Unearthing our Roots on Ottawa Routes

Unearthing our roots on Ottawa routes is a series of tours as part of the Ottawa Stops Hate Together campaign. There’s something special about exploring your city on foot. Each step can reveal a new story, a hidden landmark, and a deeper connection to the people and places around you. Unearthing Our Roots on Ottawa Routes is a series of tours that celebrate Ottawa’s diversity and heritage. As part of the Ottawa Stops Hate Together campaign, these tours are designed to connect communities with each other—and with Ottawa’s complex and often untold history. Join us to explore our shared heritage and take meaningful steps toward building a more inclusive Ottawa. Tours are free, with advance registration required, while space is available: Unearthing Our Roots on Ottawa Routes Black history in Ottawa Streets bus tour  History in the Streets showcases sites across the National Capital Region where Black Canadians have made a lasting impact and helped shape the nation’s story. Tours are available in both English and French and run Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm from May to October.  Queer History of Ottawa Walking Tour  Step into Ottawa’s vibrant queer history with drag king Morgan Mercury. This engaging tour begins in Centretown at Dundonald Park and dives into the stories of the 2SLGBTQ+ community—from the public service purge between the 1950s and 1990s to the trailblazers who shaped queer life in the capital, including Charlotte Whitton, Elaina Martin, and Rupert Raj. You'll also uncover the history of Ottawa’s original gay village and the moments that helped define a movement. Tours run on Sundays from 2 to 4 pm in July and August.  Don Kwan's Chinatown Walking Tour Join artist Don Kwan for Don’s Walk—a journey through one of Ottawa’s most diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods: Chinatown. Explore the area’s rich history, cultural layers, and unique architecture, with highlights including local businesses, striking public murals, sidewalk art, and the iconic Chinatown Arch. Each event features a special guest who brings their own stories, perspectives, and even snacks, offering a more personal connection to the community. Tours run on Saturdays from May to October. Indigenous Walking Tour Led by Jaime Morse, this powerful walking tour shares the rich Indigenous history woven into downtown Ottawa. Offered in both English and French, these routes run every Friday and Saturday from May to October, inviting participants to see the city through an Indigenous lens and discover stories often left untold. National Holocaust Monument walking tour in partnership with the Centre for Holocaust Education and Scholarship Connect with history as you explore the National Holocaust Monument using the IWalk self-guided tour. This immersive experience invites you to engage with the space while listening to the moving testimonies of Holocaust survivors who made Canada their home. By walking together on Unearthing Our Roots on Ottawa Routes, we honour the voices of our communities, celebrate our shared heritage, and help shape a stronger, more inclusive Ottawa. For more information on City programs and services, visit ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 (TTY: 613-580-2401) or 613-580-2400 to contact the City using Canada Video Relay Service. You can also connect with us through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Bluesky and Instagram.