Pukaskwa National Park is located on the northeast shore of Lake Superior in northern Ontario. This smaller national park is packed with backcountry adventures, family-friendly hikes, breathtakingly beautiful beaches, rugged and wild shorelines and the legendary history and culture of the Anishinaabe people.
Pukaskwa National Park is in the Robinson-Superior Treaty (Treaty 60, 1850) and is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg and Métis people. It is the current home of the nearby Biigtigong Nishnaabeg (Pic River) First Nation. The Ojibwe name for Lake Superior is giche-gami, which means “great sea.”
When you visit Pukaskwa, you know you are in a special place. You can almost feel the richness of the Indigenous history and culture here and imagine walking in the footsteps of First Nations people who lived there for thousands of years. The nearby First Nations, Biigtigong Nishnaabeg, has an active role in telling the Anishinaabe story and helping visitors foster connections to the land and water.
Bii san go biishan endaaing – Welcome to our home. We the Anishinaabe, are the people of the north shore of Chigaam. We have known this land and water, which is now called Pukaskwa National Park and Lake Superior, for generations.
– Collette Goodchild, elder of Biigtigong Nishnaabeg
One way to learn more about these local teachings and culture is to hike the interpretive Bimose Kinoomagenwnan Trail.
The Bimose Kinoomagenwnan Trail
The Bimose Kinoomagenwnan Trail, the Walk of the Teachings, is a 3.8-kilometre loop that takes hikers through the forest, along rocky outcrops, and around peaceful Halfway Lake. The scenery is stunning, but the opportunity to learn about the Seven Grandfather Teachings of the Objibwe People makes this hike truly special.
The hike features seven interpretive signs that share the teachings from the perspective of local Indigenous Elders. The stories are accompanied by artwork created by local youth. There are some stairs, uneven rocks and gradual climbs along the way, so be sure to wear sturdy footwear, bring water and get ready to learn.
The Seven Grandfather Teachings
The Seven Grandfather Teachings are guiding principles for the Ojibwe people. They provide tools for living a good and healthy life that is harmonious with Creation and each other. These teachings are passed down through stories and ceremonies from generation to generation and have been for thousands of years.
These teachings commonly come from the same root and share a similar message, but they can vary from nation to nation. The quotes and stories below are from Ojibwe Elders local to Pukaskwa National Park and are as written on the interpretive signs on the Bimose Kinoomagenwnan Trail. Additional information about the teachings was found in literature published by Ojibwe organizations in Ontario.
It is hard to carry the good medicines, but as we practice the seven teachings the grandfathers have given us, it tends to get much easier. – Alvina Michano (Flying Eagle Woman)
Minaadendamowin – Respect
The first teaching on the Bimose Kinoomagenwnan trail is Respect. Respect is reciprocal and must be balanced. It should be given and received; you must honour others and yourself and respect Creation and everything that lives within it. The animal that typically symbolizes respect in the Seven Grandfather Teachings is the bison, though the sign on the trail showed a moose. The moose could have significance to the local First Nations.
The bison was critical to the survival of Indigenous people, and it gave all of itself to sustain their bodies and ways of living. Not because the bison is valued less but because the bison respects the needs of others, and there must be balance.
Respect means a lot of things, but one of the most sacred things is respect to all living things Creator has given to us. Respect the land, waters, animals, plants, humans and the four colours (races). Respect comes from the White Buffalo. Everything we see that the Creator has put on Mother Earth, we learn from and respect. Everything has growth, life, and purpose. Respect is a good way of life. – Alvina Michano (Flying Eagle Woman)
Debwewin – Truth
When you emerge from the forest and catch one of the first glimpses of Halfway Lake, you’ll find the next teaching: Truth. Truth is about speaking only what you’ve lived and experienced and sharing it honestly with yourself and others. The turtle represents truth, as it was present during creation and carries life’s teachings on its back. The turtle also walks slowly and deliberately, understanding the value of the journey and the destination.
I did not care much for turtles when I was younger, but now I love them. The turtle represents truth. We should all learn the truth, to live in truth and always speak the truth. You should never tell a lie because that lie becomes bigger than you! I am a Turtle Warrior, and my spirit helper is the turtle. My warrior duties are when we are called out to talk or help out at ceremonies, we go with no resistance. – Patricia Desmoulin (Sun Eagle Woman)
Nihaakaawin – Wisdom
On a high rocky outcrop overlooking Halfway Lake, you’ll find the teaching of Wisdom. The beaver represents wisdom because a beaver must be wise to survive. The beaver knows the work that must be done, uses its natural gifts and works hard to create a sustainable home and habitat for its family. It teaches us to use our natural gifts wisely and to learn and live by our wisdom. Observe all life around us, listen with a sound mind and cherish knowledge.
