My name is Steffanie Adams and I joined the Pinesi Paddle canoe trip this past summer with my daughter, my brother and my cousins along with a great crew of people.
The experience was an adventure. The adventure was more than just paddling – it was a powerful act of reconnection and a way to honour the routes my ancestors travelled for generations.
It really helped me to reflect on my identity and belonging in a way that I have never experienced plus to be able to share that with my family will be a memory I will carry with me for a lifetime.
The leadership from everyone at Kichi Sibi Trails made each day successful with their organized (and some unorganized) teachings (from Wendy Jocko to Noel to Connie to Max to Laura and more) and to appreciate their respect for the river and the land.
The many stops along the way with volunteers helping make the paddle commitment physically bearable was a treat. Paddling with a group of people committed to learning, sharing, and supporting one another created a sense of community that impacted not only me but my daughter as well.
Words from my daughter, Sydney: It was nice to be able to see and experience more of the Ottawa river than I’m familiar with. The paddle was also a great learning experience for me, I learned how to canoe, navigate with a map, I learned about fish that are in the Ottawa River, and saw some cool birds.
There were moments on the water when I felt a deep connection to my ancestors—particularly on Aylmer Island. Listening to Doreen and Jessica and staring back at our journey up the river, knowing how sacred the grounds we were on brought me to tears. It was emotional, challenging, and empowering all at once.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience the Ottawa River in a deeper, more meaningful way, I can’t recommend this paddle enough. I recommend the Pinesi Paddle to anyone who wants to understand this land and water in a deeper way, reconnect with culture, and be part of something bigger. This trip will change you in the best way