Past Brigades — Overview
Over the years, our brigades have traced some of Canada’s most legendary waterways. We have journeyed through the Trent-Severn’s engineering marvels and explored the pristine waters of Cape Breton’s Bras d’Or Lake. From the wilds of the Fraser River to the historic Peace and Athabasca Rivers. Each brigade has written its own chapter in the society’s story.
Collaboration
We honour the heritage of First Nations people, and celebrate their vigilant stewardship of our shared waterways.
From our support of the Chief Pinesi Paddle on the Ottawa River to the bicentennials celebrated during the Fort Assiniboine and Fort Edmonton brigades, every paddle stroke connects us to the explorers, traders, and First Nations peoples who first travelled these waters. We recognize that these waterways have been vital for thousands of years prior to the fur trade era, and we continue to paddle with deep respect for the Indigenous communities whose traditional territories we travel through.
Acknowledging that the voyaguer tradition itself was built on Indigenous knowledge, skills, and partnerships. Every paddle stroke connects us not only to the explorers and traders of the fur trade, but to these original stewards of these waters since time immemorial. Every brigade creates new opportunities for cultural cooperation and understanding for paddlers of tomorrow as we “pass our paddles” to future generations.
We are passionate about preserving our history, promoting our shared heritage, and keeping paddling traditions alive.