Jack Kotaska, Luke Kotaska and Jack Panayi grew up canoeing around Yellowknife and the NWT. Together, along with three other friends, they will take on their longest trip yet – canoeing from Russell Lake to Kugluktuk in 73 days.
Panayi said the group has had the idea for a while, but it became a reality when they discovered everyone would have a break from work or school this summer.
“We’ve been toying with the idea of trying to spend a bunch of time together on a long trip,” said Panayi.
Russell Lake, the starting point, lies just northeast of Behchokǫ̀. The trip began on Sunday, June 7.
After four years of university, Luke Kotaska is looking forward to getting out on the land and spending time with friends.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“Growing up here was the best time ever. Getting older, I think there’s more distractions and less time to spend with these people who I love so much,” he said.
“Just thinking about getting out there with the best people and being in boats and portaging every day is like a dream come true.”
The three are guides with Jackpine Paddle and have a lot of experience doing two-week self-supported canoe trips. Panayi has done a few two-month trips, while Jack Kotaska’s longest trip before this was a 49-day paddle around the coast of Newfoundland in 2024.
“It almost felt like cheating, how well we were received in each community we stopped at around Newfoundland, so we didn’t have to reckon with isolation really at all,” he said of that trip. He’s looking forward to experiencing more isolation during this voyage.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
“We’ve got a good songbook prepared and a guitar that we’ll hopefully learn how to play out there,” said Jack Kotaska.
Panayi said the community’s support of the group ahead of the trip was a surprise. He said as soon as people found out, they were offering to dehydrate food over the winter. Someone also provided a trailer and is helping the six canoeists get to Russell Lake to start their journey north.
“Thank you to our families who helped us get ready for this one, but more importantly, introduced us to getting outside and learning to love being on the land,” said Panayi.
Jasmine Nasogaluak contributed reporting.
