 A new experience has been unveiled by Niagara Parks that guides visitors through the area’s Indigenous history. Called Rekindling All Our Relations, this self-guided audio tour uses music, stories and traditional teachings to give visitors a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Niagara Glen and its surrounding area.
As visitors to the Glen follow the marked trails that wind their way through this unique landscape next to the Niagara River, they can listen to a mix of traditional and original music, stories and teaching all told through an Indigenous lens.
This free, family-friendly tour is curated by Michele-Elise Burnett and audio-engineered by William Riech Jr., who are both Metis with Algonquin roots and members of the Bear Clan.
With her deep understanding of Indigenous culture and wisdom, Burnett has crafted an experience that looks beyond the physical beauty of the Niagara Glen — a unique area of Ontario because of its flora, fauna and geology — and delves into its spiritual importance in Indigenous culture.
Riech Jr.’s soundtrack adds another layer to the experience. Drawing on his audio engineering expertise, he sculpts a sonic landscape that highlights the natural sounds of the Niagara Glen, which enhances the storytelling and helps connect listeners back to the land.
Niagara Parks’ Rekindling All Our Relations tour gives visitors the opportunity to engage with the land in a profound and meaningful way, fostering deeper connections through a better understanding of traditional Indigenous teachings.
Visitors can use one of the handheld listening devices or download the app on their phone ahead of the trek.
ContributedTo listen to the free audio tour, visitors can stop at the Niagara Glen Nature Centre to pick-up a handheld device — they are available daily until 3 p.m. and require a deposit to borrow, which is given back when it is returned (devices must be returned by 4:30 p.m.). You can also download the Rekindling All Your Relations app so you can listen to the audio tour using your smartphone. Visit niagaraparks.com/glenaudio for app links and to learn more!
The tour is just one of the ways Niagara Parks honours Indigenous history and its ties to the local landscape. Throughout the year it hosts a variety of Indigenous cultural events and offers an Indigenous Niagara Heritage and Legacy Tour, which stops at many of the sites it stewards, including the Niagara Parks Power Station + The Tunnel and Table Rock Centre. The tour is an opportunity to learn about authentic Indigenous culture and how members of the Indigenous community have played significant roles in Niagara and Canada’s history.
Located along the Niagara Parkway, the Niagara Glen is a nature reserve and designated Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI) that is part of the Carolinian Life Zone, a narrow band across Southern Ontario that supports the most productive and endangered assortment of plant and animal species in Canada.
Hikers can look for specific markers to indicate which stop of the tour they are on and will be able to listen to the audio clip paired with the marker.
ContributedOverlooking the Niagara River, it is home to a series of hiking trails that descend into the river’s gorge, cutting through the reserve’s deciduous forest and following the path of the waterway. The site also includes the Niagara Glen Nature Centre, which offers visitor information, guided hiking tours, bouldering permits and educational programming.
Most trails through the Niagara Glen are classified as moderate, which means they are suitable for most people with basic hiking experience and feature only short steep sections, except for the Whirlpool Trail. Marked with a black diamond symbol to warn hikers of its higher level of difficulty, it is only recommended for experienced hikers because of its uneven surfaces, obstacles and steep sections.
Visitors are reminded to wear proper footwear that is sturdy and supportive for navigating the winding trails, to bring enough water to stay hydrated during their hike and to know their physical limits before they set out — every step into the gorge also means a step up to get out of it.
Hikers are also reminded to leave natural objects, including rocks and plants, as they are found and to stay away from the Niagara River. Swimming is not permitted as the current is deep, fast and extremely dangerous.
The Niagara Glen is open for hiking daily from sunrise to sunset and the Niagara Glen Nature Centre is open from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. daily from early May through mid-October.
To learn more visit niagaraparks.com.
