A group of ten canoe enthusiasts departed from St. Jean on the Red River Thursday morning for a three-day journey to St. Boniface called “Rendez-Vous on the Red.” The brigade is part of a Rivers West initiative in partnership with Canada 150 funding and the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.

Throughout the country communities will be planning similar events to celebrate historical rivers located in their region to display their relevance and value in Canadian history.

The route from St. Jean to St. Boniface is a historical pathway voyageurs travelled in the past. Anne-Marie Thibert, Executive Director of Rivers West, explains the reason behind Rendez-Vous on the Red.

“We wanted to do an event that, for one, involved as many of our communities along the corridor as possible, and then also commemorate the history of Canada and the cultures in the area,” she said.

During the night stops in Ste. Agathe and St. Norbert, the brigade will have the opportunity to participate in traditional Francophone singing and voyageur storytelling, First Nations ceremonies, campfires and community barbecues.

Once they reach the St. Boniface Cathedral a short ceremony will take place, including ringing of the church bells and a gun salute by La Compagnie de La Vérendrye.

From St. Norbert to St. Boniface, the public is invited to join the paddle. Thibert said she hopes to have at least 150 canoes on the river by the end of the trip in honour of Canada's anniversary.

“The event is to celebrate our heritage, the history of Canada, and we really do hope to touch people, as many people as possible, through our events along the way,” said Thibert.

Rivers West is an organization that aims to promote the Red River as a historical tourism destination, and is dedicated to its economical, recreational and conservational development, according to its website.

 

Submitted photo