Sir Alexander Mackenzie Canada Sea-to-Sea Bicentennial Expeditions
In 1988, Dr. Jim Smithers, a Professor in the School of Outdoor Recreation at Lakehead University, in Thunder Bay, Ontario, first suggested the idea of a cross-Canada canoe expedition celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first recorded crossing of North America by Sir Alexander Mackenzie. Dr. Smithers felt that such an event could be an important educational and life experience for the university students who would paddle the reproduction voyageur canoes, and the pageantry and celebration that would accompany the journey would be a memorable experience for all the communities that the expedition touched.
After two years of deliberations, the Canada Sea-to-Sea project began to take root. Two other organizations had joined Lakehead University as partners in the Sea-to-Sea project; The Alexander Mackenzie Trail Association of Kelowna, British Columbia, and The One Step Beyond Adventure Group of Canmore, Alberta. The Alexander Mackenzie Trail Association, a volunteer-based organization interested in the preservation of historic trails, saw the Expedition as a link to the concept of preserving a cross-Canada 'Voyageur Route' following the path of Alexander Mackenzie. One Step Beyond, formed by John Amatt, manager of the 1984 Canadian Everest Expedition, took interest in facilitating the fund raising and financial administration of the Expedition from a consultative position. By 1988, under these three partners, the basis for what was to be a five year commemorative project was formed.
Read more about Sir Alexander Mackenzie Canada Sea-to-Sea Bicentennial Expeditions: Goals & Objectives
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“We are as near to heaven by sea as by land.”
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