Ziibaakdakaan Maple Syrup

Ziibaakdakaan Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup Producer

Hosted by Nathan Keeshig, Superintendent Cape Croker Park, Manager of Ziibaakdakaan Maple • Lenore Keeshig, Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences • Caley Doran Nadjiwon, Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences • Neyaashiinigmiing community members

• 4,600 taps

• Ziibaakdakaan Maple began operations in 2018.

• In 2018, Ziibaakdakaan Maple revived the tradition of making ziiwaagmide (maple syrup) in our centuries-old ziibaakdakaan (maple sugar bush). Two years later, a new state-of-the-art processing facility was up and running. At sunrise in the early morning of March 9, 2020, a “First Tap Ceremony” was held at the start of the maple sap run. This ceremony pays respect to the ancient maple forest who provides so much – not just sap for medicine and maple syrup, but firewood for heating and cooking, shade on hot summer days, and beauty all year round. After the ceremony, participants enjoyed a feast of pancakes and maple syrup. Ziibaakdakaan Maple has continued with the First Tap Ceremony.

In our first ever entry in the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair’s Maple Syrup competition, Ziibaakdakaan won three top ten finishes!
This April’s Maple Weekend, will be the first year open to the public.