by Nikki Rajala | Jul 3, 2018 | Voyageur
What was it like at a rendezvous? Could we still see what happened? Would it be safe for kids? (Taya and Brinn, age 13) In the 1800s, voyageurs celebrated for most of July at the rendezvous. After six weeks (or more) of paddling full-tilt from either Lachine with...
by Nikki Rajala | May 19, 2018 | Featured
It’s in my blood—I’m descended from voyageurs. Mom found listings of a dozen engagés, or canoemen, through genealogy research into her French-Canadian roots. My grandfather, a younger son of a younger son of a voyageur, told of his connection: His great...
by Nikki Rajala | Apr 14, 2018 | Featured
My sister Kris visited Winnipeg last year and presented me with this gift card from the flagship Hudson’s Bay Company store. Love the trademark stripes — and carrying it around. Then I realized, “How apt!” Because the fur trade popularized the system of commercial...
by Nikki Rajala | Jun 16, 2017 | Voyageur
Why were the blades of voyageur paddles red? Was it to show them how deep they should paddle? (Darcy) Hmmm. After only a few hours of paddling, canoeists wouldn’t probably need a marker on their paddles — they would instinctively know how deep to paddle. I’ve...
by Nikki Rajala | May 14, 2014 | Voyageur
In April, the fur companies in or near Montreal, Canada, were busy organizing the spring brigades — inspecting new canoes, repacking trade goods, selecting canoemen, signing contracts. In May, as soon as the fur companies received word that the ice was gone from the...
