Editing Manitoulin Island

{{Short description|Island in Lake Huron, Ontario, Canada}}
{{Use Canadian English|date=January 2023}}

{{Infobox islands
| name             = Manitoulin Island
| image_name       = Manitoulin Island.jpg
| image_caption    = Satellite image of Manitoulin Island
| image_size       = 
| map_image        = Map of Ontario MANITOULIN.svg
| map_caption      = 
| native_name      = [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]]: ''ᒪᓂᑝᐙᓕᓐᒃ'', Manidoowaaling 
| native_name_link = 
| nickname         = 
| location         = [[Lake Huron]]
| coordinates      = {{Coord|45|46|N|82|12|W|region:CA_type:isle_scale:1000000|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago      = 
| total_islands    = 
| major_islands    = 
| area_km2         = 2766
| highest_mount    = The Cup and Saucer
| elevation_m      = 352
| country          = Canada
| country_admin_divisions_title     = [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Province]]
| country_admin_divisions           = [[Ontario]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1   = [[Districts of Ontario|District]]
| country_admin_divisions_1         = [[Manitoulin District, Ontario|Manitoulin District]]
| country_largest_city              = [[Little Current, Ontario|Little Current]] 
| population       = 13,255 <ref name="statcan.gc.ca">{{Cite web|url=http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/prof/details/page.cfm?Lang=E&Geo1=CD&Code1=3551&Geo2=PR&Code2=35&Data=Count&SearchText=Manitoulin&SearchType=Begins&SearchPR=01&B1=All&TABID=1|title = Census Profile, 2016 Census - Manitoulin, District &#91;Census division&#93;, Ontario and Ontario &#91;Province&#93;|date = 8 February 2017}}</ref>
| population_as_of = 2016
| density_km2      = 4.56
| ethnic_groups    = 
| additional_info  = 
}}

'''Manitoulin Island''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|m|æ|n|ə|ˈ|t|uː|l|ᵻ|n}} {{respell|MAN|ə|TOO|lin}}) is an [[island]] in [[Lake Huron]], located within the borders of the [[Provinces and territories of Canada|Canadian province]] of [[Ontario]], in the [[bioregion]] known as [[Laurentia (bioregion)|Laurentia]]. With an area of {{convert|2,766|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, it is the [[Lake island#Naturally occurring lake islands by area|largest lake island]] in the world, large enough that it has over 100 lakes itself. In addition to the historic [[Anishinaabe]] and [[Europe]]an settlement of the island, [[archaeological]] discoveries at [[Sheguiandah]] have demonstrated [[Paleo-Indian]] and [[Archaic period in the Americas|Archaic]] cultures dating from 10,000 BC to 2,000 BC.<ref name="jstor101">[https://www.jstor.org/stable/277560 Lee, Thomas E. (1954).  "The First Sheguiandah Expedition, Manitoulin Island, Ontario"], ''American Antiquity'' 20:2, p. 101, accessed 13 Apr 2010</ref>

The current name of the island is the English version, via [[French language|French]], of the [[Ottawa language|Ottawa]] or [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]] name ''Manidoowaaling'' (ᒪᓂᑝᐙᓕᓐᒃ),<ref>{{cite book|last1=Pentland|first1=David|editor1-last=Cowan|editor1-first=W.|title=Papers of the Ninth Algonquian Conference|date=1978|publisher=[[Carleton University]]|location=Ottawa}}</ref> which means "cave of the spirit". It was named for an underwater cave where a powerful spirit is said to live.<ref>{{Cite book|title=The Island of the Anishnaabeg: Thunderers and Water Monsters in the Traditional Ojibwe Life-World|last=Smith|first=Theresa|publisher=University of Idaho Press|year=1995|isbn=9780893011710|pages=135, 185 inter alia}}</ref> By the 19th century, the Odawa "l" was pronounced as "n". The same word with a newer pronunciation is used for the town ''[[Assiginack|Manitowaning]]'' (19th-century Odawa "Manidoowaaning"), which is located on Manitoulin Island near the underwater cave where legend has it that the spirit dwells. The modern Odawa name for Manitoulin Island is ''Mnidoo Mnis'', meaning "Spirit Island".<ref>{{cite book|last1=Valentine|first1=Randolph|title=A Nishnaabemwin Reference Grammar|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TBUcyYZDsO0C&q=mnidoo+mnis&pg=PA892|publisher=[[University of Toronto Press]]|isbn=9780802083890|year=2001}}</ref>

Manitoulin Island contains a number of lakes of its own. In order of size, its three most prominent lakes are [[Lake Manitou]], [[Lake Kagawong]] and [[Lake Mindemoya]]. These three lakes in turn have islands within them, the largest of these being Lake Mindemoya's {{convert|82|acre|ha|order=flip|adj=on}} [[Treasure Island (Ontario)|Treasure Island]], located in the centre of Mindemoya.

