The Riverkeeper celebrates Canadian Rivers Day
Victoria Island - 9:30AM - Sunday, June 11, 2006
Sunday June 11th is Canadian Rivers Day. Ottawa Riverkeeper and Canadian Heritage Rivers System will be celebrating with a guided paddle on the Ottawa River from Victoria Island to Petrie Island. This year, we hope to have at least 50 canoes, plus two Voyageur canoes as a symbol of celebrating and caring about the river.
Meet us on June 11, 2006 at 9:30AM
On Victoria Island (off Chaudiere Bridge)
Join with us for a day of fun and adventure as we celebrate our mighty River.
Our flotilla on the Ottawa River will be guided by:
- William Commanda, Algonquin Elder from Kitigan Zibi Reserve in Quebec, internationally renowned spiritual leader, birch bark canoe maker, environmental and peace activist
- Becky Mason, painter, canoe instructor, filmmaker, writer, and environmental activist
- Armand Ducharme, born storyteller and historian
- Meredith Brown, the Riverkeeper and voice for the Ottawa River
- Max Finkelstein, renowned canoe author and heritage river connoisseur
- Members of the Ottawa Riverkeeper, Petrie Island Outdoor Club, Friends of Petrie Island and the Y Canoe Club
Bring your family and friends and paddle the legendary Ottawa River for a distance of approximately 15-20 km. Bring your PFDs, boat and lunch to Victoria Island for a 10AM departure. There will also be Voyageur canoes available, and extra canoes so come even if you don’t have one! (Bring your lifejackets and paddles if you have them as we have limited extras.)
The celebration will start at Victoria Island where the Riverkeeper and Becky Mason will greet you. We will be leaving Victoria Island at 10 a.m. and stopping at several interesting sites along the way where experts will discuss the history, ecology, shoreline development, water quality, etc. We will stop for lunch at Upper Duck Island, bring your own food and drink as well.
A tour of the Petrie Islands themselves is a must. John MacCaull of the Petrie Island Outdoor Club will lead a guided tour through the inner channel of the island. A guided tour of Petrie Island will be offered by the Friends of Petrie for all interested. The celebration will continue on the beach of Petrie Island. A shuttle from Petrie Island will be available for the drivers.
The celebration is free of charge. However, donations to the Ottawa Riverkeeper are encouraged. A tax receipt will be issued for every donation over $20. Great door prizes will be available.
DOOR PRIZES:
Everyone get a ticket when they register. Make a donation to Ottawa Riverkeeper and increase your chance to win.
- Lynette Chubb is donating 2 pieces of “Acrylart” window art featuring paddlers (For more info on Lynnette’s window art, call (613) 722 0871 or email: acrylart@sympatico.ca)
- Dot Bonnenfant is donating a wood-burned paddle (For more info, contact Heritage Paddle Designs at (819) 827-9081 or dotb@magma.ca)
- Peter Brebner is donating 2 throw bags(For more info, contact Brebner Manufacturing and Repairs Inc at (613) 729-8178)
- Max Finkelstein is donating two books on Canada’s rich canaoeing heritage: “Canoeing a Continent: On the Trail of Alexander Mackenzie”, and “Paddling the Boreal Forest: Re-discovering A.P. Low”.
- Mountain Equipment Coop is donating a dry bag and a water bottle (For more info, check www.mec.ca)
For more information,
Please contact Delphine at outreach@ottawariverkeeper.ca
or contact Jen at (613) 934-2505 or jen.katan@pc.gc.ca
Some volunteer opportunities are available for this event. For more info, please click here
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