Canadian Voyageur Brigade Society
The Canadian Voyageur Brigade Society has evolved from the 2008 David Thompson Brigade. Through our society’s planning and administrative support, materials, skills, and funds remaining from past brigades, we are available to support future brigades. This will ensure that voyageur brigades, the skills, and the enjoyment of big canoe paddling continue and are passed on to the next generation of paddlers across Canada.
OUR GOALS ARE TO:
- Link BIG canoe paddlers with adventure, skills, and paddling opportunities.
- Provide access to general plans, schedules, budgets, safety plans, and similar documents from previous brigades to ease planning for future brigade organizers.
- Archive documents and images from completed brigades.
- Support for future brigades and big canoe programs through grant funding, insurance, and registration support where needed.
- Promote Water Stewardship and Cultural Cooperation across Canada through our brigades and paddling skills.
ARE YOU PLANNING TO PADDLE WITH A BRIGADE IN 2026?
Prospective participants MUST confirm a place with a canoe crew before registering with any brigade; this means contacting the registrar for each specific brigade of interest. The best access to brigade information and registration links is through the top menu item “CVBS Canoe Journeys & Brigades“.
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Location: Clayhurst Bridge, BC, to Peace River, Alberta
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Big Canoes: This Brigade will consist of up to 8 voyageur canoes, 22’ and larger, with crews from 8-12 people.
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Each team will consist of 10 people, with 8 typically in the canoe for paddling. Teams will have a ground support team in place to move camp each day, and have the ability to rotate paddlers out of canoes as required. Teams will provide their own breakfast and lunch, while suppers will be a mixture of community-supported, team-organized, brigade-organized, and potluck meals.
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Safety is a priority throughout the Brigade; teams are encouraged but not required to have at least one Paddle Canada Big Canoe Leader, or equivalent. All teams will be provided a safety plan, and designated leaders will ensure safety on and off the water each day.
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Daily Captains Meetings will be held to ensure each canoe is prepared for a safe day of paddling.
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Smaller Paddle Craft: Canoes smaller than 22’ are not permitted to join the Brigade.
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Canoe Crew Captain Responsibilities: Participants must organise their own teams, ensure ground crews are sufficient to move their equipment each day, and follow directions from the Brigade Organisers.
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Individual Crew Member Responsibilities: Individuals who wish to participate in the Brigade should contact the registrar, who willpass their information on to any teams looking for or able to add additional members to their roster.
- All participants are required to have a valid CVBS membership
Chief Pinesi Paddle, Ottawa to Kahnawake (outside Montreal) (Early July), Ontario-Quebec – REGISTRATION OPENING MID-APRIL:
PINESI PADDLE 2026: A Journey of Reconciliation & Heritage
Join us for an extraordinary 6-day voyage linking Anishinabe and Haudenosaunee Nations!
Due to overwhelming interest, organizers have reached capacity. They invite you to submit your application for their waiting list. Should a position become available, they will contact candidates in the order in which they were received.
WHEN: July 5-10, 2026
WHERE: Gatineau (Canadian Museum of History) to Kahnawake Powwow site
DISTANCE: 180 km along the historic Ottawa River
WHY PADDLE WITH US?
Commemorate Chief Pinesi (1768-1834) and his legacy
Celebrate reconciliation between First Nations and all Canadians
Experience authentic 36-foot replica Voyageur canoes
Connect with local communities along the Ottawa River
Arrive in time for the Kahnawake Powwow opening (July 11)
REGISTRATION DETAILS:
Fee: $750 per paddler (includes canoe rental, campsites, meals, gear transport)
CVBS Membership Required: $18 adults / $10 children
Registration Opens: Mid-April 2026
Important: You must register with BOTH Kichi Sibi Trails AND the Canadian Voyageur Brigade Society to participate!
WHAT TO EXPECT:
6 days of paddling (up to 40 km/day)
3 big canoes with ~10 paddlers each
Camping at historic sites along the route
Community events, drumming, and celebrations
Drug and alcohol-free Brigade (respect for Indigenous ancestors)
Small craft welcome for portions of the route, especially Day 1!
LEARN MORE & TO SIGN UP ONCE REGISTRATION OPENS MID-APRIL:
Contact Zhuoyu Wang at pinesipaddle@ gmail.com for more information
Keep your eye on www.voyageurbrigade.org (look under 2026 Brigades) and stay tuned to our Facebook page
Also visit: kichissibiancienttrails.ca
Follow: Kichi Sibi Trails on Facebook
This is more than a paddle—it’s a journey carrying ideas, hopes, and dreams for a Canada where all cultures can work together in peace, harmony, and justice.
Balsam Lake 100th Anniversary Commemorative (July 18-19), Ontario
- A big canoe presence will be in attendance for this event, with 30 0r 40 minutes sessions in big canoes for the public
- This is the first event to commemorate the Balsam Lake tragedy and is still in the planning stages.
There are two brigades brewing for 2026. Once the details are finalized and ready for registration, you can find them here.
Don’t forget to check our Facebook page and Instagram.