The island is the site of the administrative office of the [[band government]] of the [[Sheshegwaning First Nation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sheshegwaning.org|title=Sheshegwaning First Nation|work=sheshegwaning.org}}</ref>{{not in citation|date=December 2023}}

==Geography and geology==
The island has an area of {{convert|2,766|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, making it the largest freshwater island in the world, the [[List of islands by area|174th largest island in the world]] and [[List of Canadian islands by area|Canada's 31st largest island]].

The island separates the larger part of [[Lake Huron]] to its south and west from [[Georgian Bay]] to its east and the [[North Channel (Ontario)|North Channel]] to the north.

Manitoulin Island itself has 108 freshwater lakes, some of which have their own islands; in turn several of these "islands within islands" have their own ponds. [[Lake Manitou]], at {{convert|104|km2|abbr=on}}, is the largest lake in a freshwater island in the world,<ref name="islandlake">{{cite web|title=The Island and Lake Combination|url=http://www.elbruz.org/islands/Islands%20and%20Lakes.htm|access-date= 2010-03-01}}</ref> and [[Treasure Island, Ontario|Treasure Island]] in [[Lake Mindemoya]] is the largest island in a lake on an island in a lake in the world.<ref name="islandlake"/> Motors are prohibited on boats on [[Nameless Lake (Manitoulin District)|Nameless Lake]].

The island also has four major rivers: the [[Kagawong River|Kagawong]], [[Manitou River (Manitoulin Island)|Manitou River]], [[Blue Jay Creek (Lake Huron tributary)|Blue Jay Creek]] in [[Michael's Bay]] and [[Mindemoya River|Mindemoya]] rivers, which provide [[spawn (biology)|spawning]] grounds for [[salmon]] and [[trout]].

The [[Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association]] was formed in 2000 and incorporated in 2007. The organization rehabilitates streams, rivers and creeks on Manitoulin Island to improve water quality and the fisheries resource. The Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association has conducted enhancement strategies for the Manitou River and Blue Jay Creek. The association has rehabilitated 17 major sites on the Manitou River and three major sites on Blue Jay Creek; it has completed work on Bass Lake Creek and Norton's Creek. The organization plans to start work on the Mindemoya River in 2010.

Although culturally and politically considered part of [[Northern Ontario]], the island is physiographically part of [[Southern Ontario]], an "eastward extension of the Interior Plains, a region characterized by low relief and sedimentary underpinnings". The island consists mainly of [[Dolomite (rock)|dolomite]] as it is a continuation of the [[Bruce Peninsula]] and [[Niagara Escarpment]]. This geological rock formation runs south into [[Niagara Falls]] and continues into [[New York (state)|New York]]. The "Cup and Saucer Trail", which climbs the [[escarpment]], provides a lookout over the island.

===Climate===
Manitoulin Island experiences a [[humid continental climate]] (''Dfb'') with moderation from [[Lake Huron]]. The island experiences warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. Manitoulin Island has a comparable climate to that of [[Hokkaido]] ([[hemiboreal]] climate), despite being on the same latitude as [[Lugano, Switzerland]], which has a [[temperate climate]]. The island is characterized by long stretches of marked seasonal differences.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands topographic map, elevation, relief|url=https://en-sg.topographic-map.com/maps/mp5/Northeastern-Manitoulin-and-the-Islands/|access-date=2022-02-05|website=topographic-map.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Culture==
[[File:Mississagi Strait Lighthouse.JPG|thumb|Mississagi Strait Lighthouse on Manitoulin Island]]
[[File:Cup and Saucer hiking trail, Manitoulin Island (ca 2007).jpg|thumb|right|View from the Cup and Saucer Hiking Trail]]
[[File:NE Manitoulin ON.JPG|thumb|Rural countryside]]
[[File:Gore Bay Manitoulin.JPG|thumb|right|Gore Bay]]

The island has two incorporated towns ([[Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands]] and [[Gore Bay, Ontario|Gore Bay]]), eight [[township (Canada)|townships]] ([[Assiginack, Ontario|Assiginack]], [[Billings, Ontario|Billings]], [[Burpee and Mills, Ontario|Burpee and Mills]], [[Central Manitoulin, Ontario|Central Manitoulin]], [[Dawson Township, Manitoulin District, Ontario|Dawson]], [[Gordon/Barrie Island]], [[Robinson Township, Ontario|Robinson]] and [[Tehkummah, Ontario|Tehkummah]]) and six [[Anishinaabe]] [[Indian reserve|reserve]]s ([[M'Chigeeng, Ontario|M'Chigeeng]], Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Aundeck Omni Kaning, [[Wiikwemkoong First Nation|Wiikwemkoong]] and [[Zhiibaahaasing 19, Ontario|Zhiibaahaasing]]).

