Banff student canoes nearly 500 kilometres to school in Edmonton

By Leah Pelletier, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Rocky Mountain Outlook BANFF – Aven McKay took the scenic route to her first day of university. The 19-year-old canoed nearly 500 kilometres along the North Saskatchewan River from her home in Banff to Edmonton, just in time for her first day at the University of Alberta (U of A). “I really wanted to do a canoe trip by myself for quite some time,” said McKay who is enrolled in Native studies. Starting the 12-day paddle just outside of Banff National Park near Saskatchewan River Crossing, McKay was joined by her dad for the first stretch before going solo. “I did that section with my dad mostly because the water was really technical and some of the parts were pretty difficult,” said McKay…

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