ABOUT US

Here's our ideology

• We believe people should get to know their cities, their neighbourhoods, and their neighbours if they want to know where they come from and where they are going. • We believe learning to “read” a city is important; what’s not out there tells you almost as much as what is. • We believe everybody has a way of viewing the world and that's normal and very fine. Our guides believe in disclosing their preferred beliefs; they will tell you plainly what their side of the narrative is, where it fits in predominant storyline, and what other currents of thought exist on the particular topic. • We believe power relations are everywhere, and that those in power usually form the official stance around any issue. We believe there are many narratives around topics as complex as the ones we showcase, and that those stories need to be told if we are to understand what's going on. • We believe people are creatures drawn to narratives – stories are one of our most powerful learning tools. Ottawa (de)tours wants to use these stories for good, allowing those who walk with us to dream and imagine what can be. • We believe people’s lived experiences are more valuable than the most insightful of books; we are constantly amazed and inspired by the iconography of central Ottawa, and the depth of experience and expertise among the folks who live here. • We believe stories need to be shared before they are lost. We have amazing stories among us; we just have to have ears to hear them.