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Frequently Asked Questions (Press/Media)

1. What is The Great Spirit Circle Trail?

The Great Spirit Circle Trail is an organization which markets the region and First Nation communities of Manitoulin Island and Sagamok along the North Shore of Lake Huron. Established in 2000, the Great Spirit Circle Trail has been offering nature based and Aboriginal cultural tourism experiences to visitors from Ontario, Canada and around the world.

2. What geographic area and communities are encompassed by The Great Spirit Circle Trail?

The Great Spirit Circle Trail map depicts the geographic area encompassed. Situated in one of the most scenic and breathtaking areas of Northern Ontario, eight First Nations communities all play host to visitors within this region and are all within an easy half day's drive of one another. The 8 First Nation communities are:

Sagamok Anishnawbek
Whitefish River
Aundeck Omni Kaning
M'Chigeeng
Sheshegwaning
Zhiibaahaasing
Sheguiandah
Wikwemikong

3. When was The Great Spirit Circle Trail established?

The family of communities within The Great Spirit Circle Trail have been actively marketing their region together since 1997 and more formally since 2000 under the banner of The Great Spirit Circle Trail with a trademarked logo, slogan and visual identity.

4. What makes The Great Spirit Circle Trail different?

The Great Spirit Circle Trail prides itself on offering visitors a unique experience incorporating the truest reflection of Aboriginal culture, heritage and history. Our Aboriginal hosts and guides are all hand picked from the local communities and are knowledgeable and friendly.

5. There seem to be a lot of different terms in use to describe the native or North American Indian tribes. What do the terms native, Aboriginal, First Nation, North American Indian, Anishnaabe mean? Are they used interchangeably?

In Canada, the original inhabitants or native peoples are known as the Aboriginal peoples and they are comprised of Status Indians who are registered with the Government of Canada, non-Status Indians who can trace their Aboriginal ancestry but are not registered as Status Indians; Metis who are of mixed Aboriginal ancestry and the Inuit who inhabit the far North of Canada.

First Nation is a term used by Aboriginal tribes to self-identify their community as its own "nation" of people who inhabit a particular territory. It replaces the older terms, "band of Indians" and "reservation" which are no longer in use in Canada.

North American Indians is a term recognized by both the governments of Canada and the United States and refers to the native peoples which inhabit both Canada and the United States.

Anishnaabe – refers to the Ojibwe, Odawa and Pottawatomi tribes who inhabit the Great Lakes region which includes Manitoulin Island and the Sagamok Region. Its literal translation means "the good beings" and is the term in use by these tribes to identify themselves and their members.

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