The CANOE (Computer Archiving of Northern
Oration and Exhibitions) Project is a SchoolNet Digital
Collections initiative that focuses on traditional waterway usage around Fort Smith, Fort Fitzgerald and Salt River Settlement. Before the highway was created these
communities were pivotal as waypoints in navigating the only serious water obstacle in the
2,000 mile stretch between Waterways, Alberta and the Arctic Coast.
There are accounts of famous explorers such as Sir John Franklin, who passed this way
from Lake Athabasca in 1819 (he also chartered a guide from Salt River Settlement). We
also have recounts of local people who have remembrances of these days. Also on this site
you will find a "virtual tour" of the Northern Life Museum
and National Exhibition Centre located in Fort Smith.
We have taken efforts to ensure that permissions have been obtained for the material
presented on this site and have posted acknowledgments in our About
page. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns
about the materials contained within. We have created this site solely as an information
source with considerations that the content be presented in a visually pleasing and
informative manner.
For quick navigation to a particular page please see our Table of
Contents.
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