Ourcommitment to you is to provide a top quality program. We are committed to preserving the Northern Saskatchewan wilderness as an intact eco-system. We are committed to traveling through the wilderness in an ecologically sound manner. We are committed to providing a program where individuals are valued and learning is encouraged. We are committed to helping individuals better understand the environment they are traveling through . This is our commitment to you our guest.

It is now more than 20 years that I’'ve owned Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. There are many things I like about my work. The location is not too hard to take. I find Missinipe to be an awesome place to live and work. The commute... well, 100 metres - I can usually get to work without spilling much of my coffee. The office politics... Sarah and I seem to get along fine. I absolutely enjoy what I'’m doing!

There are two things that I enjoy more than anything else. One is the stories. Almost daily there are stories of adventure and discovery. Most are stories you would expect to have happen in a wilderness like we have all around us. Others are stories that could be almost unbelievable books of adventure and danger. You'’ll have to stop in to our office to hear some of these stories.

The other thing I love about my work is the people. My staff are awesome. I couldn'’t ask for better. And the guests we have are much like part of the family. Many have been coming back for years. We’'ve watched them grow up— or grow old. We'’ve seen additions to families and we've seen groups get smaller as people grow old. Nearly every day during the summer, old friends and new friends stop in to rent a cabin or a canoe. Some businesses would call these clients. Some businesses call these people guests. The relationships we’ve developed and are developing with these people force us to call them friends. And the friends of Churchill River Canoe Outfitters are the best! We look forward to seeing you again or for the first time this summer.

Ric Driediger

Written by Shannon Bond - June 2007

Why do we come to this place with its clouds of black flies and mosquitoes, the gravel road that rattles your bones, teeth and tires loose? Why do so many of us return year after year with the spring thaw? We migrate, not unlike other species, to the North, to the water, to the bush and shield rock country that makes up Northern Saskatchewan. We pack up our paddles and gear, strap our canoes on roofs- some of them nice, more of them dented aged jalopies- and instinctively make our way northbound on the CANAM highway.

People ask how I can stand the 13-hour, door to door drive to Missinipe. How do I explain a love for watching geography as it changes with each mile? How do I explain the burst of energy that I am infused with when I pass over the bridge in Prince Albert and the whole world changes from one of lush farmland to one of boreal forest with sneak peeks of lakes with their loons calling in the early evening? I don’t need to explain it to my dog for she wakes from her slumber to sniff at the windowsill. I open it for myself as much as I do for her, breathing in the scent of the Jackpines and fresh water.

The summer has begun in earnest now that June is here. The school groups from all over Saskatchewan have been making their annual migration to Missinipe to explore the local routes and reacquaint themselves with the surroundings. This season we have had two teachers shaking hands to say good-bye as retirement and transfers take them to a new stage in their lives. Hopefully we shall see them again on their own time or with a new school group eager to experience the North by canoe.

With spring, the fishermen and women arrive. This is a hardy bunch not to be underestimated. Rain or shine they are in the boats before 9 each morning and not seen again until suppertime or later. Those with a guide eat a hearty shore lunch of walleye and jackfish along one of the many rapids upstream. There was one group who arrived In Missinipe after a 25-hour, non-stop drive from Colorado, tossed their bags into the Lodge and immediately jumped into boats to go fishing. They were back an hour later with enough fish to feed twelve of us. Now tha's serious fishing!

Excitement builds at this time of year as every staff member leafs through the booking forms to see who is returning from previous trips and clinics. Reunions in the office are nearly a daily occurrence. If these walls could talk they would speak about hundreds of hugs and millions of stories told and retold, each telling a little more colourful from the previous year to the next. I read a quote on a paddling site recently that said, “"Next to blood relationships, come water relationships".” –
S.Crawford.

Here at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters we do feel a sense of kinship with the folks who come from far and away to partake in the adventures that the river has to offer. Perhaps that is the key element that connects us all - an adventurous spirit and a yearning to share those experiences with likeminded individuals. The summer of 2007 has just begun and we are chomping at the gunwales to get paddling. If you haven’t set aside your Northern time yet, git to gittin'’ and give us a shout. You know we’'d love to go for a paddle!

It is interesting how environmental threats keep changing. For years now we have been concerned about the changes clear cut forestry would bring to our area. With pulp mills closing in record numbers around the province, that no longer is an immediate threat. Now it seems mining is a bigger threat to watch. Gold, uranium and oil prices are all through the roof. This is putting huge pressures on our environment.

