Agawa Rock Pictographs: Sacred Indigenous Art of Ontario
Explore Agawa Rock Pictographs: Ancient History in Lake Superior Provincial Park
Essential Guide to Visiting Sacred Ojibwe Pictographs in Canada
Are you ready to discover one of the most mysterious sacred sites in Canada? The Agawa Rock Pictographs, located within breathtaking Lake Superior Provincial Park, offer a rare, powerful glimpse into Ojibwe history along the rugged shores of Lake Superior in Ontario.
Furthermore, this sacred site in Algoma Country can be accessed via a short, rugged trail that descends 30 meters down to the water’s edge. There, 35 ancient red-ochre paintings are displayed across a towering, 15-story granite cliff. However, caution must be exercised by visitors, as the ledge should only be navigated on calm days. Additionally, a bolted safety rope is provided for balance, but the site must not be visited during severe weather when massive waves make the ledge extremely dangerous.
Consequently, the site is known in Ojibwe as Mazinaubikinguning, which translates to the "adorned rock on Agawa Lake." Remarkably, both real and mythical creatures were painted onto the rock centuries ago. Most notably, the legendary Mishipeshu (the Great Lynx) was drawn here—a horned water creature believed to control turbulent lake waters.
Watch Video now to experience this incredible piece of Canadian heritage before planning your journey!
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Comments (5)
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Beautiful spot! Interesting you cannot photograph them. I looked that up. Ontario has a couple places like that apparently. But the no photographyBeautiful spot! Interesting you cannot photograph them. I looked that up. Ontario has a couple places like that apparently. But the no photography rule is basically uniquely only in Ontario compared to the rest of Canada. I've been to some pictographs and petroglyphs in Alberta as well as Saskatchewan. So that little rule made me curious! I would love to check these out sometime. Thanks for sharing More ... -
Andrea Horning, the Petrogyphs Provincial Park is the same. They actually built a building on top of the rocks, and you are not allowed to use yourAndrea Horning, the Petrogyphs Provincial Park is the same. They actually built a building on top of the rocks, and you are not allowed to use your cell phone inside More ... -
This is such an amazing place to visit! I always find it amazing that the pictographs have been able to survive in such a wet and exposed spot -This is such an amazing place to visit! I always find it amazing that the pictographs have been able to survive in such a wet and exposed spot - right on the rugged shores of Lake Superior. There were huge waves the day we visited, and it felt like we could easily be swept off the rocks. More ... -
Sonya Richmond Superior is my favourite part of Ontario. Too bad it takes me 12 hrs to get there
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Thomas Worsley I agree - I love that part of the province too, and I think of it as 'the north,' even though it just barely at the 49th parallel. ItThomas Worsley I agree - I love that part of the province too, and I think of it as 'the north,' even though it just barely at the 49th parallel. It is hard to grasp just how huge Ontario actually is! More ...