Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The 2007 Kuuvik River Expedition  

Outline
The purpose of the venture is to canoe the Kuuvik River in northern Quebec during July of the year 2007, traversing a very remote arctic territory between Hudson Bay and Ungava Bay, as an expedition of four paddlers using two wood canvas heritage canoes, along a classic Canadian Crown geographical exploration route that was first charted in 1896 by the geoscientist AP Low. The 2007 Kuuvik River Expedition is part of a multi-year commitment to retrace select northern journeys that were completed by geoscientist AP Low. The first installment of this informal commemorative expedition series took place in 2005, via the patronage of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society and other select sponsors; for details see www.saintdenysriver.info Drawing from the successes of that 2005 expedition, the 2007 Kuuvik River Expedition is set to be a quintessential Canadian geographic heritage journey.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The 2007 Kuuvik River Expedition will: (a) raise public awareness of Arctic Canadian history, geography, and earth system science; (b) commemorate the unparalleled legacy of northern Québec geo-science knowledge bequeathed by AP Low to future generations of Canadians; (c) help convey the reality and significance of climate change to Canadians and the international community.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The 2007 Kuuvik River Expedition team is drawn from two countries, Canada and the USA.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The team will be dropped off by a bush plan in northern Quebec, at 56°48’ North by 73°00’ West, and then paddle the Kuuvik River along an East-North- East course towards Ungava Bay. From Lac de Sem, which is the headwaters of the Kuuvik River, the Kuuvik flows about 430 kilometres (270 miles) until it meets up with the Kaniapiskau River, and together the two rivers combine to form the Koksoak River. The Koksoak, the biggest river in Arctic Québec, flows about 100 km until discharging into Ungava Bay. The take-out point for the Expedition will be the village of Kuujjuaq, 50 km from the Ungava coast.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/07 – 08/07            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Air transport from Montreal to the tripping region in northern Quebec, and back, will be required. This support will be per commercial contractual arrangement, and thus the support is not likely to be practically shared with other projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Another national polar operator
National agency
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This is the first project related communication to IPY.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
The former

How will the project be organised and managed?
The 2007 Kuuvik River Expedition will travel in the “Keewaydin Way” which is a canoe tripping style, dating back to the 1800s, that emphasizes self-reliance, simplicity, and tradition. Keewaydin tripping culture uses wood-canvas canoes, tump lines and ‘wannigans’ to carry out successful journeys in the far north. The Government of Canada has provided the Kuuvik River Expedition with a complimentary set of twenty-one modern topographical maps that cover the course of the 2007 route, these will be used to navigate the journey. Additionally, the Expedition will travel with duplicates of AP Low’s trip report and field maps from his 1896 descent down the Kuuvik; this documentation will serve the Expedition as a historical-scientific-geographical reference.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The 2007 Kuuvik River Expedition plans to prepare an Expedition website after the journey. This website will include the team’s itinerary, route description, photos, log and reference the significance of geoscientist A.P. Low. The subject of climate change will also be highlighted on the website.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data deriving from the project will be freely available on the Expedition website.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Private investment and institutional sponsorship.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Koben Christianson
Climate Cause International
828 Howe Street, #901
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 2X2
Canada

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Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information