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Sixteen Canadians from all walks of life are participating in a unique “River Healing Journey” down the Ottawa River in voyageur canoes to help change how the public experiences and values the river.
The River Healing Journey will travel from Ottawa to Montréal June 11-14. It will focus on building appreciation of the river’s natural, cultural and historical values.
“The River Healing Journey is about changing how we experience the Ottawa River and our relationship with it,” says Céo Gaudet, the project’s originator and organizer.
“The river is a place of important cultural history and memories, a place to connect with nature, a place to see how we are caring for the natural world” Gaudet says.
Our modern-day Voyageurs, adds Gaudet, will be traveling on the water at a human pace, with their paddles providing the “human power” to take them to their destination. Along the way, they will learn about the river’s history and its ecological and cultural significance, including the strong connection of the Algonquin people to this mighty river they call the Kitchissippi. From their vantage point on the River, the paddlers will also see some of the many injuries their River has sustained over the years, and will learn what can be done to help the River heal itself.
“The River Healing Journey is about enjoying and honouring this magnificent river – and protecting it based on a sense of respect and awe.”
Participants, mostly volunteers from the Ottawa area, will paddle for four days in replica voyageur canoes from Ottawa to the historic Fur Trade Museum at Lachine, Quebec (situated on the western part of Montréal Island – this is where the voyageurs of old were recruited, and where they would return after their long journey inland along the ancient river “highways”). Along the way, participants will visit several sites of key historical and ecological significance.
Participants are also helping to raise funds to support Ottawa Riverkeeper, a non-profit organization that acts as an independent watch-dog and advocate for the health of the river, and carries out public education and ecological monitoring projects.
For information about participating, see the website at http://ottawariverkeeper.ca/events/river_healing_journey
For further information and English interviews, contact:
p. Céo Gaudet
p. H: 613-798-1197
p. Email: healtheriver@hotmail.com.