Keeping ‘wild places wild’: Volunteers clear traditional Indigenous trails in Temagami

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 28, 2026

Friends of Temagami, a volunteer non-profit, recently completed an eight-day expedition maintaining 38 kilometres of traditional canoe portage routes in northeastern Ontario’s Temagami region. Their ongoing work supports the preservation of one of North America’s largest intact Indigenous trail networks, with plans to expand seasonal maintenance efforts and recruit more volunteers.

Since 1995, a volunteer-driven non-profit organization has been dedicated to maintaining and preserving the traditional canoe routes in the Temagami region of northeastern Ontario. The group, known as Friends of Temagami, focuses on clearing and monitoring trails along the Nastawgan, an extensive network of Indigenous travel ways that is considered one of the largest intact systems of its kind in North America.

The Temagami area presents a complex land management challenge, encompassing seven provincial parks, 14 conservation reserves, and remaining tracts of Crown land. Friends of Temagami volunteers are responsible for trail maintenance within the Crown land sections of the network, where they work to keep these historic paths accessible while respecting their cultural significance.

In a recent eight-day expedition, six volunteers accompanied by a dog covered approximately 38 kilometres, which included six kilometres of portage routes—pathways connecting bodies of water that typically traverse over rugged terrain. Navigating these routes requires hauling heavy gear, sometimes up to 25 kilograms, and negotiating obstacles such as deep mud and rocky fields. Volunteers often make multiple trips to transport equipment, carrying tools like loppers to clear overgrowth and using chainsaws to remove fallen trees under the guidance of trip leader Mike McIntosh, president of Friends of Temagami.

Campsite upkeep is another key component of the group’s work. McIntosh noted that they typically construct about 20 “thunder boxes,” simple backcountry toilets, each year to support the sustainability of the camping areas. Plans are underway to organize a “build party” at McIntosh’s canoe shop in the spring to prepare more thunder boxes for the upcoming season.

Volunteers described the experience as physically demanding but rewarding, allowing time for communal meals and storytelling around the campfire after long days in the wilderness. William Maki, a 25-year-old mechatronics engineer-in-training who has paddled in the region for four years, was motivated to join after frequently benefiting from the group’s previous cleanup efforts. Sarah Pihel, a project manager specializing in water and wastewater infrastructure, connected with the initiative through her passion for protecting wild spaces.

For probation officer Stephen Patenaude and his seven-year-old son Jamie, their inaugural trail maintenance trip combined outdoor experience with environmental stewardship. Patenaude emphasized the importance of teaching younger generations about volunteerism and land preservation through hands-on involvement.

Volunteers also valued the opportunity to connect with others from diverse backgrounds and skill levels. Maki reflected on the social aspect as a highlight, noting that conversations with experienced members deepened his understanding of canoeing and trail management in Temagami.

Looking ahead, Friends of Temagami aims to sustain and expand its seasonal efforts, targeting four trail maintenance trips annually—one in spring, two in summer, and one in fall. McIntosh welcomed new participants, underscoring the group’s continued reliance on volunteers to keep these traditional canoe routes accessible and to help preserve the region’s natural and cultural heritage.

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