Kwe, hello, bonjour, dear friends, Veterans, Algonquins of Pikwakanagan Chief and council, special guests and community members,
As we gather here today to celebrate Chief Pinesi Day, I want to share with you the heart of our Kichi Sibi Trails Mission, Pinesi Paddle embodies our commitment to preserving and sharing the rich cultural heritage of our waterways.
The Kichi Sibi, our great river, has been the lifeblood of Indigenous communities for countless generations.
At the heart of our Kichi Sibi Trails initiative stands a remarkable group of individuals whose diverse backgrounds, skills, and perspectives form the backbone of our work.
Our board members and volunteers represent a rich tapestry of experiences – from Indigenous knowledge keepers to environmental scientists, from experienced river guides to community advocates.
Each member brings unique strengths to our collective table.
Our Indigenous board members and representatives provide vital cultural guidance and traditional knowledge that ensures our activities remain respectful and authentic.
Our environmental experts help us understand and protect the delicate ecosystems of the Kichi Sibi.
Our experienced paddlers ensure safety and proper technique on our journeys, while our community organizers help bridge relationships between diverse groups.
This diversity is our greatest strength. When we gather to make decisions, plan journeys, or develop educational materials, the interplay of different perspectives leads to more thoughtful, inclusive, and effective outcomes.
We learn from each other daily, growing not just as an organization but as individuals committed to cultural understanding and environmental stewardship.
While our work has garnered unexpected levels of support and enthusiasm from many quarters, we have also faced challenges from those who question the value or direction of our efforts.
Some have attempted to discourage our activities, suggesting that reconnecting with traditional waterways and trails is unnecessary in modern times or that our approach to cultural education is too ambitious.
Some say that Algonquin led is not good enough, that it should be all Indigenous.
Chief Pinesi Day itself has always been an Indigenous affair.
We’re getting more Anishinabe Algonquin and other Indigenous nations with the passing years, tripling active board representation in the past year.
Moreover, our success has proved that building an Indigenous trails organization across this territory by building with settler buy-in and participation works well.
Yet, we remain steadfast in our mission. We understand that meaningful work often faces resistance, particularly when it challenges established narratives or seeks to reclaim spaces and practices that have been marginalized.
Rather than being deterred, we have chosen to lead on – guided by our shared values, strengthened by our diversity, and committed to creating positive change.
As we move forward, we continue to welcome new voices and perspectives to our circle.
We believe that the waterways and trails we travel connect not just physical locations but people and ideas.
Just as the Kichi Sibi has flowed for countless generations, carrying the hopes and dreams of those who traveled upon it, our work continues to flow forward, carrying the collective wisdom and determination of our diverse board and volunteers toward a future where cultural heritage, environmental stewardship, and community connection thrive together.
Through our initiatives, we seek to reconnect people with these historic waterways, following the paths our ancestors once traveled, and sharing the stories that these waters hold.
Our mission is threefold: to preserve the traditional knowledge of these waterways, to educate future generations about their significance, and to foster a deeper understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities through shared experiences on the water.
The recent journey we completed, paddling from Deep River to Ottawa, exemplifies this mission.
Each stroke of our paddles connected us to the spirit of Chief Pinesi and all those who traveled these waters before us.
Every ripple, every bend in the river, carried whispers of our history and reminded us of our responsibility to protect and honor these sacred pathways.
So welcome to this extraordinary celebration of Chief Pinesi Day here at the New Edinburgh Field House.
Today, we gather on these sacred lands to honor the remarkable legacy of Chief Pinesi, whose influence and wisdom continue to shape our community.
Chief Pinesi was not just a leader – he was a visionary who understood the profound connection between these lands and our people.
These waters, these shores, these forests – they all carry the echoes of his footsteps and the wisdom of his leadership.
His hunting grounds, which extended through what is now New Edinburgh and Rockcliffe Park, were not just territories; they were the foundation of a community that continues to thrive today.
This year, we’ve had the incredible privilege of retracing some of Chief Pinesi’s ancient pathways through our ceremonial paddle journey.
From June 23rd to July 1st, we journeyed from Deep River to Ottawa, following the mighty Kichi Sibi – the great river that has been the lifeblood of our people for countless generations.
Each stroke of our paddles connected us to our ancestors, each ripple in the water a reminder of our enduring presence on these lands.
This journey would not have been possible without the extraordinary efforts of many dedicated individuals.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to our exceptional coordination team: Carl Griffith and Peter Stockdale, whose organizational skills and dedication were invaluable.
To our skilled Paddle Captains – Max Finkelstein, Jim Stone, Eva Moons, and Jay Bailey – your expertise and leadership on the water ensured our safe passage and enriched our journey with your knowledge.
A special thank you to Derek Cushing, Zhuoyu Wang and Yi Cui, whose unique perspectives and contributions added new dimensions to our journey.
And we cannot forget Angie and Sandy Chartrand Band Members of Pikwakanagan and descendants of Chief Pinesi, whose nurturing spirit and delicious meals kept us strong and well-fed throughout our adventure – chi-miigwech for taking such good care of us all.
To all the paddlers who joined us on this remarkable journey – your spirit, determination, and respect for our traditions have made this celebration truly meaningful.
You have helped keep our cultural practices alive and vibrant.
I extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan Chief and Council and the New Edinburgh Community Alliance, particularly Cindy Parkanyi for their unwavering support and guidance.
Many thanks to our organizational sponsors
Our River Guardian: The City of Ottawa
Canoe Partners: Canadian Voyageur Brigade Society, NECA (New Edinburgh Community Alliance), Blaney McMurtry LLP, Innovation Seven, Tamarack Homes, Trycycle & AECOM
Community Supporters: Bytown Museum & HT Realty
Honorable Mention: McCarthy Fuels-Killaloe Branch
Your partnership demonstrates the power of community collaboration and mutual respect.
As we stand here today at the New Edinburgh Field House, we are not just celebrating history – we are living it, creating it, and passing it on to future generations.
Chief Pinesi’s legacy reminds us that leadership means protecting our lands, preserving our culture, and building bridges between communities.
Let us carry forward Chief Pinesi’s spirit of wisdom, leadership, and connection to these lands.
May his legacy continue to inspire us as we work together to build a future that honors our past while embracing new possibilities.
Miigwetch, thank you all for being part of this special celebration.