In the spring of 1990, a group of Inuit and Cree paddled the Odeyak from Whapmagoostui, Quebec, to New York City, arriving on April 22 to protest the proposed Great Whale Hydroelectric Project at the Earth Day 1990 celebration.
Matthew Coon Come, then the grand chief and chairman of Quebec's Grand Council of the Crees, spoke at the event on behalf of the Cree and Inuit of the James Bay region.
The Odeyak's hybrid construction represented the cooperation of the two neighbouring communities of people in opposition of Hydro-Québec's development.
[4] At 8 m (26 ft) long, it is substantially larger than either a standard canoe or kayak, but was designed to accommodate a large crew and for increased visibility.
[5] Currently, the Odeyak is housed at the Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute in Oujé-Bougoumou, Quebec,[6] having been transferred from the Canadian Canoe Museum in 2011.