RCNS members, Jim & Marjorie Dawson travelled to Pikangikum First Nation in North-West Ontario last week to provide canoe training for three Gr 7 classes and the outdoor education class at EB school in Pikangikum. See several of the canoe training photos and read more about their most recent visit in their ongoing commitment to Pikangikum, at the 'Read more ...' tab.What a great way to be "Honouring Indigenous Peoples"!
- Jim Simpson
The training culminated in games of skill to test students on the paddling strokes. We played “dead fish tag” with a wet sponge and ‘teach a duck to fly’ where you had to throw and retrieve a rubber duck as many times as it takes to cross the finish line. The surprising winners of the ‘teach a duck’ to fly was Wyatt Keeper and Morris Owen who were able to retrieve the duck and get it to shore in just three throws! We were able to certify 12 junior school paddlers plus 8 high school students who were awarded official ORCKA (canoeing association) cards. As well, the Dawsons completed training and evening paddles with over 15 local teachers and 2 OPP officers.