Barrie 
Wiikwemkoong on Manitoulin Island is Canada’s only officially recognized Unceded Indigenous Reserve.
Located on Odawa Mnis (Manitoulin Island)—the ancestral home of the Anishnaabek people of the Three Fires Confederacy (Ojibwe, Odawa, Pottawatomi), Wikwemikong offers an experience unlike any other in Canada.
You can learn all about the history of Manitoulin Island and of Wiikwemkoong on The Unceded Journey Tour hosted by Wiikwemkoong Tourism. The tour is hosted by the Anishnaabek people, and from your guide, you’ll learn all about the history of the island, as well as some of the rich history of the Anishnaabek people, food, and local lore.
Point Grondine Park is pure bliss of 7000 hectares of scenic natural and wilderness landscape. Hike, explore Wemtagoosh Falls, paddle through traditional routes of the Anishnaabek people and more this secret destination. There are over 22 camping sites located in this fabulous wilderness park.
Top Things to Do at Wikwemikong
- Guided tours that focus on the true history that shaped the overall development of Odawa Mnis, including the treaties of Manitoulin Island; get out on the land or water learning about the traditional and medicinal uses of local plants and ecology either at our Bebamikawe Memorial Trail or launching from the shores of Meeshkodewaaang overlooking the La Cloche Mountain Range. Wikwemikong tourism guides weave in stories of local legends, encounters with voyageurs, battles with rival nations, and ancient teachings that connect them to the land and sky.
Tours
- Guided Canoe Tours are offered as both day and evening tours, each sharing stories and local history as you retrace ancestral canoe routes and learn of the local ecology and traditional teachings.
- Your “Making Footprints” guided hike explores a portion of our local trail as you get to know about some of the traditional and medicinal plant teachings in one of North America’s most diverse ecological areas.
- Wikwemikong Tourism offers land-based experiential learning for schools and groups suitable for all ages ranging from single- to multi-day tours. With customized programs that include soft adventure or more relaxed activities like story telling or craft making, we offer it all. Group tours can also include popular Manitoulin attractions, sightseeing, shopping, and dining experiences to suit.
- Wikwemikong Tourism proudly collaborates with external partners to host premier events. Events are scheduled year-round, ranging from outdoor recreation to cultural events. Visit the website and like the Facebook page for updates.
- New for 2020 is the Paddle into the Wild overnight guided experience that provides you a combination of hard adventure in Point Grondine Park combined with luxury amenities at the Killarney Mountain Lodge. This package includes a guided overnight backcountry experience plus a night’s stay at a newly renovated resort, with meals and outdoor excursions.
How to get to Wikwemikong:
By Ferry: Make your way to Tobermory Ferry Terminal on the Bruce Peninsula operated by the Owen Sound Transportation Company. This ferry runs May to October, accepting both vehicle and pedestrian passengers.
Driving: From Hwy 17 West, head south onto Hwy 6 to reach Manitoulin Island—cross the swing bridge at the quaint town of Little Current. Follow Hwy 6 south to Manitowaning and drive east on Cardwell Rd to our home community of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. Cardwell Rd turns into Wikwemikong Way that will take you directly to Wikwemikong Tourism main office and Tourist Information Centre.
How much to visit Wikwemikong:
Guided Tours: Minimum (2) – based on availability • *Must present valid student card upon arrival
The Unceded Journey historical tour
Duration: 3 hrs
Cost: $75.00 adults / $70.00 Elders & *Students +13% HST
Bebamikawe “Making Footprints” guided hike
Duration: 4 hrs
Cost: $75.00 adults / $70.00 Elders & *Students +13% HST
Bay of the Beaver Canoe Tour
Duration: Half Day
Cost: $175.00 Adult / $165.00 Elders & *Students +13% HST
Sunset Canoe Tour
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: $125.00 Adult / $115.00 Elders & *Students +13% HST
School/Group tours: call for a customized program/quote
When to visit Wikwemikong?
***Subject to COVID-19 Emergency***
Guided Tours/Tourist Information Centre: June-September (Monday to Saturday)
School/Group Tours: all-seasons (in normal times)
Premier events: all-seasons (in normal times)
About Wikwemikong Tourism
Wikwemikong Tourism was established in 2008 to develop quality market-ready products and services that support the growth of the local tourism industry.
In addition to guided tours, Wikwemikong Tourism hosts group tours, premier events, and operates a retail section with a focus on genuine Indigenous crafts made by local artisans via their Tourist Information Centre. Guided tours provide visitors with nature-based cultural tourism experiences that share our rich culture and history. Our tours are delivered by local Indigenous knowledge keepers and are developed in collaboration with Indigenous academics.
It’s worth noting that work of Wikwemikong Tourism has recently been acknowledged by the Tourism Industry at both provincial and national levels as the recipients of the 2019 Indigenous Adventure Award by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, the 2018 Indigenous Tourism Award by Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, and the 2017 Tourism Champion via Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario. Wikwemikong Tourism continues to strive for excellence in providing genuine Indigenous Cultural Tourism to its visitors, and we look forward to hosting you!
Wikwemikong Tourism, 2102 Wikwemikong Way, Wikwemikong
Phone: 705-859-3477
Administration office open year-round
Tourist Information Centre June-September (Monday to Saturday)