Proposed Locations
Ozhaawashko-giizhig Traditional Teaching Lodge proponents have been researching and conducting site visits to various locations within the region. The following represents a brief summary of these locations:
Gapens Pool
The property is at the corner of highways 11 and 17 (also known as the “Crossroads of Canada”) is just past the community of Lake Helen First Nation if you are coming from Geraldton and next door to the Town of Nipigon. There is 94 acres for sale privately for a cost of $489,000.
There are many advantages to this property, the main one being the location. To provide you with a visual, you would be able to “view facility” from all 3 highway points: coming down the hill from Thunder Bay before the bridge; coming down the other hill from Sault Ste. Marie before the hwy 11 turnoff; and coming into Lake Helen First Nation from Beardmore.
Other advantages is the existence of an access road from highway 11 (minimal constraints with the Ministry of Transportation); close proximity to the Town of Nipigon and Red Rock Indian Band; property is situated on the Nipigon River; teaching lodge activities would not be restricted; and, the untouched beauty of the land.
The main reason for targeting this property for the teaching lodge is to protect the land. The environmental concerns of this area located on the water frontage of the Nipigon River and Lake Helen are serious and would need to be respected in all areas. Other important considerations:
are there sacred burial grounds here next door to Lake Helen First Nation?
Were there battles between Sioux and Ojibwa?
can we experience what life must have been like?
teaching lodge could promote a local tour boat to view pictographs and other important sites within the area
teaching lodge could incorporate a medicine walk into the physical activities connected to the facility
teaching lodge could promote the walking trails in the area
education could surround protecting the land and all its peoples: the two-leggeds, the four-leggeds, the winged people, etc.
this would inspire and be a catalyst to maintain and promote the Anishnawbe responsibility of being “stewards of the land”
area represents a source for the ground water for the underground streams and is supplying water to the spawning bed for the brook trout - Protect the brook trout!
teaching lodge could have a “viewing” area from a point above the river which could have web cam equipment installed in the area of where the brook trout are spawning! How fantastic would that be?
There are really only two disadvantages with the property, one being the price and the other is the current legal situation of the property. There is a conditional offer to purchase by an external group who intend to give the property to Parks Canada to protect. This external purchaser is made up of various conservations organizations willing to continue to partner with the teaching lodge in the eventuality they are able to secure the required funding and acquire the property i.e. teaching lodge would still be able to put up signage, walking trails, kiosk, etc.
This location offers the most possibilities / options for the teaching lodge with minimal restrictions.
Steamboat Bay
On July 9, 2006 the proponents looked at Steamboat Bay as a possible location for the teaching lodge which is located approximately 10 kms north on highway 11 from Nipigon, ON and is situated adjacent to Lake Helen. This particular site was a boy scouts camp at one time and is generally used by local residents as a camping area.
This property is crown land and is situated in the Onaman Lake / Barbara Lake Area and is classed as general use area designation which may be amenable to the activities proposed by the teaching lodge. Amount of property is unknown at this time.
The recognizable advantages to this location are: the close proximity to the Town of Nipigon; an existing access road from highway 11 (minimal constraints with the Ministry of Transportation); and, the hydro line runs along property.
The only obvious disadvantage is the outstanding issue of an application for use by another interest group i.e. Red Rock Indian Band (applied in 2000). This application would need to be withdrawn by the Band before the teaching lodge could move forward with their application.
Ruby Lake Provincial Park
On July 20, 2006 the proponents along with Levina Collins looked at Ruby Lake Provincial Park as a possible location for the teaching lodge which is located approximately 20 kms east on highway 17 from Nipigon, ON and is situated adjacent to Ruby Lake and Lake Superior is within sight.
This property is crown land and is situated in the Ruby Lake Area and is classed as provincial park designation which may be amenable to the activities proposed by the teaching lodge. Amount of property is unknown at this time.
The recognizable advantages to this location are: the close proximity to the town of Nipigon and the untouched beauty of the land.
