To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Foundation and the courage of those who fought cancer, one of the falls on the Magpie River was named On the Tip of the Toes fall. An original way to make history!
After a morning fishing in the fog, a yoga session, a few rapids and portaging twice to avoid dangerous obstacles, we stop for lunching front of a majestic fall.
“This incredible fall is a huge challenge for paddlers who go down the Magpie River because you have to make a portage or make tough decisions to find the good lines to come down of it,” says Jean-François Bourdon, one of the guides of the expedition and member of the White water Mingan Association (ESA), an organization that aims to protect the river. “This depicts your courage and shows that we can pass through significant challenges,” he added.
The On the Tip of the Toes Foundation thought important to make a special expedition to mark its 20th anniversary. “We worked with the Innu community of Mingan and ESMA to find the best place to name a fall, and thus make history,” said Marc-André Galbrand.
Mario Bilodeau, one of the co-founders of the Foundation, was also on-site not only to work with youth, but also to witness this important moment. “We gave named the Foundation ‘On the Tip of the Toes’ to illustrate that one can look beyond the disease. For 20 years, we have been seeing stars in the eyes of the participants. I truly believe that the adventure can change lives, ‘he said, eyes filled with pride, before fifteen participants moved by the gesture.
According to Marc-André, a participant of Chicoutimi, “this fall marks a major obstacle to our descent, similar to the obstacle that we had to experience, but that will not stop us.”
“It’s very cool to know that our expedition was able to mark the history of the river. Few people can say that much” says Valerie, a participant from Quebec.
Since we left Magpie Lake, we have learned to live in symbiosis with the river, said Yan Goyette, another Boreal River guide. “We drink water from the river, we eat the fish that live there. We are now part of the river, as it is part of us, the water flows in our veins. In addition, by naming this fall, we mark the history of the Magpie River,” he said.
To celebrate the event, everyone raised a toast and swallowed a big gulp of water from the river. Then, we went back to our rafts and headed for Chablis Island, where we camp tonight.
Once the boat docked on the shore dotted with small rocks, Dany, the leader of the expedition, shows us the numerous camps protected by large black spruces.
After setting up the tents, it’s time for the daily bath in the cool waters of the Magpie River before enjoying an excellent pâté chinois around the fire.