Archdeacon Nancy's final weeks as visiting priest in the northern Quebec Cree community of Mistissini have been very full. The congregation at St. John the Evangelist have taken very good care of her, and she has had unique opportunities to observe the distinctive culture of that area of our North.

One morning, she witnessed the early start of the Fishing Derby, a three-day event. It included a well-attended Saturday morning breakfast fundraiser at St. John's. Another day, she was on the dock for the arrival of a group of about ten paddlers returning from a 19-day canoe trip. They had been sleeping outside in both rain and cold. Their leader, the kokum, was an older woman, very experienced in these kinds of outdoor adventures.

Travelling to the neighbouring community of Waswanipi for a funeral one week and baptisms the following week gave Nancy, an inveterate photographer, the chance to capture the beauty of the landscape in that region. She also took multiple photos during her kayaking explorations around Lake Mistissini.

The congregation of St. Andrew's Wellington is looking forward to hearing her stories when she returns to us in August.

For more photos of her stay in Mistissini, please visit the gallery section of this website.