Chimnissing trail teaches and protects
By Sharon Weatherall
BEAUSOLEIL FN – A 6-kilometer trail around Douglas Lake has been opened that will have educational, environmental, and tourism benefits.
Douglas Lake Trail Enhancement Project coordinator Clayton King says $22,000 in project funding was obtained last year through the Ontario Government and Great Lakes Guardian Foundation to complete work on a trail commenced three years ago by North Simcoe Community Development Corporation and Sustainable Trails. The funding covered his work as a researcher/graphic artist, as well as providing materials for 11 colourful interpretive signs, benches and a half-kilometer trail extension.
“The Great Lakes Guardian Foundation encourages communities around the Great Lakes to apply for funding to support restoration around the Great Lakes,” says King. “The protection of Beausoleil First Nation’s wetlands has been an ongoing practice for generations.
“Waste relocation has helped in the sustaining of our wetlands, which in turn has helped them flourish. Chimnissing’s wetlands provide great habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. They also purify our water resources and support the ecosystems rich biodiversity.”
Called “Zyigaans Miikaan” – “Little Lake Trail” – the project’s signage provides brief summaries of island history dating back to the 1600’s, the War of 1812, and two historic Huron settlements. Signs also cover topics such as natural and endangered species, waste management, invasive species, and the importance of water and protecting it. Each two-by-three-foot sign incorporates a clan sign and is written in both English and Anishinaabemowin.
Signs feature the island’s endangered Five-Lined Skink Lizard — “Naaning Ebezhijiizid Kaadignebigoons” — and Ice Age aged Forked Three-Awned Grass – “Gete Miishgoons” – an endangered species which has survived the test of time on Chimnissing. King says a rare Golden Eagle –“Giniw” — flew overhead as the last post was installed as if giving its approval of the project.
Project savings came from using recycled shoreline logs for sign posts and lots of volunteer help. Using his skills as an artist, King completed the graphics after researching the wildlife, plant, herb, insect, bird, reptile and fish life which habitat the area. Much information was gathered from local residents and elders who shared their memories of the original trail area.
One of the main goals of the project was to encourage physical participation and widen the trail for biking. Local youth participated in the project through workshops held last summer, as well as community Earth Days and garbage clean-up events.
“Without the volunteers we never would have been completed within the time frame for the work,” says King. “We have not only installed the 11 signs but completed 23 pine benches at the signs and in-between.”
A contest was held within the community asking for paintings, drawings and photographs to be included on the interpretive signs and eight entries were selected with winners receiving $125 each for their efforts. Winners were William A. Monague; Joshua Assance; Amber King-Robitaille; Sharon Lisa Monague; Jeremiah Peters; Natalie Smith-Mixemong and Anna King.
King says the trail enhances the tourism aspect of Chimnissing and is something to promote to visiting public, schools and educational groups.
Stewardship and volunteer maintenance to protect the beautiful views of the lake and wood areas along the trail is now encouraged among residents.
The Oct. 17 opening of Zyigaans Miikaan involved a special ceremony and prayers, walk on the trail and community luncheon.
“It was the best hike I’ve been on in a long time,” said Sharon Lisa Monague, a volunteer and submitting artist. “The Douglas Lake Trail is something that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys walking through the forest. We have lot of potential and beauty around our island to show off to visitors, family, service providers and tourists”