This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Heritage River System (CHRS)! Established in 1984, the CHRS has played a crucial role in stewarding and promoting Canada’s river heritage. To celebrate, we would like to take you with us on a canoe trip down memory lane. We worked with past and current CHRS participants from across the country to gather anecdotes, pictures, and art pieces that tell the story of the CHRS. Put on your life jacket, here we go!
Testing the waters
Between 1971-1973, 65 rivers and over 10,000 km were paddled by young adventurers as part of Parks Canada’s Wild Rivers Survey. Considering the lack of GPS, satellite, and cellphone technology, the initiative was a massive undertaking and became the precursor to what is now the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.
2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the Wild Rivers Survey. You can read about their adventure in one of our past blogs.
Launch
The Wild Rivers survey teams, composed of four-person crews, documented the rivers' characteristics to guide wilderness paddlers. Eight booklets describing the rivers, their history, and their geography were published following the survey. The survey’s most significant legacy was serving as a blueprint for river stewardship in Canada.
The first river to be designated under the CHRS program was the French River in Ontario. This recognition was due to its significant role as a historical travel and trade route for Indigenous Peoples and during the fur trade era. The river’s designation also celebrates its outstanding natural and recreational values.
Caption: The cover of the Fall 1984 issue of park news: The Journal of The National and Provincial Parks Association of Canada, showcasing the launch of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. The image shows 6 canoes and 1 motorboat full of equipment lying on the rocky shoreline of the South Nahanni/ Nahʔą Dehé River during a segment of the Wild Rivers Survey.
Credits: Parks Canada
All hands on deck
Born out of a collaborative effort between federal, provincial, and territorial governments, the CHRS’s mission was to give national recognition to rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational heritage, and to encourage the public to enjoy and appreciate them. This initiative was a testament to Canada’s commitment to preserving its rich river heritage for future generations. As Amber Stewart, a past Technical Planning Committee member and Parks Canada staff member has expressed, “Rivers are the foundation of so much of Canada's history, culture, and well-being; it only makes sense that we would have a national program that celebrates our rivers!”.
Caption: Enjoying the view from the banks of the Athabasca River in winter, Jasper National Park.
Credits: Amber Stewart
Learning the ropes
Since its inception, the CHRS has worked with governments and community-based river stewardship groups to promote the long-term sustainability of these rivers. This collaboration has been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of river conservation and promoting the stewardship of rivers for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations of Canadians.
Wayne Schick, former Park Planner, Saskatchewan Parks, reflects on embarking on his CHRS journey:
I was a newly hired park planner in 1984 and lucky enough to be given the responsibility to prepare the nomination document for the Clearwater to be designated a Canadian Heritage River.
The Clearwater Valley, especially downstream from the Cluff Lake Road, is just awesome when you see it for the first time. Seeing it from a helicopter and getting a close up look at the amazing rapids and waterfalls, makes it even more so.
Imagine the fur trade brigades leaving the waters of the Hudson Bay Drainage Basin at what is now La Loche, to cross Methye Portage and seeing the deep valley from its south crest and the westward flowing Clearwater. It would take them out of the jurisdiction of the Hudson Bay Company and into the vast lands beyond. The historic, natural, and recreational values of the Clearwater River certainly made it a worthy candidate for designation as a Canadian Heritage River.
Leading up to the designation there were a number of meetings with local people to explain the concept of this new program and to request their support. A larger event to which people from communities between Meadow Lake and La Loche were invited, was held at the La Loche School gymnasium. Over lunch, Saskatchewan’s minister responsible for parks, Colin Maxwell, spoke about the hopes for designating the Clearwater.
Making waves
Over the years, there have been countless achievements worth celebrating. Barbara Veale, former Technical Planning Committee member and former co-chair of the Coordinating Committee for Designating the Grand River, reflects on one of these accomplishments, “Share the Resources – Share the Responsibility. That was our slogan when the Grand River was declared a Canadian Heritage River in 1994 based on its outstanding river-based cultural and outdoor recreational attributes. What a proud moment!”
In 1994, hundreds gathered to mark the designation of the Grand River and its major tributaries as Canadian Heritage Rivers. Along with political dignitaries, the late Peter Gzowski, Cambridge’s own famous Canadian broadcaster, writer, and reporter helped to unveil the trilingual heritage river plaque, written in English, French and Mohawk.
Caption: Grand River plaque unveiling, in 1994 – A memorable celebration.
While some of these accomplishments were captured in photos, others were captured in literature and in visual art. The illustrated book Voyages was created to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System (photo 1). Don Gibson, a past manager for the CHRS secretariat described the book as “an impressive collection of stories that are filled with a spirit of adventure, discovery, beauty and joy”. Another piece provides an artistic representation of Canada’s rich river heritage and features some of the natural environments and cultural elements associated with the CHRS. An intricate quilt, titled Ribbons of Life, was created by artist Judy Gascho-Jutzi to celebrate the CHRS’ 20th anniversary (photo 2).
Caption: Photo 1: The cover of Voyages – a[CD4] book published to mark the 10th anniversary of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System. ‘Voyages: Canada’s Heritage Rivers’ is written above an image of a large voyageur canoe being paddled by a group of people through turbulent waters. Under the image is written, ‘Lynn E. Noel, editor, Hap Wilson, maps and illustration’.
Caption: Photo 2: The Ribbons of Life quilt by artist Judy Gascho-Jutzi shows a river flowing through diverse landscapes before arriving at the Ottawa clocktower. The quilt was made in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System and currently hangs in Parks Canada’s national offices at 30 Rue Victoria, Gatineau, Quebec.
Battening down the hatches
River conservation isn’t always smooth sailing. Colette Schmalz, Technical Planning Committee member, and Senior Park Advisor for Saskatchewan Parks, Culture and Sport, looks back on some of the storms that she and her team have weathered over the years:
Over the last 40 years the Clearwater has experienced ongoing changes. The traffic on the river has increased with the uptake of recreational paddling. Wildfires continue to threaten the river valley with some years bringing devastation to the surrounding forests. Through all these years, the Clearwater River remains a spectacular, pristine wilderness treasure.
Caption: An aerial view of the Clearwater Valley after sections were ravaged by wildfire in 2015.
Both oars in the water
Like a vessel moving forward with both oars in the water, the Canadian Heritage Rivers System has steadily navigated uncharted territory. The CHRS now consists of 42 designated and 1 nominated heritage rivers totalling almost 11,000 km in length! From the majestic Yukon River, with its rich Indigenous culture and history, to the historic Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, each river tells a unique story.
As we commemorate this 40th anniversary, we honour the journey of the CHRS and the people who made it all possible. Andrea McNeil, former Program Advisor for the CHRS Secretariat (2008-2018), reflects on the ambitious work of her spirited collaborators:
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity I had, over the course of the 10 years I spent as the program manager for the Canadian Heritage Rivers Board Secretariat, at Parks Canada, to work with an incredible group of impassioned park professionals from provincial and territorial governments as well as with river leaders from across the country.
The CHRS is more than just a stewardship program. It is a celebration of diverse river heritage and a commitment to the preservation of rivers from coast to coast to coast. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and community engagement in achieving conservation goals. Most importantly, it is a legacy of pristine rivers, rich heritage, and unforgettable recreational experiences for future generations.
Trimming our sails
Looking ahead, we are excited about the future of the CHRS. With ongoing efforts to designate new rivers and initiatives to engage more Canadians in river conservation, we are committed to ensuring that the CHRS remains a vibrant and effective program in the years that come.
Join us in celebrating this milestone and appreciating the beauty and heritage of our Canadian rivers. Here’s to another 40 years!