The Voyageurs are coming
The Athabasca River Brigade group has over 170 paddlers registered in 15 boats preparing to paddle 333 kms over 6 days on the Athabasca River, from scenic Jasper to historic Ft. Assiniboine. This is one of many voyageur canoe brigades operating in Canada this summer to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary. We will be re-enacting the Voyageur fur-trading trips of the past on this portion of the COLUMBIA EXPRESS route. Each canoe will be flying a flag representing the parts of Canada.
The brigade journey from June 22 to June 28, 2017 will be educational, fun and memorable in so many ways. We will engage with the communities along the trip. We’ll be paddling through changing scenery, first the Rocky Mountains, then thru wilderness in the foothills, ending in parkland forest and farmland near Ft. Assiniboine. The paddle program involves early daily starts, but leaves much time to celebrate with communities en route and to socialize amongst the paddlers at campsites in Jasper, Hinton, Whitecourt and Ft. Assiniboine (all 2 night stays except one night in Ft. Assiniboine). The planned activities include “right to land” ceremonies with Black Musket canon firings, paddling teams in traditional dress and sharing of aboriginal and voyageur stories and song. We will enjoy entertainment as follows:
• First Nation entertainer Matricia Brown at Jasper launch ceremony/lunch on June 23 (no public invited, only media, dignataries and paddlers)
• Historic plaques unveiling/lunch at Brule look-out on June 24th
• Traditional French Canadians Les Bucherons in Hinton at Maxwell Lake/Beaver Boardwalk on June 25th
• Metis folk/country performer Laura Vinson in Whitecourt at Rotary Park on June 27th
• Singer/storyteller Michael Mitchell and world class fiddler Calvin Vollrath join Alberta’s Lieutenant Governor Lois Mitchell at closing events in historic Ft. Assiniboine on June 28th.
Please look at event posters, trip schedule and follow us on Social Media.
Facebook – Athabasca River Brigade Instagram – canoebrigade Twitter - @athabrigade #ARB2017
You can also follow a paddler in the Brigade, Tracey Pandachuck, on her blog that she plans to update daily throughout the event.
http://athabascabrigade2017.wordpress. com/
Brigade chairperson Bernie Kreiner says: “This is a great opportunity to celebrate Canada and some of our history in the communities of Hinton, Whitecourt and Ft. Assiniboine. I encourage citizens to participate by enjoying the music, food, voyageur boat paddling family activities, and water stewardship information booths.”
Communication Coordinator Jailin Bertolin says: “Events like this are opportunities to build community and bring people together. We will connect through nature, history, song, dance, stories and an appreciation for our beautiful surroundings and the Athabasca River.”