New Nominations and Designations	Posted October 2004

Tatsheshini River (Yukon): 45km
Designated 2004

The Tatshenshini River flows through one of the wildest areas in the world. It is internationally recognized for its pristine wilderness, spectacular white water, abundant wildlife (one of the densest populations of grizzly bears known is found along the Tatshenshini) and migrating salmon. As a designated Canadian Heritage River, the management plan takes a watershed approach to rigorously monitor the use of the river, and any changes to its outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values. As well, improved information sharing between managing agencies will help ensure that not only its scenic splendour, but also its ecological integrity, will remain unimpaired.

Missinaibi River (Ontario): 505 km
Designated 2004

The Missinaibi is one of the longest free-flowing protected river corridors in North America. Five hundred and five kilometres of river, from its source to its confluence with the Moose River, encompassing over 99,000 hectares, are protected as a Canadian Heritage River and as an Ontario Provincial Park. The river will be managed to protect is unspoiled scenic beauty, and to provide opportunities to explore its natural and cultural heritage, from day trips to extended canoe trips Ontario Provincial Park.

The Three Rivers,
Prince Edward Island: 73 km
Designated 2004

The Three Rivers includes the Cardigan, Brudenell and Montague/Valleyfield rivers, flowing into Cardigan Bay on Northumberland Strait via three long, finger-like tidal estuaries. These rivers include a variety of unspoiled habitats and shorelines, including salt marshes, sandy beaches, and mixed woods. Migrating waterfowl frequent the estuary, and trout and salmon live and breed throughout the watershed. Scrapers and spear points found along the river show that it was long used by the Mi’kmaq before the arrival of Europeans The Three Rivers was the site of one of the first French settlements on Prince Edward Island, the Jean Pierre Roma Settlement of 1732.

Designation to the CHRS ensures that the outstanding values of The Three Rivers are recognized and protected.

A Cultural Framework For Canadian Heritage Rivers	Posted October 2004

"A Cultural Framework For Canadian Heritage Rivers" enumerates the elements of Canada's cultural river heritage, and can be used to assess how well these elements are represented by rivers in the CHRS, or candidate CHRS rivers.

For more information click here.

A Framework for the Natural Values of Canadian Heritage Rivers	Posted October 2004

"A Framework for the Natural Values of Canadian Heritage Rivers" enummerates the natural heritage elements of Canada's rivers, and can be used to assess how well these elements are represented by rivers in the CHRS, or candidate CHRS rivers.

For more information click here.

New Publication Now Available!	Posted October 2004

The CHRS is Canada's national river conservation program. This brochure will help you to understand the process of elevating a river to CHRS status.

[Click on Publications]

The 4th Canadian River Heritage Conference	Posted June 2004

The 4^th Canadian River Heritage Conference June 6-9, 2004, in Guelph.

Since the earliest civilizations, where rivers meet, people meet to discuss essential issues and build communities. Thousands of years ago, people gathered at the confluence of the Speed and Eramosa Rivers, to confer on their most important matters. The tradition continues today. Between June 6 and 9, 2004, hundreds of delegates gathered at that same confluence, part of the Grand River watershed, in Guelph, Ontario to contemplate the continuing importance of rivers as gathering points, natural and cultural resources, and sources of inspiration.

The 4th Canadian River Heritage Conference was a great opportunity to meet, discuss and celebrate the sharing of river stories and learning how rivers shape our lives and societies. This conference also marked the tenth anniversary of the Grand as a Canadian Heritage River, (www.grandriver.ca) and the 20th anniversary of the Canadian Heritage River system itself (see www.chrs.ca).

With its focus rooted firmly in the multidisciplinary exploration of river heritage, science, and the arts, the conference gave all participants an exciting and illuminating voyage through the past, present and future of our relationship with these 'Ribbons of Life'.

The wide variety of speakers, workshops and field trips offered at this year's conference was highlighted by keynote addresses from truly outstanding advocates; Robert Kennedy Jr., founder and President of Waterkeeper Alliance, as well as author and botanical adventurer Wade Davis, Canada's river raconteur James Raffan, river conservationist extraordinaire Mark Angelo, and Roberta Jamieson, elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory.

Mr. Kennedy spoke at Guelph's new River Run Centre on the evening before the conference began, on the ongoing environmental crises in North America and the numerous efforts to ,limit the impacts of irresponsible industries through democratic due process, free-market economics and grassroots advocacy. His presentation ranged from vehement to eloquent, and set the tone for the conference. A musical gala preceded his address, featuring the debut of a new CD of songs on about the Canadian Heritage Rivers by James Gordon. As well, the unveiling of remarkable works of art, a life-size sculpture of a voyageur canoe by Quebec artist Ralph Ireland and a heritage quilt created by local quilt artist Judy Gascho-Jutzi depicting Canada's Heritage Rivers, highlighted the evening’s events. Both of these were commissioned to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Canadian River Heritage System.

