UPDATES FROM THE NEEMAMO MISHKANAN PADDLERS!
I know that many people are looking forward to updates from the Neemamo Mishkanan paddlers as they make their journey down the Mattagami and Moose Rivers, and so I am going to update this page regularly to give an update on their progress and journey.
The whole group is in a remote setting, and they won’t have any cell phone access all for their whole journey, and so I won’t be able to post photos as they go.
But the paddlers have a satellite messenger, though, and they do twice daily check-ins, and so I can share their progress and text updates. And as soon as they’re back with cell and internet service, we’ll be posting lots of wonderful photos and vides from the trip!
We are also posting update on the Learning from Lake Sturgeon Facebook and Instagram pages, and so please also follow our social media for daily updates and progress reports!
Update for August 20 (PM): The paddlers have arrived! There was a great crowd to great them at the CCIC, and a party and speeches followed. The paddlers are tired and happy and proud of themselves, and we can’t wait to share their photos and stories from the trip over the next few weeks! For now, check out this video from Moose Cree First Nation of the paddlers arriving in Moose Factory!
Update for August 20 (AM): The paddlers are away for their last day of travelling on the Moose River, and right now things are looking like they will be on time for their arrival in Moose Factory! They're expecting to arrive between 12-3pm today at the Cree Cultural Interpretative Centre, and you're invited to come down to welcome them home!
Update for August 19 (PM): It's the last night for the paddlers on the Moose River! The winds were not as strong today, and the group made great progress. They're between the Abitibi and the Kwetabohigan, and are excited to arrive on time in Moose Factory tomorrow!
This photo is from MHO Adventures , from a previous trip that they guided on the Moose River. We can't wait to see the photos from the Neemamo Mishkanan paddlers when they return!
Update for August 19 (AM): Yesterday the Neemamo Mishkanan paddlers faced a new challenge: wind! It was a very windy day on the Moose River yesterday, and the paddlers faced a strong headwind for the whole day. It was hard work for them to paddle against that wind, and so they were all tired last night. But they still made it to their planned campsite! Right now they are still on schedule to arrive in Moose Factory tomorrow, and we want to invite everyone in Moose Factory to come out to welcome them home! The weather forecast does have continuing headwinds for parts of today and tomorrow. So, we'll keep updating on the more specific arrival time as they continue their progress, so please stay tuned! And for now, we'll hope the wind gives them a bit of a break today!
Update for August 18: It was a great day on the Moose River for the paddlers yesterday, and they have now passed Moose River Crossing! This is an important landmark for the trip, and a very recognizable point on the river for anyone who has ever taken the train from Cochrane to Moosonee. Maybe if you were on the train yesterday, you would have been able to wave at them!
This photo is from MHO Adventures, from a previous trip that they guided on the Moose River. The paddlers will now start to see many more sandbars and flatter landscapes as they keep travelling north towards Moose Factory!
Update for August 17: The Neemamo Mishkanan paddlers have made it to the Moose River! I can't believe that they're already halfway through their trip, but after 4 days of paddling and camping, they have travelled around 80km along the Mattagami River, and now have passed the confluence of where the Mattagami River flows into the Moose River! It sounds like everyone is feeling really proud of themselves, and now they'll be enjoying the bigger and slower waters of the beautiful Moose River for the rest of their trip!
Update for August 16: Yesterday was all about rapids for the Neemamo Mishkanan paddlers, and they successfully navigated both the Grand Rapids and the Long Rapids on the Mattagami River! It's a great accomplishment for the group, and they reported that some were a bit nervous in the morning, but then everyone "rocked the rapids!" And everyone was confidently cruising through them by the end of the day. They all checked in safe for a well-deserved rest in camp last night, and said "high water and everyone in good spirits" this morning!
Some of the smaller rapids on the Mattagami River! Photo credit: Connie O'Connor
Update for August 15: The Neemamo Mishkanan had a long day and covered a lot of distance yesterday. And not only did they accomplish that distance, but even with a long day of paddling, they also managed to get in a lot of fishing along with the paddling! They were happy to send the update that with all that fishing, they were able to enjoy a fish fry for breakfast this morning! Erin from MHO Adventures also shared this wonderful group photo from a couple of days ago, from the morning that they started their trip, thanks Erin for sharing!
The group on August 13 starting their trip! Photo credit: MHO Adventures
Update for August 14: The paddlers had a great first day yesterday, and covered almost 20km in their first day of padding. They sent the report last night that they are tired, but happy! Yesterday they left from the Kipling Generating Station on the Lower Mattagami River, and started north down the Mattagami River. Although these photos are not from Neemamo Mishkanan, here are a few photos that we’ve taken of the area during our Learning from Lake Sturgeon fieldwork over the years, and so you can all get an idea of some of the scenery that they would have passed on their trip yesterday! Today the paddlers are hoping to do one of the longest canoe days of their whole trip — almost 30km — and so we’ll update tomorrow on how they do!
