Thompson Brigade completes Alberta leg of historic journey

By Mary Fitl
David Thompson Brigade

Launching from the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site in snow and ice over one meter thick along the river, the 2008 David Thompson Brigade made their way through Alberta. With support from communities along the way, the participants paddled through rain and hail and strong headwinds, into Central Alberta and finally found the sun and a wind at their backs.
For participants not from Alberta, it was the perfect initiation, and just a taste of the kinds of environmental challenges David Thompson and the voyageurs had to overcome while he carried out his path finding and surveying 200 years ago.
From launch to landing ceremonies, the communities of Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley, Devon, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Two Hills/Duvernay and Elk Point stepped up to put on some wonderful celebrations. The paddlers and their support crews were overwhelmed by the events and by the communities’ support, donating accommodations, meals and even shower facilities.
Among the participants, the brigade is very fortunate to have a pair of brothers who have grown up in the Fort William Historic Park. Robbie and David Bates are a dynamic duo, who bring to the brigade their high spirits and valuable knowledge of the era we are commemorating.
Today at Fort Carlton, the brigade will participate in a welcoming ceremony, dinner and some story telling. Continuing down the river, the brigade will celebrate with the city of Prince Albert May 24th and 25th, with festivities to include entertainment, cultural readings, boat races, children’s activities and fireworks. Before passing across into Manitoba, the brigade is looking forward to meeting the communities of Nipawin, James Smith Cree Nation and Cumberland House, who have all generously offered to host us.
Following the rivers, that link us as people of a great community, the brigade hopes to re-kindle interest in our rich history, remind us of the importance of the rivers and honour David Thompson, the greatest land geographer of his time.
You can follow the brigade’s daily progress, learn more about David Thompson and the life of the voyageurs and discover more about this commemorative journey from the web site: www.2008thompsonbrigade.com