Canoeing our ancestral highways

A series of personal blogs written by Keifer Hester.

It would take a whole page to thank my fellow youth, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, MHO Adventures, and our trip photographer Sean Landsman… so we made one. Meegwetch and Watchay, thank you and until we meet again.

Wachay! Hello! My name is Keifer Hester and I’m currently a member of the Learning from Lake Sturgeon Youth Committee, here to provide support and guidance to our current and future programs. I was raised in the tiny community of Moosonee, ON, but now I reside either across the river in Moose Factory, or the GTA for school. I have a diploma in Social Service Work, which I hope to upgrade into a bachelor’s degree, maybe even a masters, within the next few years.


You’re probably wondering, what’s with the page? Well, I was given an opportunity to create a series of ‘deep reflection’ blogs about the first Neemamo Mishkanan (We Canoe Together) program I was lucky enough to participate in. So, that is what this is. Please enjoy as I share my personal thoughts, feelings, stories, and vulnerabilities from this precious journey in my life. And if you’re interested in seeing our journey, I video documented it then published them in an amazing 5-episodic series on my YouTube channel (shameless plug). With that being said, enjoy reading or watching and thank you for your time! 

A photo of Keifer taking videos during the canoe trip.

About the author

I WAS BEYOND AFRAID

While Sean captured this stunning photo of the northern lights, I was quietly working through a panic attack. As the sky danced above the treetops, I repeated the words “you’ll be okay” and found strength in the presence of my peers, the purpose of the journey, and the promise of healing through courage.