Mackenzie River Watershed Education and Youth Environmental Leadership Canoe Trip (August 19-25, 2013)

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1 Mackenzie River Watershed Education and Youth Environmental Leadership Canoe Trip (August 19-25, 2013) Project Summary: The Canadian Canoe Foundation (CCF) in partnership with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society-NWT Chapter (CPAWS NWT) and Canoe North will lead a community watershed education program that will culminate in a seven-day canoe trip learning adventure for 10 youth down the Mackenzie River (Fort Simpson to Wrigley). The objectives of the project will be to: 1) Educate local youth and families about the ecology of the Mackenzie River Watershed and the environmental challenges it faces; 2) Develop 10 Water Leaders through a seven-day environmental leadership canoe trip program (local youth living in the upper Mackenzie River are eligible to apply); 3) Develop concrete opportunities for our Water Leaders to engage their friends, families and communities in the conservation work of CPAWS NWT, the Pehdzeh Ki First Nation (PKFN) and the efforts of the NWT Protected Areas Strategy; 4) Provide 10 youth with the opportunity to participate in a wilderness canoe adventure, to be physically active outdoors and to work together as a group in a canoe trip setting. Focus on Environmental Education: At the start of the project we will work with high schools in the communities along the upper Mackenzie River (Fort Providence to Wrigley) to educate students about watersheds and what citizens can do to help promote their sustainable management (e.g., actions at home, shoreline cleanups). Environmental education curriculum developed by CCF and CPAWS NWT will be distributed to the high schools to foster classroom discussion. Students in the participating communities* who are enrolled in grades 9, 10 or 11 will be invited to submit an essay describing why they should be selected to participate in the seven-day canoe trip phase of the project as a Water Leader in the effort to ensure the long-term ecological health of the Mackenzie River Watershed. Project promotion activities will spread the message of our conservation objectives and the canoe trip opportunity via advertisements in local newspapers, posters in high-traffic areas (e.g., community centres, hockey rinks, libraries), social media, and interviews with local radio, newspapers and television. During the canoe trip, the 10 Water Leaders will take part in environmental education sessions, led by the CCF project facilitator, our partnering organizations and hosts at sites of interest along the river. After the trip, our Water Leaders will return to their communities where they will make presentations to their schools/community centres and write articles for local newspapers (and blogs, social media etc.) describing their experience and their newly acquired environmental knowledge. Focus on Local Partnerships: Kris Brekke, Executive Director of CPAWS NWT will work with the Canadian Canoe Foundation to develop Fact Sheets describing the ecology and cultural history of the Dehcho Region in which the canoe trip will travel. He will also meet the youth group along the river in order to make a presentation describing his organization s conservation objectives and campaigns, and how the youth participants and their communities can get involved.

2 On the last day of the seven-day canoe trip, the group will visit the PKFN in Wrigley. During the tour of the community, the Water Leaders will learn first hand from band council members and elders about the proposed Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh Protected Area and why the area s ecological integrity is so important to the community. Focus on Environmental Engagement: After the trip, our Water Leaders will return to their communities where they will make presentations to their schools and community centres, and write articles for local newspapers (and blogs, social media) describing their canoe trip experience and their newly acquired environmental knowledge. The CCF will then work with CPAWS NWT to facilitate the engagement of our Water Leaders in their campaigns and programs (e.g., develop a fundraising event, develop an environment club at their school). Focus on Safe Canoeing and Healthy Lifestyles: The CCF was designated a strategic partner of Paddle Canada (PC), a national organization made up of provincial and territorial paddling associations. We have a strong focus on skill development and safety. We will hire Canoe North (Hay River, NWT) to provide professional canoe outfitting and guiding services. Accordingly, our Water Leaders will learn proper canoeing and safety techniques and spread the message through their communities that safe outdoor paddling adventures needs to start with certified paddling instruction. CCF Background: The CCF is a charitable organization (BN RR0001) that develops watershed-health education projects that culminate in seven-day youth environmental leadership canoe trips. Our objectives are to educate communities about sustainability and to provide youth with an on the water education regarding Canada s natural heritage and the importance of protecting our waterways. We are working with youth and their communities to promote swimmable, drinkable and fishable waters for all Canadians. Our canoe trip leadership programs provide a transformative environmental education that cannot be achieved in the classroom. The CCF partners with environmental organizations to promote their campaigns and the protection of the waterways we travel. These partnerships educate our Water Leaders about the issues facing Canada s waterways and establish concrete opportunities for the youth to engage in the work of local environmental organizations. The CCF also partners with accredited outfitters who provide the expedition logistics (transportation, equipment, food, certified guides etc.). This ensures that our canoe trips are led safely by professionals with extensive experience on the waterways we travel, and helps support local ecotourism operations. Our youth environmental leadership programs develop the next generation of informed and motivated environmental citizens who educate and inspire their friends and family members to work towards solutions to society s environmental challenges. Our Water Leaders spread the message of sustainability and getting involved throughout their communities, thereby impacting on hundreds of citizens in their watersheds. In May, 2007, in a national poll conducted by CBC Radio and TV, the canoe was voted one of the seven wonders of Canada (along with The Igloo, Niagara Falls, Old Quebec City, Pier 21, Prairie Skies and the Rocky Mountains. The Canadian Canoe Foundation believes the canoe still has an important role to play in our society as a fun, healthy and environmentally friendly way to explore Canada s world famous waterways and to learn about the concrete ways that citizens can work towards their sustainable management.

