Mississagi Provincial Park is located in the Penokean Hills, within Robinson Huron Treaty territory and traditional Anishinaabek territory, about 25 km north of Elliot Lake.
We are pleased to announce that the Government of Ontario has entered into an agreement with the newly formed Mississagi Park Foundation to maintain and operate the park into the future.
This exciting agreement between the City of Elliot Lake, Serpent River First Nation and Mississauga First Nation to operate Mississagi Provincial Park is sure to bring many economic benefits to the local area, including employment opportunities for all three partners.
“Our government is proud to partner with the City of Elliot Lake, Serpent River and Mississauga First Nations to support our provincial parks system that will help build stronger communities,” said David Piccini, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks. “Mississagi Provincial Park is one of Ontario’s best kept secrets, with a rugged landscape of ancient hills and valleys with brilliant blue lakes, ideal for fishing or canoeing, and I encourage everyone to come and enjoy it all what it has to offer.”
“Years of hard work and determination have resulted in the formation of the Mississagi Park Foundation, an effort that will allow all three communities to continue providing recreational activities within this unique landscape, both now and for the next Seven Generations,” said Chief Bob Chiblow. , Mississauga First Nation. “We will ensure that all those who visit the park not only experience its great beauty but also gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding of Anishinaabe culture when they leave.”
“Serpent River First Nation looks forward to working in partnership with our neighbors and family,” said Chief Brent Bissaillion of Serpent River First Nation. “The Mississagi Park Foundation will provide a solid foundation to strengthen our relationships and make Mississagi Provincial Park a premier destination to relax and enjoy the natural environment. “Visitors will experience the best the North Shore has to offer.”
“The City has been pleased to keep the park open and operating efficiently since 2014, but I look forward to the provincial government recognizing this new partnership with our neighbors,” said Andrew Wannan, Mayor Pro Tem of the City of Elliot Lake.
Celebrating an innovative new partnership
A ceremony was held on January 31, 2023 at the Mississagi First Nations Cultural Center to commemorate this new partnership.
The Mississagi Park Foundation and representatives from Serpent River First Nation, Mississauga First Nation and the City of Elliot Lake, as well as staff from Ontario Parks and David Piccini, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, gathered to mark the occasion.
The event began with a pipe ceremony by knowledge holder Brent Niganobe, Mississauga First Nation.
A symbolic signing was then made by:
- Minister Piccini
- Mayor Pro Tem Andrew Wannan, Town of Elliot Lake
- Chief Bob Chiblow, Mississauga First Nation
- Chief Brent Bissaillion, Serpent River First Nation
- John (Jack) Trudeau, president of the Mississagi Park Foundation
Then it was time for a special opening and gift exchange.
Introducing the new Mississagi Park Shield!
As part of the celebration, the Mississagi Park Foundation unveiled the park’s redesigned shield.
The new shield predominantly features a thunderbird, a creature rooted in Indigenous tradition and storytelling, the park’s iconic Helenbar Viewpoint, as well as shades of orange, symbolizing the continued journey towards truth and reconciliation.
Mississagi: a gem you won’t want to miss
If you’ve been to Mississagi Provincial Park, you know the scenery is spectacular thanks to the geology of the area, which forms a series of hills, ridges and cliffs, and valleys with bright blue lakes.
Covering the hills and surrounding the lakes are the forests of Great Lakes-St. Lorenzo Region. Sugar maples, red maples, and yellow birches make up the majority of the forest’s trees, but white pine and black spruce find places along the rocky ridges and lake shores.
In fall, these forests light up with red, yellow, gold and orange, offering a display of fall colors on par with the world-famous Algonquin Provincial Park.
Mississagi has over 40km of trails to explore. Most of the system’s trails are connected and can be hiked as individual day hikes or together for a multi-day backcountry trip.
The park is also a great place for camping, paddling, trout fishing, and more!
Congratulations again to the Mississagi Park Foundation and the communities that support it on this exciting new agreement.
They look forward to welcoming you to one of Ontario’s most impressive provincial parks!
Are you planning a visit? Reserve your campsite here!