Winnipeggers take to the Red River for a voyageur expedition

A group of Winnipeggers is heading out on the Red River to live like the voyageurs did decades ago.

Lynne Connelly is one of six people that will be navigating the river by canoe. Although she went last year as part of an initiation into the Red River Brigade, this year's trip is her first as an official voyageur with the group. 

"The objective of the brigade is to honour and relive the way the voyageurs did. We try to do that as accurately as possible … however we do take advantage of some of the modern comforts of today," she said.

The voyageurs were French Canadians who carried furs around the country by canoe in the 18th and early 19th centuries. They were heroes celebrated in stories and music because the journey to transport the furs was long and tenuous.

Connelly said they are bringing modern gear and canoes, making the adventure a bit easier, but they are leaving access to their phones behind.

"It's also nice to disconnect," she said.

Marquis Pantel started doing the summer expedition as a teenager with his parents.

"We just continued doing it because I fell in love with it," he said.

Pantel said no two voyageurs are the same, and everyone joins for a different reason.

"For me it's just really about celebrating life," he said.

The brigade will travel down the Red River for 10 days before meeting up with 30 other voyageurs for a big celebration.