During the summer, the population (12,600 permanent residents) on the island grows by more than a quarter due to tourists coming for boating and other activities in scenic surroundings. The island, along with several smaller neighbouring islands, constitutes the [[Manitoulin District, Ontario|Manitoulin District]] [[Census divisions of Canada|census division]] of Ontario.

Manitoulin Island's soil is relatively [[alkaline]], which precludes the growth of common [[Northern Ontario]] flora such as [[blueberries]], but allows for the island's trademark [[hawberries]]. These berries are so distinctive that people born on the island are referred to as "[[Haweaters]]". Each year on the August [[long weekend]], the island hosts the Haweater Festival. The festival attracts numerous tourists; it features parades, firework shows, craft shows, and rural competitions such as horse pulls.

== Transportation ==
[[File:MS Chi-Cheemaun - 2017.jpg|thumb|MS ''Chi-Cheemaun'' passenger/vehicle ferry]]

Year-round motor-vehicle access to the island is available via the one-lane [[Little Current Swing Bridge]], which crosses the North Channel at [[Little Current, Ontario|Little Current]]. From late May to early October, a daily passenger-vehicle ferry, the {{MS|Chi-Cheemaun}} ([[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]] for "Big Canoe"), travels between [[Tobermory, Ontario|Tobermory]] on the tip of the [[Bruce Peninsula]] and [[South Baymouth, Ontario|South Baymouth]]. Winter ice prevents ferry service during that season. There are two airports on the island. [[Gore Bay-Manitoulin Airport]], and [[Manitoulin East Municipal Airport]], which opened in 1988. Both allow small planes access to the island and Border Patrol clearance. 

== Demographics ==
{{Historical populations
|footnote=<ref name="1941census">{{Cite report |author=Dominion Bureau of Statistics |editor-last=Cudmore |editor-first=S. A. |title=Eighth Census of Canada 1941 |year=1944 |publisher=Edmond Cloutier, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty |volume=II: Population by Local Subdivisions |page=105}}</ref>
|[[1871 Canadian census|1871]]|2231
|[[1881 Canadian census|1881]]|8460
|[[1891 Canadian census|1891]]|10794
|[[1901 Canadian census|1901]]|11828
|[[1911 Canadian census|1911]]|11324
|[[1921 Canadian census|1921]]|10468
|[[1931 Canadian census|1931]]|10734
|[[1941 Canadian census|1941]]|10841
}}

{{As of|2016}}, the population was 13,255.<ref name="statcan.gc.ca"/>

'''Ethnic groups'''
*59% [[White people|White]] (European-Canadian)<ref name="statcan.gc.ca"/>
*40.6% [[Aboriginal peoples in Canada|Aboriginal]] (First Nations)<ref name="statcan.gc.ca"/>
*0.4% [[Black Canadian|Black]] (African-Canadian)<ref name="statcan.gc.ca"/>

'''Religious groups'''
*42.3% [[Protestant]]
*37.3% [[Roman Catholic]]
*2.7% other [[Christianity|Christian]]
*17.7% other/none

The most common first languages on Manitoulin Island in 2016 were [[English language|English]] (80.8%), [[Ojibwe language|Ojibwe]] (11.2%), [[French language|French]] (2.8%), [[German language|German]] (0.8%), and [[Odawa language|Odawa]] (0.8%).<ref name="statcan.gc.ca"/>

== History ==
{{see also|Northern Michigan#History of Northern Michigan}}
[[Image:Bridal Veil Falls Ontario CA.jpg|right|thumb|[[Bridal Veil Falls (Manitoulin Island)|Bridal Veil Falls]]]]

In 1952 [[archaeologist]] [[Thomas E. Lee]] discovered [[Sheguiandah]] on the island, a [[prehistoric]] site. During excavation, he found [[artifact (archaeology)|artefact]]s of the [[Paleo-Indian]] and [[Archaic period in the Americas|Archaic]] periods, dating at least to 10,000 BC and possibly to 30,000 years ago.<ref name="jstor101"/> Additional studies were undertaken by a team he led from the [[National Museum of Canada]] in succeeding years.<ref>Lee, Robert E. Chapter 2, ''The Sheguiandah Site: Archaeological, Geological and Paleobotanical Studies at a Paleoindian Site on Manitoulin Island, Ontario'', ed. Patrick Julig (2002), Toronto: Canadian Museum of Civilization, 2002. {{ISBN|0-660-18755-8}}</ref> Popular interest in the finds was so high that it contributed to Ontario's passing legislation in 1953 to protect its archaeological sites.<ref>[https://www.jstor.org/stable/276109 Lee, Thomas E. (1955). "The Second Sheguiandah Expedition, Manitoulin Island, Ontario"], ''American Antiquity'' 21:1, p. 63, accessed 13 Apr 2010</ref>

