Iroquoian Village Crawford Lake Conservation Area

Village Hunting Area - Drying Racks, Frames for Animal Skins, Fish

Animal pelts stretched onto bent wood rings (frames) dry in the summer sun. Staff bring these types of displays indoors at night.

Wooden poles in background (like a tall fence) are the frame of another longhouse.

This area is next to the parking lot. Enter through an opening in the perimeter fence, or via a short path through a maze.

Interior Turtle Clan Longhouse - Skylight in Vaulted Ceiling

The items hanging from the scallop shaped ropes are model  ears of corn hung out to dry, and stay dry, far above the living space.

Real corn had been used to illustrate Indian daily life, but real corn is prone to insect and rodent damage. Keep an eye on the longhouse walls where they meet the floor - you may spot a mouse or two!

Here, only two garlands of dried corn are shown. However, in an actual village, following a good harvest, the rafters would have been thick with corn and other dried foods.

Fur Lined Deer Skin Baby Bunting Bag, Furs

This wonderfully warm and soft baby bunting bag hangs from a post in the Turtle Clan Longhouse.

Properly tanned and prepared deerskin is arguably the softest of leathers.

Lined with fur, this bunting bag would have been the cosiest snugli a baby could want.

Dried (Cured) Tobacco Leaves Longhouse Interior

Crawford Lake Iroquoian Village site was first occupied by Wendat (Huron) then later by the Attiwandaron (Neutral).

This display of dried (cured) tobacco leaves is labelled Huron and Seneca (one of the Iroquois tribes).

Pick up an information leaflet at the center; a graphic shows the general geographic distribution of Iroquois and Iroquaian clans.

Sunflower Seed, Sunflower Oil a mainstay in Huron Crawen Indian Life

Sunflower seed provided oil. Also displayed here are ears of corn and several types of squash, two of the Three Sisters of Indian gardens. Beans are the third.

These vegetables are planted together showing one of the earliest companion plantings.

Tall corn provides support for the sprawling squash vines and climbing beans. Beans fix nitrogen in the soil, fertilizing heavy-feeder corn and squash.

Longhouse Framework Large Longhouse Shell

Located near the Turltle Clan longhouse, this much larger longhouse would have housed about 100.

This unrestored longhouse is located on the opposite side of the village from Wolf Clan longhouse, the site's Learning Center of displays, exhibits and video presentations.

According to staff, the number of people who once lived in an Iroquoian village can be inferred by the size and number of longhouses.

In the Crawford Lake Iroquoian village, with 5 longhouses dating from the mid-1400s, the population estimate from that era is about 250.

Three Sisters Garden - Corn, Squash, Beans - Crawford Lake Village

A small framed sign marks the Three Sisters Garden in the Indian village, one of several planted areas of interest.

Outside the perimeter fence, there are a number of raised beds gardens, with well labeled plants along the Native Species Trail.

Near the Three Sisters Garden, there's a Sacred Plant garden.

Iroquoian Village Wood Craft Area

Also near the Three Sisters garden is this wood craft area.

With minimal sharp tools (stones),  Iroquoians would first light a fire on large wood logs or chunks of wood to 'soften' the interior parts.

When enough hardwood had been burned out, it was easier to scrape out and smooth the charcoal residue.

There is also a Maple Syrup Area, though in summer, maple syrup season is well over. See my Maple Syrup page for pictures of Indian methods of collecting.

The Gathering Place - Modern Day Meeting Place in Historical Village

The modern Gathering Place building located beside the parking lot overlooks the Village and Visitor Centre / gift shop.

From here, you can enter the village compound, or keep to the right and walk the Native Species Trail.

Not pictured on this page are the Grinding Stone artefact, Palisade Lookout, Burial Platforms or teaching trail gardens, among others.

I like to give you a glimpse of a destination, but the fun of travel should be discovery :-)

Related Travel Ontario, Conservation Ontario Pictures and Information

• Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area
• Crawford Lake
• Canada Maple Syrup Story, Tours
• Travel Ontario
• Canada Travel

Please feel free to leave me a comment about your visit to Iroquoian village!