Our Story

The Canadian Ecology Centre/Centre Écologique du Canada, in the rocky landscape of the Near North, created the Mattawa River Writers Festival/Festival des Écrivains to celebrate Earth Day through the lens of literature.

We provide nature-inspired writing workshops for emerging writers, a family eco day program, mindful hikes, meditative canoeing and a book talk.

Burgeoning writers, come meet published authors in a natural setting. Stay the weekend and hang out, play games at the campfire, howl with the wolves and walk through the gorgeous northern forests of Samuel de Champlain Park.

The Mattawa River is associated with indigenous history, the exploration of Canada and the fur trade. We recognize the enduring presence of Indigenous peoples connected to and on this land. We are grateful for the opportunity to work within the Robinson-Huron Treaty territory. The land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg People and, specifically, the Nipissing First Nation. We commit ourselves to the work of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.