Whitefish Island, Historic river island in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada.
Whitefish Island stretches one kilometer long and 500 meters wide in the St. Marys River between Lake Huron and Lake Superior. Boardwalks on the island lead to the Attikamek Trail, which provides views of the river rapids and natural surroundings.
The island served as a settlement and trading center for Indigenous peoples starting around 300 BC. Eight successive cultures shaped Ojibwa development across this land over centuries.
The Batchewana First Nation has deep ties to this land, which became an Indian reserve again in 1997 following court decisions. Visitors can experience how important this place remains for the community today.
The Attikamek Trail is about 2.2 kilometers long with boardwalks and observation points positioned throughout. The path is clearly marked and offers several spots to pause and view the river and rapids.
Ancient fishing weirs near the rapids show traditional Indigenous methods that supported communities for thousands of years. These old structures remain visible today and reveal how people lived and hunted fish long ago.
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