View topic - Proposed Dam - Timmins Area - Grassy River

I agree with you Tremblay - but I’ve seen sillier things done and hoping this one doesn't make the list

Since I’ve started the blog back in mid December 2007 I’m amazed at just how many people have been to the falls or use them on a regular bases

I always though of it as a gem and didn't really want to share it with very many people up until now - i guess the old adage, use it or lose it still applies

Thanks everyone for your comments and if you can, try to make it for the Feb 6th meeting in Timmins - more details at http://grassyriver.blogspot.com

Best Regards
Markus

Hi All,

Another shot of the falls, but this time under much milder conditions
This picture taken last spring and the shot is from the opposite side of the river

More pics at

http://grassyriver.blogspot.com

Regards
Markus

Kamrunner

Great Shot

The Grassy River is a mystical place, a wonderful passage to the Great
Northern rivers beyond, steeped in spirituality and Anishnabae heritage
and tradition.

Have you any shots of sacred Sansawaju, you might place here?

Regards

Sundown

Thanks for the comments Sundown

I've got a number of pictures of Sansawaju - it's a beautiful place located about 70km south of Timmins and along the East Arm of the Grassy River about 60km up from the Grassy High Falls Dam - the mountain is about 150M high and overlooks Grassy Lake to the west of it

The picture doesn't really do it justice - you will just have to go see it in person
I don't know much about the history of this mountain
perhaps Sundown could shed some light on the history ?

Regards
Markus

Just one quick last note

Short 45 second video of the falls available on the blog
This video recorded Sunday Jan 20th in -36C weather - might explain the camera shake a little - hard to hold a camera with bare hands at that temperature


http://grassyriver.blogspot.com

Regards
Markus

Good Morning Markus

and thanks for the picture... Marvellous Colours of Our Northern Spring...

As for Sansawaju, my research on its' History, Lore, and Legend is still ongoing.
This is one Mountain that will require as many Anisnabae interviews as possible,
for me to develop a broader, more complete and accurate understanding.

In general, the Anishnabae particularly revered all Mountains, though.
Like many indigenous cultures, such as the Aztec, the Maya, the Inca, etc...
they viewed the Mountains as a point of intersection between their Peoples
and their Creator...the "heavens"... the Sun, Moon, and Stars and the spirits of
their Ancestors lay above... joined at the Mountaintop ... the intersection of
Earth and Sky...with the mortal lives of their race, and their daily world.

Sansawaju is also known as Moose Mountain... and, if you have stood atop
Sansawaju (another photo, Markus?) you will have noted the grand vantages
the Anishnabae scouts would have enjoyed of the surrounding lowland habitat
in their pursuit of the Moose as a food source for their families. The mountain
also would have served as a redoubt or a defensible position during the 1700's
when the Anishnabae were widely persecuted by the Jesuits, and a tall tower
from which to survey the travels of their peoples, and the movement of wildfires,
or other game such as the Elk (which were common to this region
up to a century ago... until the arrival of Development). The famed Courier du Bois,
great friends and protective allies of the Anishnabae, would have used
Sansawaju as a sentry post to announce the threat of the Jesuit Incursions
and the genocide which threatened the survival of the Anishnabae Nation.

The Grassy River was a main Travel and Trade Route, and its' proximity to Mattagami
(a traditional Meeting Place) meant that Sansawaju was one of the main
vantage areas which enabled the local inhabitants an advance announcement
of any visiting delegations... a cause for great feasts, and dancing, and
celebrations. Sansawaju would also have been a main lookout point for
seasonal arrival of the Northwest Company Fur Trade Canoes, prior to the
construction of Fort Mattagami in 1700. (The Hudson Bay Company built a
second Fort Mattagami in 1794.)

Sansawaju was as sacred to the Anishnabae of the north, as is Maple
Mountain or Ishpatina or Spirit Rock in the Temagami Region, or Cheminis
east of Kirkland Lake, or Timmins' Kamiskotia... and, the Anishnabae Meeting
Places were typically in close proximity to these Sacred Mountains and points
of elevation.

Some background... more information will follow as my interviews continue.

Regards

Sundown

This is a picture taken from Sansawaju Mountain Last Falls - just love the colors

The view is looking South - You can see part of Upper Grassy Lake in the distance and the mountain just a little to the left is an old fire watch tower

Regards
Markus

Hi All,

Hope you guys/gals don't mind the pictures i've been posting

The only new item is a meeting/presentation to the Special Advisory Group on the Mattagami in Timmins tonight - will let you know what comes of it

If your interested in more discussions regarding High Falls

Please visit and leave a comment

http://www.talktimmins.com/showthread.php?t=1811

Best Regards
Markus[/url]

Hi All,

See link for article

http://www.timminspress.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=878560

Regards
Markus

Markus

I am willing to work with you and Grant and all to prepare an Application
to the OMNR to promote this Area as a Conservation Area.

Regards

Sundown

Hi Sundown,

Thanks for the offer - will forward the message on to Grant

Anybody and everybody is invited to next week's meeting on Feb 6th

See the blog for details

http://grassyriver.blogspot.com

Best Regards
Mark

Good Morning Markus

I hope all is going well, and that momentum is building as the Public Meeting
approaches. (February 6th in Timmins)

In one of our conversations you inquired about Cheminis, so I have posted
this link. It, like Sansawaju, is a Sacred Anishnabae Mountain...and, all
sites like Cheminis, and Sansawaju, and the Grassy River ought be preserved
as Cultural and Heritage Values.

Good Luck on Wednesday.

For the pic, see http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~ ... is2005.htm

Believe it or not, someone actually tried to ski down this a few years ago

Regards

Sundown

Hi All,

The meeting went very well last night 200+ in attendance - ran out of chairs
Your good luck paid off sundown thanks


If you would like more details check out the blog

http://grassyriver.blogspot.com

Regards
Markus

Hi Sundown

Wow i'm amazed at how similar Cheminis and Sansawaju look

I wonder what forms mountains that way ? any geologist out there that can hazard a guess ?

If you find out anything more regarding Sansawaju i'd love to hear about it

Ski down cheminis ? that looks like a suicidal run

Regards
Markus

Congratulations Grant and Markus

It is clear to see that Momentum is Building to Stop the High Falls Hydro Development...
and, what is most evident is that the message you folks are conveying
is beginning to Ripple Outward to encourage others to believe they can also stop
some of the other 190 Hydro Projects being contemplated across Ontario.

I encourage everyone to visit the Grassy Blogspot, because a few moments
spent on that Blogspot will be invaluable in terms of learning how to stop
any form of Development.

Grant and Markus and Their Crew haven't chosen a path of Militancy.
Instead, they have conducted themselves with a Constant Aura of Class,
They've chosen an Honourable, and Just, and Respectful approach,
They've spoken passionately and informatively... never harshly or angrily.
They've Done their homework, and they've Communicated a Responsible Message.
They've struck a Huge Chord with their Community, and made it very easy
for sensible people to come to their own sensible conclusions.

And, I suggest, Their Voices Will Prevail.

Well Done, Lads.

Regards

Sundown