Metis youth following historic route back to Batoche

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In a celebration and tribute to Metis culture and history, the Metis Nation of Ontario is sponsoring the Metis Canoe Expedition II.

The expedition departed from Chippewa Park in Thunder Bay on June 1, and will venture into the interior of the northwest, following the historic trade routes used by Metis voyageurs in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Seven Metis youth-Alison Croft, Amanda Strong, Angela Wassegijig, Chris McLeod, Ginny Gonneau, Jeremy Brown and Rubecka Davidson-have all completed rigorous training in preparation for their trip, an eight week, 2,000 kilometre journey that will retrace the route of the voyageurs. Their final destination is the Batoche National Historic Site in Saskatchewan where they will join in the annual Back to Batoche celebrations being held July 21 to 24.

This second Metis canoe expedition is a sequel to the highly successful 2003 expedition in which a crew of 10 Metis youth retraced the fur trade route paddled by the voyageurs of the Northwest Company 200 years ago. The first expedition departed from Lachine, Que. in May of 2003 and spent seven weeks on the lakes and rivers of Ontario, arrived at Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay in July.

The voyageurs will be travelling in a historic 26-foot voyageur canoe while on the water, and where they can't travel via water they will portage as their ancestors did more than 200 years ago.

The hardy voyageurs will be on the move 12 hours a day, seven days a week for two months.

A major component of the Metis Canoe Expedition II is the celebration and promotion of the contributions that Metis people have made to Canada's history.

Along the route the participants will be visiting many Metis communities to share their experiences and provide educational sessions on the Metis.

One of this year's participants, Ginny Gonneau, was also on the first canoe expedition. She summed up her thoughts and feelings about her experience in an essay she wrote entitled Living the Adventure: A Recollection of the 2003 Metis Canoe Expedition.

"I will never forget the swift current on the Ottawa River and lining its rapids while doing an interview with the Weather Channel up to our knees in freezing cold water. Or the challenging portages on the Mattawa River, lugging our 600 pound canoe through the grueling Talon Portage.

Nor will I ever forget the exciting rapids we shot on the French River or the weather we experienced on Lake Superior, its angry green waters and powerful winds. To me, travelling in a 26-foot replica birch bark canoe, dressed in a strap dress and Metis sash felt like travelling back in time."