Canoeists’ efforts center around kids

Ken Johnston
Editor

Canoeing for cash and to raise public awareness, a group of counselors from the United Native Friendship Center UNFC did just that last week.

Mel Legarde, Brad Herbert, R.J. Comeau and Darwin Woods did what some would have seen as normal a 150 years ago; they canoed from Fort Frances to Rainy River.

The foursome has been working with youth as part of a new branch of the UNFC in Fort Frances since February. However to continue to run their programs they needed to raise money. To do that they decided over coffee about a month ago that canoeing to Rainy River would not only do that but raise awareness about their programs.

Since they are youth oriented they decided to couple their efforts with that of the Ontario Provincial Police’s D.A.R.E. program. D.A.R.E. hopes to put up banners in just about every district school this year and asked that the youth program at UNFC help by raising about $1,000. Not only did they do that but they also raised another $3,700 along the canoe route from sponsorships and donations.

In Rainy River the president of the Rainy River and District Chamber of Commerce presented them with donations totalling $550 from businesses and citizens alike in the community.

The UNFC workers hoped that the canoe trip would also generate a sense of ownership amongst the youth of the district who use their center. They are optimistic that they have struck that chord with the youth and that next year there will be a much larger number of canoes making the journey under the same banner.

Herbert said that the number of people along the way that greeted them was incredible. While disappointed in the send off in Fort Frances, they were pleased with the nearly 25 people that welcomed them in Rainy River. Only one person, a reporter, sent them off.

The group left in two canoes last Tuesday morning and arrived in Rainy River Thursday afternoon around 1:45 p.m.

They spent a couple of hours in Emo talking to people and overnighted one night in Barwick. They also spent some time at the Manitou Mounds drying out. One of the canoes capsized in the Long Sault Rapids. Fortunately no one was hurt and nothing was lost. “We nearly lost the flag, but we recovered it,” said Herbert. It says, “For the kids 2001, Fort to Rainy, UNFC Li’l Eagles.” Li’l Eagles is the name of the youth programs at the UNFC. They host elder visits, do crafts, various social activities like dances, participate in parades and hold concerts. It is open to all youth in the district native or non-native alike. About 60 kids from ages 6-12 use the facility on a regular basis and 28 people sit on the UNFC Youth Council.

Herbert said that the O.P.P. and Bob Jeffreys have already indicated an interest in participating next year. He hopes they have between 10 and 15 canoes next year.