WIKWEMIKONG TOURISM

WIKWEMIKONG TOURISM 1975 MEMORIAL BEBAMIKAWE MEMORIAL TRIAL §  Began in 2010 in collaboration with Wikwemikong Tourism, Wii’nii’Gutch Tood LDM, Health Center, Ontario Works, Public Works and Department of Lands and Natural Resources. §  Develop an tourism driven outdoor attraction that also promoted healthy active living for the membership. §  To create employment and a transferable skill set for the WUIR membership. (2 yrs-­‐employed 15 Members) BEBAMIKAWE MEMORIAL TRIAL §  Opened in June 2012 §  First Professionally Trail System on Manitoulin Island –Members of PTBA Trained staff and Built Trail §  Over 3500 Users in First Year, 65% were first time visitors to Wikwemikong Trail Features Over 14 Kilometers of hiking trail along
Niagara Escarpment
11 km of single tract hiking trail with
2km of double tract .
1.5 kilometers of Granular Surface Fitness
Trial
5 Outdoor Fitness Stations
Trail Features Aboriginal Lodges throughout trail
Educational Signage
at three scenic lookouts
Overlooking La Cloche Mountains
North Channel and Traditional
Fishing Islands of Wikwemikong
Trail Features Lake Front Pavilion and Picnic Area
Daily Cultural Experiences
§  The Point Grondine Eco-­‐Adventure Park is a proposed eco tourism initiative that will comprise of an off the grid Campground with campsites, restroom facilities, interpretive/gift center, administration and staff housing with canoe routes, yurts and backcountry campsites throughout the interior of the Eco Park. The entrance of the park will be ideally situated off of the Killarney highway 637, nestled between the Killarney and French River Provincial Parks. §  The Point Grondine Eco Park lies within the central interior of Point Grondine and has been identified in the Point Grondine Land Use Plan commissioned by the Wikwemikong Department of Lands and Resources. The proposed Eco-­‐Park has been the vision the WDLNR to protect the land and resources of Point Grondine from future exploitation from forestry and other natural resource extraction. The Park Management Plan will comprise of multi departmental partnerships within the WUIR band administration with current training and mentorship opportunities available within the Provincial Parks. Camping
Up to 100 Campsites
Over 40 Interior Campsites along the Georgian Bay Coast Trail and
Water Trail Routes4 Yurts throughout Park and Interior
Gate House
Interpretive Center
Convenience Store
Staff Quarters
Rentals
Canoe, kayaks and bicycles
Centralized Comfort Stations
Adventure Zone
High-Low Ropes course
Rock climbing and repelling stations
Mountain Bike Park
Lakeside Recreational area
Anishnaabek Village
Interpretive Anishnaabek Village
Wigwam and Tee pee Camping
Yurts
Four Yurts along Mazhenazing Lake and
park interior.
Authentic Aboriginal Experiences
Daily Cultural Experiences
Interpretive Village
Educational Programming
Youth Programming geared to First Nation Culture.
Action based learning programs and team building initiatives.
Aboriginal heritage and natural history
Canoeing
Over 30km of Canoe Routes throughout the Interior of Point
Grondine.
Shuttle service
Boat service throughout interior
Boat service to and from Wikwemikong
Winter Camping
Yurt to Yurt backcountry skiing and snowshoeing
Who We Are §  Not-­‐for-­‐profit organization §  Established in 2007 §  Governed by a volunteer board of directors §  Mandate: To develop a rugged hiking trail alongside the east coast of Georgian Bay from Bayfield Inlet to Point Grondine as part of a shared vision of sustainable ecotourism. The Model §  The concept of the Georgian Bay Coast Trail is modeled after the West Coast Trail, located in Pacific Rim National Park on Vancouver Island §  Demonstrated success for a similar trail system §  Three First Nations collaborated to create the Quu’as West Coast Trail Group who work with Park staff manage the trail West Coast Trail – Economic Impact §  6,000+ users each year §  One year waiting list for permits in peak season §  International and Domestic users – destination trail §  Estimated $7 million dollars into the local economy every year Georgian Bay Coast Trail The Vision §  Follow the model of the West Coast Trail: ú  Partner with First Nations to manage the trail ú  User-­‐pay trail system for sustainability ú  Very rugged coastal hiking trail. Orientation session prior to hiking ú  Quota on hikers ú  Unique and ecologically friendly infrastructure The Route §  Will follow the coast from Bayfield Inlet to Point Grondine §  Avoid cottages, private property, ecologically sensitive areas, etc. §  Approximately 200 km single tract hiking trail §  Mapped with aerial photos Phased Approach to Trail Development In Partnership: 1.  Lay out trail route with aerial photos 2.  Ground truth -­‐ ensure the route is in the proper place 3.  Collect onsite information about species, species habitat, and culturally significant sites 4.  For government managed lands apply to MNR for a work permit to build trail 5.  When approved, build trail Research and Mapping §  Magnetawan ground truthed the trail and researched species at risk, their habitat, and culturally significant sites from Bayfield to Byng Inlet in summer 2011 Research and Mapping §  The project employed three crew members for approx. two months (including one youth from Shawanaga First Nation) §  Received funding for another research and mapping project together with Magnetawan First Nation . §  Henvey Inlet applied for funding in 2013 to begin research and mapping project through their territory. Trail Development at Point Grondine §  GBCT and Wikwemikong partnered to extend the proposed route to Point Grondine §  Circular, 60 km proposed trail route has been mapped that extends to Georgian Bay and passes inland lakes §  Construction Began in 2012 and is expected to be complete in 2014. Trail at Point Grondine §  Completed species at risk research and mapped the proposed trail route §  Seven full time employees from Wikwemikong have completed 10 kilometers of trail in Fall of 2012 §  60 km trail expected to be complete in spring of 2014 Georgian Bay Coast Trail Hybrid Trail Training Wikwemikong Development Commission has developed a comprehensive
trails training initiative for First Nations across the province that specialize
in:
•  Trail Assessments and Planning
• Trail Design, Training and Development
• FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT WIKWEMIKONG TOURISM AT
705-859-3477
[email protected]