Local Facts & Trivia

Here are some interesting tidbits, little known facts, and “did you knows”.

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Test your knowledge and learn more about the following categories of information.

Geography
Q: Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world. How many kilometers long is Manitoulin?
A: 176 kms long. (80 kms at widest point, 5 kms at narrowest point, and 106 Freshwater Inland Lakes)
Q: In what First Nation does the Niagara escarpment traverse?
A: M`Chigeeng (home to the beautiful and scenic Cup and Saucer Trail).
Q: In what First Nation’s territory does the geography of the land change from Precambrian Shield to Limestone?
A: Whitefish River First Nation.
Q: How old are the oldest fossils found on Manitoulin?
A: Between 350 and 400 million years old (paleozoic era).
History
Q: In what First Nation did the Voyageurs canoes pass through in days of old?
A: Whitefish River at Swift Current.
Q: In what First Nation did United States President Roosevelt come to enjoy a fishing holiday?
A: Whitefish River.
Q: In what First Nation’s territory does the geography of the land change from Precambrian Shield to Limestone?
A: Whitefish River First Nation.
Q: What island was designated an Indian Reserve in the 1800s?
A: Manitoulin via the Manitoulin Treaty of 1836.
Q: What First Nation hosts the site of an historic outpost of the Northwest Company and Hudson’s Bay company?
A: Sagamok – Fort Lacloche.
Q: In what First Nation community have archeological digs unearthed the oldest arrowheads found in this area dating back 9500 years?
A: Sheguiandah.
Tourism
Q: How many accommodations businesses are there on Manitoulin?
A: 58 (source: Manitoulin Tourism Association).
Q: What is the most popular type of accommodation for visitors to the island?
A: Campgrounds (30%), Hotels & Motels (19%) Housekeeping cottages (15%) Friends and relatives (6%) (source: Manitoulin Chamber of Commerce).
Q: What countries outside of the US boast the most visitors to Manitoulin?
A: Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, England, Austria, Australia, and Belgium (source Manitoulin Chamber of Commerce).
Culture
Q: What is the longest running competition powwow in Ontario?
A: Wikwemikong (45 years since 1960).
Q: What is the longest continuously operating native theatre company in Canada?
A: Debajmujig (22 years and still going strong).
Q: What First Nation is proud host to the largest peace pipe and dreamcatcher in the world?
A: Zhiibaahaasing.
Q: How many museums are there on Manitoulin?
A: Eight.
Q: How many are Aboriginal?A: One – The Ojibwe Cultural Foundation hosts a museum which is the only one on Manitoulin capable of housing collections from the National Art Gallery and National Museum.
Q: Where does North America’s first female hoop dance champion hail from?
A: Wikwemikong, Lisa Odjig.
Language
Q: What does Mnidoo Mnissing mean?
A: Island of the spirits.
Q: What Ojibwe place name translated into English means ‘village enclosed by steep cliffs`?
A: M’Chigeeng.
Q: What place name when translated means “Bay of Beavers”?
A: Wikwemikong.
Literature
Q: Who wrote 2 books about Manitoulin Island?
A: Marion Seabrook.
Q: What other authors have written about Manitoulin?
A: Bonnie Kogos and Tom Peltier.
Literature
Q: How many artists or songwriters have written about Manitoulin Island?
A: Six. Earl Heywood – Singer/Songwriter (“Moonlight on the Manitoulin”); Flapjack – Old time Canadian bush swing group (“Manitoulin Boy”); David Campbell – Singer/Songwriter (“Manitoulin”); Kevin Closs – Singer/Songwriter; Crystal Lynn Shawanda – recording artist; Jennifer Sneddon – guitarist and singer.
Art
Q: What famous Manitoulin artist received the Order of Canada in 1987?
A: Daphne Odjig.
Q: What famous Manitoulin artist recently received an Audience with Pope John Paul at the Vatican?
A: James Simon Mishibinijima.
Film & Television
Q: What independent film was recently produced in and around Manitoulin?
A: “Backroads” – Written and Directed by Shirley Cheechoo in 2000.
Q: What tv series was filmed in communities within the Great Spirit Circle Trail?
A: “Adventures in Rainbow Country”;Canadian television series in 1969.
Sports
Q: What is the name of the new Manitoulin Island Junior A hockey team?
A: The Islanders.
Q: What famous National Hockey League player hails from Wikwemikong?
A: Chris Simon.
Miscellaneous
Q: Of the following list, what animals have not lived on Manitoulin – bear, moose, deer, reindeer, buffalo, sheep, cattle, cougar, llama, eagle, raccoon, fox, or goat?
A: Llama (reindeer and buffalo have lived in captivity on Lacloche, and a moose was hit recently by a motorist).
Q: What island has recently been named a National Dark Sky Sanctuary?
A: Manitoulin Island – FYI, this August the most recently held Star Party was held in Aundeck Omni Kaning.
Q: When was the swing bridge constructed at Little Current?
A: 1913.
What did the swing bridge cost to construct when it was built?
A: $285,000.
Q: Where are Manitoulin’s only stop lights?
A: Little Current at the bridge.