The conference officially began the next morning with Ed Thomas's "recitation of the traditional Onondaga thanksgiving used since ancient times to begin important events by invoking a good mind" – the spirit of open communication and understanding among the participants.

National Geographic Explorer-in-residence, author and botanical adventurer Wade Davis stunned the audience with astonishing images of" different ways of being", altered states of consciousness and disappearing cultures (loss of ethnic diversity) across the globe. He showed how each culture and language represents an essentially different way of approaching the world and may offer urgently needed solutions to many current and future problems, and how this relates rivers and the care of rivers. His plenary address was a highlight of the conference, and a rare opportunity to hear a truly gifted speaker and thinker who is just a little bit ahead of our time.

Roberta Jamieson, elected Chief of the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, outlined the importance of partnerships, not only in terms of managing resources, but also in living more harmoniously with the land and all its inhabitants. Chief Jamiesons's words were echoed throughout the conference as many delegates emphasized the importance of moving from a focus on water and river management to one of living in and impacting a watershed.

The final two keynote speakers let conference participants relax a bit with vicarious journeys down some of the world's and Canada's, great rivers, accompanied by striking images, music and Drambuie. Canada's river raconteur James Raffan was born in a canoe and can more often than not still be found in one, singing, paddling and sipping Scotch. He underlined the diversity of experiences offered by rivers and their importance in our lives and communities and to being "Canadian" by recounting stories of life on the Speed River.

Conservationist extraordinaire Mark Angelo showed slides of his many river trips around the glove to emphasize the damage so-called "green" hydro-electric powers inflicts on rivers and their communities.

One hundred presentations by speakers from across North America, as well as New Zealand and Australia, covered wide-ranging topics from river recreation to assessing watershed health to rivers as sources of inspiration. A recurrent theme was a shift in focus from river and watershed management to managing people and our impacts of living within a watershed. Presentations ranged from the need for strong grassroots support for living harmoniously with rivers to influencing provincial and national policies for protection of watersheds.

Special events and field trips into "Grand River Country" – from canoe trips to fishing trips to explorations into the culture of the Six Nations and the; Mennonites- made for a busy conference agenda. Two conference participants, who shall remain unnamed, got more closely acquainted with the waters of the Grand than they expected...just evening the score, according to the brown trout living in these waters.

The concert held at Guelph Lake Conservation Area, "A Grand Experience" (aka "Guelphstock") highlighted musicians who live within the Grand River watershed. It was a magical night of music and poetry.

This conference is certain to be looked back upon as an historic event in the celebration and soncservation conservation of Canada's rivers. Ideas, concepts and dreams eddied and swirled like the currents at the confluence of rivers.

National River Conservation Awards:

It has become tradition at the Canadian River Heritage Conference to host the National River Heritage Awards, given every three years.

National River Conservation Awards of Merit (3)

These awards of merit honour both individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to a specific heritage river project, or the national Canadian Heritage Rivers System as a whole, during the last year. The winners for 2004 were Louise Towell and Joan Carne, originators of the Stream of Dreams (www.streamofdreams.net), Harris Boyd, Chairman, Rivers Canada (www.rivcan.ca), the group that is responsible for the proclamation of Canadian Rivers Day, and Gordon Nelson, of the University of Waterloo, a long-time champion of heritage conservation.

10 Year National River Conservation Awards

Public Agency Category – This award is presented every ten years to a public agency that has made an outstanding contribution to river conservation in Canada over the past decade. The first award, presented in 1994, was presented to the Grand River Conservation Authority. The 2004 award was presented to the Toronto Region Conservation Authority. www.trca.ca).

NGO Category – This award is presented to a non-governmental organization that has made an outstanding contribution to river conservation in Canada over the past ten years. The first winner of this award, presented in 1994, was Mr. Mark Angelo and the Outdoor Recreation Council of British Columbia. The 2004 award was presented to Clive Callaway and Sara Kipp of the Living By Water project (http://www.livingbywater.bc.ca/).

