Educational panels installed at the Jean-Baptiste Lainé site

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has launched a pilot project at the Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site to provide users of the trail system with additional information about the late 16th to early 17th century ancestral Wendat village. “The signage was created in collaboration with the Wendat Nation as an opportunity for education that further solidifies the Town’s commitment to Reconciliation in our community,” said Mayor Iain Lovatt.

After Ward 6 Councillor Sue Sherban brought forward a Members Resolution on July 20, 2022 at Council, educational panels have been placed at each of the main entry points to the Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site, and leading to the commemorative Ontario Heritage Trust plaque, which was installed in 2017. Councillor Sherban says “we are happy to see the Town of Stouffville continue to move forward with significant steps recognizing this important site”.

Entry points can be found near Wendat Village Public School, James Ratcliff Avenue, Lost Pond Crescent, and near the intersection of Byers Pond Way and Jonas Millway. Additional panels with further information can be found along the trail. Trail users will have the opportunity to learn more about the Wendat and provide their feedback to the Whitchurch-Stouffville Museum & Community Centre at wsmuseum@townofws.ca prior to the installation of permanent signage in the future.

The Wendat were a great Iroquoian civilization of farmers, masters of trade & diplomacy, and fishermen-hunter-gatherers. The settlement had a population of 1,500 – 2,000 people.  Following excavations by Archaeological Services Inc. between 2003-2005, over 150,000 artifacts were uncovered. Those artifacts are now housed at the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec. 

Our sincere thanks is extended to the Huron-Wendat Nation, Office of the Nionwentsïo, Archaeological Services Inc./ASI Heritage and the Mantle Family for their on-going partnership and assistance with this project.

To learn even more about the Jean-Baptiste Lainé Site, please visit Archaeology Alive, a virtual exhibit at www.townofws.ca/jbl.