Rabaska

Throughout this time they were key in spreading French settlers throughout North America, adapting to their new continent and developing contact with indigenous populations.

People of the First Nations used rabaskas for travel, commerce and finding new, viable sites to raise their families.

Each spring, rabaska canoes by the dozen with experienced crews would undertake the long voyage from Lachine (near Montreal) to the Pays d'en Haut, seeking out precious furs.

The rabaska's robustness enabled exploration – and exploitation – of distant territories which were inaccessible by other means of transport.

This three-day competition takes place on the Saint-Maurice River, from La Tuque downstream to Trois-Rivières, nearly 200 kilometres (120 miles) away.