A Canadian geographical heritage journey
Un voyage géographique Canadien d'héritage
The objectives of the Rivière Denys 2005
Expedition were to: (a) canoe a classic northern Québec
exploration route pioneered in 1888 by A.P. Low, remarkable
Canadian explorer and eventual director of the Geological Survey of
Canada; (b) celebrate the geographical significance of paddling amid
the flowing world of the Canadian Shield,
i.e. have fun; (c) commemorate the unparalleled legacy of northern
Québec natural history
knowledge bequeathed by A.P. Low to future generations of Canadians
by contemporary application, and supplement that knowledge by
chronicling instances of comparative landscape change evident almost
twelve decades later; (d) communicate
by way of the journey, and outreach initiatives, the importance of
Low’s explorations, the value of the canoe, and a sense of
Canada’s tremendous geographical heritage.
"Within contemporary North American
society there is a fundamental need to expand the basis of scientific
literacy within our population. This can be achieved, in part,
through ensuring that potentially inspiring scientific role models
receive due note for their triumphs. Our general cultural narratives
should be infused with more stories of positive disposition, like
those of A.P. Low, which are capable of encouraging wonder and
motivating success."
- Dr. Stephen Loring, The
Smithsonian Institution