A team performed excavations again in the early 1990s, applying new methods of analysis from botany and other scientific disciplines. They concluded the site was at least 9500 years old, making it one of the most significant in Ontario.<ref>Julig, Patrick and Peter Storck. Chapters 4 and 5, ''The Sheguiandah Site'', ed. Patrick Julig (2002), Toronto: Canadian Museum of Civilization. {{ISBN|0-660-18755-8}}</ref>

Manitoulin means ''spirit island'' in ''Anishinaabemowin'' ([[Ojibwe language]]). The island is considered sacred by the Native [[Anishinaabe]] people, who identify as the [[Council of Three Fires|"People of the Three Fires]]." This loose confederation is made up of the [[Ojibwe]], [[Odawa people|Odawa]] and [[Potawatomi]] tribes.

The North Channel was part of the route used by the French colonial [[voyageurs]] and [[coureurs des bois]] to reach [[Lake Superior]]. The first known [[Europe]]an to settle on the island was Father [[Joseph Poncet]], a [[France|French]] [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]], who set up a [[Mission (Christian)|mission]] near [[Wiikwemkoong First Nation|Wiikwemkoong]] in 1648. The Jesuits called the island ''"Isle de Ste-Marie".'' 

In addition, the Five Nations of the [[Iroquois]] began raiding the island and area to try to control the [[fur trade]] with the French. As part of what was called the [[Beaver Wars]], the Iroquois drove the Anishinaabe people from the island by 1650. According to Anishinaabe oral tradition, to purify the island from disease, the people burned their settlements as they left. The island was mostly uninhabited for nearly 150 years.

Native people ([[Odawa people|Odawa]], [[Ojibwe]], [[Potawatomi]]) began to return to the island following the [[War of 1812]] between Britain and the United States. They ceded the island to the British [[The Crown|Crown]] in 1836; the government set aside the land as a refuge for Natives. In 1838 [[Jean-Baptiste Proulx (priest)|Jean-Baptiste Proulx]] re-established a [[Roman Catholic]] [[Mission (Christian)|mission]]. The [[Jesuits]] took over the mission in 1845.

In 1862, the government opened up the island to settlement by non-Native people by the Manitoulin Island treaty. As the ''Wikwemikong'' chief did not accept this treaty, his people's reserve was held back from being offered for development. That reserve remains unceded. On August 7, 1975, the Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve reasserted their [[Indigenous land claims in Canada|claim]] to sovereignty over the islands off the east end of Manitoulin Island, declaring, "Wikwemikong Band has jurisdiction over its reservation lands and surrounding waters."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manitoulin-island.com/wikwemikong/history.html |title=Wikwemikong History |work=Manitoulin Island |publisher=Manitoulin Island |date=1975-08-07 |access-date=2013-11-26}}</ref>

The province erected an Ontario Historical Plaque on the grounds of the Assiginack Museum to commemorate the Manitoulin Treaties' role in Ontario's history.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques_MNO/Plaque_Manitoulin03.html |title=Manitoulin Treaties Historical Plaque |work=Ontario's Historical Plaques |access-date=2013-11-26 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202224409/http://www.ontarioplaques.com/Plaques_MNO/Plaque_Manitoulin03.html |archive-date=2013-12-02 }}</ref>

==Notable residents==
* [[Carl Beam]], Canadian artist of Native ancestry
* [[Kevin Closs]], independent rock recording artist raised in Manitowaning
* [[Jeannette Corbiere Lavell]], Indigenous women's rights activist, founder of the Ontario Native Women's Association
* [[Ethel Rogers Mulvany]], Canadian social worker and teacher
* [[Daphne Odjig]], artist, born and raised on the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Reserve
* [[Isabel Paterson]], Canadian-American writer born on Manitoulin Island
* [[Autumn Peltier]], global Indigenous rights and water activist, [[Water protectors|water protector]], top finalist for 2022 International Children's Peace Prize
* [[Crystal Shawanda]], country music artist from Wiikwemkoong
* [[Lucky Thompson]], American jazz saxophone player

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Manitoulin Island}}
*{{Wikivoyage-inline}}
*{{osmrelation|4227580}}
*[http://www.manitoulin-island.com/ Manitoulin tourism information]
*[http://anglicanhistory.org/canada/burden_manitoulin1895/ Manitoulin, an essay about Ojibway Indians and Lumbermen by Harold Nelson Burden (1895)]

{{Greatlakes}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Manitoulin Island| ]]
[[Category:Landforms of Manitoulin District]]
[[Category:Niagara Escarpment]]
[[Category:Dark-sky preserves in Canada]]
[[Category:Islands of Lake Huron in Ontario]]
[[Category:Sacred islands]]