REPORT FROM THE NORTHWEST
On Sunday evening, June 28th, an evacuation order was issued for the community of Fort Simpson. Our thoughts and prayers are with the community of Fort Simpson. We are so gratetful for the first responders and everyone working hard to manage this unprecedented emergency. We will communicate updates to all affected Nahanni River trip participants directly over the coming days.
We continue to be very grateful to all of the firefighting teams that are working so hard to keep our spaces and people safe, and know that they are putting their lives on the line to protect us.
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CELEBRATE CANADA
As we reach Canada Day on July 1, it is a time to reflect on the country that we call home. It is a vast territory with a huge variety of geography, people and cultures. These differences are some of the things that makes us so special - these differences add character and depth. We also acknowledge the traditional knowledge and lands of the Indigenous, Inuit and Métis peoples across the land. Black Feather takes pride in exploring many unique and special parts of Canada and introducing many to the wonders of our wilderness.
The Canadian Heritage Rivers System (CHRS) is Canada’s national program for recognizing, celebrating and conserving the natural, cultural and recreational values of 42 river designations across the country. Parks Canada helps to protect and interpret unique and significant regions across the country. There are 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves in Canada that represent 31 of Canada's 39 terrestrial natural regions and protect approximately 343,377 square kilometers of lands in Canada. Black Feather is proud to be able to paddle and hike in many of Canada's CHRS rivers, such as the Nahanni, the Bonnet Plume, the Coppermine, the Soper, the Bloodvein and the French. In addition to this we get to explore in 6 National Parks ... these are indeed some of Canada’s most special locations. Join us to experience a truly Canadian holiday!
Contact us for information about our many trips and availability.
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THE FRANKLIN CHALLENGE
The 8th annual Franklin Island Challenge was a great success. A hundred paddlers from all over the province ventured from Snug Harbour June 22. I wanted to say thank you to those that sponsored me (Wendy Grater) on the Challenge. It was a fun day. The weather was perfect, calm to start out and light winds picking up during the day. All paddlers gathered on the beach at Snug Harbour, then we set off around the island. There were two checkpoints, each with volunteers giving out homemade cookies! I paddled alongside friends Maureen, Katja, Paula and France, and we did the 20 km route in 3 hours and 30 minutes.
Over $20,000 was raised for the Outer Island Fund of the Georgian Bay Biosphere. The funds allow campsite clean ups, monitoring of wildlife and employment of local youth to help with these initiatives. Again a big thanks, and we hope you can join us on a Georgian Bay trip in the near future!
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BLACK FEATHER PACKING CENTRE
Do you think you have a hard time packing for your wilderness trip? Well, imagine that multiplied by 1,000 … and that gives you an idea of what happens at Black Feather’s packing centre (aka The Ranch). Each trip’s dry food is packed in the correct quantity for the group, by day and by meal, with special note of any dietary issues. New equipment is labeled and sorted into trip spreads. This is a mammoth task of organization. So far this spring, we have packed and shipped the following:
-5 shipments to the Eastern Arctic via air freight (Iqaluit, Pond Inlet, Pangnirtung, Qiqitarjuaq and Resolute)
-two U-Haul trucks with food and gear for 15 northern trips, including stops and drop offs in Yellowknife, Fort Simpson, Finlayson Lake and Whitehorse as well as onwards shipping to Norman Wells
-1 shipment via Manitoulin Transport to Inuvik for the Thomsen River trip in Aulavik National Park
-1 more shipment via Manitoulin Transport to Fort Simpson for later Nahanni trips
The packing gang is finishing up the final northern trips as we roll into the start of July.
With Janine heading up the group, the packing team has been super efficient … they include Jacob, Romy, Sophie, Sam, Nico and Wendy, and U-Haul drivers Ken, Jacob, Dom and Ella. Truly a team effort!
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SNOW AND FLOE TRIPS
After successful ski and floe edge trips it is a great time to reflect on winter and look forward to next year. Thank you to our trip participants and guides, who made these programs a pleasure to be a part of!
Our Nipika Ski program was a great success early in January, 2026. Wendy Grater kept everyone busy with xc skiing and hot spring visits. We are looking forward to another great Nordic Program in 2027, please see the details here.
We also had a group enjoy Nunavut’s newest Park, Agguttinni, for a 12-day ski tour based in Clyde River, guided by the incredible team of Colin and Caleb. Please see these amazing photos and the trip plan for 2027.
And last but not least a big thank you to all our Floe Edge guides and participants for another magical season in Pond Inlet visiting the line of life. Interested in a unique Arctic Safari in 2027? Please check out our trips here.
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