On Main Street is an event planning service, Beauté Décor, sharing its wall with Home Church Stettler, and owned by Adèle Poratto, who was selected to be the special events coordinator for the 2017 Voyageurs Rendezvous Canada 150 Project.
“It is an honour,” Poratto said. “As an event coordinator I’m always looking for projects that I can get involved with and bring to fruition, and this was no different.”
With an excellent grasp of both French and English, Poratto was the ideal candidate, selected among the many applications.
“Although I believe that one of the important factors that played a role in the selection is that I am fluent in both official languages, it was just one of the many,” Poratto added, who also provides French language classes in both Stettler and Red Deer. As the coordinator of the events, Poratto will oversee and assist in the development of new events and maintain, organize and manage the existing vision of the Canada 150 project and its events from concept to completion, ensuring they operate smoothly and generate maximum participation and exposure.
The 2017 Voyageurs Rendezvous Canada 150 project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage said, “On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the Canada 150 Voyageurs Rendezvous project will highlight the historical importance of our country’s waterways through a re-enactment of the incredible 1967 Centennial Voyageur Canoe Pageant, as well as other activities offered for all communities. Let’s take advantage of Canada 150 to discover Canada’s natural beauty and strengthen our environmental awareness.”
Fifty years ago, canoeists from across Canada embarked on an ambitious 5,283 kilometres retracing of a Voyageurs’ fur-trade route to celebrate Canada’s centennial anniversary.
Canoeists from 13 provinces and territories took part in this race. The Confluence Heritage Society is retracing the stretch between Rocky Mountain House, Alberta and The Pas Manitoba, this summer as part of the 150th anniversary of Confederation celebrations.
The race is but part of a series of events being held by The Confluence Heritage Society to celebrate Canada’s long heritage and the role of the Voyageurs who first explored what would one day become Canada.