Chapter 2 – The Decision: A Dream in the Middle of Nowhere

The decision to move forward with the Lodge on the point was driven by a desire to preserve Northern Ontario history and breathe new life into a property that once served as a healing lodge for Indigenous communities. Located roughly thirty-five kilometres from the nearest town, the lodge sat quietly on a pristine off-grid peninsula surrounded by clear water, tall pines, and the sound of loons echoing across the lake.

Built in the mid-1940s, the lodge originally operated as a hunting and fishing retreat as well as being used by mining and logging crews. Decades later, it evolved into a healing lodge for various Indigenous organizations, serving as a place of peace, reflection, and wellness. In more recent years, it had been left vacant, and locals occasionally used the grounds for recreation. Despite years of neglect, the property’s solid log structures, hand-laid stonework, and natural beauty remained remarkably intact.

Before submitting an offer, we reached out to the Ontario Native Women’s Association (ONWA) to explain our vision. Our goal was clear, not to demolish or sever off lots, but to restore and preserve the property as a family retreat, maintaining its legacy as a place of connection and respect for the land. This restoration plan aimed to protect the lodge’s cultural and environmental significance while updating it for modern sustainability.

The proposal focused on restoration over redevelopment, improving infrastructure without altering the site’s natural character. We wanted to preserve the landscape, maintain public respect for its Indigenous heritage, and highlight its potential as a model for off-grid conservation and eco-tourism in Northern Ontario.

Although securing financing for a remote, off-grid property presented challenges, we knew the opportunity was worth pursuing. The River Valley Lodge represented more than a real estate project, it was a link between Northern Ontario heritage, Indigenous history, and sustainable restoration.

Reviving it would take patience, care, and commitment, but we believed it was a story worth continuing.