Bill Mason National River Conservation Award

The Bill Mason National River Conservation Award is presented every three years to a Canadian citizen who has made an outstanding contribution to canoeing heritage and river conservation in Canada. Past Award Winners are Mr. Kirk Wipper, Founder of the Canadian Recreational Canoeing Association, Mr. Bill Reid, Haida Artist and Sculptor, and the Honorable Pierre Elliot Trudeau, former Prime Minister of Canada. This year's winner is Elder William Commanda, hereditary Chief of the Algonquians. Canoe guide, woodsman, birch bark canoe builder, craftsman of international renown, and Chief of the Kitigan Zibi Reserve for almost twenty years, Elder Commanda is a respected spokesperson and spiritual leader at national and international gatherings, a regular participant in international peace and spiritual vigils, and is acknowledged throughout the world for his work in promoting interracial and intercultural harmony, social justice, and respect for Mother Earth (see www.circleofallnations.com).

The award was a hand-crafted birds-eye maple paddle with designs inspired by Elder Commanda's art wood-burned into it by paddle-artist Dot Bonnenfant of Chelsea, Quebec – a wonderful river of pictographs and wildlife cascading down the shaft and eddying out the blade. It is truly a "one of a kind". Dot regularly does paddles by commission for the Bill Mason Award. If you are interested in having Dot apply her art to your paddle, canoe, kayak, or furniture, visit her web site at www.oldchelsea.com/heritagepaddles.

The logo for the 4th Canadian River Heritage Conference depicts a river and an historic arched bowstring bridge. From the time Canada was first settled, our rivers have been the defining symbol of our communities and our country, forming common bonds that join us to our neighbours upstream and downstream and linking each generation in a life experience. Rivers are symbols of time, of history and life itself. Rivers are our greatest legacy to our children. Bowstring bridges are dotted throughout parts of the Grand River watershed, the longest and most spectacular being the nine-span bowstring bridge in Caledonia. Most bowstring bridges were built between 1910 and 1930 and were constructed from concrete. They are distinctive landmarks that are still featured prominently in Wellington County, Guelph, Kitchener, Cambridge and Caledonia. Bridges connect our communities and enhance our surroundings, providing opportunities for enjoyment and an understanding of the history of the river and its inhabitants. The logo aptly symbolizes the conference theme: Ribbons of Life: Celebrating the Past - Charting the future

CHRS Publications

Ten Year Monitoring reports for the Soper and Grand are now available. The report on the Soper indicates that the past decade has resulted in little direct change to the river and its valley and major tributaries. The integrity of the river remains at a very high level.

The Ten year Report for the Grand, entitle: “A Decade in the Canadian Heriage Rivers System” details dozens of improvements to the recreational and human heritage of t he river. A State-of-the-Watershed report is also included.

For copies, contact the respective jurisdiction (see Contact Us)

Rivers Under Study

For a river to be included in the CHRS, a sequence of steps are carried out to ensure that it meets certain required criteria regarding its heritage values, water quality, and ecological integrity. Rivers are pre-screened to assess in a preliminary manner, their suitability for becoming a Canadian Heritage River, including an assessment of the public support for their inclusion in the system. This enables a jurisdiction to decide whether or not to seek funding from the CHRS Board for carrying out further studies.

If felt to be a worthy candidate, a background study is carried out to collect comprehensive information, including field verification, on a river's natural and cultural heritage, its recreational opportunities, and issues that could affect its management as a Canadian Heritage River.

The next step is the preparation of a Nomination Document that spells out how each CHRS criterium is met. This document is presented to the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board for formal review. The Board then recommends to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the appropriate provincial or territorial minister, whether or not a river meets CHRS criteria. For a river to be nominated to the System, it must meet CHRS criteria and be approved by the aforementioned Ministers.

Before designation to the CHRS, a management plan, or heritage strategy, must be submitted to the Board that describes the management area and the policies and actions to be put into place to fulfill CHRS objectives. This document is reviewed by the Board to ensure that there is a commitment to manage the river so that its heritage values are not degraded.

Once the management plan is accepted by the Board, the next step in the process is the formal designation of the river into the CHRS. Final approval for a designation rests with the Minister of Canadian Heritage. A designation traditionally involves a ceremony, the highlight of which is the unveiling of a bronze plaque. This, however, is not the end of the CHRS process. Yearly status reports must be submitted on the condition of the river, and every ten years a "State-of-the-River" Report must be submitted to the Board.

The following list enumerates the studies recently carried out or on-going:

Prescreening Stage	none at this time
Background Study Stage	Mackenzie River (Northwest Territories) Ottawa River (Ontario and Quebec) St. John River (New Brunswick) Red River (Manitoba) Adams River or Stikine River (British Columbia)
Nomination Stage	Mackenzie River (Northwest Territories) St. John River (New Brunswick) North Saskatchewan River (Alberta)
Management Planning Stage	Hayes River (Manitoba) Coppermine River (Nunavut) Bay du Nord River (Newfoundland)
Ten Year Monitoring Reports	Arctic Red River (Northwest Territories) Seal River (Manitoba)

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