From Missinipe north to the Brabant Lake area, geologists are busy searching for gold. There are a number of mines in the works. There is one just north east of Devil Lake that is under development. There are several possibilities in the Dickens Lake area. And some more possibilities further north. The mill near MacLennan Lake is likely to reopen. The biggest concern here is the mill. Very dangerous chemicals are used to extract the gold from the rock. If there ever was a spill, it would devastate the fish and wildlife in the region.

Further north uranium exploration and development is in full swing. I really don’'t need to go into the environmental issues that brings up. Again, if there ever was a spill, the results would be devastating. The tar sands seem a long distance away. But Environment Canada sent scientists to our region last summer to test the PH levels in our lakes. Apparently our rain has become increasingly acidic due to the fall out from Alberta’'s oil sand projects. Environment Canada has stated that unless something changes soon, many of our lakes, including the Churchill River, will become too acidic to support life. This is a huge concern. What can be done? It’s much more difficult to make changes to protect our environment when the problem comes from outside our borders. In talking with an Alberta PC candidate recently he stated that he had been reading about the increase in acid rain across northern Canada from pollution from China. It is really nice to be able to blame someone else!

My concern in all of this is that Saskatchewan learn from the mistakes made in Alberta. We are at the beginning of a boom. The mining industry in northern Saskatchewan has the potential to grow very fast. Development in the tar sands of northern Alberta were seemingly allowed to grow without controls or long term concerns for the environment. In Saskatchewan we have the opportunity to approach the boom we are experiencing in a more thoughtful way. We need to encourage our polititions and decision makers to consider the environment when making decisions. It is nearly impossible to go back once the land, it’s flora and fauna and it’s people have been damaged.

Northern Saskatchewan has some of the most incredible unspoiled wilderness in world. We are in danger of slowly loosing this very valuable resource. At the present time CPAWS seems to be the only organization actively trying to do something to protect this critical area. They have put up a web site to track developments. Their web site address: www.cpawssask.org and follow the link to the Boreal Action Centre. Churchill River Canoe Outfitters is supporting the work CPAWS is doing in this regard. I'’d encourage you to also help CPAWS in their work to protect this special region of Northern Saskatchewan. As Bill Mason said many years ago, "I see these environmental organizations as the only hope in protecting our wilderness rivers".”

The Naomi Fund was set up 5 years ago in memory of Naomi Heffler, a former staff member who died in an avalanche in BC during the winter of 2003. Naomi was keenly interested in becoming better at whatever she tried. She loved sharing her skills with others. Naomi was an awesome paddler and instructor. The Naomi Fund is set up to be used by women wanting to get their instructors in a canoeing discipline. The fund is designed for at least one woman per year to receive funding to take an instructors course. We are looking for applicants for the summer of 2008.

During the summer of 2007 we had a raffle at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. We had draw for three prizes. The prizes and winners were as follows:

• A beautiful hand made quilt donated and crafted by Anne Marie Hawkins was won by Judy Burgschmidt.
• A canoe barrel donated by Churchill River Canoe Outfitters was won by Fran Protz.
• A beautiful hand crafted wooden box crafted and donated by Dave Fast was won by Cec Chmura.
• And Fresh Air Experience donated a paddling jacket. It was won by Cory Elek.

The Naomi Fund was able to raise approximately $600 this past summer. The Naomi Fund looks forward to funding at least one more woman in her pursuit of canoeing excellence during the summer of 2008. If you feel you are that woman, contact us.

Many people drop in to our office during the summer months - —about 6000. They need a variety of things. Of course, most need to either stay in one of our cabins or rent some of our canoes. But there are a number of other things these people need.

The next biggest thing our guests need is information. We have lots of that! Ric has been canoeing aroung these parts for about 35 years now. When he'’s not canoeing he'’s listening to stories of others who are canoeing. If he doesn'’t know something, he knows where to find out. Ric knows where the good camping places are and what the portages are like. In our Missinipe office we have maps from all over Saskatchewan and beyond. We have trip notes from hundreds of canoe trips. We have secret information about where the fish are biting. Sometimes we are even willing to share this secret.

So if it’'s information you need, stop in to our office. Ric or one of his competant staff are there to help. We enjoy chatting amd we'’ve always got the coffee on.

The Northern Saskatchewan Wilderness Waits

After years of flood conditions, it looks like the water levels may finally get back to normal again. That is, if conditions remain as they are now. It will be a good year to rediscover some of those campsites that were flooded out. It won’t be nearly so hard to paddle up the Churchill this year. So paddling up to Corner Rapids will be possible for the average canoeist again. It will again be practical to paddle down the Reindeer River and up the Churchill to Stanley or Missinipe. The rapids on the Paull River will have shoreline eddies again. This summer will be like rediscovering what we used to think was normal. We look forward to seeing you on a northern Saskatchewan river again this summer.

