The crew from the MNO WEKMC and MNOWindsor office prepare to embark on the RiverCanard Heritage Canoe Tour. Click here for largerpicture.
Submitted by MNO Windsor-Essex-Kent Métis Council President Donna Grayer
On July 16 and 23, the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Windsor-Essex-Kent Métis Council (WEKMC) and MNO staff from the Windsor office organized a Historic Canoe Tour of the Canard (French for duck) River near the hamlet of River Canard, Ontario. They rented canoes and hired guides from the River Canard Canoe Company and undertook the tour to encourage healthy living, demonstrate the importance of the canoe to Métis culture and learn about the local history in the River Canard area.
Participants enjoyed two sunny mornings full of family fun, history and fresh air. Lunch was included and there were many good conversations about the beautiful country setting full of wild flowers, bull rushes, birds, butterflies, deer and of course les canards as well as the very interesting local history that included the original French settlement in the area and the Battle of River Canard during the War of 1812.
It was a fairly dry event with only one canoe overturning; fortunately the water was not that deep and the skilled tour guides were able to assist so no one suffered anything but embarrassment. Participants also had the opportunity for a little shopping in the country store and all-in-all everyone enjoyed both days and there was discussion about potential future canoe tours so some participants could improve their paddling.
Posted: September 27, 2017