Great Spirit Circle Trail » News

8th Annual Tourism Business Conference

GSCT — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 14:17:37 +0000

Welcome to the GSCT’s 8th Annual Tourism Business Conference! May 28th – 30th 2013

On behalf of the eight First Nation communities of the Great Spirit Circle Trail, we welcome you to Mnidoo Mnising (Manitoulin Island!)

For two and a half days in May, delegates from across Ontario are invited to meet with industry experts, engage in networking opportunities, and learn practical advice on how to succeed in the tourism industry. Keynote speakers include Chief Clarence Louie of Osoyoos Indian Band, Wab Kinew a ‘one-of-a-kind talent’, comedy show from Howie Miller and so many more fantastic professionals. We are expecting this conference to be our best and biggest yet and we anticipate many positive outcomes.

The 8th Annual Tourism Business Conference will be held at the new and luxury Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre in Little Current ON, Canada.

Register Here - 2013 GSCT Tourism Business Conference Registration Form

2013 Conference Poster - 8th Annual Tourism Conference

Are you a Vendor selling authentic product and looking to showcase your work?

See Vendor Form Here - 2013 GSCT Tourism Business Conference Vendor Form

The conference is limited to 200 delegates and 6 vendors, don’t miss your opportunity to be involved!

For more information, send us an email at circletrail@circletrail.com or call toll-free 877-710-3211

If you are interested in becoming a Sponsor at our event, your generous contribution will be highlighted in numerous ways.

For sponsorship or partnership opportunities, contact Menesa Corbiere, mcorbiere@circletrail.com or call toll-free 877-710-3211

2013 Pow Wow Schedule!

GSCT — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 02:17:48 +0000

Welcome to the complete listing of Cultural Festivals and Pow Wow’s for the Manitoulin Island-Sagamok region in north eastern Ontario!

Click here for the 2013 Powwow listing!

Do you need accommodations while visiting the region?

Yes to Accommodations

Since the ancient days of Aboriginal tradition, neighbouring nations have come together each year to trade, dance and celebrate life in a spectacular kaledioscope of colourful craftswork, regalia and singing. The very nature of the gathering of nations welcomes all people. The Anishinaabe of the Manitoulin Island-Sagamok Region invite you to tour the First Nation communities and share this special tradition with us.

What else is there to do while visiting Manitoulin Island?

Great Spirit Circle Trail – Canadian Signature Experiences Collection

GSCT — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 02:28:08 +0000

Experience the past and enjoy contemporary First Nations’ culture on Manitoulin Island in Ontario

by Katharine Fletcher

Whether it’s visiting local galleries and museums, taking an overnight horseback riding tour with an overnight in a tipi, or taking a drumming workshop, Great Spirit Circle Trail offers authentic First Nations cultural experiences with expert guides and through hands-on workshops and activities.

Based in Ontario’s Manitoulin Island – the largest freshwater lake island in the world – the name means “Spirit Island” in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language. So it’s fitting that Great Spirit Circle Trail, an organization that represents eight local First Nations communities, is reaching out to explain First Nations’ culture and spirituality here.

“Voice of the Drum” workshops tell the story of drumming and its significance, as well as how to make one. Always constructed from natural hides such as the white-tailed deer, drums are not viewed as mere “tangible objects.” Instead, they are respected, living beings. Hence, the workshop leaders teach how ownership brings responsibilities, such as the proper care of the drum.

Consider the “Experience the History, Enjoy the Culture” walking tour, which includes art galleries and museums. For example, Lillian’s Quill Box Museum houses more than 400 birch bark baskets and porcupine quill boxes, all made by elders in the area. Don’t miss this museum’s gift shop, where moccasins, crafting supplies, jewelry and quill-work boxes are for sale.

Ready for action? Take the “Medicine Walk”, where expert guides identify native plants such as sage and mint, used for traditional healing. Or paddle nearby islands during the “Bay of the Beaver Canoe Tour.” Try the “Horse and Tipi Overnight Adventure”, where participants not only ride but swim with a horse. The five-hour ride ascends a mountainside, affording splendid views of the rugged rocks and dramatic white pines framing Lake Huron, the second largest of Canada’s Great Lakes. In mid-afternoon it’s time to dismount, learn how to erect a tipi, have a First Nations’ inspired meal and listen to the guide’s storytelling around a campfire before falling asleep inside the tipi.

Manitoulin Hotel & Conference Centre Opening in 2013

GSCT — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:47:34 +0000

A luxury full service hotel will be opening its doors in early 2013

Situated on the beautiful shores of Lake Huron, the second largest of Canada’s Great lakes, the waterfront hotel features First Nations designs and elements.

