Metis Youth Start 2000 km Canoe Trek in Ottawa

OTTAWA, ON--(Marketwired - May 26, 2014) - Today eight young Métis from across the province set out from Ottawa on the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) Canoe Expedition; an over 2000 km canoe trek to Thunder Bay. In this adventure of a lifetime the young voyageurs will, through experiential learning, develop leadership and employability skills that will help them build their future careers. Dressed in authentic Métis clothing from the fur trade era, during their lengthy trip which is expected to last 90 days, these modern voyageurs will be visiting Métis communities throughout Ontario where they will promote Métis culture and heritage.

The 2014 MNO Canoe Expedition was launched at Mooney's Bay Park Harbour in Ottawa where they were seen off by MNO citizens and dignitaries. "This is a unique summer job opportunity the MNO is providing," explained MNO President Gary Lipinski at the launch, "these young people will learn valuable skills that will help them throughout their lives, experience the life of a Métis voyageur and at the same time will teach people across the province about Métis heritage, culture and our contributions to Canada." 

The members of the MNO Canoe Expedition are Métis youth from across the province who are attending post-secondary institutions in the fall or who are recent graduates. "The MNO puts a priority on providing opportunities to our young people to be all they can be," stated President Lipinski, "and the MNO Canoe Expedition is another example of the way we support Métis youth achieve their dreams by helping them reach their educational goals and objectives."

The complete itinerary of the MNO Canoe Expedition is attached and other information can be found at: www.metisnation.org/canoeexpedition2014.

The MNO Canoe Expedition can be followed on Twitter @MetisNationON and pictures and video from the Expedition will be posted regularly on the MNO website, Facebook page and on a new MNO mobile application (available in both IOS and Android) that will be available in June.

Embedded Video Available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCND1oi_pNw&list=UUYt1gnqk88jHpRWiOXe0d_A&feature=share