Photo courtesy of voyageursrendezvous.ca
A group of canoeists are making their way across the Prairie provinces, reenacting some of the routes of the voyageurs of the mid-to-late 1800’s.
The Voyageurs Rendezvous is a Canada 150 Signature Project Race that covers 1600 kilometres, originating from Rocky Mountain House, AB and finishing off in The Pas, MB.
In 1967, an epic 5,250 kilometre race recreated the excitement of the brigades of old, and began a tradition of races and Rendezvous’ for north canoes and Canadians across the country. That race began in Rocky Mountain House and ended up in Montreal, the site of Expo 67.
There are six teams making the trek, which includes teams from Hatchet Lake, Pelican Narrows, Opawikoscikan, Cumberland House and two teams from Pukatawagan, Manitoba.
This Saturday, the group will make a stop in Prince Albert and the Prince Albert Grand Council will be on hand to greet them. PAGC Grand Chief Ron Michel says it will be an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people see how First Nations and the voyageurs worked together to help open up the west.
“It’s all a part of reconciliation and educating people about a lot of things that weren’t recognized and the contributions made by First Nations people during the fur trade,” he adds.
Michel says that the City of Prince Albert wasn’t prepared to take on the welcoming festivities, so he suggested that PAGC take on that role. He says that just like back in the day, First Nations had a role in welcoming the voyageurs into their communities.
Michel says the group will be in Prince Albert around 3:00 p.m. Saturday, and there will be a ceremony to greet the voyageurs. He says there will also be some entertainment with square dancers and jiggers. The following day there will be canoe events during the day, including races before the group makes its way downstream toward the Saskatchewan River forks.
They will also be making stops in James Smith Cree Nation, Nipawin and Cumberland House before heading on to The Pas.