Property Features:

58 traditional guest rooms & suites
Conference centre of 300+ capacity
On-site restaurant & patio
Outdoor swimming pool
Wireless internet
Aboriginal packaged experiences
Business centre services
Shopping and attractions within walking distance away
Motor coach buses are welcome

To make a reservation – Call 877-710-3211

Wikwemikong Historic and Cultural Experiences

GSCT — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:06:37 +0000

Wikwemikong Tourism offers tours hosted by Anishnaabek people who have carefully planned itineraries that reflect the lifestyles of the Anishnaabek of the Three Fires Confederacy- the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi peoples. As Manitoulin’s largest First Nation community and Canada’s only officially recognized Unceded Indian Reserve, Wikwemikong is rich in culture and history. With over 42,000 hectares of land to explore including over 41 Islands surrounding our Peninsula we welcome you to take part in our nature based and cultural tourism experiences. Our guides will share the history and legends of our people, retrace canoe routes of our ancestors and captivate you with some of the most breathtaking scenery that Manitoulin Island has to offer.

Daily Experiences run from June to September, call our tourist specialists at 1-888-801-9422 or see the links below to book your next cultural adventure.

Bebamikawe “Making Footprints”A Guided Hike

Embark on an interpretive hike through the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail and learn of medicinal and edible plants while taking in the local Anishnaabek History. Your hike will take you to the old wagon trail that leads to the “Neganigiizhik” Historic site, a 19th century homestead. Learn the oral history, as told by your First Nation guide, of places like Skulls Point, Lacloche Mountains a nd the traditional fishing islands of Wikwemikong. Cool off and Finish your day with a nutrition break at our lake front pavilion overlooking beautiful Lake Huron.

Approximate Program Length: 4 hrs Single Rate: $50.00 per person

(Hike includes bottled water, nutrition bars and fruit. Minimum of 2 people required)

Wikwemikong Historic Experiences

Experience the history of Mnidoo Mnis (Manitoulin Island) through the Historic Experiences Tour. Our “Step-On” guide will take you to four historic sites to view plaques and monuments that tell the history of Manitoulin Island. This educational experience will share the 1836 and 1862 treaties of Manitoulin Island, intrigue you with the local lore and legend of Zhibzhii the underwater spirit and take you back in time to the now infamous “Manitoulin Incident”. Complete your day with a stop at the Gallery of world renowned artist James Simon Mishibinijima.

Approximate program length: 1-2 hrs Single Rate: $30.00 per person

Bay of the Beaver Canoe Tour

Paddle the canoe route of our Ancestors and experience the history of the Wikwemikong Fishing Islands. Half and Full day experiences depart from the Lake Front Pavilion on the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail and lead you to the fishing islands along beautiful Lake Huron. The tour will follow the shoreline of Smith Bay to the sheltered fishing Islands where you will rest and search for artifacts from the fur trade era. Your Aboriginal guide will captivate you with local legends and historical facts while you take in the picturesque scenery. The full day adventure will follow the canoe route of our ancestors to the 17th century Iroquois battle site at Skulls Point and end at Meeshkodewaang (Prarie Point).(Advanced 24 hour booking required, minimum of 2 people, and cancelations will be made in the event of inclement weather).

Half Day Tour: $85.00 per person (includes water, nutrition bars & fruit)

Full Day Tour: $175.00 per person (inclues water, fruit & lunch)

2012 Pow Wow Schedule

GSCT — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:10:58 +0000

The 2012 Pow wow Schedule for the Manitoulin Island – Sagamok Region

Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation Traditional Pow wow June 2 & 3 Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve Buzwah Traditional Pow wow June 16 & 17 Sheguiandah First Nation Traditional Pow wow July 7 & 8 Sagamok Anishinaabek Traditional Pow wow July 14 & 15 Sheshegwaning First Nation Traditional Pow wow June 23 & 24 Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve Cultural Festival and Pow wow August 4, 5 & 6 Whitefish River First Nation Traditional Pow wow August 18 & 19 Zhiibaahaasing First Nation Traditional Pow Wow August 25 & 26 M’Chigeeng First Nation Traditional Pow wow Septemeber 1 & 2

Tourism Training Initiatives!

GSCT — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:36:12 +0000

We are pleased to announce our upcoming training sessions – Heritage Interpreter, Service Excellence and Wilderness Advanced First Aid (WAFA). Each of these programs will provide skill enhancement toward employment in the Tourism Industry … a growing opportunity in the Province of Ontario and throughout Canada. The training programs are provincially and nationally recognized … skills that are transferable for participants no matter where they choose to work within Canada! In addition, if you have more than 10 people in your community or surrounding area and want to host any of our training programs we can bring the training to you! To learn more about our exciting training initaitives, Click Here, to register, call 1-877-710-3211, email mcorbiere@circletrail.com or fill out the Registration Form and fax to 1-705-377-4425. Don’t delay! … the deadline to apply is January 16th, 2012!

