Sacred and Ceremonial Fires in City Parks

One of Kingston City Council’s 2023-2026 Strategic Goals is to create dedicated spaces within select City parks for Indigenous-led Sacred and Ceremonial Fires.

If you are Indigenous, we want to hear your ideas on how we can move forward on this goal.

Background

In 2021, Indigenous community organizers began a Sacred Fire in Confederation Park in Kingston to allow community to come together and grieve after it was discovered that 215 Indigenous children were found buried in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Soon after, to better meet the needs of the community, Council voted to waive park booking fees from Indigenous community organizers to access park spaces for ceremonial fires and cultural gatherings.

As a result, the City has supported Sacred Fires in Confederation Park, which occur monthly since 2021, and other Sacred and Ceremonial Fires which have occurred across Kingston including at Macdonald Park, Lake Ontario Park, and City Park.

Current Process

The current process for Sacred or Ceremonial Fires involves contacting City staff to book a park and to let Kingston Fire & Rescue (KFR) know when the fire is beginning and again when the fire has ended. This is so KFR knows how to respond to calls from the public reporting these fires and prevents responders from having to interrupt ceremonies that are occurring. Organizers, or fire keepers, bring their own fire pits and a fire extinguisher for these ceremonies.

Engagement to Date

City staff have noted in early discussions with the community that maintaining a process that is easy and flexible is important. Community members emphasized the need for any infrastructure to be easily accessible to all users. Staff have acknowledged that installing permanent infrastructure in parks with high archaeological potential may present challenges. Opportunities to include features in parks when they are being built or retrofitted is one option staff are exploring.

Get Involved

We’re looking for feedback from Indigenous community members on the current process and we want to hear from you!

  • What kinds of park features would add to the community’s ability to have Sacred and Ceremonial Fires?

  • Are there parks that would be a priority?

  • Should we focus on one park but build it out to permanently support these gatherings of community?

Let us know below! This is just the first step in a larger process. Follow this page for project updates by adding your email or clicking “subscribe” on the right-hand widget.

If you have any questions or would prefer to submit comments via email or phone, please reach out to ContactUs@CityofKingston.ca or by calling 613-546-0000.

One of Kingston City Council’s 2023-2026 Strategic Goals is to create dedicated spaces within select City parks for Indigenous-led Sacred and Ceremonial Fires.

If you are Indigenous, we want to hear your ideas on how we can move forward on this goal.

Background

In 2021, Indigenous community organizers began a Sacred Fire in Confederation Park in Kingston to allow community to come together and grieve after it was discovered that 215 Indigenous children were found buried in unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Soon after, to better meet the needs of the community, Council voted to waive park booking fees from Indigenous community organizers to access park spaces for ceremonial fires and cultural gatherings.

As a result, the City has supported Sacred Fires in Confederation Park, which occur monthly since 2021, and other Sacred and Ceremonial Fires which have occurred across Kingston including at Macdonald Park, Lake Ontario Park, and City Park.

Current Process

The current process for Sacred or Ceremonial Fires involves contacting City staff to book a park and to let Kingston Fire & Rescue (KFR) know when the fire is beginning and again when the fire has ended. This is so KFR knows how to respond to calls from the public reporting these fires and prevents responders from having to interrupt ceremonies that are occurring. Organizers, or fire keepers, bring their own fire pits and a fire extinguisher for these ceremonies.

Engagement to Date

City staff have noted in early discussions with the community that maintaining a process that is easy and flexible is important. Community members emphasized the need for any infrastructure to be easily accessible to all users. Staff have acknowledged that installing permanent infrastructure in parks with high archaeological potential may present challenges. Opportunities to include features in parks when they are being built or retrofitted is one option staff are exploring.

Get Involved

We’re looking for feedback from Indigenous community members on the current process and we want to hear from you!

  • What kinds of park features would add to the community’s ability to have Sacred and Ceremonial Fires?

  • Are there parks that would be a priority?

  • Should we focus on one park but build it out to permanently support these gatherings of community?

Let us know below! This is just the first step in a larger process. Follow this page for project updates by adding your email or clicking “subscribe” on the right-hand widget.

If you have any questions or would prefer to submit comments via email or phone, please reach out to ContactUs@CityofKingston.ca or by calling 613-546-0000.

  • Have your say: Sacred and Ceremonial Fires

    Share your feedback on the current process for Sacred and Ceremonial Fires in City parks, and share ideas for how we can ensure the process is easy, accessible and flexible. If you would prefer to submit comments via email or phone, please reach out to ContactUs@CityofKingston.ca or by calling 613-546-0000. 

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    Information will be collected and used in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and other relevant privacy legislation. All comments made on this site are available to the public and may form part of public records. The City will give written notice in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act to affected persons before granting a request for access to a record created through this survey if it includes personal information that the City has reason to believe might constitute an unjustified invasion of personal privacy. Learn more about the City’s accountability and transparency responsibilities on our website. 

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Page last updated: 17 Oct 2025, 11:45 AM