We have a number of new programs this summer. Take a look, one of them may suit your needs or desires.

River Rescue Technician is a program we offered a few years ago. You will learn how to do water rescues in all kinds of situations. It’s a must for anyone who is guiding people in water related activities. Teachers taking students on wilderness trips, swimming instructors, kayak instructors, canoe instructors and guides and recreational paddlers should all be part of this course. Come and be prepared to be wet.

A Healing Journey For Women is a dream that Theresa Driediger (Ric’s wife) has had for many years. Theresa is a Psychologist and has a successful practice primarily working with the aftermath of trauma. Her dream has been to combine her therapeutic skill with the therapeutic value of being in the wilderness.

Omond Solandt, a former chancellor of the University of Toronto once said, “"A canoe trip has a way of ironing out the wrinkles in my soul"”.

It is Theresa’'s dream that a canoe trip like this, together with her skill, could better the lives of women.

Castles in the Sand is a journey into the Athabasca Sand Dunes. This unique area in North America is a northern Saskatchewan treasure. We are taking a group by float plane, by canoe, and by hiking into some of the biggest sand dunes in North America. It’s a wilderness trip that cannot be matched anywhere. When you get home you'’ll have to empty the sand out of your shoes.

The Nahanni River - —the very sound of it gives visions of canyons, water falls and legends of gold. It has been 26 years since we'’ve advertised this river in our brochures. We are now offering it in conjunction with Nahanni Wilderness Expeditions. It’'s a trip of a lifetime in one of Canada's’ most amazing areas of wilderness.

The Real Wilderness is getting harder and harder to find. But northeast Saskatchewan'’s Porcupine River still contains it. Dave Koop calls it Saskatchewan'’s Nahanni. Dave says no where else can you find such an excellent combination of waterfalls, canyons, awesome campsites, sand beaches, quiet lakes and incredible whitewater – and no people. So with that endorsement, we could not resist reintroducing canoe trips on the Porcupine River.

Silent Sojourn is a unique canoe trip. If you can imagine being in the wilderness in complete silence. The only sounds are the sounds of nature. You are immersed in this silence. It is soaking into your being and you are being rejuvenated. If you can imagine yourself in this silence, this canoe trip may be for you.

Churchill River Canoe Schools. At first glance you won'’t notice a difference. But we at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters have revamped many of our canoe instruction courses. We have sent our three main instructors: Lee Cormier, Geoff Horn and Tim Wintoniw for more training. We have rewritten our pre course information to give the student a better understanding of what to expect and what to prepare for. We are committed to giving more and better feedback during and after the course. So consider taking or retaking a canoe course. Or consider bringing your group of friends or family and doing a private course.

Esquif Canoe Demo Site. Esquif is a fairly new canoe manufacturing company from Quebec. They make some of the best wilderness tripping and whitewater canoes anywhere. Churchill River Canoe Outfitters is an official demo site for Esquif Canoes. We will have a number of different models in stock for you to try out this summer. And more next summer. Come paddle an Esquif, you'’ll be impressed.

Churchill River Canoe Outfitters has 7 cabins of various sizes for rent. All are fully modern. The cabins are all equipped for light housekeeping (fridge, stove, microwave. along with cooking and eating utensils). Bedding and towels are supplied. These cabins are great for your family get away, your spring fishing trip or a starting and ending spot for your canoe trip.

Churchill River Canoe Outfitter's canoe clinics continue to grow in popularity. Come, take a course; improve your paddling skills; learn new canoe tripping skills; you will start on a lifelong adventure.

All our clinics are taught by certified canoe instructors. On all our courses we camp out. We supply all group gear, food, and rescue equipment. You supply your own canoe, paddle, lifejacket, wet suit, sleeping bag, tent, pack and personal gear. This equipment is available for rent from CRCO if requested (we now have wet suits for rent). Certification from Paddle Canada is included in price on all the courses.

Churchill River Canoe Rentals has 16 and 17 foot canoes made by Trail Head, Old Town and Esquif. These canoes are made of Royalex. They are tough enough to handle the rugged Precambrian Shield. We also have canoes at Points North Landing and we can move canoes to Stony Rapids. Prices in Missinipe are $38/day or $195/week. In Points North prices are $44/day or $230/week.

CRCO also has some lightweight Kevlar canoes made by Western Canoeing. These rent for $40/day or $205/week.

The canoes especially designed for whitewater made by Esquif are becoming increasingly popular. We have these canoes in both solo and tandem.

Our touring kayaks are getting busier each year. The ease that this craft glides through the water is incredible. On your next odd number canoe trip – take a kayak, you won’t regret it.