4,600 taps Ziibaakdakaan Maple began operations in 2018 at Cape Croker Park, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation, Neyaashiinigmiing. This Aprils Maple Weekend, will be the second annual year open to the public.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 every year. In our first ever entry in the Royal Agricultural Winter Fairs Maple Syrup competition, Ziibaakdakaan won three top ten finishes!