The apparent disadvantages would be: the need to develop an access road (extremely rough terrain and maximum constraints with the Ministry of Transportation); the need to develop a railway crossing (maximum constraints with Canadian Pacific Railway); the drop off from the cliffs to the lake; and, requirements to meet with the Ministry of Natural Resources as well as Ontario Parks (maximum constraints).
Cooper Point
On August 9, 2006 the proponents along with Charles Faust, Resource Liaison with the Ministry of Natural Resources looked at Cooper Point as a possible location for the teaching lodge which is located approximately 35 kms east on highway 17 from Nipigon, ON and is situated on Lake Superior and is right next to Ruby Lake Provincial Park and Jackfish River.
This property is crown land and is situated in the Lake Superior Shoreline Area and is classed as an enhanced management area designation which may be amenable to the activities proposed by the teaching lodge. Amount of property is unknown at this time.
The recognizable advantages to this location are: the close proximity to the Town of Nipigon; the untouched beauty of the land; and, the focal point would be having the facility (turtle lodge) right on Lake Superior.
The apparent disadvantages would be: the need to develop an access road (there is an existing road but it would need further development); the need to develop a railway crossing (there is an existing crossing but it would need further development); and, requirements to meet with the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Black Sturgeon River Provincial Park
On August 15, 2006 the proponents along with Charles Faust, Resource Liaison with the Ministry of Natural Resources and a representative from Ontario Parks looked at the Canadian Outward Bound Wilderness School within Black Sturgeon River Provincial Park which is located approximately 35 kms west on highway 17 from Nipigon, ON and then another 60 kms north on Black Sturgeon Road (in Hurkett, ON) as a possible location for the teaching lodge.
This property is crown land and is situated in the Black Sturgeon River Area and is classed as provincial park designation which may be amenable to the activities proposed by the teaching lodge. Amount of property is unknown at this time.
The major advantage is the existence of a crown lease which if all parameters were met could be easily transferred to the teaching lodge. Being a “turn key” operation, the teaching lodge would have use of the existing buildings and this would also minimize the amount of documentation and effort required. Other advantages are: the untouched beauty of the land; the remote location would promote and enhance solitary activities (i.e. sacred ceremonies, retreats, living on the land, etc); and, the focal point would be having the facility located on Black Sturgeon River.
The disadvantages would be: the distance the Elders would need to travel; costs for the road up-keep would be substantial; and, requirements to meet with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ontario Parks.
Cameron Falls Road
On August 26, 2006 the proponents looked at private property along Cameron Falls Road as a possible location for the teaching lodge which is located approximately 6 kms north on Cameron Falls Road from Nipigon, ON and is situated adjacent to Parmacheene Reserve 53.
This private property is being offered to the teaching lodge for a purchase price of $60,000. Amount of property is estimated to be 10 to 12 acres.
The recognizable advantages to this location are: artesian well on the property; the close proximity to the Town of Nipigon; an existing access road from Cameron Falls Road (minimal constraints with the Ministry of Transportation); the access road is already maintained by another party; teaching lodge activities would not be restricted; and, the hydro line runs along property.
The only possible disadvantage is that the teaching lodge to access water would need to cross over to the reserve (within walking distance).
This location also offers many possibilities / options for the teaching lodge with the least amount of restrictions and could be viewed as the most viable option for the teaching lodge at this time.
McKenzie Inn
On August 29, 2006 the proponents looked at the sale of the McKenzie Inn as a possible location for the teaching lodge which is located approximately 15 kms east on highway 17 from Thunder Bay, ON and is situated adjacent to the McKenzie River and within view of Lake Superior.
The recognizable advantages to this location are: the close proximity to the City of Thunder Bay; an existing access road from highway 17; fifty acres; existing facility; and, existing utilities.
The only possible disadvantage is the price of $1.5 million. Refer to the link for the sale of McKenzie Inn: