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• 1500 A.D. - 1650 A.D. - First
close contact with Europeans. Disappearance
of St. Lawrence Iroquoians, encountered by
Jacques Cartier in 1534 but not seen by Samuel
de Champlain in 1603. (Possible explanations:
epidemic disease, crop failures, annihilation
through warfare with the Huron). Rise of Huronia,
between Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe, with
a population peak of at least 20,000 and a
thriving agricultural economy. Establishment
of Jesuit mission of Sainte-Marie in 1639,
accompanied by devastating smallpox epidemic.
Increasing warfare with Iroquois tribes (Mohawk,
Seneca) to the south of Lake Ontario, as competition
for fur trade increased. Destruction of Sainte-Marie
in 1648, death and widespread dispersal of
Huron. Further attacks by Iroquois also destroy
the Petun and Neutral nations of western Lake
Ontario.
• 1650 A.D. - 1780 A.D. - Division
and warfare between French and Iroquois Five
Nations (Mohawks, Oneida, Cayuga, Onondaga,
Seneca). French competition with Dutch and
English fur trade to the south, hostilities
between French and Iroquois, and Iroquois
Christian converts and non-converts. Movement
of some Mohawks north to Jesuit colony on
the St. Lawrence in 1667. Movement of some
Cayuga to eastern Lake Ontario (St. Sulpice
Kente mission, 1670), but most Iroquois concentrated
south of the Great Lakes. Expansion of Algonkian
(Mississaugas) from Lake Superior and Lake
Huron to north shore of Lake Ontario, linking
of Mississauga and Iroquois trade routes.
• 1750 A.D. - 1800 A.D. - Development
of conflict between American revolutionaries
and British loyalists. Alliance of most of
Six Nations Iroquois Confederacy in war against
the American rebels, in the interests of protecting
territorial lands. Defeat by the Americans.
Treaty of Paris (1783) excludes First Nations
from British-American land settlements. Relocation
of Six Nations Loyalists from Mohawk Valley
to Ontario. Followers of Joseph Brant receive
land grant along Grand River, in western Ontario.
Followers of Captain John Deserontyon resettle
along the north shore of the Bay of Quinte
in eastern Lake Ontario, on land purchased
from the Mississauga tribe of the Ojibwa nation.
• 1800 - Present - Lake Ontario
shoreline properties surrendered by Missisaugas
to Government of Upper Canada for Loyalist
resettlement. Six Nations territories of Grand
River reduced by sale to European immigrants
in early 1800's. Now Six Nations of Grand
River, in Ohsweken, Ontario. Tyendinaga Reserve
of the Bay of Quinte Mohawks maintained on
Loyalists lands near Deseronto, Ontario. Now
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory.
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