Art & History Your Thing? Then @OntLakeCountry Is For You #OLC #LetsGoMaple

We're All Connected - Art, Culture, History. Discover how in Ontario's Lake Country. 

Nothing more Canadian than Maple Syrup!

Canada - Maple Tree - Maple Leaf - Maple Syrup ... 

Do you see the pattern? The common denominator: Maple! Once I got home from the fabulous #LetsGoMaple experience I found myself feeling like I was in the Maple version of Six Degrees of Separation. All that was missing was Kevin Bacon ... did I mention that bacon tastes really really good with maple syrup. It occurred to me #LetsGoMaple is the perfect hashtag when talking about the art, history, and culture of Ontario's Lake Country and Canada as a whole. 

If you know me, you know I'm all about sharing and linking information, ideas, and people, and I see links all over the place in Ontario's Lake Country and this area's art, history and culture.

Disclosure: I was invited to join a group of bloggers and influencers for a 2 day/3 night getaway to Ontario's Lake Country to sample some of the many and wonderful activities and attractions this area has to offer so I might share my experience with my readers. 

Ontario's Lake Country: Casino Rama Resort, Shaws Maple Syrup Bush, and Orillia Museum of Art and History are all in Ontario's Lake Country. 

Casino Rama Resort is located in the Town of Rama on Chippewas of Rama reserve land.

~Art & History~

Casino Rama is filled with art inspired or created to reflect the rich history and heritage of the Rama First Nation. Everywhere you look you'll find breathtaking art work that tells the history and stories of the area and the Rama First Nation.

~Culture & History~

The Gathering: "The Chippewas of Rama First Nation (Rama) has been known as 'the gathering' place throughout history, where travellers journey to trade, to seek counsel or medicines, and to attend meetings. Today, it is home to Casino Rama Resort" and, not surprisingly, it continues to be known as a 'gathering place' for friends and family to meet. 

~Culture & History~

Chippewas of Rama First Nation: The Weirs (Rama is a Chippewa word meaning fish fence) The Mnjikaning Fish Weirs (a system of underwater fences used to capture fish) was recognized as a National Historic Site in 1982. The fish fence at Atherley Narrows is located close to Rama First Nation. Carbon dating of samples taken of the fish fence stakes were found to be as old as 5000 years. We are talking Pyramids old. For a young country we have some old history. 

~Culture & History~ 

Maple Syrup and First Nations: Maple trees, and maple syrup played an important role and food source for the First Nations people of Ontario's Lake Country long before European settlers came to the region. (There is a Haudenosaunee/Iroquois legend that explains the discovery of maple syrup). In fact early settlers to the area learned from First Nations how to collect sap and produce maple syrup. 

~Culture & History~ 

Shaws Maple Syrup Bush has been tapping maples and producing maple syrup since 1904. Five generations of Shaws have been maple syrup producers with the sixth in training. They tap more than 4000 maples each year. It's clear the maple tree and maple syrup have historical significance and played an important role in the area. Maple syrup and the maple tree have become recognized symbols of Canada, Canadian culture, and being Canadian and are therefore significant to all Canadians.

~Culture & History~

Orillia Museum of Art and History: The building was completed in 1894 is home to more than 12,000 artifacts. The collection includes works of art, objects, archival documents and photos that have historical significance to Orillia and the surrounding areas, and Canada.  

~Art & History~

I found it interesting that OMAH is both backward and forward looking in that along with its many historical pieces, it's also home to an entire floor dedicated to contemporary art. Archival objects and documents are used for historical research and education about the art, history and culture of the area, while the dedicated space for art lessons helps to develop the skills of future artists. 

Sir Sam Steele Memorial Building, which presently houses the Orillia Museum of Art and History, has also been used as a Post Office and Customs House, by the Orillia Police Force, as a Court House & Jail (the cells are still in basement), by the Sir Sam Steele Art Gallery.

~Art & History~

Thomas Fuller, the original architect of the Sir Sam Steele Memorial Building also worked on Canadian Parliament Buildings in Ottawa, where the our federal government sits. Both the maple leaf and maple syrup are recognized as symbols of Canada and being Canadian. The maple leaf theme is woven into the culture, art, and history of Canada. It can found on our flag, and was on all our coins from 1876 until 1901, and on the our penny (until the it was phased out in 2012). Three maple leaves also appear on the Ontario Coat of Arms. 

And there's the Beaver ... also a recognized symbol of Canada and being Canadian. (of course there's moose, but I digress) Beaver - Beaver Fur - Fur Trade - The Gathering - Rama First Nation - Ontario's Lake Country ... 

And we're back to the beginning again. 

Personally I find all the connections through art, culture, and history fascinating since it is the connections we make with people, and places, and through experiences that makes us as individuals, and Canadians, and as a country wonderful. I highly recommend you connect with some of the art, culture, and history Ontario's Lake Country has to offer. 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about art, culture, and history ... oh, and bacon ... the maple kind.