The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Saskatchewan Centennial Canoe Quest Executive held a Press Conference on April 9, 2005 in Buffalo Narrows. The 31 Voyageur Canoe Teams, the route, Host Community Events and the Sponsors were announced and the official logo for the SCCQ was unveiled. Enclosed are documents that detail the above. Please use this information for news stories. Approximately 150 people were in attendance at the News Conference on Saturday. Attendees included paddlers from the various northern teams, host community representatives, sponsors and dignitaries Ð Don Deranger, Vice Chief from the Prince Albert Grand Council; Rusty Gardiner, Government of Saskatchewan; and Dale McCauley, New North Chairman. Highlights of the News Conference included the unveiling of the SCCQ Logo and the teams. Teams introduced their paddlers and could not hide their enthusiasm for the upcoming event which will be a life altering journey for everyone. Some teams also declared that they would be sure to win the SCCQ! Our sponsors were recognized for their contributions Ð both in kind and financial. With in kind assistance from two sponsors Ð Guardian Mobility and Waypoint Incorporated, we will be able to track the locations of each boat with updates every 30 minutes being downloaded to the web site. At the break, the Churchill River Reelers Ð eight local youth dancers, entertained us with their award winning square dancing and jigging. Host communities also showcased what will take place when the paddlers and guests arrive in their respective communities. Overall we will be treated to aboriginal hospitality, feasts, activities, community tours and opportunities for cross cultural celebrations. Host communities would like to invite everyone to come out and be part of the Quest and the Host Community Celebrations. Mark June 18th on your calendars Ð the official opening ceremonies will take place in Prince Albert. This and other important dates can be seen in the enclosed Race Schedule and Host Community Events Schedules. More information will follow. The SCCQ concept was developed by Renee and Soloman Carriere of Cumberland House, SK and Sid Robinson of La Ronge, SK. The concept was inspired by the 1967 Centennial Canoe Pageant, which was a 3,600 mile race across much of Canada. The SCCQ concept was also inspired by the upcoming Saskatchewan Centennial and the natural beauty and attractions of northern Saskatchewan. With these inspirations combined, the trio created an SCCQ Concept Package during spring 2003 and began presenting it to various organizations and individuals in Saskatchewan. See 'SCCQ' P.# Con't from P.# An Executive Committee was established in January 2004 to work through the planning process, initial promotion of the SCCQ, and the organization of a Partnership Committee and various subcommittees. The Partnership Committee is responsible for the communication, planning and evaluation of the event and is comprised of over 30 northern organizations and communities. Program Description The SCCQ will be a one-thousand, eighteen (1,018) kilometre voyageur canoe race and pageant across northern Saskatchewan's historical Voyageur Highway. A media kick off to the SCCQ will be held in Prince Albert on June 18th, 2005. The race and pageant would begin in Clearwater River Dene Nation/La Loche on June 20th, 2005 and finish in Cumberland House on July 5th, 2005. Scheduled stops and celebrations along the route will occur in the following communities: Michel Village, Dillon, Buffalo Narrows, Ile a la Crosse, Patuanak, Pinehouse, Grandmother's Bay, Stanley Mission, Pelican Narrows, Denare Beach and Sturgeon Landing. This event is a northern collaboration, bringing communities and diverse cultures together to celebrate the Centennial of Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Centennial Canoe Quest (SCCQ) will provide community role models; promote healthy lifestyles; and a leave a legacy of voyageur canoes and greater health in northern communities. The SCCQ has potential for continued sustainable tourism programs, youth initiatives, education projects, health programs and many other spin-off activities. The Churchill River is one of Canada's longest river. At its rise in Northwest Saskatchewan down into Hudson's Bay in Churchill, Manitoba, it flows 1,609km. Nearly 2/3 of the river flows from the west to the eastern borders of Saskatchewan. The Churchill has been and important transportation artery of the Woodland Cree for thousands of years. Fur and merchant traders from the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Company relied on this river system, establishing significant trading posts along its route. One such post is Cumberland House established in 1774, and is today the oldest community in Saskatchewan residing 1,500 people. Today's paddlers recognize the Churchill as one of the greatest canoeing rivers in the world. The river is a series of lakes connected by countless rapids, falls and chutes. Portage trails traveled by today's canoeists remain virtually unchanged from the days of earliest documented exploration. In the late 1700's Alexander Mackenzie wrote detailed journals of the Churchill and its lakes and rapids, encountering Kristeneaux, Assiniboin, Picaneaux, Blackfoot and Blood Indians along the way. History resonates within the beauty and magnificence of the river and surrounding land as it is today. As Saskatchewan celebrates the layers of history in its first Century, the Churchill River system and it's surrounding communities are called upon to host the Saskatchewan Centennial Canoe Quest. Thirty-one teams from Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Scotland will travel this historical route in voyageur canoes from the western border of Saskatchewan across 1,018 km of lakes, rivers and land. This unaided wilderness canoe stage race and pageant will include celebrations in 13 host communities including the historical Stanley Mission and Cumberland House. The challenge for the teams is the journey itself. The challenge for the viewer is to remain unchanged by the magnificence of what they will see, hear and feel while following our journey as past and present meet on the waters of the Churchill. For further information contact: Sharalyn Reitlo, Coordinator at (306) 839-4665 or [email protected].