3 Patrick Henry Founder and President Canadian Canoe Foundation Dear Patrick, August 30, 2012 A trip on the Mackenzie River is an exceptional opportunity to educate our future environmental stewards about a diverse ecological and cultural region. The river valley is relatively undeveloped providing habitat for many species including moose, boreal woodland caribou, black bears, wolves, migratory birds, and several species of fish. Your trip will pass through or near Dehcho First Nation communities in Jean Marie River, Trout Lake, Kakisa and Wrigley, each are currently working through the Protected Areas Strategy (PAS) process in collaboration with stakeholders and government to establish protected areas that will preserve ecological and cultural values in the region. The Northwest Territories Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-NT) is a member of the PAS steering committee and has experience working with communities in the Dehcho and across the NWT. Accordingly, we are very pleased to be collaborating with the Canadian Canoe Foundation (CCF) on the Mackenzie River 2013 project. This environmental education project will educate youth, their families and communities about current initiatives to protect important ecological and cultural lands in the Dehcho. CPAWS-NT will 1) work with the CCF to develop Fact Sheets that will describe the ecology and cultural history of the Dehcho region, 2) promote the Mackenzie River 2013 project through our network, and 3) meet the CCF group during the canoe trip in order to make a presentation regarding the objectives of our work in the region and how the youth participants and their communities can get involved in the work to protect their watersheds. In closing, we look forward to working with the CCF towards meeting their objective of developing the next generation of informed environmentalists and who are provided with concrete opportunities for getting involved in working towards solutions. Regards, Kris Brekke -Executive Director Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Northwest Territories Chapter kris@cpaws.org

4 July 4, 2012 Patrick Henry President and Founder Canoe Foundation 11 Burnett, Chelsea QC. J9B2G9 Hi Patrick, Here is a price estimate for the seven-day Mackenzie River trip (Fort Simpson to Wrigley) planned for July We are very pleased to be working with you on this innovative environmental education project that will focus on the conservation objectives of the planned Pehdzeh Ki Ndeh protected area. Our estimate includes: - 2 certified guides (one female guide required) - client service (food, equipment etc.) for 10 youth - canoes, paddles, pfd's- 1 barrel pack or dry bag per camper - tents, tarp, kitchen equipment - food (day 1 lunch to day 7 lunch) - safety & first aid - shuttle of canoes/gear/youth at start and end of trip based on: 1) Meet group in Fort Simpson on day 1 2) Drop group off in Fort Simpson on day 7 Please note the estimate does not include: - transportation of participants to/from their homes to the meeting point and end point of the trip - personal clothing & gear, including sleeping bag & thermarest pad. The total cost for the services and equipment described above is $ 9,000 (tax included). Please note that our standard rate for this trip is $ 12,0000 (tax included). Accordingly, Canoe North is offering our services at a discounted rate (as a total In-Kind donation of $ 3,000) in order to support this youth environmental education project. We look forward to working with the Canadian Canoe Foundation and your project partner CPAWS NWT to educate local youth about the environmental status of the Mackenzie River Valley and the role that they, their friends, and families can play in promoting the sustainable management of the Mackenzie River watershed. Please let me know if you have any further questions. Regards, Doug Swallow Canoe North A division of MSS Ltd PO Box Studney Drive, Hay River, NT, X0E 1G

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6 Canadian Canoe Foundation Testimonials It's impossible to be passionate about a cause you know nothing about, or to feel caring or concern for something you have never loved. This is why it's important that people, especially people our age, get the opportunity to learn about and enjoy this river as much as possible. The impressions we gain when we are young form the basis for our actions as adults. Liza Chatterjee (participant), Athabasca River We ve learned many things on this trip. We learned about nuclear power plants and the effects on the river, about geology and underwater caves. We also learned about the history of the river: logging, commercial fishing, fur trading, pictographs and about the Algonquin. And the most important thing we learned is what we can do to protect our river. Teagan Retty (participant), Ottawa River I just wanted to write and say a big thank you to you and your team. My son, Drew participated in the Miramichi trip a couple of weeks ago. He had a really great time and was able to learn the importance of preserving & promoting our beautiful river. He made friends and memories, shared laughs and companionship, learned values and appreciation. Thanks again for your wonderful program. Stacey Astle-Munn (parent), Miramichi River We were pleased to hear that your aim is to work with CPAWS Chapters across Canada in the Canoe Canada 2012 project. We believe that the canoe-trip projects planned for each territory and province will not only provide youth with an environmental education but will also raise public awareness at all levels of society regarding the threats facing Canada s wilderness areas. Éric Hébert-Daly, National Executive Director, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. We support the aims and objectives of the Canadian Canoe Foundation which provides Canadian youth with the opportunity to learn canoeing and camping skills while exploring Canada s waterways, share their experiences and new found knowledge with their communities and engage in education and advocacy activities that will promote the protection of Canada s world famous lakes and rivers. Graham Ketcheson, Executive Director, Paddle Canada.