Great Spirit Circle Trail Launches New Online Presence

GSCT — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:32:08 +0000

Travellers looking for an authentic Aboriginal Experience will find information and be able to book tours easily thanks to the redesign and introduction of social media to its list of accomplishments. The Great Spirit Circle Trail is proud to unveil its first major step into social networking – Facebook and Youtube. The online networking sites are part of this year’s marketing campaign that will coincide with their new online booking website being launched Friday, September 9, 2011. “We recognize the importance of having a strong online presence – online research, inquiries and comparisons are an important decision making tool that brings clients to our region”, notes Kevin Eshkawkogan, CEO, “We see the reach social media sites have on people all around the world, with over 94% of online users being members of Facebook, we want to allow visitors to our site to have the ability to interact with us on a more personal level - it will guide our planning and development to best suit the vacation needs of visitors to the region.” Truly a leader in Authentic Aboriginal Experiences, the Great Spirit Circle Trail is proud to have been able to work with neighbouring businesses and looks forward to expanded experiences to enhance visitor’s vacations throughout the Manitoulin and Sagamok regions. The new websites will highlight daily cultural activities ranging from soft adventure to wilderness eco-adventures and educational interpretive tours that can be experienced all year around. The new sites will feature:

Up-to-date information on products and services
News about tours and events hosted in the region
Information regarding the new hotel and conference centre being built in Little Current

Visit the new Facebook page, watch the new promotional videos on the GSCT YouTube

GSCT Hotel and Conference Centre

GSCT — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:20:26 +0000

By Manitoulin Expositor Construction of the new hotel in Little Current being built by a consortium of area First Nations represented by the Great Spirit Circle Trail (GSCT)—is well underway. “The project is moving along well,” reported GSCT manager Kevin Eshkawkogan. “Permits are in place, work tenders are out and staff are busy creating a local business data base.” The $10.8 million project was three years in the making, after the GSCT identified a gap in the Manitoulin tourism industry and developed the project to grow tourism for not just First Nations, but the region as a whole. Mr. Eshkawkogan explained that his organization is doing its best to hire locally, whenever possible, in terms of construction and hotel employees. “We will begin officially hiring hotel staff in the new year,” Mr. Eshkawkogan told The Expositor, “but we have already begun receiving applications.” Mr. Eshkawkogan revealed that over the next two months they will begin offering tourism and hotel industry training programs. He said that they have certified instructors at the GSCT that will be leading the training programs and certifying individuals. In terms of the hotel’s management, Mr. Eshkawkogan said that the GSCT is still exploring their options. They have two directions in which to go: the first is to hire a full time general manager who would report to a board of directors or else to contract a hotel management group that would run the facility. Mr. Eshkawkogan squashed rumors that the hotel was downgrading to 38 rooms. “That is completely untrue,” said Mr. Eshkawkogan. “We have scaled down the project slightly from 63 rooms to 58 in order to make the suites and all of the rooms in general larger.” The hotel is moving along relatively on schedule, the GSCT manager said. It was originally slotted to be finished by spring 2012, but now Mr. Eshkawkogan is stating the full hotel will be full functioning by mid-June. Still in the plans is the hotel’s 50-60 seat restaurant and large patio, though a restaurant company has not yet been selected. “We will be leasing out the restaurant space,” said Mr. Eshkawkogan. “We have had many offers, but we have not decided who to select yet. We would like to select someone who fits our vision—a higher-end dinning experience featuring wild meats and other aboriginal cuisine elements.” The hotel décor has not been decided yet either, but Mr. Eshkawkogan explained that the GSCT hopes to incorporate subtle aboriginal elements which hint at the culture. The hotel will feature an outdoor pool overlooking the North Channel, an elegant spa and a conference area that will accommodate up to 350 people. “We have already begun marketing the hotel,” said Mr. Eshkawkogan. “We have even established a waiting list of groups wanting to book the hotel. We are just waiting to officially book parties until the project is further underway.”

Aboriginal Tourism Ontario Strategy

GSCT — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 03:07:39 +0000

Moving Forward in 4 Directions

The Great Spirit Circle Trail is the project manager for the Aboriginal Tourism Ontario (ATO) Strategy that was developed June 2011. The goal of the ATO Strategy (Phase 1) was to listen to the voices of Aboriginal tourism businesses in region 13A and objectively assess their current state – their challenges, successes and opportunities. We heard from 18 businesses representing a cross section of Aboriginal tourism from different sectors: accommodation, cultural, alternative accommodations, outfitters, eco/adventure, attractions and craft and souvenir stores. Phase 1 builds upon the results and recommendations provided in the ATO draft strategy. The ATO strategy points the way forward with guiding strategies and principles that are inspired by the Medicine Wheel which captures the very essence of our land and people. It utilizes the grassroots approach – listening, learning and confirming with our stakeholders, (stakeholders were comprised of Aboriginal tourism business owners, managers and tourism officers). The ATO strategy recommended using the 4 pillar approach to develop the Aboriginal tourism industry in Ontario. The 4 pillars are based on the medicine wheel teachings that reflect the need for balance.

83.3 % of stakeholders feel that the medicine wheel complements the 4 pillars
83.3 % feel that the medicine wheel approach is easy to understand
100 % feel that the 4 pillars would support their business efforts for maintaining or expanding tourism.

Utilizing this approach on a regional level will increase the number of sustainable businesses. The 4 pillars include Human Resource Development, Marketing and Branding, Cultural Authenticity Program/Branding and Product Development.