As part of the Building Vibrant Rural Futures Conference delegates have the opportunity to participate in one of following field trips. Each field trip will take place on October 12 (Wednesday) in advance of the formal conference opening.
Examining the Past, Exploring the Future
Come and visit with members of Ontario’s “Six Nations” Aboriginal community. Our objective is to first understand the history of this community and then to hear of their plans for the future. Our tour will begin at the Woodland Cultural Centre where we will learn and explore the centre and the history of this space/place. This is followed by a tour of the residential school. (Canadians will know of the recent “Truth and Reconciliation” process that, finally, heard from a generation of Aboriginal children who were forced to live away from their culture in “Residential Schools” during the 10-month school year.) Then we will return to the centre for a lunch provided by the Six Nations community. After lunch, we will visit the Six Nations Polytechnic to learn about innovation in energy strategies and in educational strategies. The day will conclude with a workshop in either dance or drum-making . By examing and understanding the past, we will learn how this community is exploring its future.
- Start: Meet at 8:30 am in the lobby of the Holiday Inn. The bus will depart at 9:00 am.
- End: The tour will arrive back at the Holiday Inn Guelph at 4:30 pm.
- Tour leader: Sheri Longboat (University of Guelph)
The Grand Tour
The objective of this tour is to learn how built heritage infrastructure (specifically, manufacturing activities powered by waterwheels) has been redeveloped for tourism and the arts. This tour will follow local rivers (including the “Grand River” – hence, the Grand Tour) that powered the development of Upper Canada in order to focus on the redevelopment of Ontario industrial heritage. The craftsmanship of Scottish stone masons and the beauty of locally quarried limestone will be on display as we explore the role historic preservation can play in rural revitalization. Stops include Alton Mills Art Centre/Hills of Headwaters, Elora Mill Inn and the redevelopment of Elora. Additional elements of the tour will include discussion of the MetalWorks in Guelph and downtown Fergus/Beatty Foundry. The take-away message is how the historic built environment can be re-purposed to create local economic activity.
- Start: Meet at 8:30 am in the lobby of the Holiday Inn. The bus will depart at 9:00 am.
- End: The tour will arrive back at the Holiday Inn Guelph at 4:30 pm.
- Tour leader: Norm Regatlie (Rural Ontario Institute)
Ontario Agricultural College
This half day field trip will take delegates to a centre of agricultural innovation – the Ontario Agricultural College! Established in 1874, the Ontario Agricultural College is a founding college of the University of Guelph and is recognized as Canada’s largest and most renowned agricultural college. Encompassing a province-wide network of campuses, field stations and research facilities, OAC is a global leader in education, research and service in agriculture, food, environmental sciences and rural community development
- Start: Meet at 1:00 pm in the lobby of the Holiday Inn.
- End: The tour will arrive back at the Holiday Inn Guelph at 4:30 pm.
- Tour leader: Valencia Gaspard (University of Guelph)