North Bay’s Gerald Lavallee paddled 2,000km across the province in a canoe expedition that started in Ottawa in late May and ended in Thunder Bay just a few days ago. SUBMITTED PHOTO.
For three months Gerald Lavallee was one of eight young Métis from Ontario who paddled across the province as part of the Métis Nation of Ontario Canoe Expedition.
The group started in Ottawa on May 26 and arrived in Thunder Bay on August 21.
“To go into the wilderness and be along the traditional routes of my ancestors and step on the land and paddle the water they paddled it was a great feeling and it gives you a bigger connection with your culture,” shared Lavallee who spoke to BayToday on his first day off in months.
PHOTO COURTESY MNO FACEBOOK PAGE.
The members of the MNO Canoe Expedition were Métis youth from across the province planning to attend a post-secondary institution in the fall or who are recent graduates. Lavallee wants to become a tour guide and work in the adventure tourism industry.
During their 2000 kilometer adventure the young voyageurs used experiential learning to develop leadership and skills designed to help them in their future careers. They also dressed in authentic Métis clothing and visited Métis communities throughout Ontario to promote Métis culture and heritage.
Lavallee says they paddled on average 8 to 10 hours a day, covering a distance of between 30 and 50 kilometers.
“To a point it was physically and mentally gruelling, but we had such a good team that we kept pushing each other constantly and that was the really important part out there was to keep each other’s spirits high, because when you are out there in the wind and the rain and you are tired after a ten hour day of paddling, it’s important to have people around you to support you.”
The 21 year old did have previous experience in a canoe and jumped at the chance to take part in what he called a once in a lifetime adventure.
PHOTO COURTESY MNO FACEBOOK PAGE.
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