Open invitation to Yukon Party leaders:
I am a local paddler and wilderness guide and wish to invite Yukon Party leaders to join me for a canoe trip on a river within the Peel River watershed this summer.
I may not be a good person to talk complicated politics in a boat with you, but I’ll be good company with whom you can appreciate the environment, share some paddling excitement and enjoy the simple moments at our campsites.
I would like for you to pick up some beautiful rocks, look up the spectacular valleys from your canoe, drink river water and hike up some of the mountains so you can see and feel what a treasure we have here. I promise that your experiences and impressions of the area will be very different from a canoe than from a helicopter or a plane.
You may be having some difficulty understanding why so many people wish to protect the Peel watershed. I can only assume it is because you may have not had an opportunity to experience this pristine wilderness in the way that some of us have.
Though people’s heartfelt words, photos and pleas may not mean much to you at this moment, I believe that if you have the opportunity to experience the Peel watershed for yourself, then your feelings and heart will let you understand them.
I know you are busy, but hope you will consider this opportunity and if you are willing to make time, please let me know. We can start planning for a great and memorable adventure this summer. By the way, no paddling experience is necessary. I will take care of that part and you can just come to relax and enjoy the silence and wilderness.
Yoshie Kumagae
Whitehorse