A Shared Journey to Healing and Reconnection
Since 2012, True Patriot Love has been bringing veterans and service people living with illness or injury together with civilian business leaders to embark on expeditions to some of the most striking and challenging landscapes on earth.
While there’s undeniable exhilaration in outdoor adventures, True Patriot Love’s expeditions are rooted in a growing body of research on the mental, physical and social benefits of expeditions for veterans and service people living with illness or injury. When both Veterans and civilians share the journey, valuable bonds of trust and community can grow, which can help as Veterans make their own transitions to civilian life.
“You should judge a country on how it treats its veterans. This expedition meant a lot to the veterans who were on it, and therefore, meant a lot to our country.”
– John Carswell, Chair & CIO, Canso
In late August, with the support of Canso Investment Counsel Ltd., True Patriot Love hosted a 14-day, all-women expedition to the Nahanni River in the Northwest Territories.
The Nahanni region is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its deep river canyons, spectacular waterfalls, and limestone towers and arches, molded by millennia of rainfall. It is also a vital cultural landscape for the Dehcho First Nations.
Led by five female guides from Canoe North Adventures, the team, which included 9 military participants and 8 civilians, including Canso’s own Jacqui Szeto Meiers and Annabella Tamburro, took on a 240km paddle through stunning canyons and hair-raising rapids, and powered through demanding portages hauling their canoes and supply barrels.
The experience was unforgettable not only for the natural beauty, the deepening personal connections and the healing power of the water, earth and sky, but also for the haunting presence of wildfires. Though the fires were hundreds of kilometres from their campsite and their route, their impact was felt.
“Forest fire smoke settled into the canyons where we made camp one night, and there was a lot of wind which blew around the smoke, sand and dirt,” recalls Annabella. “There was a lot of anxiety. It was smoky, sandy, dirty and very uncomfortable.”
The smoke and grit also stirred difficult memories of service in Afghanistan and Iraq for several of the participants, and one veteran in particular, who recently lived through harrowing wildfire evacuations in her home province.
The group decided to have an overnight fire watch. While only one person in the entire group of 22 felt it was necessary, the veterans decided that if even one person felt unsafe, the group would do what it took. Volunteers stayed up in shifts to watch the river for fire spread.
That decision had an impact on Jacqui. “In the civilian world, we often go with the majority, but this showed me how the veterans’ values prioritize individual safety and trust. Each of them is always there to help each other, support and uplift each other. It really restored my faith in humanity to witness this beautiful genuine interaction.”
A highlight of the journey home was visiting the hamlet of Nahanni Butte, known traditionally as Tthenáágó – meaning “strong rock” in Dene Zhatıé. As wild bison roamed nearby, the team enjoyed treats from a new food truck that just opened for business, and also met residents who shared and sold their beadwork and crafts. Inspired, the expedition team committed to sponsoring the local school with classroom and quilt-making supplies this year.
Paddling the Nahanni has been a turning point in my healing—out there I felt strength, connection, and a peace I had been searching for. It gave me hope, reminded me of my resilience, and showed me that healing is truly possible. It’s the first time in years that I have noticed the colour has come back in my eyes. They have been dark for so long. I do not have enough words to thank the True Patriot Love Foundation and everyone for your generosity. Thank you for being part of my healing journey.
🫶🏻 – Shawna, Veteran and Nahanni Expedition participant. You can read more about Shawna’s journey here.
Making connections with military women was powerful for the civilian participants as well.
“These women are incredible. They put their lives on the line for our country, for all of us,” says Annabella. “What especially moved me was how hard it is to come home after serving. How hard it is to learn how to live a different way in the civilian world while often working through mental health and physical issues.”
“I was deeply moved by their sacrifice, resilience, and courage to keep us safe,” said Jacqui. “What impressed me most was the sheer magnitude of what they endured—and that despite all the hardship, they love Canada fiercely.”
