9 Must-Read Books About Northwestern Ontario

Ontario's Sunset Country, with its vast landscapes and rich cultural tapestry, has inspired numerous authors to craft works that capture the essence of this unique region. From historical accounts to compelling fiction, these books tell captivating stories and invite readers to immerse themselves in the spirit of Northwestern Ontario. Here are some notable books that delve into the heart of Northwestern Ontario:

Indian Rock Paintings of the Great Lakes

This seminal book by Selwyn Dewdney and Kenneth Kidd extensively explores Indigenous pictographs found throughout the Great Lakes region, including Northwestern Ontario. The authors provide insights into the ancient art forms that adorn the region’s rock faces through detailed illustrations and narratives. Buy Book.

Reading Rock Art: Interpreting the Indian Rock Paintings of the Canadian Shield

Archaeologist Grace Rajnovich spent fourteen years of field research uncovering many clues as to the meanings of the paintings. Skilfully weaving the imagery, metaphors, and traditions of the Cree and Ojibwe Peoples, the author documents an ancient culture's poetry and wisdom. Buy Book.

Lake of the Woods Islands

A collection of paintings of Lake of the Woods by artist Randolph Parker presented in a beautiful volume with text contributions by Greg Humeniuk, David Malaher, and Bill Mayberry.

Islands is an extraordinary collection of paintings from a five-year project exploring the islands of Ontario's Lake of the Woods. These passionate and site-specific portraits of islands reveal the diverse regions of the entire lake. Unique to the art presentation, each island painting is identified with its own Global Positioning System coordinates. Buy Book.

Lake of the Woods: Through the Lens of Carl G. Linde

This book offers a fascinating journey through the early history of Kenora and Lake of the Woods, capturing the region’s social, industrial, cultural, and sporting heritage. Through the lens of photographer Carl G. Linde, readers are transported to a bygone era, where each image tells a unique story of the people and places that shaped the area.

Linde’s crystal-clear photographs provide a rare glimpse into the past, offering a visual history that words alone cannot convey. Collected in one stunning volume, these images bring to life the rich heritage of Lake of the Woods, making this book a must-have for history enthusiasts and anyone who loves Northwestern Ontario. Buy Book.

The Devil's Gap: The Untold Story of Canada's First Suicide Bomber by Joe Ralko

The May 10, 1973 scene seemed like something out of a Hollywood blockbuster. In the town of Kenora, on the north shore of the Lake of the Woods near the Ontario-Manitoba border, a man was robbing a bank in the most bombastic way.

Paul Higgins walked into the bank in May of 1973 armed with a homemade bomb and Dead Man’s Switch in his mouth to detonate it. If anyone were to shoot him—if he let go of the switch—he would blow himself up and take as many people with him as possible. The police were in a standoff. Was it worth the risk to shoot?

Acclaimed journalist Joe Ralko has spent his entire life mulling over this case. It wasn’t his career that put him on the trail of Paul Higgins—Joe was there! He was a curious high school student who watched the drama unfold from the street. He had a clear line of sight down the sidewalk as Higgins emerged from the bank fifty feet away. What happened next would go down in Canadian history. Buy Book.

A W5 Investigation about the Kenora Bomber is detailed in the video below.

Norval Morrisseau: Man Changing into Thunderbird

Norval Morrisseau (1932–2007), an Ojibway shaman-artist, began sketching in the sand on Lake Nipigon’s shores at age six and later painted on birch bark and moose hide. A self-taught visionary, he became one of Canada’s most celebrated and influential artists, earning the Order of Canada and the admiration of critics and collectors alike. However, his life was as turbulent as it was groundbreaking—his immense talent was shadowed by controversy, forgeries of his work, and struggles with addiction.

In Norval Morrisseau: Man Changing Into Thunderbird, Armand Garnet Ruffo captures the artist’s triumphs and tragedies, from his breakthrough Pollock Gallery exhibition to his legendary “Garden Party” in Beardmore. Drawing on extensive research and interviews, Ruffo delves into Morrisseau’s battles with alcoholism, his struggle with Parkinson’s, and his ultimate return to national prominence. Blending biography with creative insight, Ruffo—himself of Ojibway heritage—offers a powerful tribute to an artist whose life and work remain deeply intertwined. Buy Book.

Engraved in History: Kenora Thistles by Eric Zweig

With a population of around 6,000 in 1907, Kenora is the smallest town ever to produce a Stanley Cup champion. The town's team, the Thistles, was a huge talent!

Like the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980s, the Kenora Thistles of the 1900s played an offensive game that delighted most fans but put off some traditionalists. Tommy Phillips, Si Griffis, Tom Hooper, and Billy McGimsie were as well known to hockey fans in their day as Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Paul Coffey, and Jari Kurri were in theirs. Those four players were the core of Kenora's team and they all grew up together in the tiny town on the Lake of the Woods. Buy Book.

The Death in Sioux Lookout Trilogy

Richard Schwindt’s non-fiction trilogy, available on Kindle, is a must-read for murder and suspense fans. Set in remote Northwest Ontario, it follows social worker Chris Allard as he takes a consulting job in the boreal forest. But his new start takes a dark turn when gruesome murders disrupt his life and community. Buy Book.

Indian Horse

Written by Richard Wagamese, an Ojibwe author from the region, this novel tells the poignant story of Saul Indian Horse, a young Indigenous boy who finds solace in hockey amidst the challenges of residential school life. The narrative provides profound insights into Indigenous experiences in Northwestern Ontario. Buy Book.

These works provide engaging narratives and serve as gateways to understanding the rich cultural and historical fabric of Northwestern Ontario. By exploring these books, readers can embark on a literary journey that brings the region’s landscapes, histories, and communities to vivid life.

Do you want to learn more about Sunset Country? Follow this link!

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