Indigenous Spaces of Kingston

Bellevue House

This represents the 1840s colonial system of class and privilege, but where continuous efforts are being made with Indigenous groups, stakeholders, and other experts to ensure a place of learning where Canadians can gain a greater understanding of Canada’s history, including aspects that have caused enduring harm and colonial legacies. - Nakanagis Consulting Inc.

City Hall Proclamation

In recognition of Kingston’s history with the First Nation, Metis and Inuit peoples, on June 8th, 2011, the City of Kingston officially proclaimed the month of June as Aboriginal Peoples Month and was formalized during the National Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremony held on June 21, 2011.

Earl Street

This area was named for Anne Earl, who was the daughter of Molly Brant, and her husband Captain Hugh Earl. Unlike her mother, Molly Brant, who was devoted to living in accordance with her Mohawk traditions, Anne struggled to lead her predominantly European lifestyle, while still honouring her Mohawk heritage. Indigenous Peoples were still made to feel degraded, judged and devalued for their heritage, traditions and dress. It is likely due to this feeling of disrespect and degradation that Molly Brant’s daughters chose to identify more with the European culture that surrounded them in Cataraqui. Assimilation to the European culture was also something that was encouraged by their uncle and Mohawk chief, Joseph Brant.

Kingston Harbour

The north shore of Lake Ontario and the area originally known as Katarokwi (Kingston) had been a shifting home between the Huron-Wendat Peoples and the Five Nations/St. Lawrence Iroquois. In Mohawk, the name Katarokwi means a place where there is clay or where the limestone is, and is defined by two rivers, the Cataraqui River and the St. Lawrence River. The French translation of the Algonquin use of the term Cataracoui, means great meeting place.

Memorial to Joseph Brant

Joseph Brant, also known as Thayendanegea, was a Six Nations Mohawk Chief who was active during the late 1700s through various wars. Following this, he often mediated issues that arose between the Mohawks and various other Indigenous nations.

Agnes Etherington Art Centre

Situated on traditional Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territory, Agnes is a curatorially-driven and research-intensive professional art centre that proudly serves a dual mandate as a leading, internationally recognized public art gallery and as an active pedagogical resource at Queen’s University.

The Crawford Purchase

Also known as the “Gunshot Treaty” of 1783 is a major event in Kingston’s cultural and geographic development. Recognizing that the land upon which the Mohawk wished to settle was previously occupied by the Mississauga, negotiations took place to make a deal with residents. The Mississauga’s recollection of the terms of the treaty was that they had surrendered their rights to an area determined by how far the sound of a gunshot carried.