FAQs
What is the context of the new park name, Sho’aríshon Park?
The Town, in consultation with Indigenous advisors, has focused on the area’s connection to the Neutral Nation to inform the park renaming process. The Jordan area has particular significance to the Neutral Nation (Attawandardon), with archaeological evidence showing a multigenerational Neutral burial site dating from the early to the mid-17th century less than 0.5 km away from the park.
The Netural Nation were an Iroquoian language speaking group of settled village horticulturalists called the Attawandaron - meaning people who speak a slightly different language - by their Hurdon-Wendat neighbours. French missionaries gave them the name ‘Neutral’ because of their impartial stance in the conflict between the Huron-Wendat and the Five Nations Haudenosaunee. Between 1647-1651, the Neutral Nation was dispersed and assimilated by the Five Nations. After this time, documented Neutral Nation existence ceased.
Relatively little is known about the Neutral Nation and their language, other than what was recorded by French missionaries Joseph de la Roche Daillon in 1626-1627 and Gabriel Lalemant in 1640-41.
When researching potential names for the park, consultation included research sessions with an archaeologist with particular knowledge of the Neutral Nation and a Haudenosaunee language specialist from Six Nations.
Although historical information is limited, and there are only four recorded Neutral language words that are known today, there is evidence that indicates the name of an important Neutral Chief was Souharissen (Daillon) or Tsohahissen (Lalemant), with spelling varying based on Gallicization (the practice of modifying foreign words, names, and phrases to make them easier to spell, pronounce, or understand in French). In consultation with Haudenosaunee language specialist Alyssa General, the words Souharissen and Tsohahissen were researched for their connection to current-day Kanien'kéha (Mohawk). Sho’aríshon is a contemporary spelling of the word, which translates to “He is shaking a net”.
How is the Town working with the Indigenous Community?
The Town of Lincoln is committed to developing meaningful relationships with the Indigenous community and has involved Indigenous stakeholders from the outset of this project. In addition to including individual stakeholders, the Town has developed a partnership with two organizations to guide the direction of this project: Niagara Regional Native Centre, and Landscape of Nations 360. The concept and overall design of the park will be a reflection of the input of the Indigenous stakeholders involved in the project.
What is the history of the park site?
Pre-Contact Settlement
Lincoln has a cultural history that began over 12,000 years ago, and continues to the present. The village of Jordan is a particularly significant site of Indigenous settlement in Southern Ontario, with recent archaeological evidence confirming settlement adjacent to the Twenty Mile Creek by the Attawandaron or ‘Neutrals’, an Iroquoian speaking group of settled village horticulturalists, dating to the early sixteenth century.
Post-Contact Settlement
Sho’aríshon (So-ah-ree-son) Park is within Treaty 3, the Between the Lakes Purchase. In 1784, the English colonial government entered into an agreement with Mississaugas to acquire over one million acres of land in-part spanning westward from near modern day Niagara-on-the-Lake along the south shore of Lake Ontario to modern day Burlington (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, 2016). The “Between the Lakes Purchase” was signed by Sir Frederick Haldimand (representing the Crown) and the Mississaugas.
Louth Township
Louth Township was first settled in 1777, after soldiers of Butler’s Rangers were given loyalist land grants by the Crown. In the 1790s, a group of Mennonite families from Pennsylvania bought 1100 acres of land and settled in the township leaving a distinct economic and cultural impression on the area.
Louth has a number of waterways that greatly helped the early industrial development of the township, including the Twenty, Sixteen and Fifteen Mile creeks. The communities of Jordan and Jordan Station developed into busy shipping centres on the Twenty, exporting logs, tan bark, hides, ashes, and later agricultural produce. With the construction of the Great Western Railway bridge across the Twenty in 1852, Jordan Station lost its importance as a harbour, but it continued to grow, and eventually the shipping of fruit became a major industry in the township. Today Louth is mainly agricultural (Mika & Mika 1981).
Jordan Dwarf Village Inn
While little is known about the Dwarf Village, newspaper clippings state that it was operational as of 1925-1926 and was owned by two Greek brothers whose last name was Bolis. The village was located within the current subject property on Lot 19, Concession 5, Louth Township. The inn consisted of food stands which served alcohol prior to prohibition (Image 1), and multiple buildings which served as the inn’s guest cabins (Lincoln Public Library 2021).
Will there be any improvements made to Twenty Valley Trail?
