Three northern Ont. communities to run provincial park
The Ontario government has announced a partnership with three northern Ontario communities to operate a provincial park near Elliot Lake.
The goal of the partnership is to include the history of the park’s long-standing Indigenous heritage.
In a statement, Chief Bob Chiblow of Mississauga First Nation said those who visit the park will “gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the Anishinaabe culture when they leave.”
Chief Brent Bissaillon of Serpent River First Nation said there are a number of historical sites in the park.
“We’re looking increasing the awareness and the awareness of the Indigenous communities that live in those areas and the history behind that,” said Bissaillon.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The partnership is through the Mississagi Park Foundation, which includes the City of Elliot Lake, Mississauga First Nation and Serpent River First Nation.
On Tuesday, leaders from each group gathered at the Mississagi Cultural Centre to honour the partnership with a traditional pipe ceremony.
Bissaillon said the moment was meaningful.
“The province came forward and they brought their staff and various other people so it was beautiful,” he said.
“People came down from Elliot Lake, too, so it was special. This does mean a lot to Indigenous people and the people of Elliot Lake, too.”
Mississagi Provincial Park, formally established in 1965, was previously run by the City of Elliot Lake. The city’s acting mayor, Andrew Wannan, said the park is important to the community.
Wannan said sharing the responsibility of the park is an essential part of ongoing cooperation among the communities. He said the park is an essential piece of the puzzle to boost tourism in the north.
“I’m hopeful for other communities to maybe look at and get inspiration from this process,” Wannan said.
David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, said he hopes future generations will learn about the park’s history.
“I think this is exciting for us as a province and exciting for the many girls and boys, next generation, who will go and visit,” Piccini said.
“Learn from the teachings of the foundation, the Indigenous leadership in this pristine 12,000 acres of wilderness.”
Bissaillon said while discussions are ongoing, the goal is to include signs, medicine trails and more information about the park’s history.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.