Founded in 2013, the Kina8at organization recently announced the start of construction work on its Indigenous Tourism Center in La Conception, in the Laurentians. A project worth more than $11 million that aims to be a unique destination to promote the discovery of indigenous cultures, but also reconnection to oneself, to others and to nature.
Posted at 11:30 a.m.
Kina8at (pronounced “Kinawat”) means “Together” in the Anicinape (Algonquin) language. For five years, Marie-Joelle Tremblay has worked as general director of the organization on the creation of the Tourist Center, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027. “This project greatly symbolizes reconciliation, both between indigenous and non-indigenous people. whether in a community or individually, she specifies. We offer moments so that people can reconnect with nature, reconnect with themselves, and then be able to reconnect with others. »
Thanks to this new project, the organization, which already offers various training, awareness and resource programs, will be able to welcome a greater number of visitors, particularly daily and short-stay visitors.
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3D RENDERING OF KANVA ARCHITECTURE, PROVIDED BY KINA8AT
The sacred fire, fundamental in indigenous traditions, will be found at the heart of the center, in an open-air space.
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3D RENDERING OF KANVA ARCHITECTURE, PROVIDED BY KINA8AT
The future center will provide a better understanding of indigenous cultures.
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3D RENDERING OF KANVA ARCHITECTURE, PROVIDED BY KINA8AT
A museum space will be located on site.
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3D RENDERING OF KANVA ARCHITECTURE, PROVIDED BY KINA8AT
Several rooms for various purposes will find their place in the center.
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A transformational experience
The experience that will be offered there is part of the trend of transformational tourism. It will begin with a journey through the boreal forest, through trails dotted with stations where we will learn more about ancestral indigenous traditions, all punctuated by rest areas inviting contemplation and meditation. Visitors will then walk towards a very symbolic footbridge, representing reconciliation. The route will lead into an open-air amphitheater, where many celebrations already take place every year at the solstices and equinoxes. This space will lead to the future building with inclined walls, designed as a path where we will stroll to admire the artifacts and other present and past objects revealed along the walk.
The future center, the design of which was entrusted to Kanva Architecture, will thus contain a museum space for permanent exhibitions of ancestral elements as well as temporary events presenting works by contemporary artists in particular.
Two multifunctional rooms are also planned to accommodate craft workshops in particular.
Our elder indigenous artists who transmit culture will give these workshops. For example, people will create their own talking stick or learn how to bead.
Marie-Joelle Tremblay, general director of Kina8at
Another attraction: a tasting area for dishes inspired by the marriage between traditional indigenous cuisine and contemporary cuisine, which will change with the seasons. A performance hall and a multimedia room will be added.
An inclusive approach
The sacred fire, fundamental in indigenous traditions, will be found at the heart of the center, in an open-air space where people can come together to relax, but also meet others and different cultures. “Everything will be universally accessible, so both for people with reduced mobility and for those who have visual or hearing difficulties, because for Indigenous philosophies, inclusion is an intrinsic value,” explains Marie-Joelle Tremblay.
The experience is suitable for all ages and will last approximately two hours, but can continue all day depending on each person’s pace and the activities in which they wish to participate. “We already have accommodation for people who really want to slow down their usual pace and live a complete experience,” explains Marie-Joelle Tremblay.
A few tents, dormitories and four small individual ready-to-camp campsites are available upon reservation to accommodate 30 people.
We are thinking with the architects about other solutions such as teepees, which recall the nomadic and sedentary accommodation of indigenous people, to increase the housing capacity to 75 people.
Marie-Joelle Tremblay, general director of Kina8at
The addition of the center will allow the site to be open all year round, without reservation.
The environmental aspect and eco-responsibility are an integral part of this building project, because for indigenous traditions, nature is central.
“In our current approaches, we seek to preserve the environment by having the least impact on the ground, by reducing light pollution and by choosing noble materials, especially local wood. Any trees that we have no choice but to cut down will be recovered to make platforms, for example. », Says the general director.
PHOTO HÉLÈNE GADOURY, PROVIDED BY KINA8AT
The founders of Kina8at, T8aminik (Dominique) Rankin and Marie-Josée Tardif
Thanks to this original programming, Kina8at will promote indigenous heritage while transmitting valuable lessons. In operation for more than 15 years, the organization, founded by Anicinape hereditary chief T8aminik (Dominique) Rankin and Marie-Josée Tardif, was born from the vision of T8aminik’s father. “My father would have wanted such a center to deliver the message of peace of our ancestors, in the joy of sharing. The cultural center will be an important legacy for future generations, regardless of their origins,” says T8aminik Rankin, survivor of residential schools.
Visit the Kina8at website
