Twelve paddlers arrived at Deèzàatì (Point lake) on August 22nd. We had canoed for 16 days from Tatsontı (Grenville Lake) along the ancient trail that had not been travelled since the 1960s. The trip was led by Elders Joe Lazare Zoe and Louis Zoe who wished to revive the old trail they traveled with their father when they were young. The low water and regrown trail made the long journey challenging, but we were able to record 24 portage trails and numerous old camps and gravesites. The purpose of the trip was to relive the old trail so it will not be forgotten and teach youth of the Elders’ stories along the trail. The program was carried out by the Department of Culture and Lands Protection’s Research division and we would like to extend a special ması cho to Jocelyn Zoe and Lydiah Rabesca, our field research logistical coordinators, for their expert planning and coordination before, during and after this important trip.
Paddlers: Louis Zoe, Joe Zoe (Lazare), Ete Zoe, Jerrick Camsell, Nelson Zoe, Ernie Wedawin, Dillon Smith, Roy Judas, Hardy Mantla, Doreen Apples, Jerry Simpson, Petter Jacobsen.
