Who We Are
Kwey, welcome to a proud and progressive Algonquin community. Pikwàkanagàn, is situated on the beautiful shores of the Bonnechere River at the foot of Golden Lake. The word Pikwàkanagàn is pronounced ‘Pick-wok-nah-gone’ and means ‘beautiful hilly country covered in evergreens’.Located off of Highway 60, our community is 1 1/2 hours west of Ottawa and 1 1/2 hours south of Algonquin Park. We are nestled in cottage country in the beautiful Ottawa Valley.
Our Manido Chiman Museum, which we now manage for the Algonquin’s of Pikwàkanagàn, tells the history of the Algonquin’s of Pikwàkanagàn. We can be found in a log building that overlooks the beautiful waterfront.
We are a part of The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre, or locally known as Omàmiwinini Pimàdjwowin (OP), a Non-Profit Corporation and a Registered Charity, established in 2002 through consultation with the First Nation’s membership and agreement with the Council of the Algonquins of Pikwàkanagàn, as a way to meet the community’s need for restoring our Cultural Traditions.
Exhibits
The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre mission is to revitalize, reintegrate, enhance and protect the cultural traditions, customs, practices, heritage, language and arts of the Algonquin Nation. The Manido Chiman Museum collection consists of display feature Algonquin arts, crafts, regalia and military achievements. We are proud to have many birchbark canoes on display, as the Algonquin people are well known for their canoes.
A unique feature of this exhibit is that the historic timeline is based on the teachings of the Seven Fires Prophecy, which takes you from the time of creation to the present. Our self-guided tour is based on these teachings, and is arranged in a circular fashion following the medicine wheel. The OP also holds a strong archaeological relationship and oversees a temporary repository of artifacts produced by our Algonquin ancestors.
Educational Programming
The Algonquin Way Cultural Centre offers many Algonquin activities. Some of the programs we have offered include medicine wheel teachings, pottery lessons, seven grandfather teachings, dream catcher, birch bark basket making, drum workshop, and language classes. Activities are open to the community, schools and the public.
Our Logo
Our logo was designed by one of our local artists, Sylvia Tennisco.
She writes that,
“The sun nourishes the earth and all living things, and thus represents revitalization. The Eagle, being a hunter by nature, represents enhancement and sustainability – this strong and powerful being carries itself in a dignified manner, without hesitation or effort, enhancing and sustaining its survival practices, territory, and way of life. The Bear reflects the logo of the Algonquin’s of Pikwàkanagàn First Nation, the heart of our Centre. The wigwams represent our community; the open door, our ‘warm welcome’; the deep roots, our potential for the re-growth of our Traditional Ways”.
(Tennisco, 2003)
Gift Shop and Local Artists Gallery
Our gift shop offers locally made cultural materials like medicine pouches, dream catchers, bear fat soap, music, books and jewelry. We also sell craft supplies such as beading materials, dreamcatcher hoops, sinew and leather. Part of our gift shop is dedicated to the local artwork of the community. Artists will submit their artwork to be shown and sold in our gift shop.
About The Community
The community of Pikwàkanagàn works to develop, implement and manage policies and procedures that assures a sustainable future for their children and their children’s children. As such, management of the museum was transferred to OP in 2007 in order to culturally enrich the community. We provide space for community members to meet and participate in traditional activities such as language classes, talking circles and women’s ceremonies.
Hours of Operation Year Round
Mondays to Friday - 10:00am – 4:00pm
Admission required
