Have you ever set off on an adventure in the wilderness for a week? For most people, as for participants in the expedition on the Magpie River, the answer is no. Therefore the equipment must be meticulously prepared.
From the outset, wildernesses are quite a distance from major urban centres. This is what makes the charm of the Magpie River. It is so difficult to access that we will take a helicopter tomorrow to get to the Magpie Lake, where the rafting begins on Monday. And that’s why hundreds of people visit this little secluded paradise on the North Shore, every year. For the group, this is a unique opportunity to experience an extraordinary adventure.
But there is a long way to go before reaching our destination. For some, four days will be necessary to travel between their homes and Magpie Lake.
First group meeting:
Hippopotamus, beaver, otter, tiger, mountain goat, bear, salmon, dog, parrot, dolphin, cheetah. All these animals work together to descend the Magpie River. Will you recognize the animal that best represents your child or your friend involved in the expedition? That is the exercise we did as a group to get to know each other better.
We then get back on the road along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Along the river, the landscape changes; the trees get smaller and larger rivers flowing from Labrador are numerous. We are now in Minganie, on the road leading us to Mingan.
As we arrive at our camping site, everyone takes the opportunity to stretch out their legs on the beach before going to dinner. It is then time to prepare the equipment for the expedition. Catherine, a therapeutic adventure facilitator for our Foundation, then distributes sleeping bags, tents, coats, and all the equipment needed to stay comfortable and warm. To achieve this, we must keep everything dry and make good use of waterproof bags. Sometimes it is even useful to double them with plastic bags. We are never too cautious to sleep warm and dry!
Then comes the time to sort the equipment and select only what will be useful during the expedition. We must take the time to bring everything needed without dragging that is superfluous.
To end the afternoon, we then visit the Mingan Innu Cultural Centre, where an elder of the village, Marie-Aimée, is expecting us. She teaches us how tobacco offerings are done depending on whom one speaks.
Lydia Meshtokosho then takes over to tell us about her community and her experiences on the Magpie River. “Going down a river is like a metaphor for life. Sometimes there are difficult moments in the rapids. But, there are always quieter moments later, ‘says one which also compares this kind of expedition to therapy to better connect with their ancestors. “No wifi, no Facebook. It is in the wood we really feel free.”
Then it’s back to the camp where we complete preparations for the night. While waiting for supper, we enjoy a fire, watching the seals and the sunset, slightly veiled by mist. Quite the luxury!