BY pascale charlebois
Abitibi & Co. does not only make canoes and kayaks. The business chose as a mission to propagate unique thrills and adrenaline filled experiences, the ones only the adventurers and nature-lovers can understand. To experience these intense moments, the Abitibi-Témiscamingue area appears to be the ideal destination. Rich in its huge natural potential, this area seduces especially young tourists in a quest for new horizons. A series of three videos, directed by Abitibi & Co, showcases the wild Temiscabitibian beauty. Discover the first marvel on this beautiful list!
The majestic Lac Kipawa (Kipawa Lake)
The first video presents the majestic Lac Kipawa, located in the sector of the Témiscamingue. Whoever has navigated on these waters or dived into them cannot forget the effect of its depth, this density that envelops us. He remembers the rock cliffs and their reflection on the water surface while they watch the approaching canoes, impassive. He will recall how he took refuge in one of the many bays of this lake spreading into rays, while scattering around hundreds of welcoming islands. He cherishes the memory of the fine sand disappearing gradually into the darkest depths of this crystal clear water.
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A paradise for fishermen
The Lac Kipawa, it is 300 sq. km or water filled with fishes ready to bite the fishing line: walleye, yellow perch, northern pike, smallmouth bass, grey trout, whitefish and white ling. Located near Laniel, in the Témiscamingue area, this lake is a true paradise for vacationers. In fact, the population of Laniel, located at the North point of the lake, rises from 80 inhabitants in the Winter to over 400 inhabitants in the Summer!
The parc national d’Opémican
It’s on the shores of this lake that the Parc National d’Opémican has been determined, a unique location for discoveries.
This park offers multiple activities to everyone’s liking. These activities include a camping ground, ready-to-camp accommodations, a children’s playground, as well as a rental office for watercrafts and bicycles. The youngests can also have fun in a rallye especially made for them, while the outdoors lovers can enjoy amazing hiking trails.
On top of it all, with its rugged terrain, its cliffs and its breathtaking panoramas, the park’s landscape is truly exceptional.
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The ZEC de Kipawa (Kipawa’s Controlled Harvesting Zone)
Contrary to national parks, like Opémican’s, which aim to promote conservation and recreational discovery, a ZEC is a territory dedicated to the outdoors activities, hunting and fishing. A non-profit organization manages the territory, in regards to the development, the exploitation and the conservation of its wildlife.
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The ZEC de Kipawa, with its 4 636 sq. km, spreads into a vast domain where we can also go canoe-camping and explore the less frequented circuits of the location. Accessible from Laniel or Kipawa, this wild territory allows visitors to discover preserved ecosystems. Moreover, local outfitters offer accommodation packages to enjoy its riches.
A Territory Charged with History
This land, trodden by the indigenous populations, the travellers, the lumberjacks and the first settlers, possesses a rich history. We cannot overlook the historical charge of the Pointe Opémican, located at the center of the park. It testifies of the beginnings of forest exploitation and the now disappeared timber rafting activities. It’s the Compagnie de la Baie d’Hudson (Hudson’s Bay’s Company) who first settled nearby Kipawa, in the 1850s. Afterwards, about twenty woodworking companies were built and operated around the lake, motivated by the arrival of railroads in the 1880s. Today, the dam of Kipawa, constructed at the beginning of the twentieth century, continues to supply electricity to the town of Témiscaming and its plant.
The imprint of the Anicinabek
Let’s also mention the millennium-long presence of the Anicinabek on the territory. Kebaowek’s community, which can be found on the South-West shores of the Lac Kipawa, shares with the Wolf Lake community a profound attachment towards the ancestral site of Hunter’s Point. This location is a symbol of their spiritual and cultural heritage and represents a testimony of their relationship towards the land.
Today, modern initiatives still reflect their bond with the land. Algonquin Canoe Company, a business belonging to the Wolf Lake community, owns Anishinabek Outfitting, the Camp la Lucarne. This outfitter, settled along the shores of the Lac Kipawa, offering the opportunity to experience the very heart of this ancestral nature. It also renders canoes, kayaks and paddle boards available for rental.
The Lac Kipawa in video
Finally, this journey at the heart of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, across the majestic Lac Kipawa, concludes with a visual immersion. To film this first video, Abitibi & Co.’s team visited the Baie du Canal (the Canal’s Bay), the Île aux Fraises (aux Fraises Island), as well as the Île du Sandy Portage (the Sandy Portage Island). Enjoy watching!
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