The Price of Loyalty

The aftermath of the American Revolution was a chaotic period of shifting borders and broken promises. The Mohawk people, specifically the Kanien’kehá:ka led by the formidable Captain John Deserontyon, paid a steep price for their loyalty to the British Crown. After losing their ancestral lands in the New York Mohawk Valley, they sought a new start. They arrived at the Bay of Quinte in 1784 seeking security.

The landing at Deseronto was more than a survival story. It was the beginning of a high-stakes legal battle for recognition. While the settlement began in 1784, the real legal weight arrived nearly a decade later. The Simcoe Deed of January 14, 1793, served as the ultimate legal “thank you” from the Crown. It attempted to turn a verbal promise into a permanent legal reality for the Mohawk people in exchange for their wartime sacrifices.

Simcoe and Deserontyon

Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe had a specific vision for Upper Canada. He wanted to build a “Little England” in the wilderness. His relationship with Indigenous land rights was layered and strategic. On the other side was Captain John Deserontyon. He was a leader who understood that in the British system, a man’s word was only as good as the parchment it was written on.

Deserontyon was an entrepreneur of sovereignty. He pushed the British to codify their promises into a binding written “Patent” as white settlement began to surge. Both men realized that without clear borders, the future of the Bay of Quinte would be a mess of overlapping claims and endless disputes. This wasn’t just about land. It was about securing an asset in a volatile new world.

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A Document Unlike Any Other

The “Mohawk Tract” or Treaty 3½ covered approximately 92,700 acres. This area essentially defined what we now know as Tyendinaga Township and Deseronto. The wording of the deed is what makes it a landmark in Canadian law. The “Habendum” clause granted the land to the “Chiefs, Warriors, Women, and People of the Six Nations” and their posterity forever.

This inclusion of “Women” is a massive detail. It is the only land grant in Canada that explicitly names women in the ownership. This acknowledges the matrilineal structure of Mohawk society and gives the document a modern edge that was centuries ahead of its time. However, the deed also included a restrictive clause. The land could not be sold to anyone but the Crown. This was designed to protect the territory from predatory settlers, yet it also functioned as a form of government overreach that limited full Mohawk economic sovereignty.

Winter Logistics and Cultural Divides

Imagine the logistics of January 1793. Moving official documents and high-ranking officials through the frozen Bay of Quinte was no small feat. When the deed was finally presented, it represented a clash of worldviews. The British saw it as a generous gift of land from a benevolent King. The Mohawks viewed it as a confirmation of rights they already held through their alliance and sacrifice. It was a “Paper Anchor” intended to hold the community in place as the tides of history shifted around them.

Conflict and Modern Resilience

The history of the Mohawk Tract in the 19th century is a story of whittling. Encroaching settlement and questionable surrenders reduced the original 92,700 acres significantly. This historical friction is not just a footnote. It is the foundation of the Culbertson Tract land claim in Deseronto today.

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The 1793 Deed remains an active document in Canadian courts. It serves as a reminder that the borders defined in a cold January over two centuries ago still dictate the geography and politics of the region. The Simcoe Deed is a living piece of history. It is the reason the Mohawk flag continues to fly proudly over the Bay of Quinte.

You have a million-dollar idea and you are sure of it. You are currently sitting on the couch waiting for a rich uncle or a lottery win because your bank account balance is zero. That is the oldest excuse in the book and frankly it is boring. In the current Ontario economy capital is not the starting line. It is the reward for hustle.

The hard truth is that investors do not fund ideas because ideas are cheap. They fund execution. If you want to build the next great Canadian business you need to stop acting like a visionary and start acting like a grinder. You need sweat equity.

Phase 1 is The Sweat Equity Stage

Before you ask for a dime you must remove the risk for the investor. You do this by proving people want what you are selling. You do not need a manufacturing plant to prove your business works. You need to validate your concept with zero cost.

Conduct Zero-Cost Market Research Do not pay for expensive reports. Go to where your customers are. Join local Facebook groups or sit in local coffee shops. Ask real people about the problem you are solving.

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Build a Concierge MVP If your idea is a service you should do it manually for one person first. If it is a product you can create a digital mockup using free tools like Canva. See if people try to buy it before you build it.

Get Letters of Intent If you cannot get immediate sales you should get a signed letter from a potential customer. Have them write that they would buy your product if it existed. This is gold for investors.

Phase 2 is Your Local War Room

If you are serious about this you need to memorize one name. Trenval.

The Trenval Business Development Corporation is the heartbeat of rural commerce in this region. They exist specifically to fund the people the big banks ignore. Their mandate is to help rural and semi-rural businesses succeed.

