Role and responsibilities

Since the first ever festival in 1969, the Official Voyageurs are the ambassadors of the Festival du Voyageur. They promote the winter festival to the best of their abilities and represent the « joie de vivre » of the francophone community. All the while spreading the voyageur spirit, the Official Voyageurs also have a sense of adventure and discovery.

Message from the Chamberland family

We are pleased to be the Official Voyageurs of the Festival for the next two years. It is a privilege and an honour to be joining this group of characters who have always been the colour and spirit of the Festival, the Order of the Official Voyageurs. We thank them for their trust and support.

We met several years ago when we both worked at Festival. This year we are celebrating our 20th anniversary. What a better way to celebrate than where this all began at the Festival du Voyageur surrounded by friends and acquaintances that we have known for many years.

It is also very special to live this experience with our children, Réanne and Justin, who have always had the Festival at heart and who have participated from an early age.

We have seen a lot of changes in this big Festival that reflects the culture, language and history of French Canadians. One thing remains constant, the spirit and joie de vivre of the Festival. It’s the people that bring the warmth into the Festival du Voyageur.

Speaking of people, we hope to see a lot more in 2010 as Manitoba celebrates Homecoming 2010. This celebration is intended to bring former Manitobans back to their province. We want you to invite your friends, family and colleagues from outside of Manitoba to come visit our province in 2010 and why not during the Festival du Voyageur?

We look forward to celebrating with all of you, to see familiar faces and forge new friendships.

Hé Ho!

Roger Chamberland, Michelle Gervais, Réanne et Justin

Biographies

Roger Chamberland
Born in St. Boniface in 1952, Roger went to school in Norwood and St. Boniface. From 1975 to 2004, he worked for the Winnipeg Fire Department as a firefighter, fire inspector and finally, as the Director of the Fire Prevention Branch. In 2004, Roger retired from the City of Winnipeg and started his own business. He owns the company House Review that is responsible for business and home inspections. He is Vice-President of the Provincial Association and serves on the National Committee.

In the 1970’s, Roger worked at the Festival du Voyageur as a contract employee. He coordinated various projects such as sculptures, souvenirs and the Voyageur Park. At that time, the Voyageur Park only had a few rides, a bison enclosure, an ice rink and a music host standing on the back of a truck. Roger still remembers the time when they discussed the grand idea to include trading posts in the Park under large heated tents.

He met his wife Michelle when she was the manager of Voyageur Park. Together, they have coordinated several community events including the largest baseball media tournament for the Winnipeg Press Club.

Roger has been a member of the Brigade de la Rivière-Rouge since 1982. His hobbies include skiing, fishing and spending time at the cottage.
He is the father of three children and the grandfather of two granddaughters.

Michelle Gervais
Born in St. Boniface and raised in St. Vital, Michelle is the third in a family of six children. She studied at St. Eugene Elementary School, École Lavallée and attended high school at the Collège Saint-Boniface. She is also a graduate of the Technical and Professional School of Saint-Boniface.

Michelle’s first job was in administration at the Festival du Voyageur. After seven years with the federal government, she returned to the Festival as communications director and then as director of marketing and tourism coordinator. She has served on the Festival board and has since worked as a volunteer in various areas. It was during her early years at the Festival that Michelle met her husband Roger, who also worked there.

Since 1997, Michelle manages her own tourism company (Ô TOURS Inc.) and welcomes visitors to Manitoba. Michelle is recognized in the tourism industry and serves on the Travel Manitoba and Destination Winnipeg’s boards. She also manages the Tourisme Riel office.
Michelle enjoys alpine skiing, curling and spending time with family at the cottage, but her favorite hobby is canoeing in the wilderness. Michelle has been a member of the Brigade de la Rivière-Rouge since 1981 and was even the Bourgeois from 2006 to 2008.

Réanne Chamberland
Born in 1991, Réanne participated for the first time in the Festival du Voyageur when she was only five months old and she has been participating every year since. She attended Lacerte Elementary School and she is a graduate from the Collège Louis-Riel. Réanne is currently pursuing her studies at the University of Manitoba. She loves travel, music, art, curling, and canoeing. She has played violin since the age of nine and has already participated in the Festival’s Jigging & Fiddling Contest. She volunteers at the Festival and many other community events.

Justin Chamberland
Born in 1996, Justin is 13 years old and is currently in 8th grade at École Lacerte. He enjoys many sports including alpine skiing, baseball and curling. Justin actively participates in extra-curricular sports and music showcases. He has played piano since the age of three and is a member of the concert and jazz bands at École Lacerte. He participates in the Festival every year. For him, it’s the best time of the year after Christmas!

Past Official Voyageurs

Fortier, Denis and Annette 2008-2009
Brunet, Charles and Gisèle 2006-2007
Dupont, Jacques and Paulette 2004-2005
Pambrun, Jean-Marie and Jocelyne 2002- 2003
Noël, Guy and Johanne 2000 – 2001
Lacroix, Guy and Agathe 1998 – 1999
Clément, Gérald and Hélène 1996 – 1997
Riel, Joseph and Joanne 1994 – 1995
Rémillard, Marc and Aline 1992 – 1993
Forest, Gabriel and Marcelle 1990 – 1991
Dandeneau, David and Huguette 1988 – 1989
Lavack, Philippe and Jacqueline 1986 – 1987
Gaudry, Neil and Léona 1984 – 1985
Laroche, Pierre and Carmen 1982 – 1983
Desaulniers, Aurèle et Gabrielle 1980 – 1981
Loiselle, Lucien and Lucienne 1977- 1978
Prenovault, Gérard and Marie-Jeanne 1974 – 1976
D’Eschambault, Gilbert and Elsie 1973
Marion, Roland 1971 – 1972
Forest, Georges and Anita 1970