Thompson Brigade completes their historic journey

By Mary Fitl
DTB

From ice and snow, prairie “breezes”, rain, the big lakes, warm community hospitality, rain, thunder and lightning, black flies and mosquitoes, sunshine, historic sites and spiritual places, did I mention rain ..... the 2008 David Thompson Brigade completed a 3200 km journey with its arrival at Fort William Historic Park in Thunder Bay.
Under sunny skies, over 150 paddlers in north canoes made land with flags flying and cannons firing from the shore. After the formality of asking permission to land, the lead boat carrying David Thompson and his wife, Charlotte Small, portrayed by brigade members, was brought ashore and the festivities began.
Brigade members, some of whom had been away from their homes and families 70 days or more, were greeted by family and friends and treated to a hero’s welcome by the good folks of Fort William!
The 2008 David Thompson Brigade was a project undertaken to commemorate David Thompson, the greatest land geographer of his time. Over 300 paddlers made their way by canoes across the country, retracing Thompson’s pathways. This journey began on May 10 at Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and concluded on July 12 at Fort William Historic Park in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Along the way, community events celebrated and provided excellent opportunities to meet the paddlers and hear stories of their journey.
As part of the David Thompson Bicentennial celebrations, the brigade hopes it has inspired people along the way to learn more about our rich history and to appreciate the importance of the rivers and waterways that link Canadians all across the country.
Celebrate David Thompson’s bicentennial - and keep the adventurer’s spirit alive.
Learn about the brigade, link to several exciting You Tube video clips and learn more about the life of the voyageurs from the web site: www.2008thompsonbrigade.com