Park of Dorwin Falls

The Indian legend of Hiawhitha transcends into the history of Dorwin Falls.

Formerly, according to this legend, an old Indian sorcerer lived in the hunting grounds of the Algonquins, on the current territory of Rawdon. This very cunning, skilful and bad-tempered sorcerer was the all-powerful Nipissingue. By abuse of power, he coveted the sweet Hiawhitha; and no one dared to challenge his decisions.

However, Hiawhitha saw her future differently. Baptized, she was born on the banks of the giant river at the confluence of the Rivière-Qui-Marche. She had grown up among whites. Rather, she aspired to become a nun in a community because she had deep Christian beliefs. Daughter of Sachem, Hiawhitha could not decline to marry; nevertheless, she could decide for herself which man would become her husband.

Disconcerted by Nipissingue's request for union, Hiawhitha instead decided to devote the rest of his life to Arondack. However, the latter turns out to be a sworn enemy of Nipissingue. On learning of Hiawhitha's withdrawal, Nipissingue launched the Algonquins on the warpath in order to get rid of this enemy. His anticipation became reality with the vagaries of the fighting. Arondack was brought back to his wigwam dying. As the tribe's nurse, Hiawhitha stood by his bedside and nursed him back to health.

One day, lacking medicinal plants, Hiawhitha walked towards Dorwin's Precipice. A thin stream of water flowed into it at the bottom. Sarsaparilla plants grew there on the banks. On the prowl, Nipissingue saw him and then became enraged. And then he rushed towards her and threw her into the abyss with a sudden gesture. On touching the stream of water, Hiawhitha's body unleashed a loud clap of thunder causing the precipice to vibrate. Then, a magnificent waterfall springs from the summit. Stunned, Nipissingue froze. His body was instantly transformed into stone by the Grand Manitou. Thus, Nipissingue was doomed to hear Hiawhitha's victory song for centuries.^[3][4][5]

In popular usage, this toponymic designation raises a debate. Should we use the term Darwin or Dorwin? People confuse Charles Darwin, English naturalist and paleontologist. Nevertheless, the term Dorwin turns out to be the most appropriate for local history, as it perpetuates the life work of Jédéhias Hubble Dorwin, owner of these lands and of a sawmill.^[3]

In 1944, Mrs. James Ross granted these lands to the municipality of Rawdon. On May 16, 1967, there was an official cession of these lands to the Ministry of Tourism which transformed the site into a recreational park.^[3]

The toponym was made official on March 13, 1990, at the Place Names Bank of the Commission de toponymie du Québec.^[6]