Mohawk & Iroquois… A Grand River Rafting Trip into History

Grand River Rafting has created a unique learning adventure where people can experience the Mohawk Iroquois culture while paddling through the wilderness beauty of the Grand River Valley.

This learning adventure has not only attracted visitors outside of Canada but has also drawn the attention of schools & families within southern Ontario seeking a day’s outdoor learning adventure. The chance to paddle a river and interact with a Mohawk speaker is something many would like to do… an outdoor living museum.

The difference with Grand River Rafting is that it does not promote non-authentic teachings and costume that many Hollywood Tepee Tourisms offer. The Iroquois where not a people of huge feathered head bonnets that lived in tepees… riding horses and shooting buffalo.

The Iroquois speakers teach how they were a woodland people they lived in palisade longhouse villages. Learn about this confederation of five nations… the Mohawks, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and Seneca. Discover how this Iroquois Confederacy during the 1760’s controlled most of southern Ontario and the eastern States. Understand why to the English, French and Dutch they were the conduit line to the beaver fur trade and a large warrior force to be wooed.

The traditional speaker is "Wolf Thomas", a Mohawk. Authenticity and preservation of traditional Iroquoian culture is very important to him. Wolf is also very knowledgeable on native treaties and history of the Iroquois. He also has an interesting selection of furs, artifacts and teaching aids to visually enhance the learning experience with him.
Wolf has excellent communication skills and is very easy to listen to. His blend of sincerity, integrity and humour enriches the moment. He is very skilled at group interaction. The opportunity to experience a presentation and visit with Wolf offers a refreshing outlook with gainful insight of the Iroquois Nation… past, present and future.

The way this learning adventure works is that the rafting trip paddles down the river to meet Wolf enroute. It is an informal teaching period with lots of opportunity for questions and interaction. Also included on this trip is the opportunity to drink from fresh springs, learn about the wildlife and fish, as well as experience a hike on edible and medicinal plants of the valley.

Eight person rafts with guides have been deliberately chosen as the boats because they allow anyone of any size, age and skill to safely experience the paddle without fear of tipping. Guided canoe and kayak trips are also available. This Iroquois Learning Adventure is one hour west of Toronto on the Grand River. The cost is $180 per raft for up to eight people with an additional $50 honorarium for the entire group for a traditional native speaker.

For groups uncomfortable on the water… but wishing a land based aboriginal experience, Grand River Rafting also offers Hiking Classrooms that travel with Wolf and guiding staff to learn about the Iroquois culture, wildlife and edible plants of the Grand River Valley.

So whether it is a hike or paddle… come visit the Grand River Valley for a day’s outing that combines learning and aboriginal teaching… this outdoor classroom adventure of Southern Ontario might just be the place to be.