THE NORTH VIEW THE VOYAGEURS

The Voyageurs that braved the Fur Trade's 3,000 mile journey into Canada's vast undiscovered territory from Montreal, inevitably passed the shores of Algoma and Northen Ontario. At the heart of their journey a significant portage faced them at the great rapids at Sault Ste. Marie and the open water paddling around Lake Superior would surely have tested their resolve in every way. And what resolve they had! Their eighteen hour days of paddling in their fragile birchbark canoes were horrendous physical and mental challenges against fatigue, weather, water and mosquitoes. If they were not paddling 60 to 70 strokes per minute, they were humping 180 pounds of supplies or fur packets over murderous portages, the longest being over twelve miles! They were essentially indentured slaves, like beasts of burden, who's only purpose was to acquire and deliver fur pelts to the European Beaver Hat market. Leaving no trace of their passing, the Voyageurs have evolved to a heroic stature in the minds of most Canadians. Were it not for their interminable labours and superhuman capabilities, Canada would not have existed