Metis Canoe Expedition 2

The Expedition will follow 2300km of historic trade routes used by the Métis Voyageurs, in the 18th and 19th centuries. The seven modern-day Voyageurs (Alison Croft, Amanda Strong, Angela Wassegijig, Chris McLeod, Ginny Gonneau, Jeremy Brown and Rubecka Davidson) will spend 8 weeks paddling west until they reach the Batoche National Historic Site in Saskatchewan where they will join in the annual Back to Batoche Celebrations during the third weekend in July.

Tony Belcourt, President of the MNO stated "This expedition will provide our Métis youth with a unique, once in a lifetime opportunity to follow in the shadows of our ancestors." The Voyageurs will be travelling in a historic twenty-six foot voyageur canoe while on the water, and where they can't travel via water they will do the historic portages that our ancestors did over 200 years ago.

A major component of the MCExII is the celebration and promotion of the contribution of Métis people to Canada's history. Along the route the voyageurs will be visiting many Métis communities to share their experiences and provide educational sessions on the Métis. President Belcourt said "This expedition will bring a greater focus and source of pride to Métis people and communities along the route and we look forward to them taking part in supporting and encouraging our young voyageurs." In the past some communities held a feast for our participants to show their appreciation for the hard work that they are doing, or some would have members in their community show up at the river to cheer for them as they passed by!

For General Information:
Al Lefebvre
Metis Canoe Expedition Information Officer
500 Old St. Patrick - Unit D
Ottawa, ON K1N 9G4
Fx: 613-722-4225
alainl@metisnation.org

For Media Information:
Katelin Peltier
Communications Officer
500 Old St. Patrick - Unit D
Ottawa, ON K1N 9G4
Tel: (613) 798-1488
katelinp@metisnation.org