'We need to bring the truth': Ottawa marks the inaugural Chief Pinesi Day
It was a personal journey for Wendy Jocko as she retraced the portage route of her great-grandfather Chief Constant Pinesi on Friday.
Jocko is Chief of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and she helped inaugurate "Chief Pinesi Day" in Ottawa.
The day to be celebrated on July 1 to honour Grand Chief Constant Pinesi, the history of the land, and the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation.
"This is the first ceremony that we are having to honour our Grand Chief Pinesi," Jocko said. "And I think it is important that the city of Ottawa is aware that this was his traditional hunting ground and this is where the national capital is on his territory - Algonquin territory."
Jocko took a canoe along the Ottawa River and docked near Stanley Avenue in New Edinburgh.
"It felt good, I was putting myself in the past to the 1800s," she says. "It felt very special to retrace the footsteps of my great grandfather."
Chief Constant Pinesi was a hunter, a band leader, and a warrior. He fought in the war of 1812, and his hunting grounds were along the Ottawa River. Many of Pinesi’s descendants gathered on the grounds to bring attention to the long-forgotten Grand Chief.
For some members of First Nations communities, Canada Day is a difficult day because of the country’s dark colonial past, including the former residential schools and unmarked graves.
"Today is personal for me," says Merv Sarazin.
Sarazin is a member of the Pikwakanagan First Nation and says he recently learned he is a descendant of Pinesi.
"July 1 is a day we should be recognizing truth and reconciliation, and in light of that we need to bring the truth about Pinesi," Sarazin said.
The Algonquin community as well as other Ottawa residents gathered at the New Edinburgh Fieldhouse to learn about the Chief and his historical significance.
"It was all hidden. And we are bringing it to light," Sarazin said.
Events included traditional drumming and dancing, as well as a sacred fire and prayer. Groups were also lead on a walking tour of the area to learn about the surrounding nature of the land.
Sylvie Beaudry lives in the area and brought her family to, "Learn about the history of the beautiful lands that we live on, and to share that with my boys. And share space with a variety of different people is really nice.”
The Chief Pinesi Portage Trail was also introduced Friday, with interpretive markers along a three kilometre route from the river through Rockcliffe. The route is thought to be where Pinesi portaged to bypass the Rideau Falls.
"I hope that people take the time to learn about First Nation history, not just here in Ottawa but all across Canada," Jocko said. "We have a very rich history, we have been here for thousands of years, and we are here to stay.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A 'tragedy that can't be measured': North Bay's forever chemical problem is also the rest of Canada's
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Questlove was not happy with Drake and Kendrick Lamar's beef: 'Nobody won the war'
While some may have been excited and/or amused by the diss-track feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the man many consider to be an elder statesman of hip-hop appears less than enthused about it.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
A renewed Russian offensive on Kharkiv in northeast Ukraine forces some 1,700 civilians to flee
Russian forces began a renewed ground assault in Ukraine's northeast, killing and injuring several people and forcing more than 1,700 civilians to evacuate from the Kharkiv region, officials said Saturday.
Israel orders new evacuations in the southern Gaza city of Rafah as it prepares to expand operations
Israel ordered new evacuations in Gaza's southern city of Rafah on Saturday, forcing tens of thousands more people to move as it prepares to expand its operation and adding that it is also moving into an area in northern Gaza where Hamas has regrouped.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.