A group of 160 paddlers made their way into Fort Frances on Friday after traveling across the country, beginning in Alberta.
The David Thompson Brigade was welcomed with a warm reception from the crowd despite the rain that persisted throughout Friday evening.
A community dinner was also held to welcome the brigade to town. Entertainer Rodney Brown was also on hand to play songs about fur trading and explorers that tied into the spirit of the event.
Participants Mark and Lois Lund have been involved in the planning of the event since its first inception. The avid paddlers represented the team “Charlotte’s Crew.”
Throughout the years, the two have raced in North Canoes and Dragon Boats, and have completed numerous trips on the lakes, river, and ocean waters of Western Canada.
There were 16 brigade teams on hand that participated in the event and voyageurs came from all across the country ranging from Victoria, B.C. to Moose Jaw, Sask.
Earlier in the week, the brigade stopped in Rainy River and Emo.
The next stop for the brigade will be in Atikokan where they are set to arrive on July 5. During their stop there, a trading post, highland country dancing and a fiddler are expected to entertain the crowds and voyageurs.
The brigade is commemorating David Thompson, the greatest land geographer of his time by retracing his journey throughout our country.
Participants hope to rekindle interest in the rich history and importance of the rivers that link Canadians all across the country.
The aim of the brigade is to educate the public about the achievements of early 19th-century explorer David Thompson, and re-ignite interest in the history and importance of the rivers during Thompson’s explorations.
“David Thompson’s most significant contribution to this area was probably his role in surveying the international boundary,” said Pam Hawley, curator of the Fort Frances Museum.
Thompson was involved at Fort William with the Northwest Company, as well as traveling through the Fort Frances area as part of his explorations.
The Fort Frances Museum currently has an exhibit that is tied in with David Thompson, including information on the international boundary dispute.
A traveling exhibit from the Ontario Archives as well as information on map-making is available for the public to check out.
The Thompson Brigade left Rocky Mountain House, Alta. back on May 10 and hope to finish their voyage in Old Fort William (Thunder Bay).
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
