HayRiver – A Pursuit of Life – Barefoot& High Heeled

Tunes, Culture and Community fun at Aboriginal Days.

It was a beauty of a long weekend. On Saturday we headed over to the Hay River Dene Reserve for the Aboriginal Day festivities, to enjoy some cultural fun. It was such a stunning day with loads of sunshine, perfect for the events. It’s so awesome to go and check out these community events, it always ends up being a fabulous little social adventure, and it’s just so nice to see and connect with people out enjoying themselves.

We went straight in to check out the live music that was happening. I love any sort of jam session or live music events, no matter where in the world I am, so this was no different. Having the opportunity to hear some of my favorite local musicians was just another reason I wanted to go to the Aboriginal days. Nothing like some good tunes and local talent to get the ol’ toe tapping going. After swayin my hips and tappin’ my toes for a bit, we made our way out to get some fresh fire cooked bannock.You can’t go to the reserve and not have Bannock?! It’s a traditional aboriginal staple, and something I grew up on as a child, not to mention – of course they will have the best bannock out here, made by someone who has lifelong experience making it. Celine was a little rockstar! We had to dig right in, it looked way to darn good; and it was way too darn good! As did everyone else. Just look at that sheer bannock happiness exuding from his face. Delicious and greasy though(as any good bannock is), but this was not the opportune moment for this dilemma…. Nope, not when there is no napkins on or near me and no place to wash my hands. Dang, I was a bit greasy, and it made picture taking difficult. Long behold though, there was the lake! The Great Slave Lake to be exact. And it worked like a water filled lake charm. Back in business. None sticky business that is – No one is a fan of sticky business. It was worth every bite though!

Out back they had some canoe races going on – and one heck of scenic view. It needed a basking in. So I did just that. I basked in it, and it was awesome. I so love the Native paintings and art work, they are absolutely beautiful, I could have easily bought one of those. However, it was this little stunner of a purse that caught my eye. It literally reeled me right in and hooked me. I didn’t even think twice about it. When you know, you know. Not only was it beautifully hand crafted, but Georgina the women who made it was a beauty herself. It had Petrena written all over it! You could see the love that went into it, and I love supporting the locals everywhere I am. It checked all the boxes. The best purchase ever! Well one of them, that’s for darn sure.

We made sure to grab some Zen in the tee-pee while we were out and about as well. When in rome! Or in this case, ‘When on the reserve’. How can you not?

Every time I went past the bannock table, they were cooking something new on the fire. It was amazing, and all just for anyone and everyone who wanted to enjoy it. That is true community event style. It was shaping up to be a pretty awesome day. Got to chat with loads of people, get to know more of the locals, enjoy some local eats and treats, and take home a piece of art that also has cultural history.

Wait! I forget to mention something.

I wouldn’t be me, if I wasn’t forever prepared for anything and a little more. So, obviously I would never leave home without my backstage pass. So I figured I would flash that bad boy and see where it got me. Yup it worked like a dream. I was right back there with the band. No big deal, it’s just how I roll. Culture, Community, History, and Art all in one day. Don’t you just love when you find everything your looking for all in one place?

Northwest Territories Kayaking Adventures.

Being outdoors, and kicken it with mother nature – is forever one of the best places to be. Not to mention the beauty up in Northern Canada is endless. With the sun shining high on this glorious Sunday Funday, and the water flowing ever so beautifully on the Hay River, there was just no other way. This wasn’t a cross road, the sign pointed in one direction, and was clear on what to do. It read, ‘Get your asses into your kayak’s and down the relaxing, and soul soothing river’.

‘Alrighty then’, we thought. Seeing as how the sign was loud and clear, we suited up in the finest kayaking apparel we could find.

Proceeded to load our kayak’s into the truck.

We then hit the road and cruised like rock stars,

Venturing straight to the the starting point where we intended to begin our escapades.

It was an absolutely incredible day on the water. Even better was that there were NO bugs! The NWT is notorious for the insane amounts of bugs in the summer. Something you never really get used to, you just have no choice but to become accustomed to it – or you would end up hiding out in your shelter all summer. Ummm, no thank you. I would rather suffer a little to enjoy ALOT! This year is off to a pretty darn good not to buggy summer start though, so I am enjoying every minute of it before they take over the show.

Once we got our sweet ass Kayak’s in the water, had a quick team chat(oh, and a good ol’ Canadian beer, drinking locally made products no matter where in the world I am) – we were off to be enchanted with our afternoon excitement of being awesome. No big deal. Why do anything else really?

I never tire of the stunning Northern scenery, and never fail to be totally impressed and engrossed by it all. It’s just so freaken great. It is not uncommon to see wildlife on the sides of the river. Alas, today though, there was none out and about to be admired.

