Category: Uncategorized

New Ed Neighbourhood Sale takes place Sept 20

Posted on by Cindy Parkanyi

The New Edinburgh Neighbourhood Sale will take place this year on Saturday, September 20 from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm.  Homeowners, condominium groups, religious congregations, businesses, non-profit organizations and artists are encouraged to hold sales on private property throughout New Edinburgh.

The area around the Fieldhouse will be a busy sales centre since the weekly market coincides with the neighbourhood sale.  The Fieldhouse washrooms and water fountain will be open for everyone’s convenience.

Neighbourhood sale vendors are encouraged to sell from private lands in front of their own homes.  Unlike past years, the CCC will not be renting vendor spaces on the lawn of the New Edinburgh Park Fieldhouse to enable those without public facing properties to participate.

Non-resident vendors and resident vendors without public facing properties are encouraged to sell from the public lands around the Stanley Avenue bend to create a cluster of activity, in cooperation with the Beechwood Market’s vendors.  Please note that market vendors have a permit for the use of the triangular east lawn bounded by the Fieldhouse, the asphalt multi-use path and the riverside pedestrian path.  All vendors must respect any applicable bylaws and are wholly liable for any infractions.

The Crichton Community Council (CCC) gratefully collects donations to support neighbourhood events and for the purchase of equipment.  Donations of 10 per cent of sale profits earned by neighbourhood vendors is suggested.  Financial contributions can be made by depositing a cheque in the mailbox near the front door of the Fieldhouse, or online using this link: https://square.link/u/I1bTGw6g

4th Annual Chief Pinesi Day on 1 July 2025

Posted on by Cindy Parkanyi

For the fourth year running, New Edinburgh Park will be the site of the July 1st annual event to honour the Algonquin Anishinabe heritage of the area. Chief Constant Pinesi was the last prominent Algonquin Chief to have hunting grounds in Ottawa – at Rideau and Chaudière Falls.

The day’s festivities will begin at 9 am with the Sacred Fire ceremony, led by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation. There will also be the opportunity to take a land tour along parts of the revitalized Chief Pinesi Trail, which was an ancient (approximately 8,000 years old) indigenous portage trail between the Ottawa and Rideau rivers. The trail is marked by signs created by Kitigan Zibi Anishanbeg artist Simon Brascoupé.

Attendees will greet an intrepid group of paddlers arriving around 12:30 pm along the shores of the Rideau River after having paddled since June 24th, retracing one of Chief Pinesi’s routes from Deep River. The group will include descendants of Chief Pinesi and other indigenous and non-indigenous participants.  

A documentary film of last year’s journey from Chief Pinesi’s summering place at Oka, along the Ottawa River to his traditional hunting grounds in Ottawa is in production. Watch the trailer to learn more.

At the Fieldhouse there will be welcoming ceremonies led by the traditional and council leadership of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation (AOPFN) including Kokom Jane Chartrand, Chief Greg Sarazin, Wendy Jocko and Councillor Merv Sarazin and local dignitaires. The paddlers will participate in a roundtable to share their thoughts on the journey, followed by the elder’s closing prayer at 3 pm to complete the day’s events.

Chief Pinesi Day – July 1, 2024

Posted on by Cindy Parkanyi
Poster for Chief Pinesi Day 2024

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. If you’re interested in volunteering opportunities please contact: Kischi Sibi Trails

This year will be a bit different from previous years. Chief Pinesi Day will be the culmination of the Oka to Ottawa: Pinesi Paddle starting on 25 June. Over 40 paddlers, descendants of Chief Pinesi, Algonquins, other indigenous people and settlers will reach Governor Bay below Rideau Hall about 11 AM, likely with members of the Governor General’s Foot Guards.

The Sacred Fire will begin at 8 led by Doug Comegan. The program will be led by the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan First Nation and will feature drumming, singing and dancing by the Spirit Wolf Singers. Councillor Merv Sarazin will MC; Opening prayers will be offered by Kokom Jane Chartrand.

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

Want to know more about Chief Pinesi and the portage trail? Visit the Kichi Sibi Trails website.

Celebration of Life details for Barbara Benoit (1946-2024)

Posted on by David Rostenne
Barbara Benoit

It is with a sad heart that we report that Barbara Benoit, long-time editor of the New Edinburgh News, passed away peacefully at her Noel Street home on April 30th, surrounded by her family and dearest friends. Barbara had been diagnosed with Multiple System Atrophy, a rare, degenerative neurological disorder more than ten years ago. She will be remembered for her love of dogs and her time enjoying the sight of dogs playing together and running around freely in our beautiful riverside park. In 2021, Barbara was awarded the New Edinburgh BRICK Award in recognition for her dedicated involvement in endeavours that have contributed to our community’s quality of life. She is survived by her husband, Paul; children, Charles and Anne; and five grandchildren, Lawrence, Caroline, Richard, Owen and Samuel. A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Friday July 12th, at 3p.m. at 123 Noel Street.

Chief Pinesi Day Returns to New Edinburgh on July 1st

Posted on by Cindy Parkanyi

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.