The Friends of Murphys Point Park were thrilled to present the beautiful hand-made birch-bark canoe featured in our 2019 raffle to the winners this weekend.

Doug and Susan of Westport (centre) picked up their prize and had the opportunity to meet with the builder, Chuck Commanda of the Algonquin First Nation (second from left in the group photos), who learned the craft from his grandfather, Chief William Commanda. Doug and Susan say they hope to share the canoe with others in educational ways.

Shown in the first group photo are, from left, Park Superintendent Curtis Thompson, Chuck, Doug, Susan, Friends Treasurer Don Goodfellow (who, along with Director Ken Barr and Director Cynthia Orme, not shown, were instrumental in successful ticket sales throughout the summer and fall), and Acting Discovery Leader Mark Read.

Huge thanks to Curtis, Mark and all of the Park staff for their hard work promoting and interpreting the canoe and the raffle, and their assistance with ticket sales. The second group photo includes Friends President Stephanie Gray, congratulating the winners. In the third photo, Chuck adds his signature to the canoe.

Special thanks to Chuck Commanda for sharing his extensive knowledge throughout the two-week public program held at the park in the summer. He is an excellent teacher and we are grateful for his ongoing enthusiasm and for sharing with the Park.

The Friends netted more than $6,000 in the raffle, which will be used for future Indigenous-themed programming at the park. Thank you to everyone who supported the raffle. Stay tuned for details about next year’s plans!