Chief Pinesi Day Returns to New Edinburgh on July 1st

Kichi Sibi Trails, in concert with NECA and the Crichton Community Council, is once again coordinating the July 1st Chief Pinesi Day event in New Edinburgh Park (in and around the Fieldhouse) to honour Algonquin Anishinabe presence in the area.

Beginning at 9 am with the Sacred Fire, the day-long program – lead by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation – will feature drumming, singing and dancing. Councillor Merv Sarazin will be present for welcoming remarks; Opening prayers will be offered by Kokom Jane Chartrand. With an indigenous veterans honour guard, former Chief Wendy Jocko will speak about Chief Pinesi and his importance to indigenous and Canadian military history.

During both the morning and afternoon, attendees can take a land tour along parts of the revitalized Chief Pinesi Portage Trail, which was an ancient (approximately 8,000 years old) indigenous portage trail between the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. The trail is now marked by signs created by Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg artist Simon Brascoupé.

Photo of canoes below Rideau Falls.  Courtesy of ONEC
Ottawa New Edinburgh Club (ONEC) is providing the canoes and guides for the Medicine Paddle activity that takes place in the afternoon. Photo courtesy of ONEC

After the ceremonies, there will be an educational walk along the Rideau and a Medicine Paddle from Governor Bay along the Ottawa River (for those who are willing to get their feet wet).

This Chief Pinesi Day, people can visit the Bloodline – Miskwi and Gathering Phases – Bakaan Asiginan murals located on the side of the New Edinburgh Fieldhouse, now with a three language panel description. These colourful ceramic and paint murals were created by the Algonquin mother and daughter team of Doreen and Charlotte Stevens. Miskwi means bloodline and the mural depicts several Algonquin lineages. Bakaan Asiginan signifies the gathering of indigenous people living in harmony with nature through all phases of their lives.

Photo of Miskwi mural and artist Doreen Stevens
Algonquin artist Doreen Stevens describes the concept of the mural Bloodline – Miskwi, which she and her daughter, Charlotte, created to celebrate and tell the story of this area’s indigenous history.

Who was Chief Pinesi?
Chief Constant Pinesi (1768 – 1834) was the last traditional Algonquin Chief to have hunting grounds in Ottawa – at Rideau and Chaudière Falls. He and his four sons fought in critical battles in the Niagara on the British side in the War of 1812. Pinesi was appointed Grand Chief by Governor-General Kempt in 1830.

For over a century, Algonquin Chief Pinesi and later his son, Kigonz and other leaders, often with the Nipissing, petitioned the Government of the day that a portion of their hunting and trapping grounds be untouched by settlement. They never did receive even a small piece of their traditional territory, extending across the Ottawa Valley, and in the end were even displaced for the creation of Algonquin Provincial Park. The many petitions exist today, held in archival files, revealing the truth of a stolen land, still without treaty.

Click here for the current full schedule of activities: Chief Pinesi Day – 1 July 2023 – Full Program. Registration is required for the Land Tours and Medicine Paddle: Chief_Pinesi_Day.eventbrite.com.

New Edinburgh clothing now available!

The Crichton Community Council developed two unique print designs to celebrate our neighbourhood. One features a map of New Edinburgh’s roads, paths, rivers, and building footprints. Another uses the unique road signs of the Heritage Conservation District as inspiration. Either image can be applied to the front of a grey T-shirt or hoodie. If you are jealous of the ice rink Hoser crew’s toques, you can procure a similar one for yourself.

Order your apparel by Feb 20, 2023 here!

Motion to discuss pilot project on Stanley Avenue

At the New Edinburgh Community Alliance’s (NECA’s) annual general meeting on Oct. 27, 2022, board members and residents will be discussing the following motion concerning the proposal for a pilot project to close a small portion of Stanley Avenue near the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse (203 Stanley Ave.) to create space for additional public amenities.

If you would like to share your thoughts on this proposal, please join NECA on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. either at the Fieldhouse (203 Stanley Ave.) or online, as the meeting will be in a hybrid format.

Motion to provide the basis for discussion with the City of Ottawa about the Terms of Reference for a Pilot Project on Stanley Avenue

Whereas policy 3–4 of the draft Transportation Master Plan update prescribes “pilot street designs that function as ‘places'” and “seasonal repurposing of streets for place-making activities” whereby streets that border parks are among the most appropriate; and

Whereas the New Edinburgh Community Alliance (NECA) and the Crichton Community Council (CCC) wish to enhance the use of New Edinburgh Park for use by the community; and

Whereas Stanley Avenue between River Lane and the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse is non-essential from a motor vehicle through traffic perspective; and

Whereas the public space of New Edinburgh Park between the Rideau River and Stanley Avenue between Dufferin Road and the Fieldhouse is very narrow, thereby compressing the intensive recreational uses and natural functions of the vegetated landscape;

Therefore be it resolved that NECA in collaboration with CCC solicit the City of Ottawa to launch a two- to four-month trial of repurposing a segment of Stanley Avenue in front of the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse for place-making such that

  • place-making is realized with amenities for public use added onto the repurposed road segment during the trial period. Examples of desired (none in particular are required) amenities are: 
  • seating
  • planter boxes with community volunteer installed/maintained vegetation or otherwise
  • art, cultural, or educational based installation(s)
  • game or activity-based installation(s)
  • food and beverage service(s)
  • only emergency, park maintenance and other such authorized motor vehicles are permitted to drive through the repurposed road segment during the trial period
  • on-street parking availability is maintained for users of the Fieldhouse and surrounding public space; and

be it further resolved that the CCC in collaboration with NECA work with the City of Ottawa to activate the repurposed portion of Stanley Avenue with community programming and events; and

be it further resolved that during and upon completion of the pilot, NECA, CCC and the City jointly assess the degree to which the roadway’s closure to motorized through traffic impacts

  • the usage and user satisfaction of New Edinburgh Park and the Fieldhouse
  • the volume of interprovincial and other motorized traffic cutting through New Edinburgh
  • traffic elsewhere in the neighbourhood, e.g., along Crichton Street, River Lane or MacKay Street
  • parking availability
  • the neighbouring community

New Edinburgh Park skating rinks details

The New Edinburgh Park skating rinks are officially open thanks to our dedicated team of volunteer Hosers.


Our student Rink Attendants are now on site and will have more responsibilities this year. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding while they carry out those duties so that we can offer a safe environment to all.


Below are the City’s current restrictions for rinks as of Jan. 7, 2021:
▪️No sports or games are allowed (no hockey, ringette, etc.);
▪️Access to Field House is only permitted to use the washrooms, or for medical emergencies;
▪️Masks must be worn by spectators within 15 meters of the rink and are recommended for skaters; and
▪️Skaters must stay 2 metres away from other skaters unless they are from the same household.
Our dedicated team of volunteer Hosers will water the rink every night at 9pm.


Rink hours are:
Mon.-Fri. 4-9pm; Sat. 10am-9pm; Sun. 10am – 6pm
Happy skating!

Posted in CCC