Ziibaakdakaan Maple Syrup Wins Multiple Top Ten Awards

Nathan Keeshig, Manager of Ziibaakdakaan Maple is proud to announce that the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation have won three top ten finishes in their first ever entry in the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s Maple Syrup competition.  Ziibaakdakaan Maple syrup took 7th place in the Amber category, 10th in Golden and 10th in Very Dark. 

 Ziibaakdakaan Maple is owned and operated by the Chippewas of Nawash and is located at the popular Cape Croker Park.  “Ziibakdakaan” is Ojibwe for “sugarbush”.  The Chippewas of Nawash have produced maple syrup for feasting, ceremony and trade at this exact sugar bush location for centuries.  Reviving the cultural practice of syrup making has been a long-held dream for Mr. Keeshig.  Ziibaakdakaan Maple was launched in 2017 and harvests sap from over 4,000 taps.  The business provides employment opportunities for community members, and supports Cape Croker Park in Neyaashiinigmiing, Ontario.  For more information, visit www.ziibamaple.ca

 “For a new producer in the industry for only three years, it is exciting to see the quality of maple syrup that is produced at Ziibaakdakaan Maple Syrup.   Great achievement in a short period of time” said Bev Campbell, Chair of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Maple Committee.

 Nathan Keeshig credits the hard work of the Cape Croker Park staff, particularly Dave Moyer and “cook” Travis Jones for the awards.  He would also like to acknowledge the support of the Ontario Indigenous Economic Development Program, the Indian Agricultural Program, the Tecumseh Community Development Corporation, and the Canada Ontario Resource Development Agreement (CORDA) for supporting the launch of Ziibaakdakaan Maple. 

 The Royal Winter Fair is the largest indoor agricultural event in the world and maple syrup producers from across Canada and the United States entered this year’s competition.    Cape Croker Park and Ziibaakdakaan Maple were featured by the Indigenous Tourism Ontario at the Royal in 2019 and were encouraged by the Royal staff to enter the Maple Syrup contest this year. 

 Ziibaakdakaan Maple products can be purchased by calling Cape Croker Park at 519-534-0571 or by ordering online at www.ziibamaple.ca.

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