On their third day travelling on the Rainy River on Wednesday, the contingent of 16 youths and adults on the United Native Friendship Centre’s “canoe-a-thon” fundraiser are continuing their four-day trek in support of the Urban Multicultural Aboriginal Youth Centre, Li’l Eagles program, and the OPP Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program.
And despite seeing some drop out due to injuries, a new member join, and one other return to the fold, the group seems to be going strong, said R.J. Comeau, a Health and Wellness Youth Intervention worker and head organizer of this year’s “canoe-a-thon.”
First off, Erin McMahon, who had some minor back aches Sunday (the day before the canoeists left) had to sit out yesterday after Monday’s gruelling 10-hour paddle proved too much for her.
Then Brock Parisien, who was sporting sore ribs before he departed Monday, also took Tuesday off after getting checked out at the Emo Health Centre at the end of day one.
Upon recommendation of medical staff there, Parisien, along with his canoeing partner Jenna Malyk, opted to bow out of the journey for good.
However, Fort Frances resident Danielle Shine then joined the group yesterday after attending the greeting party for the participants Monday in Emo, only to find out McMahon was hurt.
She took her spot in Comeau’s canoe Tuesday.
After taking Tuesday off, McMahon has agreed to move on with the rest of the group, and will ride with Shine and Comeau.
Eight canoes—carrying two people each—left the McIrvine Road boat launch here around 7:30 a.m. on Monday.
The group paddled for about 10 hours in the hot sun Monday, with a couple of breaks thrown in, to make it to Emo for the night.
With only a little bit of rain dropping on them, the group had a much easier day Tuesday, with a breeze to cool them as they spent a mere two-and-a-half hours going downstream to Barwick—a problem-free trip, noted Comeau.
He added they arrived there around 12:30 p.m., ate lunch, visited the museum there, were greeted by Reeve Bill Clink (who gave them some pop as a goodwill gesture), and played football for much of the afternoon.
On Wednesday, they will spend a few more hours to get to Pinewood, including making a stop at the Manitou Mounds along the way.
If all goes to plan, they should arrive in Rainy River by noon tomorrow (Thursday).
Other members of the expedition include UNFC board member Doug Fairbanks, Dan Bone, Tyler Starling, Kristopher Starling, Brad Lowes, B.J. Wilson, James Grozelle, John Seymour, Len Bird, Chelsey Armstrong, Levi Kwandibens, and Jen Cawston.
Cawston, a youth transitional services worker, said she decided to go on the trip for her first time because she thought “it would be fun.”
“It’s for a good cause. And it’s a bit of an adventure,” she said early Monday morning as she sipped her coffee.
“I never have been down the Rainy River by canoe and I’ve lived here all my life,” Cawston added.
Also new to the “canoe-a-thon” this year is UMAYC program supervisor Denise Audette, who is not paddling down the river per se, but rather is acting as a “support unit.”
She’s meeting with the canoeists at their stops in Emo, Barwick, Pinewood, and Rainy River, toting a van full of bulky gear such as tents, coolers full of food, sleeping bags, and so forth that might not fit on the canoes.
“It’ll be fun,” she remarked Monday morning.
Unfortunately, a few people who originally were slated to participate, such as UNFC president Wilma Yerxa-Bird, had to bow out due to hectic schedules and business commitments, said Comeau.
Comeau noted while the UMAYC was hoping to top $3,000 (last year’s total), the numbers look to be in the $1,500 range so far, although some money still may be coming in.
This is the third “canoe-a-thon.” Last year saw five canoes in the water while the inaugural fundraiser only had two.
(Fort Frances Times)
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
