Paddle Canada 1 & 2 participated in the 2008 David Thompson Bicentennial celebration.  They were part of the 160 modern day voyageurs who paddled from Rocky Mountain House Alberta (departing 10 May) and arriving Fort William (12 July), a total of 3,600 kms.


 


The photos shown Don McMurtry, Gouvernail PC2 displaying Paddle #812;    PC1 under way in the early days of the trip;  PC1 underway from seat 5;  PC2 at Fort Giberalter;  the Brigade preparing to leave Fort Frances.

 
Submitted by Eric Williams
Gouvernail Paddle Canada 1   

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Shortly after the outstanding WCHA  Assembly in Peterborough in July of 2008 I received Paddle # 810 from Rob Stevens. On July 30 I took the paddle to Yellowknife and from August 1 – 14 it travelled the Thelon River.


There were six in our party  Robert Sprachman. Alex Guthro, Pierre Fournier, Tania Martin, John Lutz holding the antler, and Chris McDonald  (see photo – left to right). The photo was taken atop the Thelon Bluffs.




Not all parties on the Thelon had a happy story; the remains of John Hornby's ill fated winter.

 The view of a  PINGO is worth the walk over a bug infested tundra.


Paddle #810, Pierre Fournier (bow) and myself taking a well deserved rest during our journey around the Ursus Islands to the Tamarvi River.


We had a glorious, sunny, warm day but worked hard, #810 was frequently used as a pole as many times we had to push our way through shallow channels.

Our efforts were rewarded as a few days later we witnessed several  Caribou.


The paddle has been left in Yellowknife with Tomiko Robson and Ty Hamilton, avid canoeists themselves.

If you are heading on a northern trip and would like to add to paddle 810's journey to the sea, please contact me and I'll pass you Tomiko and Ty's contact information. Here we see Tomiko and her daughter receiving paddle 810.

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On September 6th 2008 Paddle #082 began a new journey. Not on a trip of great length or over tough portages, but on a journey to a special place known as Lake Obabika in Temagami and to a Native Ceremony called the “Changing of the Seasons”.

Kim Cowan and I arrived on the Saturday before the ceremony and was greeted by Alex Mathias. Alex is a Misabi Elder living on his family's Tribal Territory that surrounds Lake Obabika. It was at his home that he passed the paddle onto me.



It wasn't until after the week end that other paddlers started to arrive. Some decided to head off and find a camp site of their own while others stayed at Alex's place. But as the week went on the beach area at Alex's place began to see more and more tents and canoes along its length.


The Changing of the Seasons Ceremony required a lot of preparation before the day arrived. And the Sweat Lodge preparations were no exception.



Two canoeist pass as they head to and from the Sweat Lodge site

Wood was needed for the Sacred Fire and saplings needed for the building of the Sweat Lodge. Afterwards Grandfather rocks had to be gathered for use in the Sacred Fire and in the Sweat Lodge. Because this was a traditional Sweat Lodge each tree, bough and rock used had to have an offering of tobacco left to give thanks to the Creator before being taken from its place of rest. And each person had to go through what is called a Smudge. A washing of smoke from a small ember of sweet grass, sage and cedar to clear the mind and spirit before helping.





On Friday a Beaver float plane carrying Gord Miller (Environmental Commissioner of Ontario), Amber Ellis (EarthRoots) and Catherine Grant (Forest Ethics) landed just off the beach area. Alex Mathias went out on his boat to greet them and help unload their gear.


After the Ceremony a small communal dinner is shared among the participants. A pot-luck type of dinner where everyone brings something. The menu included moose stew, venison stew, bannock and many other foods. One special treat that was shared was three pumpkin pies that Bob Olajos made the night before in a reflector oven in front of a carefully tended fire. The oven was once used by Camp Keewaydin and the pies were a tasty and special treat.


On the Ceremony Day the canoes began to arrive. Some went ashore near the rocks while others pulled up on the beach site. It was nice seeing so many canoes in such a special place knowing they were all there to share in the ceremony at hand.
 


There were no pictures taken during the Changing of the Seasons Ceremony. It was an event you had to experience in order to have the pictures saved in your memory and heart.

Because it was a smaller group, it was a very moving experience to see everyone involved in the ceremony instead of being passive onlookers.

Everyone shared in the smudge and spoke at least their name during the passing of the feather. Some went further and spoke about their love of Temagami and the need to protect it so their children and grandchildren could experience it. It was a time to share and reflect on the reason we were all there.

It was a day I will not soon forget.

After the ceremony ended, the communal dinner began. The table was packed with food and the next few hours were spent eating and socializing.




On Sunday we managed to get the remaining group together that was at Alex's place for a group shot with the paddle.




It was a terrific week spent with good friends and good people in a place I call special. And I'm sure if Paddle #082 could talk, it would agree.

Dave Gillen
waterwalker.ca

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