'Whiteshell River' is one of the major rivers in
Whiteshell Provincial Park, located in southeastern
Manitoba,
Canada, along the
Ontario border. This river is close to some
petroform sites that are about 2000 years old or older. The name "whiteshell" is in reference to the Meegis shells, or
cowry shells used by
Ojibway peoples in their ceremonies and teachings, especially the
Midewiwin, and as recorded in their
birch bark scrolls.
The River was used for thousands of years as a major
canoe route by
native peoples. The
Winnipeg River and the
Whiteshell River are the only water ways to easily travel between
Lake Winnipeg and
Lake Superior. The copper culture period of about 4000 years ago involved the trade of copper from the north shore of
Lake Superior to the
Whiteshell Provincial Park area and other areas now known as
Manitoba and northwestern
Ontario. Manitoba also has prehistoric quartz mines to the far north, and evidence of ancient quartz mining also exists along the Winnipeg River area. Quartz, copper, and other minerals were used to make prehistoric arrow heads, tools, scrappers, spears, and artwork. Whiteshell Provincial Park is still a popular area for wild rice harvesting, as it was for thousands of years.
Today this river system area is popular for canoeing, hiking, swimming, fishing, boating, and many cottages are located along the lakes and rivers of
Whiteshell Provincial Park.
The geography and geology of the area consists of
Canadian Shield granite rock ridges, cliffs, boreal forest, bogs, and only one main road through the park. It is a very wild and pristine area with many deer, bear, wolves, coyotes, bald eagles, fox, cougars, lynx, and so on.
See also
★
List of Ontario rivers
★
List of Manitoba rivers