Group of Métis youth to paddle traditional voyageur route

A group of Métis youth, all current PSE students or recent graduates, is embarking on a 3-month, 2,000km canoe trip following the traditional routes of Métis voyageurs. The journey is funded by the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) and will see 10 youth travel from Ottawa to Thunder Bay using rivers and the Great Lakes waterways. The group will stop in 23 communities along the way to make presentations on Métis culture and contributions to the formation of Canada. “I feel like one of the most important things we can do for our community is spread the word and show other people our crafts and our traditions,” said one participant. 8 members of the group will paddle one large canoe, while 2 members drive a van along the route to provide ground support. The goal is to arrive in Thunder Bay in time for the MNO’s Annual General Meeting August 22. CBC