It was a visual spectacle and glance into the past along the Kootenay River on Sunday June 5th. The bicentennial celebration of David Thompson’s venture and discovery of the final leg of a fur-trading route through the Rockies to the Pacific Ocean, passed our way. This reenactment by the David Thompson Columbia Brigade is celebrating the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers, Native history and the life of explorer David Thompson. The group of new ‘voyageur’ paddlers came from many different walks of life including the surveyor community who have been dedicated sponsors for the group’s project.
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| John Armstrong, the lone local(Cranbrook) paddler and modern day surveyor |
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| Wayne Stetski addresses the crowd |
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| canoes at rest |
After paying tribute to the trading post, Kootenai House, in Windermere, where David Thompson spent time, this present day group of voyageurs began their long paddle to the sea in Canal Flats at the head of the Kootenay River. On Sunday a stop was made at Bummer’s Flats in order to unveil a new historical/interpretive sign, which celebrates the Kootenay River’s history in this area and the Ktunaxa Territory through which it passes. This unveiling provided an opportunity for many people to be thanked including Joseph Cross who gave free access to one of his commemorative David Thompson paintings. Kimberley Mayor Jim Ogilvy spoke about the importance of keeping history alive. Wayne Stetski gave the history of how Bummer’s Flats came to be a conservation area and St Mary’s Band Chief Cheryl Casimer who had paddled a distance with the Brigade spoke about her territory. Other speakers included Cheryl Bradford who coordinated the new sign project and Ross MacDonald as a coordinating member of the Brigade.
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| Paddlers arrive at Fort Steele |
The subsequent arrival at Fort Steele saw a piper-led parade walk up from the river into Fort Steele followed by more presentations and several activities including traditional dances in which the audience participated. Informational displays were available all day. A special geocaching event and story telling by ‘Jacco’ concluded the day’s events. This first hot day of the summer and an appreciative crowd from many parts of the continent reinforced the reasons why so many people consider this area so special.
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| One River Many Nations - the paddlers parade up into Fort Steele |
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| Traditional Dancing |
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| Paddlers with 'Jacco', story teller |
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Bill McColl with the black powder
to sound the arrival of the Brigade |
What a glorious day! My guess is that there were nearly 200 people in attendance. As avid paddlers, it was really inspiring to see all these canoes come around the corner of the river. We wish all the paddlers good health, and may the wind be always at their back as they paddle to the Pacific Ocean. - Sharon Cross
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