Nomination & Designation
In 1994, at the prompting of the Sault Ste. Marie Region Conservation Authority and with the support of, and input from the many groups and individuals, a study was undertaken to determine the suitability of the St. Marys River for inclusion in the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. The background study was prepared by Carolyn Harrington and Dr. Jong You of the Centre for Northern Ontario Studies. This preliminary study, which was completed in October 1995, concluded that the St. Marys River possessed the necessary qualities for nomination. A copy of the complete report is available upon request for a nominal charge to cover the cost of reproduction for the SSMRCA office.
On August 14, 2000 the Honourable Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources John Snobelen, approved the Heritage Strategy for the St. Marys River.
October 24, 2000
The dedication ceremony for the St. Marys River as a Canadian Heritage River took place at the Roberta Bondar Pavilion. The commemorative plaque describes the importance of the river and the official text is displayed in English, Ojibwe and French.
(English) Text of Plaque
Connecting three of North America’s Great Lakes - Superior, Huron and Michigan the St. Marys River is the key hydrological, ecological and transportation link in the Great Lakes system. Since its birth less than 10,000 years ago at the end of the most recent Ice Age, this historic river, though only 125 km long, has been a vital artery leading to the heart of the continent and beyond.
The St. Marys River is the cultural heartland of the Ojibwe, and for almost 5,000 years Aboriginal peoples have gathered here to fish and trade. For explorers, missionaries and fur traders, the St. Marys was the gateway to the west. In the late 18th century, the British military recognized the value of the river’s strategic location for the defense of Canada, and built Fort St. Joseph. In the 19 century, locks circumventing the rapids connected the commerce and industry of eastern North America to the untapped natural resources to the west. Although still a significant route of commerce, the St. Marys River is now an important playground for sport fishers and boaters.
The designation of the St. Marys River as a Canadian Heritage River is a testament to the commitment of local residents who share a vision for the recognition and preservation of this river’s outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values.