The Ontario Heritage Trust is partnering with the Town of Lincoln, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority and the Bruce Trail Conservancy on the Niagara Twenty Valley Trail Revitalization Project. This expanded trail network will enhance visitors’ access to natural and cultural heritage sites in the Niagara region – such as the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre, Ball’s Falls Conservation Area, the Trust’s Ellis property and more - and will contribute to local tourism and recreational opportunities for the area. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Greenbelt Foundation to the Ontario Heritage Trust, work at the Trust’s Ellis property in Jordan Village began in March 2022.
This work involves a feasibility study to plan out the trail pathways, identify areas of improvement and necessary infrastructure, and the creation and installation of trail signage. The final trail construction will be completed as a later phase of work. The Trust’s Ellis property will be closed while the feasibility study is underway. Usage of the trails along the current Twenty Valley Trail will remain open.
The current Twenty Valley Trail is a scenic two-km (1.2-mile) trail that starts in Ball’s Falls Conservation Area and ends at Lake Ontario, connecting with the Waterfront Trail. Once the trail revitalization project is complete, visitors hiking along the Niagara Twenty Valley Trail will be able to access a continuous 1,366-km trail network (849 miles) connecting Ball’s Falls to the Ontario Heritage Trust’s Ellis property (a natural heritage site recognized as an Environmentally Significant Area), the Bruce Trail and side trails, the main street of Jordan Village and the Lincoln Museum and Cultural Centre.
See full media release from Ontario Heritage Trust.
What is a Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment?
The first stage in any Ontario archaeological investigation involves conducting an in depth background study and a property inspection. Archaeologists review historical maps and records, environmental research and archaeological site databases to help them identify any previous and potential cultural land uses. Results and recommendation are compiled into a Stage 1 assessment report which is submitted to the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries for review and concurrence.
What is a Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment?
Stage 2 archaeological assessments consist of an intensive property survey after a thorough review of the background research undertaken for the property. The survey strategies used by archaeologists are defined by the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries Standards and Guidelines for Consultant Archaeologists.
Lands are assessed by means of test pit survey typically at five-metre intervals. Test pits are approximately 30-40 centimetres in width and are shovel excavated to sterile subsoil which allows for an examination of stratigraphy and the detection of cultural soil horizons. The soil fill from each test pit is screened through a six-millimetre mesh and processed for cultural material.
Any remains encountered during the course of a survey are then analyzed in a laboratory to determine their cultural and temporal affiliations and to assess their archaeological significance. For historic material, this analysis also involves comprehensive archival research.
Results and findings are compiled into a Stage 2 assessment report which is submitted to the MHSTCI for review and concurrence.
What is an Indigenous Archaeological Monitor? what does a Monitor do during archaeological fieldwork?
The role of an Indigenous Archaeological Monitor is to ensure that the perspectives, concerns, interests, and priorities of the Indigenous communities with a connection to the land are considered during the process of archaeological fieldwork. A Monitor will ensure that fieldwork is carried out with appropriate care, thoroughness, and respect. Indigenous Archaeological Monitors observe fieldwork, provide cultural advice, act as a direct link back to their community, and assist with compliance.
What will the Town do with the final archaeological report?
The final archaeological report will be filed with the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries, and will be used by the Town of Lincoln and the project stakeholders to inform the overall design of the park.
What was the process for re-naming the park to Sho’aríshon Park?
Indigenous languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action specifically address the importance of preserving Indigenous languages and calls on all levels of government to assist in this process. The proposed renaming of the park is a result of consultation with a Kanien'kéha language specialist, an Archaeologist and expert on the Neutral Nation, and a representative from Plenty Canada. In detailed discussions with this group of advisors, naming options were discussed for relevance to the Neutral Nation and the surrounding area, meaning, and significance. The proposed name of ‘Sho’aríshon Park’ was taken back to a larger group of Indigenous advisors involved in the project for comment and consensus, receiving full support.
On April 11, 2023, Town of Lincoln Council accepted report CS-04-23 recommending the renaming of Jordan Hollow Park to Sho’aríshon (So-ah-ree-son) Park. On May 23, 2023, a Public Meeting was held where staff and project advisors gave a presentation. On June 26, 2023, Lincoln Town Council approved the re-naming of Jordan Hollow Park to Sho’aríshon Park, with the goal to acknowledge and celebrate the Indigenous connections to the land, in particular that of the Neutral Nation.