Canoeists with a cause paddle from Fort Frances to Rainy River

Ken Johnston
Editor

It was beautiful journey that ended in Rainy River on Thursday when seven canoes from Fort Frances arrived at the Government dock after four days travelling the Rainy River.
Lead by R.J. Comeau, Healing and Wellness Youth Intervention Worker at the United Native Friendship Centre in Fort Frances, the paddlers traced a route that has been two years previous as a fundraiser for both the youth at the UNFC and the district’s DARE program.
Three years ago two canoes made the 107 k.m. journey. Last year there were five and this year seven. Comeau was very pleased with the increase in participation, but was notably disappointed with the drop in dollars raised this year. “We raised about $1,500 in pledges this year and we had to pay for part of the trip out of that,” said Comeau. In past years they had funding to pay for trip expenses, however, “It was cut this year,” said Comeau.
The 15 canoeists this year included female paddlers as well. After last year’s successful trip the girls told the boys that they were going to challenge them to see who could get to Rainy River first. Comeau said that they instead challenged each other to see who could raise the most money. It was close, but Comeau said the boys came out slightly ahead in that race, “but there were more boys than girls.”
The modern day voyageurs left last Monday from just below the dam in Fort Frances. The first night they camped on the waterfront in Emo.
The next day they travelled to Barwick where the Reeve greeted them and donated two cases of pop to them.
From there it was off to Pinewood where the Catholic church was opened up for them to sleep in and to use its kitchen facilities. “We really appreciated that,” said Comeau.
On the final day it was off to Rainy River where a contingent of friends and family awaited patiently for them to arrive around noon. However, noon came and went and there was no sign of them. Around 12:45 p.m. they appeared at the bend in the river near Miller’s Creek. They were welcomed by everyone and invited up to the Rainy River Legion where a lunch was served, donated by the Legion.
Comeau who has made all three of the canoe-a-thons said this will be his last year coordinating it. He is moving to Sudbury to continue his education there. However, with the success and continued growth of the canoe trip, he hopes to come back just for the trip next year.
Mayor Gordon Prost was on hand at the legion to offer greetings and invited them to come during the town’s centennial next summer.
The money raised for UNFC will be used to support youth activities such as camping trips. DARE will use its share to bolster its program in area schools.