Wisdom means something you have learned through stories and beliefs. It stays with you all through your life, and when people ask you questions, you will be able to answer them. It is a teaching that we carry with us, and as we grow, we learn and pass the teachings to the next generation. The teaching has always been demonstrated, and you gather the information during life. This teaching comes natural – you should always speak from your heart. I was taught that being an Anishinaabe, I should be proud of who I am and never be ashamed. I should never disrespect the things I have and be thankful for them all. Whatever I take from Mother Earth or anyone, I will return. – Thelma Nabigan (Little Butterfly).
Gwayakwaadiziwin – Honesty
Follow the Bimose Kinoomagenwnan Trail around the lake and descend closer to its eastern rocky shores. There, you’ll find the teaching of Honesty, with the lake and forest behind it. The raven represents honesty. The raven knows who he is and doesn’t try to be like anyone else. A raven uses its gifts to live and thrive. An honest person can do the same – walk through life with integrity, accept their unique gifts, and be honest with yourself and others.
You have to be honest with yourself before you can be honest with people you talk with or teach. If you are not honest with yourself, you can’t be honest with others. When you travel the traditional way, and you are honest, you will succeed in your journey. When you have good honesty, you will walk the straight path. When you have good faith in yourself and carry honesty, the grandfathers will be good to you. Many medicines can be found along this trail and we are fortunate for this. In order for the people to grow and be strong, we have to be honest about what we do in our life and with partners, aunties, uncles, grannies, grandfathers, others and ourselves. – Arnold Michano (leading Eagle Feather)
Zoongide’win – Courage
Back up the rocks and around to the other side of Halfway Lake, you’ll find the teaching of Courage. Courage means facing your challenges with strength and integrity and doing what is right even in difficult circumstances. You must also find strength to be yourself, defend your beliefs, and do what is right for yourself, your family, and your community.
The bear represents courage. A mother bear must be brave and find strength to face challenges and fears and protect her young. The bear also knows how to have a balanced life with play, rest, and survival.
I lived in the bush by myself and I would travel alone with just an axe. All through my travels I needed courage to do this. Courage means you stand up for all that you believe in. At first, nothing scared you, but once you first started off, you could be scared, and as you went along, you were less scared. All you do is pray to the Creator. Courage is a good thing – it keeps you going. If you did not have this teaching, you would be stuck and not move forward. Courage is always there, but you have to use it. When you do use the teaching unexpectedly, you remember it. You need to know how to use it because it can also be bad, and you can harm yourself. Courage is a way of doing things and not putting yourself at risk. We need courage to keep the circle strong. – Lambert Nabigon (Spirit of the North)
Zaagidiwin – Love
As you walk towards the west, you’ll see that the deep waters dissipate into a wetland ecosystem. Overlooking the bog is the next teaching: Love. Represented by the eagle, love can be found at the core of all the teachings. The eagle can fly higher and closer to the Creator than any other creature. The eagle can also travel great distances and carry love and other teachings to others.
Love is considered unconditional and freely given. When you love freely, you’ll receive it back. That includes love between humans, Creation and all living things. When you know love, you know peace and the balance of life.
I grew up knowing to be loved and the feeling of love… When people are going through troubled times, this is when they need love the most. You have to know love, and then you will know peace. Love knows no boundaries (colour, nationality). Once you leave into the spirit world, you know your love will be left behind. We need to teach and show love to the younger generation so they will grow up with such a beautiful teaching. – Myra Michano (Strong Black Bear Woman)
Dabasendiziwin – Humility
The last sign you’ll find on the Bimose Kinoomagenwnan Trail shares the teaching of Humility. It is represented by the wolf. A wolf must work and cooperate with the rest of the pack to survive and thrive. To be an outcast is the greatest shame. Like the wolf, we must know our place in Creation and understand we are equal to others and not better. Respect your place in creation, do not be self-important, and celebrate everyone’s accomplishments.
This teaching is to always think of your family, friends, and people of your community before yourself. Many years ago, I was out in the Simon’s Harbour in Pukaskwa looking over the barges. I was awakened to see a bear looking at me through the door. That night, a wicked storm brewed on Lake Superior. The next morning, I was washing up, and both doors were opened, and I saw a bolt of lightning fly in front of me. The wardens radioed and informed me that the Edmund Fitzgerald had been seen near the Otter Island lighthouse and had went down that night. As the years went by and I was walking the path, I realized the grandfathers were preparing me for my journey. This is the reason I hold a special place for Pukaskwa National Park. My messages were given to me here. – Jerald Desmoulin (Lone Lightning)
Finally, you’ll journey along the west end of the lake and into the forest. You’ll walk on a single-track dirt trail and upgraded boardwalk before returning to the North Loop of the Hattie Cove Campground.
Trails near Hattie Cove, Pukaskwa National Park
