Do you have a favourite trail at Murphys Point? I know that I have one that shines.
Since our arrival in May, Liam and I have been exploring the trails here at Murphys and diving into their history. As a big geology fan (#GeologyRocks) the Silver Queen Mine Trail is definitely my favourite.
Sarah at the Silver Queen Mine trailhead
The Silver Queen Mine Trail is 2.5km in length or about 1 hour at a leisurely pace. The trail leads to the namesake Silver Queen Mine and also passes the rebuilt bunkhouse. The trail features a story of perseverance and adaptation for the early settlers in the Frontenac Arch. The shallow soil and tough bedrock of the region proved to be difficult farming land, but eventually this extension of the Canadian Shield began impacting the local economy with mining.
Although the name references silver, miners in the Silver Queen were actually looking for apatite, feldspar, and mica. The mine was opened in 1903 and hit its peak between 1905 and 1911 with almost 100 tons of mica produced.
A piece of mica held in front of the Side Drift of the Silver Queen Mine
The trail and mine are now open however, the mine is only open during scheduled tours where pre-registration is required. To register for a tour of the mine, please call 613-267-5060. The park also runs an open house every Sunday with live, costumed interpretation along the trail and mine.
Trail guides are available at the start of the trail or for purchase in the park store for $1.
Please note that the collection of minerals and artefacts is prohibited.
Boozhoo, today is National Indigenous Peoples Day!
National Indigenous Peoples Day is a time to recognize and celebrate the cultures, traditions, and contributions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Murphys Point is situated on the unceded, unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin peoples.
Indigenous knowledge, ways of knowing, wisdom, and interpretation are invaluable and hold important places in reconciliation. Today we would like to showcase some of the leaders who have shared the knowledge, efforts, and time with The Friends of Murphys Point, staff, and visitors to the park. We would also like to encourage all of you to reflect on the ways we connect to the land we are situated on and our roles in reconciliation.
The Friends of Murphys Point were a part of hosting handmade birch bark canoe builder, Chuck Commanda in 2018 and 2019 for two builds. Chuck grew up as part of the Kitigan Zibi Anishiniabeg, an Algonquin First Nation, and learned to build through helping his grandparents make birch bark canoes.
The 2018 birch bark canoe built Chuck Commanda on the shoreline at Murphys Point
The first canoe build is featured on the Friends of Murphys Point website under our canoe build section (https://friendsofmurphyspoint.ca/canoe-build-videos/). This canoe is kept at the park for visitors to learn about and see. The second canoe was raffled to raise funds towards indigenous programming in the park. Thank you to Chuck for sharing this knowledge with us through birch bark canoe building.
The inside of a birch bark canoe during construction by Chuck Commanda at Murphys Point
The Friends of Murphys Point have also hosted Helena Neveu host a drum-making workshop series which ran online and in the park in 2021. Helena, Walksfar Woman – Waasabiidaasome Kwe, of the Batchewana First Nation, an Ojibwe First Nation, shared her wisdom in two virtual and two in-person workshop sessions. Helena has over 30 years of experience as a drum maker and shared the spiritual significance, as well as the connection of the drum and storytelling in Ojibwe culture. The drum making workshops with Helena Neveu can be found on the Friends website at https://friendsofmurphyspoint.ca/2021/09/05/drum-making-workshop-2021/. Thank you to Helena for sharing this knowledge with us through drum making.
Drums from a drum making workshops with Helena Neveu, Walksfar Woman – Waasabiidaasome Kwe, 2021The underside of a drum during building at the workshop
In 2023, Marc Forgette, Apitipi Anicinapek Nation, lead a medicine bag workshop for park staff. Marc is the creator of Makatew Workshops. This workshop shared the history of medicine bags, as well as pathways to truth and reconciliation, cultural appreciation, and sourcing materials locally for crafting. Makatew Workshops can be found at Makatew.ca. Thank you to Marc for sharing this knowledge with us through medicine bag creation.
Medicine Bag from the 2023 workshop lead by Marc Forgette
In 2024, Fire Keeper Kayl Commanda of the Nipissing First Nation lead an Anishinaabe Fire Teachings program for park visitors and staff. Kayl shared about the cultural and ceremonial significance of having a fire, teaching they have received relate to the building of fires, and the role of Fire Keepers in their communities. Thank you to Kayl for sharing this knowledge with us through Fire Keeping.
Kayl Commanda during their 2024 Fire Teachings program
We are incredibly honoured and grateful for all of these experiences and the traditional knowledge that has been shared at Murphys Point over the years through these programs. We thank these teachers for their presence, efforts, and time in the park and with communities.
On this day, we encourage you to recognize and celebrate the many traditions, contributions, and cultures of First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Become familiar with where you are situated and engage in learning. Were you able to take part in any of these workshops? Let us know in the comments.
The Friends of Murphys Point are pleased to announce our 30th Anniversary of Friends of Murphys Point Park by giving away 2 FREE TICKETS to The Moth Project!
An evening of live MUSIC, stunning macroPHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEO and STORYTELLING in celebration of the Friends’ 30th anniversary!
About the project: “Blending art and science, Western and Indigenous ways of knowing, The Moth Project weaves together live music, stunning macro photography, slow-motion video and dynamic motion graphics into a 75-minute live performance. GRAMMY-nominated musician, Peter Kiesewalter, joined on stage by violinist, Whitney La Grange, invites the audience on a parallel journey of moths and humans.
From Bach to Joni Mitchell to KISS to original songs, the music reflects the incredible diversity of moths and explores the common themes between us and them – migration, transformation, death, seduction and hope. Musical storytelling is underscored by a spoken-word narrative that weaves in one family’s migration story and ecological reflections. Preceding the show, interpretive naturalist Tobi Kiesewalter will present a 30-minute talk on moths.” – The Moth Project
Friends of Murphys Point Park 