Cindy Bell Bio

Cindy Bell is a dedicated Winnipeg based outdoor enthusiast and passionate advocate for hiking and nature conservation. Cindy's love for hiking and the great outdoors began at an early age. Growing up in Winnipeg, she developed a deep appreciation for the natural beauty and serene landscapes that Manitoba has to offer. As she explored the region's trails and wilderness areas, her passion for hiking blossomed, fuelling her desire to share this experience with others. For the past 37 years, Cindy has been a member of Scouts Canada including some with Girl Guides of Canada. She believes in their programs of personal development through challenge, leadership and adventure; culturing a respect and appreciation of the outdoors; instilling social responsibility through giving back to society; and simply just having fun. This way of life has extended to include many other areas of volunteering in her life.

In 1968, an idea submitted by L. Campbell in Calgary (Chinook Trail Association) regarding establishing a national trail sparked an interest in Vern Dutton, Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Manitoba and a long time Scout Leader. The Centennial Trail which began in 1970 was envisioned as being part of the national trail and is a gift to Manitobans from Scouts Canada and Girl Guides of Canada to celebrate Manitoba’s 100th Anniversary of becoming a province of Canada.

In 1994, Cindy trekked the Centennial Trail with her Girl Guides and fell in love with the rustic nature of the trail. She was given the great honour of being asked to become the Centennial Trail's caretaker in 1997. Together, with a dedicated group of Scouting and Guiding members, family and friends, they have rediscovered, explored, expanded, and maintained this beautiful 48 km trail.
Cindy is committed to providing a trail that is safe for users; and to protect and preserve the surrounding pristine environment. The trail was designed for foot traffic – ie hiking, trail running and snowshoeing. The trail is as natural and unencumbered with human made objects as safety will allow. The Centennial Trail’s vision is for its users to uniquely immerse themselves in nature in its purest form. It is a time to connect with our earth and every living creature on it. It is a time to refresh one’s soul and be grateful and thankful for the simple and yet complex beauty of the area. It is a time to be curious; to learn about; to increase respect for; and to protect this area for generations to come.

“When I enter the trail, I feel that I am coming home. Mother Earth welcomes me into her home and connects me. It is lovely to travel the various terrain - to walk on the rocks; to walk on and hear the crunch of the lichens; to dip our feet in the lakes, streams and waterfalls; to experience the softness of the sphagnum moss; to feel the wind; and to hear the woodland creatures singing their songs. The fresh clean air restores the body. A sense of peace and calm brings healing and restores my soul.”

Cindy has made significant contributions to the hiking community, particularly in representing the Centennial Trail in Manitoba. She actively engages with trail users, conducts educational programs, and advocates for trail preservation and enhancement. Her dedication to maintaining and promoting the Centennial Trail has helped create a vibrant and accessible hiking environment for all Manitobans. She collaborates with local and national stakeholders, government agencies, and community organizations to develop and maintain hiking trails, organize guided hikes, and raise awareness about the benefits of hiking. Cindy’s participation in Hike Canada/ En March Canada is to represent the Centennial Trail and to share her experiences with others on the Board. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, she does not feel able to be a provincial representative and sincerely hopes that another Manitoban will take on this valuable role.