Voyageur Canoe Training (ORCKA L1-L2 & Trip Leader Certification)

Overview
Step into the rhythm of the paddle and the power of the past. In partnership with the Indigenous-led 7th Fire Jiimaan Journey, we're hosting our first official Voyageur canoe certification and training course on the shores of Lake Winnebago, WI. This course is open to everyone with a passion for big canoes—whether you're stepping into a Voyageur canoe for the first time or you're an experienced paddler looking to refine your skills. No prior experience is needed—just a willingness to learn, paddle, and embrace the adventure!

Guided by expert instructors from ORCKA, the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association, you’ll master the art of paddling in a Voyageur canoe, the legendary vessels that shaped the fur trade and Indigenous traditions. Learn the skills of the gouvernail (steersman), navigate open water rescues, and uncover the historical and cultural significance of these mighty canoes.

Certification Details
This 5-day certification course will cover Voyageur canoe paddling theory, transporting, lifting, launching, landing, entering and exiting, skills in every paddling position, flatwater maneuvers, weather, individual and group safety, rescues, leadership including the gouvernail position, group dynamics, and re-enactment knowledge and skills. Participants will also learn Indigenous peoples’ practices in the development of large canoes, the historical development of Voyageur canoes for the fur trade, and the potential for these canoes to play a role in reconciliation and adaptive paddling. This course is great for staff in camps, educational institutes, and organizations using Voyageur canoes for team-building, trips, and re-enactments. Participants who successfully complete the course will receive Voyageur Canoe Level 1 (VC1) and Voyageur Canoe Level 2 (VC2) certification from ORCKA. Participants who are eager for more may also be able to achieve certification for Voyageur Canoe Level 3 – Voyageur Canoe Day-Trip and Overnight Wilderness Trip Leader.

Itinerary
📅 Arrive: Sunday, Sep. 7 after 5 PM — Set up camp
🚣 Training Begins: Monday, Sep. 8 at 8 AM
🏕️ Completion: Friday, Sep. 12 by 5 PM

Difficulty: Moderate
The course will be conducted in calm to moderate water conditions with waves under 2 feet. The pace will be relaxed at times and challenging at others. Participants must be able to perform the following essential functions:

• Independently breathe (i.e., without a medical device), maintain a sealed airway while under water, turn from face-down to face-up and remain floating face up while wearing a properly fitted life jacket, hold head and body upright, enter and exit a canoe at a landing, re-enter a canoe in open water after a capsize, paddle, swim, communicate, and manage personal care and safety.
• See, hear, follow, and communicate instructions.
• Maintain a safe body position while performing all skills, maneuvers, lifts, carries, launches, activities, and rescues.
• Dress for all possible weather conditions and plan to be in the water every day.
• Be comfortable in a canoe and in the water.
• Participate throughout the class.
• Carry gear or a canoe for short distances.
• Paddle several hours at times.

Background
A Voyageur Canoe is a style of big canoe that was typically made from the bark of paper birch trees that was stretched over a white cedar frame. Voyageur canoes were originally designed based on birchbark canoes that had already been used by America’s Indigenous cultures for thousands of years. The Anishinaabe People of the Great Lakes region call the birchbark canoe wiigwaasi jiimaan, and the large freight canoes chi jiimaan (big canoe). These canoes have always been, and remain today, a key part of Anishinaabe life and culture.

These canoes were widely used across North America, especially around the Great Lakes, during the 18th and 19th century by the French, French Canadians, and others, called Voyageurs, for exploration and to transport furs and other trade goods during the North American fur trade era. The largest Voyageur canoes, also called Montreal Canoes, were 36-40 feet long and about six feet wide, weighed about 600 pounds, could carry up to 9,000 pounds of cargo, and had a crew of 8-14 paddlers, called Voyageurs. The smaller Voyageur canoes, also called North Canoes, were 24-28 feet long and about four feet wide, weighed about 300 pounds, could carry about 3,000 pounds of cargo, and had a crew of 4-6 paddlers. Modern Voyageur-style canoes may be made with wood, fiberglass, aluminum, or plastic and are commonly used for recreation and historical reenactments. Without cargo, the larger canoes can handle up to 20 paddlers.

Price: $1,300 (spaces are limited and will be filled in the order that payments are received)
Deadline September 1st

Upon registration, you will have access to the event "Group Forum" where the gear list, directions, and other important information can be found. Some of these details will be added closer to the event date.

Included:

• Expert instructors
• Staff with advanced safety and rescue certifications
• Campsite and waterfront permits, user fees
• All meals Monday breakfast through Friday lunch
• Group gear (group tarp, camp kitchen including cooking and eating utensils, comprehensive first aid kit)
• Purified drinking water in camp and at the course location
• Voyageur canoes
• Paddles
• Life jackets
• Course equipment (bailer/pump, ropes, communication/signaling/navigation devices, etc.)

Not Included: Rental gear available

• Personal gear items and a water bottle (a packing list will be provided)
• Notetaking items (pens, notepad)
• Personal snacks and drink mixes
• WI State Park sticker for vehicle parking
• Transportation

Photo credit of jiimaans and artwork used with permission from Fred Harrington, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at info@nowoutdoors.org