We hope you will join us July 1, 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 to honour Algonquin Anishinabe presence in the area. If you’re interested in volunteering opportunities see below. For inquiries Contact: Kichi Sibi Trails
2024 will be different. Chief Pinesi Day, July 1 will be the culmination of the Oka to Ottawa: Pinesi Paddle starting on 25 June. Over 20 paddlers, descendants of Chief Pinesi, Algonquins, other indigenous people and settlers will reach Governor Bay below Rideau Hall about 12 noon.
The Pinesi Day’s festivities at New Edinburgh park will begin at 9 am, July 1 with the Sacred Fire ceremony, led by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. There will also be the opportunity to take a land tour along parts of the revitalized Chief Pinesi Trails, which are ancient (approximately 8,000 years old) indigenous portage trails between the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. The trails are now marked by signs created by Kitigan Zibi Anishnabeg artist Simon Brascoupé.
The land tour will begin at the New Edinburgh Fieldhouse at 10:30am and continue to Governor Bay where participants and a flotilla will greet the indigenous-led paddling group at 12:00pm. Indigenous hand drumming will be provided to commemorate and celebrate the historic paddling journey as they arrive in Ottawa. The afternoon’s events starting at 1 will include smudging by Kokom Jane Chartrand, and an opening drum ceremony by the Spirit Wolf singers, MCing by Pikwakanagan Councillor Merv Sarazin, a land acknowledgement by current Pikwakanagan chief Greg Sarazin, a speech by
former Chief Wendy Jocko, and remarks by MP Mona Fortier, MPP Lucille Collard, and Councillor Rawlson King. The paddlers will then participate in a Roundtable to share their thoughts on the journey, followed by the elder’s closing prayer with a Travelling Song and Round Dance at 3pm to complete the day’s events.
Chief Pinesi Day – 1 July 2024
8:00 AM – Paddlers depart Petrie Island
9:00 AM – Sacred Fire Ceremonies begin at New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, 203 Stanley Avenue
10:30 AM – Land Tour – New Edinburgh Fieldhouse to Governor Bay to greet Paddlers and do Ottawa River Paddle
12:00 PM – Arrival of Paddlers in Governor Bay; Hand drumming
12:20 PM – Land Tour – Governor Bay to New Edinburgh Fieldhouse with Paddlers
1:00 PM – Arrival of Paddlers at New Edinburgh Fieldhouse. Smudging ceremony. Opening Drum ceremony – Spirit Wolf Singers
1:10 PM – MC Councillor Merv Sarazin Welcome
1:05 PM – Welcome to Territory & Land Acknowledgement Chief Greg Sarazin
1:25 PM – Opening Prayers by Kokom Jane Chartrand
1:30 PM – Speech by Wendy Jocko
1:40 PM – Remarks by MP Mona Fortier, MPP Lucille Collard, Coun. Rawlson King.
1:55 – Paddlers Roundtable
2:20 PM – Anishinabe drumming & dancing
2:55 PM – Elder’s closing prayer
3:00 PM – Travelling Song and Round Dance
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 ( 2:00 – 3:00 pm) – Assist with tent, chairs, other take down
- Sacred fire setup and tending (8:00 am – 2:00 pm)
- T-shirt and other item sales (10:00 am to 3:00 pm)