, Agawa Pictograph Site (courtesy of Serge Lemaître).

Agawa Pictograph Site
View of the Agawa site from the lake (courtesy Serge Lemaître).

Agawa Pictograph Site
Representation of Mishipeshu, the great water lynx, from the Agawa pictograph site in Lake Superior Provincial Park, Ontario (courtesy of Serge Lemaître)

Agawa Pictograph Site
Profile of the Agawa site (courtesy of Serge Lemaître).

Author SERGE LEMAÎTRE

Links to Other Sites
Four Directions Teachings
Elders and traditional teachers representing the Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and Mi’kmaq share teachings about their culture. Animated graphics visualize each of the oral teachings. This website also provides biographies of participants, transcripts, and extensive learning resources for students and their teachers. In English with French subtitles.