Friday, November 18, 2011

Journey to Turtle Island

Each year the City of Brantford, Brant County, and Six Nations jointly present the Shining Star Tourism Awards.  Awards are handed out in several categories including Best Aboriginal Experience.  This year the Aboriginal Experience award went to Grand Experiences Canoe & Kayak Outfitters in Paris, Ontario, for their Journey to Turtle Island canoe trip.
 
A couple of years ago I took this trip as part of our Outdoor Writers of Canada conference and I can say first hand that the experience was exceptional.  Now I have paddled and fished the Grand extensively over the years and originally thought of this trip as simply a nice diversion at the end of our conference; I couldn’t have been more wrong.  Right from the time we met the professional, experienced guides from Grand Experiences I knew this trip would be something special.

Aside from the outstanding qualifications and experience of our guide – something you should look for and expect with any outfitter – I was impressed with his level of knowledge about the flora, fauna, and history of the region.  
This is a fantastic trip for inexperienced and seasoned paddlers alike because the 12 person “War Canoe” offers great stability and a chance to take a break to enjoy the scenery if you get tired along the 12 km route.  You paddle downstream through one of the last stands of Carolinian forest in Canada and have the illusion of being on a wilderness journey.  For much of the trip you will be paddling through the Grand River Exceptional Waters area, a unique fisheries and watershed management area managed by the Grand River Conservation Authority.

The highlight of our trip came as we gently nudged the canoe up to the shore of Turtle Island in the middle of the Grand River immediately across from Brant Conservation Area – just on the outskirts of the City of Brantford.  There we were greeted by a husband and wife team dressed in traditional First Nations attire from the Six Nations First Nation.  They led us quietly along a trail to a secluded natural amphitheater at the far end of the island where we were regaled with traditional First Nation stories, history, and dances.  There was a great deal of visitor participation and plenty of opportunities for photos and to ask questions.  At the end of our visit to Turtle Island we paddled back across the river to Brant Conservation area where we piled into the vans for the short journey back to Paris. 

Whether you’re visiting the region for the first time or are a long-time resident, this trip is a unique experience that you simply can’t miss.  Once again, congratulations to Grand Experiences for winning the Shining Star Tourism Award for Best Aboriginal Experience.  Take a minute and check out everything that the City of Brantford, Brant County, and Six Nations has to offer in the Discovery Guide.
©2011 Lloyd Fridenburg – All rights reserved click here for copyright permissions

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