The only thing we forgot this time was to bring some snacks. We were just too dang excited to get on the water. Our stomachs did give each of us a reminder of being forgotten though! Note to self: the next time you go out to for physical adventures, bring some sort of fuel other then beer. Not that it wasn’t darn delicious and refreshing though. However, this kayaking day was just a warm up for some much longer trips. So being prepared will be key.

A few hours and a few team chats later….. And we reached our destination point. Feeling incredible and riding our high from a chart topper of a nature packed afternoon paired with some physical activity, we pulled our kayak’s out of the water, and gave them a nice shady resting place while we waited for a ride to come pick us up.

After just another epic day of loving life, and embracing a beautiful day of endless laughter and being awesome, we took it up to the next level. Or put that cherry on top so to say.

A very palette friendly Canadian Vino, baked Brie, Olives, and Dips – and life couldn’t get much better. That is a pretty fantastic Sunday afternoon with a blissfully beautiful finish if you ask me. It has my stamp of recommendation, that’s for darn sure. Wouldn’t you agree?

Home is where my little Northern Heart is ❤️❤️ ;)

I love travelling the world. Seeing and experiencing new things, connecting with people of all walks of life. I always entice myself with thoughts of being once again immersed in a completely different culture, with a totally different language that I don’t speak. It’s exciting, and a way to push myself outside the everyday box, and even sharpening my survival skills. It becomes a part of you, something that runs through your blood, well the blood of someone who has been bit by the travel bug.

However, no matter how many continents you visit, and people you meet, and explorations you have, there is always that one place, that lifelong place that you call home. Where your roots are. Where everyone knows your name….. Well at least if you happen to be from a small town like myself. I was privileged enough to spend this summer back home, in my beautiful little hometown in Northern Canada. The longer I have travelled the more I have come to love and appreciate it. It’s small, it’s beautiful, at times its buggy. Yes sir-ee, there is a season for swarming, clouds of bugs that you may or may not ingest when breathing . But while also being the land of the midnight sun in the summer. Other times(say winter perhaps) its freaken COLD! Try well below -30 degrees Celsius and minimal hours of sunshine, during the majestic, and blood chilling yet heartwarming winter. Where you can bask in the spectacular show of dancing colors that the Northern lights spread across the sky. Yup this would be my Hometown.

Welcome to Hay River.

Named after the River that flows through it, right into the Great Slave Lake, which happens to be one of the 10th largest lake in the world. There is a population of about 3500 people. It boasts some pretty amazing scenery, if I do say so myself. And no….. I am not just being Bias because I am from there:) But its kind of hard not to be.

There is fantastic fishing in the summer, as well as plenty of water for you to play on and in. There is the Hay River Campground right in town located beside the beach, if you feel like connecting with nature, and forgetting that you are still right in town. Run by Lucy Benoit for over 20 years, she always keeps it so well run and maintained. I definitely enjoyed some time there this summer. The town puts on a town event every year called Hay Days, with a weekend full of different events, and there’s baseball tournaments(that other northern communities participate in), town dances(as there are no bars really), great people, and beautiful wildlife. Although, you always have to be cautious of bears. Beautifully impressive animals they are, but also can be very dangerous. Wrestling a bear isn’t recommended;) and well neither is going in for a bear hug.

One thing I really enjoyed this summer was visiting the Fisherman’s Warf, which is put on every Saturday during the summer in the Old Town.

There you will find different vendors, selling their homemade baked goods, fried goods, grown goods, handmade goods, and yup, you got it, FISH! Fresh fried or grilled Great Slave Lake Whitefish. One of the northern delicacies, which I never get tired of. The Warf is a great place to go and mingle with other people from the community, a great way to support the locals, and enjoy the charming little ambiance it offers, while also soaking up some summer sunshine.

Located about 40km outside are 3 separate waterfalls, that are always beautiful sight to enjoy. And Yes. The water is brown. But fresh!:)

Another summer tradition, one of my favorites!! Is floating down the river. ‘Oh, Heck Yes!’. Every sunny day there are groups of people who get together with their blow up rafts/tubes, a few beverages, starting up river, and floating down it for hours. Good weather, good company, good tunes. It’s just an awesome time, and super relaxing.

Well the summers up here are spectacular, and pretty un-comparable, and I always feel so privileged to enjoy them. Even though the winters are Long, COLD, and more night then day light, there are also so many incredible and very amazing aspects about it here then too. But this article is for summer. Winter can be talked about when that time comes. It best to live for the moment;)

Here’s to another kick ass summer in the North, I love my home, its way up there for sure! So that being said…..

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