LLI GOLINE/NORMAN WELLS - Al Pace, Lin Ward and their son Taylor have a passion for sharing one of the North's best kept secrets – its rivers.

Canoe North Adventures is hosting a Sahtu Celebration in Norman Wells on July 23, to promote the Sahtu wilderness, such as the scene pictured above. - photo courtesy of Steve Freake

Through their family-run business, Canoe North Adventures – based in Norman Wells during the summer months and near Orangeville Ont., during the winter – they are offering what Ward and Pace call "life-altering canoe and hiking experiences."

On July 23, Canoe North Adventures will help host a celebration of the Sahtu region, which will highlight the beauty of the wilderness and showcase its potential as a Northern tourism gateway. The event will also highlight the outfitting design capabilities required to support canoe and hiking expeditions in the region, and Ward says Canoe North Adventures is proud to be part of the festivities.

The celebration is to highlight a collaborative effort to promote the region, between Canoe North Adventures, North-Wright Airways, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment and its subdivision for the Sahtu, NWT Tourism, and Sahtu Parks and Tourism.

Pace and Ward said Canoe North has teamed up with North-Wright Airways, owned by Warren and Carolyn Wright of Norman Wells, to transport customers by floatplane to the Norman Wells area. According to Canoe North Adventure's website, North-Wright Airways began a major infrastructure project three years ago to construct an elaborate float base to increase access to the rivers and hiking trails of the Sahtu, for wilderness expeditions.

According to the website, the cost of the project so far has amounted to $1.7 million dollars and will likely rise to over $2 million during the next two years. July 23 will also mark the grand opening of the Sahtu Aviation Museum at the new float base.

"Years ago we made a stand on the branding of the Sahtu (as a tourism area) and the movement has taken on a life of its own. Now there is a collaborative effort to make the Sahtu an official tourist destination and we owe a lot to that collaboration," Ward said.

Ward said her family first came to Norman Wells in 2000, but adds they have been exploring the Canadian North for close to 30 years.

"We also do expeditions in the Yukon, but we really love the NWT most of all – the people here are so helpful and supportive," she said.

Ward says there are ten river systems accessible from Norman Wells, and Canoe North has trips for novices as well as more advanced paddlers.

"Our typical package lasts twelve days and covers approximately 200 miles (of river)" Ward said.

"Every river in the area has a character, ranging from the gentle waters of the Keele (River) to the more intense Mountain River, but there is definitely something in the Northern wilderness for everyone," she said.

Ward also says that Canoe North Adventures has many repeat customers.

"One in three come back to do another canoe trip – 40 per cent of our adventurers are alumni, and the majority of our customers are Canadian, though we have had people from England and New Zealand come here too, "she said.

Pace and Ward are also making an effort to promote hiking tours of the Sahtu wilderness and said the Canol Heritage Trail is one of the best hiking trips a Northern explorer can take.

"The Canol (Trail) has so much history behind it and has some of the most amazing hiking trails you will find in the North," Ward said.

The trail, which runs from the edge of the Yukon to Norman Wells, was built during World War Two to accommodate an oil pipeline.

"It's a very historical place, and is extremely beautiful to hike in," she said. "It's wonderful that people's eyes are starting to turn towards the North. It has so much to offer."

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