Caleb Nickerson
QUYON Oct. 29, 2017
A group of engaged citizens gathered at the Tim Hortons Voyageurs Camp outside Quyon on Sunday afternoon for a day of interactive learning.
The event was the second annual forum put on by the Friends of Chats Falls, a non-profit group that works to promote the region’s unique history and wildlife.
The group’s President, Maude-Emmanuelle Lambert, explained that the morning started off with presentations on the biodiversity and cultural significance of the Chats Falls region, after which the group of about 40 broke up into small groups for discussion. The questions focused on ways that the area could be promoted or improved, as well as what infrastructure or partners they should acquire.
“Our objective is to raise awareness about the cultural, natural heritage of the area and develop interpretive programs and recreational activities in the area,” Lambert explained.
“This place is very special. You have the remains of an old Indian portage, you have the first European settlement in the upper Ottawa Valley at Indian Point,” she continued. “You also have two historic villages, in Quyon and in Bristol.”
Originally, there had been a canoe trip outing planned in the afternoon, but foul weather ended up kyboshing the voyage.
In the main hall there was a photo booth where attendees could dress up like voyageurs and pose in a canoe.