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Contact the Small Business Centre Call them and ask about the Starter Company Plus program immediately.

Get the Training They provide free training and mentorship which is crucial since you have no experience.

Secure the Grant If you complete the pitch at the end you can receive a $5,000 grant. That is free money to kickstart your dream.

Phase 3 is The Pitch Deck

Once you have validation and training you need to tell your story. A pitch deck for investors is different than a business plan for a bank. Focus on these specific slides to make your case.

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The Hook State the problem clearly in one sentence.

The Solution Explain exactly how your product fixes the pain.

The Market Define the Total Addressable Market to show how many people have this pain.

Traction This is the most important slide so show your survey results or your Letters of Intent.

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The Ask Be specific about how much you need and exactly what you will spend it on.

The Bottom Line

Money follows momentum. Investors back the jockey and not the horse. They want to see that you are coachable and scrappy. They want to know that you built a website yourself because you could not afford a developer. They want to see that you gathered 100 email signatures by walking door-to-door in the West Hill neighborhood.

You have the roadmap. The resources are right here in Belleville. The only thing missing is your move.

What is the one excuse you used this morning to delay starting your business?

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If you had to get ten customers by Friday with zero budget how would you do it?

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New inductees to the Order of Canada were recently announced to celebrate the start of 2026 and the list represents a fantastic cross section of what makes our country a global powerhouse. It is particularly exciting to see the Governor General recognize icons who define our modern culture like the legendary music journalist Nardwuar the Human Serviette. His manic energy and deep research skills have made him a national treasure. We also see world class sprinter Andre De Grasse and the iconic children’s musician Raffi joining the ranks. These appointments show that our highest honours are evolving to reflect the grit and creativity of the entrepreneurial class.

While these big names dominate the national conversation the Bay of Quinte region continues to stand tall with its own legacy of excellence. Our local communities have consistently produced individuals whose contributions resonate far beyond our borders.

Belleville High Achievers

• Farley Mowat (1981) One of the most celebrated authors in our history was born in Belleville. He was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 1981 for his work as an environmentalist and his ability to capture the raw spirit of the Canadian wilderness.
• Bobby Hull (1978) The “Golden Jet” was a product of Point Anne and he remains a towering figure in the sport of hockey. He received his appointment as an Officer in 1978 which recognized both his legendary skills on the ice and his extensive work within the community.
• Brian Orser (1985 and 1988) Belleville’s champion figure skater earned his initial appointment as a Member in 1985. He was later promoted to an Officer in 1988 following his iconic performances and silver medals on the Olympic stage.

Trenton and Quinte West Leadership

• Wilfrid Wilkinson (2007) A prominent resident of Trenton who served as the World President for Rotary International. He was appointed as a Member in 2007 for his massive humanitarian efforts and his leadership in the global fight to wipe out polio.

Prince Edward County Visionaries

• Robert Y. McMurtry (2011) Based in Picton this distinguished orthopedic surgeon was named a Member in 2011. His career has been defined by a commitment to improving healthcare delivery across the country and his leadership in medical education.
• Bernie Finkelstein (2006) The founder of True North Records is a legendary force in the Canadian music scene and a long-time resident of the County. He was appointed as a Member in 2006 for his role in championing homegrown artists and establishing local gems like 99.3 County FM.
• Jamie Kennedy (2010) The world-renowned chef was appointed as a Member in 2010 for his pioneering work in the farm-to-table movement. His dedication to using local ingredients has helped turn Prince Edward County into a premier culinary destination for the modern traveler.

Distinguished Local Advocacy

We should also highlight the late John Williams who was the former Mayor of Quinte West. Although he was not in the Order of Canada he received the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service. This is the highest honour a civilian can receive from the military and it reflects the deep respect our region has for our armed forces and CFB Trenton.

This latest round of inductions proves that the Order of Canada is moving away from purely bureaucratic appointments and toward real cultural movers and shakers. Seeing Nardwuar on the list is a huge win for alternative media and the DIY spirit. For our region it is a reminder that you do not need to be in a major city like Toronto or Vancouver to make a massive impact on the national stage. The Bay of Quinte has always been a hub for people who value hard work and individual achievement. We should celebrate these figures for their medals and the economic and cultural vitality they bring to our local towns.

Do you think the Order of Canada should focus more on cultural icons like Nardwuar or stick to traditional academic and professional leaders? Which local figure from the Bay of Quinte do you believe should be the next one to receive this prestigious honour?

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