Our Mission
Kichi Sibi Trails works to recognize and honour ancient Indigenous pathways woven through the lands and waterways of the Kichi Sibi (Ottawa River) basin since time immemorial. Through research, commemoration, and storytelling, we are bringing these historic routes back into public consciousness, documenting forgotten trails, marking their paths, creating detailed maps, celebrating relevant historical Indigenous figures, and sharing their stories with communities near and far.
Our mission goes beyond trail restoration—we are reconnecting people with living history. Each trail we document reveals layers of deep historical significance, showcases the region’s remarkable natural heritage, and celebrates the vibrant, continuing presence of Indigenous culture that shapes this landscape today. Our role is to facilitate learning and connection through historical research, trail commemoration work, and initiatives such as the Pinesi Paddle.
At the heart of our work lies reconciliation and relationship -building. By honouring these ancestral pathways and the stories they carry, we’re fostering stronger connections between Indigenous nations and building bridges of understanding between settler and Indigenous communities—one trail, one story, one shared experience at a time.
Kichi Sibi Trails is an independent organization dedicated to trail research and public education. We welcome participation by Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of all backgrounds. Our headquarters are located at the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation, and our board includes Algonquin members from multiple communities. We conduct our work with integrity, building relationships based on mutual respect and shared commitment to preserving and sharing the region’s trail heritage.
We recognize that the trails we study and the stories we share belong to Indigenous peoples and communities who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial. Our work aims to amplify these stories and histories while respecting that Indigenous communities are the rightful authorities on their own heritage, culture, and territorial knowledge.
Any engagement with Indigenous history, culture, or territorial matters is conducted with humility and in consultation with relevant Indigenous knowledge keepers, communities, and organizations. We are committed to working in ways that support Indigenous self-determination and recognize Indigenous peoples’ continuing relationship with their ancestral lands and waters.
Our Story
It all began with a chance revelation by Jean Pigott’s son, John Morrison, in front of the oldest house in Ottawa that Sherwood Drive originated as an Indigenous trail between the Rideau River and the Ottawa River. Jean hurt her knee on the cinder trail when she was 8.
In 2020, a eclectic group came together to discuss this revelation and thus began the journey of re-discovering the Indigenous trails that have long traversed what is now known as the City of Ottawa. We called ourselves Kichi Sibi Trails. Today we are a diverse group of volunteer historians, paddlers, geographers, botanists, and others… We are particularly grateful for and honoured by the ongoing support and involvement of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.
In 2021, Kichi Sibi Trails partnered with the Greenspace Alliance of Canada’s Capital to apply for a grant from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative and to develop the first of these trails.
As soon as we were awarded this grant, we set about finding and examining old surveyors’ notes and maps, seeking out sinuous modern-day streets and mysterious monuments, and reviewing archival stories… all the while imagining the landscape in pre-settlement days and the logical routes to connect local and regional waterways…
Already, Kichi Sibi Trails has revitalized Chief Pinesi’s Portage – an ancient portage trail that bypasses Rideau Falls, thereby facilitating passage between the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. We have only begun to identify and explore other areas of interest. We’d love to do more!
In 2022, Kichi Sibi Trails created this website (KichiSibiAncientTrails.ca) to publicize and share our efforts.
Kichi Sibi Trails maintains an active presence on facebook.
The Artworks
Kichi Sibi Trails commissioned two artworks to mark and celebrate the rich heritage of the Indigenous trails and the Eastern Woodlands, and the ongoing presence of Algonquin Anishinabe in the Kichi Sibi Region.
We hope you will see these artworks in person. You can learn more about the artists and their beautiful work here!
Logos
These designs were conceived and created by the highly esteemed Algonquin Artist, Simon Brascoupé of Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg (biography). They are unique symbols of traditional Algonquin territory, history, and culture.
We are honoured to employ Simon’s beautiful designs as our logos and as trail markers along the revitalized trails: the bear for walking trails, the beaver for actively used portage trails.
Mural
This spectacular Algonquin mural is a mixed-media collaboration, created by a mother / daughter team of superb Algonquin Artists from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg. Doreen Stevens (biography) created Miskwi Bloodline (the mosaic), with assistance from Conrad Stevens as Technical Advisor and Ted Cash as Labourer. Charlotte Aki Stevens (biography) created Gathering Phases (the painting).
We are honoured and proud to display this mural for all to enjoy! It is permanently mounted on the west-facing wall of the New Edinburgh Fieldhouse (203 Stanley Avenue), at New Edinburgh Park, in the City of Ottawa.
Acknowledgements
The work of Kichi Sibi Trails reflects the passion, good will, skill, and generosity of many individuals and organizations. We thank all who have contributed!
Care to join us? Offer a tip? Volunteer some time or expertise?