News Release
CPAWS Yukon plans river expeditions to showcase importance of Northern Yukon's river heritage
May 6, 2003 – Whitehorse – In July, artists, writers and photographers from across Canada and North America will join members of Yukon and Northwest Territories First Nations' communities on voyages down three key rivers in the Peel Watershed. Launched by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) in cooperation with First Nation community participants in Mayo and Ft McPherson, the Three Rivers Journey will take a total of thirty-six paddlers down the Snake, Wind and Bonnet Plume Rivers to drive home the power of this wild river landscape and its cultural significance.
Sunset over Snake River
Photo by Juri Peepre
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“We are delighted to be working with members of the community of Mayo and the Tetl'it Gwich'in First Nation to bring together northern people and notable Canadians to celebrate and conserve one of the most extraordinary places in Canada’s north – the Three Rivers and the greater Peel watershed,” said Juri Peepre, Executive Director of CPAWS-Yukon.
After the trips, the paddlers will gather on the banks of the Peel River with First Nations elders and other invited guests, to celebrate the beauty and importance of the Three Rivers and the greater Peel watershed.
But the journeys are only the first part of the celebratory effort. The voices and images of the Peel watershed, will tour through the North and major Canadian cities sending a vital message on conservation. The artists will be producing work inspired by their river experience and those works will be collected into an exhibit which CPAWS, in partnership with the Yukon Conservation Society and Yukon Arts Centre, plans to tour throughout Canada and the North in 2004. The Wilderness Tourism Association is a co-sponsor of the event.
“This is the most interesting and unusual project CPAWS-Yukon has had the privilege to participate in – the Three Rivers Journey is unprecedented in the Yukon, since it brings together First Nations, community people and conservationists with artists, photographers and writers from across Canada,” added Peepre.
The Three Rivers Journey begins on July 22nd and ends with an Elder's Gathering on August 7. The trips will start with a send-off in Mayo, while Elders from Ft. McPherson will travel up the Peel River by river boat to join the paddlers for the Gathering. The trips on the Wind, Snake and Bonnet Plume Rivers will have local professional guide services provided by Sila Sojourns and Walden's Guiding and Outfitting. Twelve participants on each river will include First Nations and community representatives, artists, writers, journalists, photographers, videographers, conservationists and scientists. The selected local and national artists, and details of the Three Rivers Journey exhibition, will be announced on May 22 at the Yukon Arts Centre.
Confirmed participants on the Three Rivers Journey include nationally known photographer and writer, Courtney Milne of Saskatchewan; Brian Brett, a poet, writer and columnist from British Columbia; and Paul McKay, Ottawa Citizen journalist and author. Richard Nelson, a prominent US nature writer and essayist from Alaska will also participate.
For more information, please contact:
Juri Peepre
CPAWS Yukon Chapter
Telephone: (867) 393-8080
E-mail: cpaws@cpawsyukon.org
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