More than 40 participants from Simpcw, Kamloops, Canim Lake, Upper Nicola and other First Nations 
bands as well as several government agencies get ready on Aug. 17 to paddle from Blackpool to Savona. They were to meet other canoes in Kamloops coming down the South Thompson and then paddle together to the annual Shuswap Gathering, being hosted by Skeetchestn this year.
Inset photos:
Top: Todd Haughton of Kamloops is area supervisor for BC Parks.
Middle: Fisheries officer Ron Hudema was formerly based in Clearwater.
Bottom: Simpcw band councillor Tina Donald hands out paddles. Behind her is cultural support worker Justin Prairie Chicken.
