Sunday marks one year since a devastating storm hit Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park and the Mattawa area.
The downburst knocked down tens of thousands of trees and damaged park infrastructure, with hundreds of people, some injured, evacuated.
The Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC) is commemorating the anniversary with several events on Saturday, including a moment of reflection at 9:12 PM, the moment the storm struck the park.
“This year has put many natural and unnatural things into a unique perspective,” says Bill Steer, CEC founder and General Manager. “The commemoration will allow many to heal and move forward.”
The Shadow Drummers from Mattawa will drum with song at 6:15 PM at the Nbisiing sculpture, with a plaque by the Rotary Club of Nipissing to be unveiled, along with a smudging ceremony.
Mattawa artist Clermont Duval will also unveil his interpretation of the storm event called ‘Unnatural’, with a gathering at the CEC for people to share their storm stories.
The park and ecology centre were both closed after the storm, until reopening on May 8.
[RELATED] A big day for Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park
Several community fundraising events helping the centre recover. The next one is a charity sale at Vested Interest in Callander on Tuesday, June 23.
