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A polar bear foraging on the shore, Polar Bear Provincial Park
Backcountry Ontario
Ontario’s far-flung western and northern regions
are little-known and rarely visited parts of the
province, but are amongst the most captivating
parts of the country with a varied terrain, plentiful
wildlife and a thriving First Nations heritage
steeped in timeless traditions. These small group
tours, led by an expert guide, enable you to
explore these fascinating regions for a few days.
This is more than a destination: it is an
opportunity to learn about Ontario’s remote
regions and be absorbed by a culture that has
existed since the last Ice Age.
First Nations, Hudson Bay
& Polar Bear Adventure
Your six day long adventure starts with a flight
from Timmins to Moosonee where you will be
met by your Cree host, Clarence Trapper, and
taken by a motorised freighter canoe to Moose
Factory, an island in the Moose River. The
Hudson Bay Company established a trading post
at this ancient First Nations site in 1673 and it
played a key role in the early fur trade. As one
of Ontario’s oldest English-speaking communities
it is redolent with history: a highlight is St Thomas’
Church, built in 1850, with its altar decorated
with hides. During your two night stay you will
travel by freighter canoe to observe beluga
whales feeding in the river and travel to the
Shipsands Bird Sanctuary in James Bay, known
for its concentration of over 300 species of birds.
From Moosonee you fly nearly three hours north
to the remote Cree community of Peawanuck
where your host is Sam Hunter, who will take
you by plane to a tented camp on the shores of
Hudson Bay in Polar Bear Provincial Park.
Covering an area of 62,000 square kilometres this
park is virtually undisturbed and is home to 292
documented bird species as well as caribou and a
large population of polar bears. During your three
Aurora Borealis
night stay you will hopefully see bears swimming
or feeding amongst the park’s grasses and sedges.
Boat excursions to the coast follow in the
footsteps of Henry Hudson in his 1610 search for
the Northwest Passage whilst your Cree guides
explain the history, mythology, beliefs and culture
of their nation: a magical experience for historians,
naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
CREE VILLAGE ECOLODGE,
MOOSONEE
The Cree Village Ecolodge is Canada’s first
indigenous-owned eco lodge. This new building
is operated by the MoCreebec people in
accordance with traditional values and with a
focus on Cree cultural and ecological
sustainability. The lodge is modelled on a
traditional Cree dwelling and features 20 guest
rooms that are designed for maximum comfort
and minimal environmental impact, with triple
glazed windows, natural wool carpets, organic
cotton bed linen and biodegradable soaps and
shampoos. The lodge’s restaurant serves a
delicious range of traditional Cree organic food
including trout, buffalo, pickerel (a member of
the pike family) and salmon. Surrounded by the
rugged beauty of the Canadian sub-Arctic and
steeped in Cree culture and history, the Cree
Village Ecolodge is the perfect place to
experience the timeless values of the
MoCreebec people.