This year is the 200th anniversary of David Thompson’s exploration and mapping of Rainy River District.
To commemorate this historic period in Canadian history, a canoe brigade of 160 able-bodied and experienced “voyageurs” has been formed.
Their plan is to paddle from Rocky Mountain House in Alberta to Fort William in Thunder Bay, Ont.—a total of 3,600 km—in just 63 days.
They will be arriving in Rainy River District in late June, with plans to stop at Rainy River on Wednesday, June 25, Emo on Thursday, June 26, and then Fort Frances on Friday, June 27.
Fort Frances Museum curator Pam Hawley was in Emo last Tuesday (April 1) to speak to members of the Emo and Rainy River rec councils about possible plans to host the brigade members in their respective communities.
Hawley believes the arrival of the brigade offers our district a unique opportunity to celebrate local culture that includes
•natural heritage;
•the role of the land and waterways in our history;
•the fur trade and relationships between Europeans and First Nations;
•the role of women (through Thompson’s First Nations wife, Charlotte Small); and
•our position along the international boundary.
Hawley is hoping the various rec councils will assist in hosting the brigade by opening their communities to these visitors as they pass through our district.
The brigade will require a place to camp, shower and washroom facilities, and an evening and morning meal.
A $5,000 grant from the Rainy River Future Development Corp. is available to assist in meeting the needs of the brigade, as well as for projected expenses such as promotion and entertainment.
Hawley suggested the possibility of having Thunder Bay musician Rodney Brown perform in each community.
Brown has written several songs about the fur trade, the explorers of our district, and the history of Fort William Historical Park.
Members of the brigade also have indicated they would be willing to take part in musical events in the communities they visit.
Hawley also would like to invite local musicians to perform. She believes this could be a fantastic cultural and historical event, and even has plans to make a video of the experience.
In related news, Hawley is working at having the Rainy River designated as part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.
Brian Grimsy, Senior Planner, Canadian Heritage Rivers System, Parks Canada, will speak at the Fort Frances Museum on Tuesday, April 22 at 7 p.m.
Hawley believes this ties directly in with the visit from the Thompson brigade in June.
There will be an exhibit of David Thompson’s exploration and mapping of Rainy River District at the Fort Frances Museum, and Hawley has plans to include the schools in planning for these events.
Since school will be out when the brigade arrives, she hopes the students will become involved with the activities across the district.
An advance group from Thompson’s brigade will arrive prior to June 25 in order to assure that everything is ready and to assist in the preparation of the community events.
Hawley has volunteered to co-ordinate the efforts of this district in hosting the voyageurs. She is looking for a contact member from each community and is open to suggestions on how plans should proceed.
There were questions from both rec councils last Tuesday concerning the logistics of hosting such a large group.
Hawley said she will act as the district contact person and will seek information from the Brigade Society about their specific needs.
The rec councils thanked Hawley for her presentation.
Both groups plan on taking the matter back to their respective municipal councils for further discussion and planning.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
