"THE BRIGADE"



Some of the many leaders: Andy Korsos, Leanne Playtor, Brook Martens, Ted Bentley, Mark Lund, Monroe McKinloch
 


Introduction, Who is David Thompson, Paddle Canada 2, Our Scrapbook Pictures, Website home page
 


HOW IT CAME TOGETHER

 The Brigade was the dream of Andreas (Andy) Korsos. His website states "As a professional cartographer and geographic information analyst, I have combined my career with my lifelong interest in mapping and the exploration of western Canada." Around 1998, Andy came up with the idea of a six-canoe reenactment of David Thompson's trip from Rocky Mountain House to Fort William to report his findings of a route across the Rockies through Howse Pass. In "A River Guide of a Journey from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta to Old Fort William, Ontario May 10, 2008 - July 12, 2008" prepared by Andy for the 2008 Brigade, he tells how the brigade came to be. He presented many historical facts about David Thompson, Charlotte Small and fur trade history along with maps and other information needed by the participating teams. Much of the information presented in this section was garnered from that outstanding guide.

To very briefly summarize. Andy's idea percolated for about five years when he had an opportunity to present his ideas for a brigade on an Edmonton evening call-in radio show. Several people expressed interest in the idea and a meeting was set up. The only person to show up was Don Galloway who was interested if enough other people could be recruited for this "enormous undertaking". A couple years later, Andy was invited to Rocky Mountain House to show some of his maps at an event associated with the Centennial Voyageurs departing for Edmonton. There he met Ted Bentley.

Andy sent Ted a draft of his brigade proposal and on June 16, 2005, Andy, Ted and Mark Lund met in Edmonton. A little over a week later, the three met with other interested individuals. After that meeting, discussions were held about what would constitute the brigade and then the planning began. Many people presented ideas and were involved in committees. A core group remained dedicated and an Executive Committee was formed.
 
2008 David Thompson Brigade Executive Committee
President Andy Korsos
Vice President Ted Bentley
Route and Safety Chairman Mark Lund
Community Coordinator Leanne Playtor
Registrar and Executive Assistant Brook Martens
Marketing Don Galloway
Treasurer Jim Sand
Media Relations Mary Fitl
Merchandizing Gail Drouin
Directors at Large John Reid, Dave Mclure, Paul Mclure, Norm Crerar
Non-committee members
recognized for their contributions		 Laura Pehrson, Louise Bentley, Monroe Kinloch, Rick Zroback,
Doug and Cathy Hall and David Malaher

 
Thirteen years after the Brigade, we reminisce about the fantastic time we had. And thinking about the planning that had to be done by the organizing committees for the Brigade, it was truly an "enormous undertaking". And it ran so smoothly...at lease it appeared so to us participants. A fantastic time was had by all.

Some things that come to mind that had to be done: WOW!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who made it possible.
 



THE TEAMS*


Team Captain Origin Participated From To
Team Pathfinder   Edmonton, Alberta Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay
Charlotte s Crew   Edmonton, Alberta Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay
Borealis Canoe Club Darrin Zandee Fort McMurray, Alberta Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay
Fort Saskatchewan Traders Don Galloway Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay
Team Shawnigan   Victoria, British Columbia Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay
Paddle Canada 1 Eric Williams Canada Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay
Paddle Canada 2 Don McMurtry Canada and Illinois Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay
Team Black Bart   Cumberland House Cree Nation, Saskatchewan Rocky Mountain House to Thunder Bay
Canadian Voyageurs Norm Crerar Vernon, British Columbia Rocky Mountain House to Fort Frances
Kakabeka Falls to Thunder Bay
N.W. Co. Voyageurs Merle Pederson Rocky Mountain House, Alberta Rocky Mountain House to Fort Frances
Kakabeka Falls to Thunder Bay
N.W. Co. Voyageurs - 2   Alberta  
Alberta Land Surveyors Denny DeMeyer Alberta, British Columbia and Washington Rocky Mountain House to Prince Albert
Saskatchewan 67 Centennial Voyagers   Saskatchewan Elk Point, Alberta to Cumberland House
Amisk Lake Voyageurs Wayne Elliot Amisk Lake, Saskatchewan Rocky Mountain House to The Pas
Bow Waters Canoe Club   Calgary, Alberta Rocky Mountain House to Elk Point
Totem Outdoor Outfitters   Edmonton, Alberta Rocky Mountain House to Elk Point
Team Moscastani-sipiy   Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Through Province of Saskatchewan
Applebee Enchanted Voyageurs      
Teams: 18
 Participants: 308 From: Alberta (half), 7 others Canadian provinces, Northwest Territories (1), USA (4), Scotland (2), Australia (1) and New Zealand (1)

*Additional information and corrections are welcome.
 

THE CANOEING

 It was the canoeing that drew many to the Brigade. It was special, but little did we know that it would only be part of the many special memories from the brigade.

The canoeing was indeed special. We experienced calm water and rough water --- paddling with the current and against the current in rivers near flood stage --- big lakes, big and small rivers, a few smaller streams --- good weather and bad weather --- portaging canoes, some weighing up to 360-pounds, around dams by trailer and on our shoulders in the wilderness. We learned to paddle the 26-foot long north canoes as a team, canoeing as many as 60 miles in one day --- switching paddling sides every one to two minutes --- averaging about 45 strokes per minute --- for eight hours or more (with some breaks of course). Memories to last a life time.
 


 

THE COMMUNITIES AND CAMPS

 Community celebrations were a big part of the brigade. They varied from community to community. Some were small, some were large. Brigade arrivals might be paddling to the shore with flags flying or the Brigade might "race to shore". (The goal was simple...be the first to get to shore. The kicker was that if your canoe actually touched shore, you were disqualified!) Some had parades, some had shows, some had fireworks, some fed us meals. Always there were many enjoyable interactions.

Some days we were not hosted and the Brigade camped along the river near towns. There were nine days of wilderness camping.

A representative picture for each day of the Brigade follows. Pictures from May 9th through May 20th were taken by other Brigade members. Most of the remaining pictures are from our collection.