Pull of the North - A 2000 Mile Canoe Descent of the Yukon River - Culture, Landscape & Life

In 2016 wilderness guide Ian Finch, filmmaker Caroline Cote, Photographer Jay Kolsch and canoeist Martin Trahan descended the Yukon River from its source at the glacier in British Columbia to its mouth at Emmonak, Bering Sea, Alaska. This remote 70 day successful endeavour was to research, document and film the lives and people of many native groups that inhabit the rivers vast course and to learn about their heritage, traditions and ways of life in a changing climate. The expedition story appeared in print in Sidetracked Vol.8 and online at Sidetracked.com, Canoe and Kayak Magazine, Mens Health Magazine, British Exploring, Explorers Connect and Dinette Magazine. The film "River of Belonging" is set for release in 2017. 

1st May 2020

“When I was growing up, the salmon looked much healthier, the water would be clear. Now today the salmon are very small and unhealthy, down to mining impact upriver. I want our fish and for our salmon to be healthy again.” - Frieda Alfred, Northern Tutchone, Yukon River - For a first major expedition it was bold - To paddle the entire watercourse of the Yukon River, stopping in remote communities whilst sitting and listening to the people that call it home. The impact of mining, commercial fishing and government restrictions on what and when they can fish has left its mark on cultures that have lived on the land for thousands of years. Our 2000 mile journey was to explore that relationship of old and new and further understand our place within it all. - Chuffed that our film, edited by @caro.line.cote, has made it into numerous film festivals worldwide - yet, most importantly the film has been well received by those people who gave their valuable time and shared their culture and traditions with us along the vast course of the river. To me, those are the only reviews that matter. I’m indebted, to those, until then end of time. With thanks to @jaykolsch and @martintrahancanoeist.