City officially commemorates opening of Chief William Commanda Bridge

The City of Ottawa officially celebrated the opening of the Chief William Commanda Bridge on Saturday, Sept. 9.

The bridge connects Ottawa’s Trillium Pathway on Lemieux Island and the National Capital Commission (NCC) Voyageurs pathway in Gatineau and can be used for cycling commuters, recreational users and pedestrians.

The $23.9 million project across the Ottawa River is a partnership between the federal government and the City of Ottawa.

“I am delighted to mark the official opening of the Chief William Commanda Bridge, a multi-use pathway that will now act as a vital active transportation route for residents, commuters, and visitors alike,” said Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “The Chief William Commanda bridge will stand as a lasting testament, ensuring that future generations never forget the significant journey we are making towards reconciliation.”

Today we officially celebrated the opening of the Chief William Commanda Bridge. This multi-use pathway will bring communities together and is an important symbol of our continued journey towards reconciliation. Details: https://t.co/AC3Ksf7VNt pic.twitter.com/dPQ5UBUK7v

— City of Ottawa (@ottawacity) September 9, 2023

The celebration included a performance from the Eagle River Drum Group, followed by a traditional smudging ceremony and opening prayer performed by Elder Peter Decontie, Sacred Fire Keeper, Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, and concluded with a group walk across the bridge.

“The Chief William Commanda Bridge is a pathway bridging people together from each side of the Ottawa River,” said Elder Claudette Commanda, chancellor of the University of Ottawa and Algonquin Anishinaabe from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation. “A pathway of well-being through cycling, walking and enjoying the beauty of nature. My grandfather worked tirelessly all his life to bring all peoples together through Algonquin knowledge, strength and reverence for Mother Earth.  Naming a bridge after him is fitting because he was truly a builder – builder of canoes, builder of knowledge and a builder of peace.”

William Commanda served as Chief of the Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation from 1951 to 1970. He was an Algonquin Elder, spiritual leader, promoter of environmental stewardship and a great bridge builder between nations. In his life, he worked as a guide, a trapper and woodsman, and was a skilled craftsman and artisan who excelled at constructing birch bark canoes.