Quest

Aug. 27 - 31

Can you imagine the
countless stories bound up
in two billion-year-old rock?

This rock - the oldest in the world - forms the breathtaking boreal landscape of the Canadian Shield. With the help of our geographer, we'll explore stories of this ancient rock and its boreal forest ecology. Our ethnobotanist will acquaint us with the intriguing world of edible and medicinal plants of the Shield.

We'll start where the Shield starts - in the picturesque, island-studded north end of immense Lac La Ronge.

En route, you'll encounter legends of Aboriginal rock art and campfire tales of voyageur exploits on the rivers of the Shield. We'll finish at the Cree community of Stanley Mission and visit a time-honoured landmark of the Shield - the stately Holy Trinity Church.

capturing the wilderness spirit tours

Listen to the loons, watch bald eagles soar, feel the spray of mighty Nistowiak Falls and capture the glow of the radiant northern lights.

Starting at historic Stanley Mission with a visit to Saskatchewan's oldest church, we'll paddle the famous Churchill River, view Aboriginal pictographs, explore Precambrian caves, portage into secluded lakes, navigate the northern reaches of vast Lac La Ronge, relax in pristine wilderness campsites and listen to tales of the voyageurs.

During the 8-day trip, you'll become proficient with map and compass, improve your paddling skills, learn about canoeing safety, try solo canoeing on a quiet evening, help with camp cooking, practice environmental ethics and get acquainted with local history.

READ MORE

Be a voyageur for a week and explore part of an ancient fur trading route that starts on the Paull River and continues down the world-renowned voyageur highway of the Churchill River.

Northern Saskatchewan's premier heritage river holds the key to mysteries of ancient indigenous cultures. Scattered throughout its 1000 km (600 mi) passage across Saskatchewan's boreal forest zone, the Churchill River features numerous Aboriginal rock painting sites. The portion of this famous river flowing through Lac La Ronge Provincial Park has a remarkable concentration of rock art, most of which our canoe route touches.

During the 6-day trip, you'll encounter intriguing red ochre pictographs displaying figures & symbolic visionary messages that have survived the ravages of time for centuries on the rough Precambrian granite of the Canadian Shield. Get acquainted with the mysteries of the paintings' origins and interpretation. Added attractions along the route include the First Nations Community of Stanley Mission with Western Canada's oldest 1850's-era church and Nistowiak Falls, Saskatchewan's largest waterfall.

Bannock is a traditional food that native people prepared even before early European fur traders modified it with their recipes and language. It has deep roots in Aboriginal cuisine and has become a mainstay of wilderness campfire cooks. Modern-day voyageurs use bannock to fuel their expeditions and so will you!

View itinerary and trip details
View slideshow from the 2007 trip
Read stories from past trips

clearwater

June 29 - July 10

This Canadian Heritage River
is a wilderness whitewater extravaganza.

Along with numerous rapids, chutes, and waterfalls are spectacular canyons and limestone cliffs. The river traverses a remarkable landscape representing features from each of the earth's major geologic eras - all visible from a canoe.

READ MORE

Superb natural campsites and breathtaking photo opportunities are commonplace.

At the historic Methye Portage, we hike up to capture the valley vista that explorer Alexander MacKenzie extolled in his journals.

Wild river travel and safety instruction, plus river ecology and heritage topics, are part of the program. Previous whitewater experience is required. Float plane transport is included.

foresthouseecotrek

A 5-day soul-inspiring encounter with ancient Canadian Shield culture, heritage and archaeology. Discover Canada's most spectacular display of Indian rock art - a breath-taking presentation on towering Precambrian cliffs in remote northern Saskatchewan. With professional archaeologist Tim Jones, author of "Aboriginal Rock Paintings of the Churchill River", and a local Cree Indian guide, explore the multiple painting sites by canoe - just as Indigenous artists did centuries ago.

Take part in archaeological research and interpretation, listen to legends of the paintings origins and meanings, and learn about ancient hunting and gathering cultures of the area. Experience a physical and spiritual connection to the land and its fascinating heritage. Base camp, located near the primary pictograph sites, has rustic cabin accommodation. Transport to and from base camp is by float plane. 

READ MORE