The last year-round homes were on the south side of the brook from the head of the tide to the bridge on the Malpeque Road known as Tuplin’s Bridge. Up to 1915 six to ten families made this area their home. During the winter months they were joined by many other family groups from Len— nox Island who returned to Lennox Island each spring when the ice left Richmond Bay.

In 1873 when the Reservations were set up for these “First Settlers”, they were supposed to move their permanent homes unto the Reservation and remain there. In cases like our community where they were kindly treated and made welcome, they remained because the newer settlers looked upon them as good neighbours and helpful citizens.

The last permanent homes were moved from the area about thirty- five years ago, but part time residents were here twenty-five years ago. They lived in warmly built shacks in the shelter of thick pine and spruce trees. The floor, frame, and roof of these shacks were wood. The walls were usually of layers of black tar paper. In the spring when the family moved to permanent homes on Lennox Island the materials were carefully taken apart and moved with them.

There was an unwritten law that an Indian could hunt whatever game was available at any season, he could cut wood for his fire, and trees for his crafts on any person’s land. The farmer would often come upon an Indian in the woodlets cutting hickory, ash, yellow or white birch trees. These would be carried carefully back to the camp on his back, and there slowly cured until it was~~ready for a basket, a sled, or an axe handle. None of. these articles made-by other people was ever so smooth to the hand, so comfortable to carry, or smelled so sweet, as those fashioned by the loving care of the Indian craftsmen onomen. -

For their pillows and lining of the baby’s basket, they used a “sweet hay” that grew on the tidal flats at the upper parts of the River. This same grass was woven into the ornamental baskets that they bartered from door to door. They would ask for flour, vegetables, bread or meat, but not for money. No Indian was turned away hungry from a home in Indian River. They were also given clothes and blankets.

Some of the Indians were good workers. They helped the farmers cut wood and lumber, make the hay, and harvest the grain and potatoes. They were usually present when a steer or hog was slaughtered and ex- pected to have a piece to take home with them.

Quiet, gentle, courteous, and humble made them universally loved. All of the fine qualities attributed to Canada’s Redman in literature was true of these “First Settlers” of Indian River. We could well copy their honesty, integrity, and innate abilities. Their homes were tidy, their children loved and well cared for, and their needs were simple. One former resident of the district told us that some of the finest men and women she knew as a child were these “First Settlers”. The last year-round homes were taken down and moved to Lennox Island about 1935. The last Indian resident of the community was a very well-known Islander. He was the famed long— distance runner Barney Francis, who with his wife and child lived near the old sites while he was a famous athlete. From 1930 on he vv'on every race he entered including some five-mile tests. He died at an early age soon after leaving Indian River.

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