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Rockcliffe Park Indigenous Portage Route

Reclaiming our Indigenous history & stories: The Rockcliffe Park canoe portage
John Savage guiding a walk near the trailhead on Portage Bay.
John Savage guiding a walk near the trailhead on Portage Bay.

For eons, Indigenous peoples have canoed through this region, portaging over land to access waterways and bypass obstacles (rapids, falls, and other non-navigable sections). Moving between the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers required a portage to get around Rideau Falls and the associated rapids. From this spot, a paddler could access the whole of North America.

The walk begins at the top of a trail leading to the edge of the Ottawa River. From this vantage point, John will use this opportunity to propose that the National Capital Commission (NCC) establish a new canoe launch at a known Indigenous landing spot. This would be the first canoe launch to commemorate the Indigenous paddling presence on the river for millenia. At the same time, the NCC could re-establish the Indigenous portage route between the two rivers for use by today's paddling community.

After that, to the extent possible, we will walk along that ancient portage trail linking the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers. We'll follow the route to the bank of the Rideau River in New Edinburgh, near where the original portage was thought to have ended.

This route was originally mapped in collaboration with non-Indigenous people during the pandemic, who used this intellectual property without acknowledgement to secure funding from the Federal government for a trail commemoration. John will be reclaiming this story about the use of the waterways and portages on behalf of the Indigenous community, to re-assert their Indigenous right to tell their own stories and interpret their own history in accordance with the Truth And Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.


Note that John will join Gatineau City Councillor Mike Duggan on Saturday (May 3) at 10:00 am on Pointe-Gatineau's beautiful waterfront for a walk titled Waterfront neighbourhood victories and challenges celebrating the first canoe launch on this section of the Ottawa River, and sharing the story of their effort to persuade the City of Gatineau to install it.

It's time to take back our paddling heritage on the Ottawa River on behalf of everyone.


Location
Route

Our walk starts at Rockcliffe Park's pavillion, near an ancient Indigenous encampment site. The walk will follow a traditional Indigenous portage route between the Ottawa River (also known as Kichi Sibi) and the Rideau River. The trail meanders through a forested area with a steep uneven section and then skirts the grounds of Rideau Hall and follows the streets of New Edinburgh, ending at the banks of the Rideau River near the intersection of Crichton and Beechwood.


After the walk, participants are encouraged to remain in the area and visit the restaurants along Beechwood or walk through New Edinburgh, one of Canada's most famous neighbourhoods that overlays the ancient Indigenous presence in our capital city.


Participants may park in NCC Parking Lot #2, near the Rockeries, which is close to the Pavilion (big gazebo) where we will gather. If that parking lot is full, you can park at the next one further up the road (northeast) at the Rockcliffe Lookout and walk back. There is also street parking along Rockcliffe village streets on the east side of the Sir George Etienne Cartier parkway.

About the walk leader

John Savage is a resident of Pointe-Gatineau and a veteran Jane's Walk walk leader. He has shared his skills as an canoe and rowing guide, organizer, lobbyist, and community activist to protect and promote the river community, its archaeological history, and the natural environment for all to enjoy. As a Métis (Chippewa, French, & British) whose ancestors traversed this area, he has a familial connection to the area possibly spanning 7,000 years, and a Metis heritage that is largely based on the fur trade, professional rowing, and athletics. John's work with Jane's Walk Ottawa-Gatineau has influenced waterfront development, including the installation of Gatineau's first canoe and rowing launch site. He aims to do the same on the Ottawa side of the river next, so this walk will include discussion about the challenges in implementing citizen-led change in our community.

Guide:

John Savage

When:
Date:Sun May 4, 2025
Time:2:00 PM
Duration: 1 hour 15 min
Language: English
Where:
Start:Rockcliffe Park Pavilion
End:New Edinburgh Park near Beechwood Ave.
Area:Rockcliffe Park
Distance:2.5 kms
Accessibility:

The route has unpaved trails and paved walks and some hills to climb..

Walker Sign-up

Signing up is not required for this walk. If you plan to attend, by signing up you will help us estimate the group size. Please submit your email and the number of walkers that will be attending with you below.

22 walkers registered

Gallery
John Savage guiding a walk near the trailhead on Portage Bay. John Savage (right) and some companions on the bank of the Rideau River near the end of the portage trail. Rideau Falls, viewed from a canoe on the Ottawa River. Kayakers and canoeists on the Ottawa River near the Pointe-Gatineau waterfront. On the Indigenous portage trail near Princess Ave. & Lisgar Rd, Rockcliffe. Trillium in bloom
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