Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques

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Don River

Photos and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted August, 2016

This plaque, located on the Lower Don Recreation Trail, on the west side of the Don River, was erected by the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation, Trans Canada Trail, Province of Ontario, and the Toronto 2015 Pan American/Para Pan American Games. Here's what it says:

Coordinates: 43.651365 -79.348187

Click here for a larger map

The Don River flows from headwaters on the Oak Ridges Moraine. 'Wonscotonach', the Anishinaabe place name, likely translates to "burning bright point" and may refer to the practice of torchlight salmon spearing. The Mississauga had a seasonal settlement here, where they fished and hunted the marshlands for muskrat, duck and deer. This settlement fell into disuse as the Mississaugas moved westward to a newly established permanent village at the River Credit. Most archeological evidence of the Mississaugas on this site has been destroyed. The river was essential to the Mississaugas as it connected with trail systems that are followed by present day Yonge Street, the gateway north.

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Yonge Street 1796

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Rivers and Waterways

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