Town History – Pre-contact

Pre-contact, the land that is now Amherstburg was part of the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples, particularly the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi) and the Wendat (Huron) before them. It was a landscape of dense forests, rich wetlands, and open meadows, shaped by the waters of the Detroit River and Lake Erie.

Indigenous Presence

• The region was part of an extensive trade network, with goods moving between the Great Lakes, the interior, and beyond.
• Seasonal encampments or villages may have been located along the river for access to fishing and trade.
• The land was stewarded through controlled burns and other traditional ecological practices to encourage the growth of certain plants and improve hunting grounds.

By the time Europeans arrived in the 17th century, the region had long been home to thriving Indigenous communities. If you're looking for more specific details, I can try to track down historical maps or accounts!