Excited citizens of the MNO North Channel Métis Council prior to the
arrival of the Pan AM Torch Relay: (Left to right) Yvonne Jensen,
President; Alex McCoy; Taylor McNally, Youth Representative.
On June 2, the Pan AM Torch Relay reached Blind River where citizens of the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) North Channel Métis Council were able to participate in this historic activity that leads up to this summer’s Pan AM and Parapan AM Games.
The Algoma Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club carried the torch in the Blind River portion of the Relay. They transported the torch in two canoes with their oldest paddler, 89 year old Clarence Paris, holding the torch in the lead canoe. The Paddlers also invited the MNO North Channel Métis Council to participate in the torch relay. MNO citizen Alex McCoy paddled in the lead canoe while MNO North Channel President Yvonne Jensen and Youth Representative Taylor McNally paddled in the second canoe.
Some 32 people participated in the torch relay in Blind River and it was an exhilarating experience for all involved. President Jensen summed it up best when she said: “It was a great day!”