Sault Ste. Marie in Algoma District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Gathering Place
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024
1. Gathering Place Marker
Bawaating — which translates to ‘Gathering at the Rapids’; is known as Sault Ste. Marie where historically Anishinaabe/Ojibway clans gathered for ceremonies, marriages, adoptions, trading, fishing and learning. Viewers are invited to witness the meeting of clans, represented by the gathering animals. The animals are all at ease, resting near each other on a break from their discussions, trusting each other to respect and maintain the ceremonial circle. Each animal represents a significant part of the gathering: Bear are the medicine keepers, Marten are the warriors, Deer are the peacemakers, Loon are the internal affair advisors, Crane are the external affair advisors, Turtle are the mediators and Eagle are the spiritual advisors.
Jazmine Consulta, Nagmeh Dadgostar, Irene M. Gray, Gaganpreet Sekhon, Rishi Sharma, Alexandra Travaglini, Nikita Virk, Desiree Watson, Annie King, Michael Burtch.
This project was made possible by a generous donation by Caswell Concrete Products.
Erected by City of Sault Ste. Marie & Algoma University.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.
Location. 46° 30.428′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Sault Ste. Marie and Algoma Area and in Northern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, in the Great North Woods, on Lake Superior’s North Shore, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The St. Marys River / La rivière Sainte-Marie (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Passenger and Packet Freighters on the Upper Great Lakes (about 180
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024
2. Gathering Place Marker
Looking west from the waterfront hub trail; the St. Marys River is in the background.
Also see . . . Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Prior to the arrival of Europeans in the 1620s, the area that is now Sault Ste. Marie was shared by the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi whose Algonkian ancestors had come from the east around 1200. The Ojibwe called this area Baawitigong, meaning “place of the rapids” and maintained a permanent settlement of about 150 to 200 people. Baawitigong was also an important meeting place for the broader family of Algonquin peoples and would grow to thousands during the whitefish season each year.(Submitted on May 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 11, 2024
3. Gathering Place
Looking south from the waterfront hub trail; the St. Marys River and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA are in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 159 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 9, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
