We hope you will join us in 2024!
Kichi Sibi Trails, in concert with NECA and the Crichton Community Council, is once again coordinating the July 1st Chief Pinesi Day event in New Edinburgh Park (in and around the Fieldhouse) to honour Algonquin Anishinabe presence in the area. If you’re interested in volunteering opportunities see below.
2024 will be different. Chief Pinesi Day will be the culmination of the Oka to Ottawa: Pinesi Paddle starting on 25 June. Over 40 paddlers, descendants of Chief Pinesi, Algonquins, other indigenous people and settlers will reach Governor Bay below Rideau Hall about 11 AM, likely with members of the Governor General’s Foot Guards.
In the morning, there will be an educational walk along the Rideau that will eventually greet the paddlers, but first a Medicine Paddle from Governor Bay along the Ottawa River (for those who are willing to get their feet wet).
The Sacred Fire will begin at 8 led by Doug Comegan. The program will be led by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation – will feature drumming, singing and dancing by the Spirit Wolf Singers. Councillor Merv Sarazin will MC; Opening prayers will be offered by Kokom Jane Chartrand.
During both the morning, attendees can take a land tour along parts of the revitalized Chief Pinesi Portage Trails, which were ancient (approximately 8,000 years old) indigenous portage trails between the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. The trail is marked by signs created by Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg artist Simon Brascoupé.
At the Fieldhouse people can visit the Bloodline – Miskwi and Gathering Phases – Bakaan Asiginan murals located on the side of the New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, now with a three language panel description. These colourful ceramic and paint murals were created by the Algonquin mother and daughter team of Doreen and Charlotte Stevens. Miskwi means bloodline and the mural depicts several Algonquin lineages. Bakaan Asiginan signifies the gathering of indigenous people living in harmony with nature through all phases of their lives.
Who was Chief Pinesi?
Chief Constant Pinesi (1768 – 1834) was the last traditional Algonquin Chief to have hunting grounds in Ottawa – at Rideau and Chaudière Falls. He and his four sons fought in critical battles in the Niagara on the British side in the War of 1812. Pinesi was appointed Grand Chief by Governor-General Kempt in 1830.
For over a century, Algonquin Chief Pinesi and later his son, Kigonz and other leaders, often with the Nipissing, petitioned the Government of the day that a portion of their hunting and trapping grounds be untouched by settlement. They never did receive even a small piece of their traditional territory, extending across the Ottawa Valley, and in the end were even displaced for the creation of Algonquin Provincial Park. The many petitions still exist today, held in archival files, revealing the truth of a stolen land, still without treaty.
Chief Pinesi Day Volunteer Opportunities
Sample volunteers below. If you’re interested or have other suggestions contact us.
- Pinesi Day Greeters (10:00 AM to 12:00 noon, and 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm) – Answer questions, guide attendees regarding the schedule for the day. Guide media where to go to get good pictures, schedule, who they could speak to for additional background
- Mobility Volunteers – Assist attendees who have need mobility challenges at the park. Assist individuals walking up from Governor Bay to New Edinburgh Park
- Set up ( 8:00 am to 10:00 am) -assist with tent, chairs, other set up
- Take down ( 5:00 – 6:00 pm) – Assist with tent, chairs, other take down
- Lunch Serving (12:00 to 1:00 pm)
- Sacred fire setup and tending
- T-shirt and other item sales (10:00 am to 3:00 pm)