The Palaeo-Indians - approx.8,500BC - 5000BC were the first peoples in our area and were hunter from the South. They inhabited the grasslands which were scrapped out of the gounds from the retreating Glacier's. The travelled in small groups living as single families in lodges, tents no doubt made of hides. Tools are the only remains found of this culture.

The Archaic Peoples - approx. 5000BC - 200BC - As glaciers melted and the water formed Lake Agassiz the area became more of what we have in climate right now. The animals that followed The elk, caribou, species of fish, plants, gave the area a sources for food. The harvesting of Wild Rice started in the area of 800BC and stone utensils also began to show up which resulted in dugout canoes. Trade (commerce) probably began around this time as copper which was being mined in Lake Superior has been found, as has mica from the Mississippe River system.

The Laurel Peoples - 200BC - 1100AD -These peoples increased the areas population, settling in larger villages on the Rainy River system. They harvested wild rice, hunted and in many cases had permanent year round settlements(Manitou Mounds on Rainy River). They had remote camps for harvesting the rice, and in time the fish in these waters became the most important of their harvest even over larger animals. The lake at that time was abundant with Sturgeon, whitefish, and lake trout. Their housing was large enough from remains that have been discouvered to hold large families, groups. Probably up to 10 people or more. They were in a sense industreous with quality (for that period) pottery, bow and arrow, canoes of birch bark, and they also processed the wild rice. Pictographs (rock paintings) began during this time.

The Blackduck and Selkirk Peoples - 1100AD - 1700AD - With a drastic climate change (something like we have at this time) resulted in fewer resources for food. This made smaller camps, reduced population and a return to a lifestyle of moving from area to area. Two cultures existed on Lake of the Woods, the Minnesota Blackducks(Ojibway?), and Manitoba - Selkirks(Cree). It was these two native bands who encountered the French in the 1600-1700's.