The Patenaude family became stewards of this land in 1992 and built up Cross River from there. Our cabins are the original Cathedral Mountain Lodge chalets, built in the 1920s/1930 in Yoho National Park. We moved them here and refurbished them in the early 1990s. This instigated the story of Cross River, which at its core is about off-the-grid living and self-sustainability, outdoor adventure and education, and cultural and historical responsibility.
About Us
our story and team
About Us
our story and team
The Patenaude family became stewards of this land in 1992 and built up Cross River from there. Our cabins are the original Cathedral Mountain Lodge chalets, built in the 1920s/1930 in Yoho National Park. We moved them here and refurbished them in the early 1990s. This instigated the story of Cross River, which at its core is about off-the-grid living and self-sustainability, outdoor adventure and education, and cultural and historical responsibility.
The Patenaude family became stewards of this land in 1992 and built up Cross River from there. Our cabins are the original Cathedral Mountain Lodge chalets, built in the 1920s/1930 in Yoho National Park. We moved them here and refurbished them in the early 1990s. This instigated the story of Cross River, which at its core is about off-the-grid living and self-sustainability, outdoor adventure and education, and cultural and historical responsibility.
The Core of Who We Are
Off-The-Grid Living
modelling sustainability, reciprocity & generosity
Holistic Adventure
challenging curious bodies, minds & souls
Relational Responsibilty
cultivating social & ecological resilience
The Core of Who We Are
Off-The-Grid Living
modelling sustainability, reciprocity & generosity
Holistic Adventure
challenging curious bodies, minds & souls
Relational Responsibilty
cultivating social & ecological resilience
The Core of Who We Are
Off-The-Grid Living
modelling sustainability, reciprocity & generosity
Holistic Adventure
challenging curious bodies, minds & souls
Relational Responsibilty
cultivating social & ecological resilience
Shortly after the cabins were refurbished, we added the main lodge for meals and building community, then opened for our first guests from Australia in 1996. Around that same time, we were reconnecting with our family’s ancestry from the Georgian Bay Métis Community. We became affiliated with the Ghost River Rediscovery Society and started our work with Indigenous youth and communities around Canada. Our Indigenous elder’s lodge was built in the mid-2000s, as a dedicated space for collaborations with Indigenous elders and communities.
Shortly after the cabins were refurbished, we added the main lodge for meals and building community, then opened for our first guests from Australia in 1996. Around that same time, we were reconnecting with our family’s ancestry from the Georgian Bay Métis Community. We became affiliated with the Ghost River Rediscovery Society and started our work with Indigenous youth and communities around Canada. Our Indigenous elder’s lodge was built in the mid-2000s, as a dedicated space for collaborations with Indigenous elders and communities.
Shortly after the cabins were refurbished, we added the main lodge for meals and building community, then opened for our first guests from Australia in 1996. Around that same time, we were reconnecting with our family’s ancestry from the Georgian Bay Métis Community. We became affiliated with the Ghost River Rediscovery Society and started our work with Indigenous youth and communities around Canada. Our Indigenous elder’s lodge was built in the mid-2000s, as a dedicated space for collaborations with Indigenous elders and communities.
Diversity Statement
Difference is a testament to life. Social and ecological diversity underwrites the world we stand for. Cross River acknowledges and honours the edges between and fluidity within skin colours, genders, knowledge systems, cultures, and ecosystems.
Difference is a testament to life. Social and ecological diversity underwrites the world we stand for. Cross River acknowledges and honours the edges between and fluidity within skin colours, genders, knowledge systems, cultures, and ecosystems.
Diversity Statement
Difference is a testament to life. Social and ecological diversity underwrites the world we stand for. Cross River acknowledges and honours the edges between and fluidity within skin colours, genders, knowledge systems, cultures, and ecosystems.
Difference is a testament to life. Social and ecological diversity underwrites the world we stand for. Cross River acknowledges and honours the edges between and fluidity within skin colours, genders, knowledge systems, cultures, and ecosystems.
In 2011, we also became affiliated with Outward Bound Canada. The following year, the BC government approved a land tenure agreement with us. This enables our use of adjacent land throughout the Yearling Creek headwaters and peaks, which we use for cultural and educational programs. Shortly after, we added the community yurt to the Cross River grounds, in order to host retreats and enhance our program possibilities. We started offering kids camps for schools and working with various teachers and universities on more land-based and cultural learning initiatives.
In 2011, we also became affiliated with Outward Bound Canada. The following year, the BC government approved a land tenure agreement with us. This enables our use of adjacent land throughout the Yearling Creek headwaters and peaks, which we use for cultural and educational programs. Shortly after, we added the community yurt to the Cross River grounds, in order to host retreats and enhance our program possibilities. We started offering kids camps for schools and working with various teachers and universities on more land-based and cultural learning initiatives.
In 2011, we also became affiliated with Outward Bound Canada. The following year, the BC government approved a land tenure agreement with us. This enables our use of adjacent land throughout the Yearling Creek headwaters and peaks, which we use for cultural and educational programs. Shortly after, we added the community yurt to the Cross River grounds, in order to host retreats and enhance our program possibilities. We started offering kids camps for schools and working with various teachers and universities on more land-based and cultural learning initiatives.
How Are We Different?
For peace of mind
and warmth of heart
and warmth of heart
Home is where the heart is
When here, you are not just at a place of business, but in our home. You will be able to feel the heart of this in every detail.
Environmental Responsibility
Sustainability is not just a trend here, but a way of life. We are fully off-the-grid; practicing to live in balance with the land.
Recreation / Education Balance
We not only focus on recreational sport and activities, but also deeper learning and culture.
Reliable and high quality
Members of our family are personally involved in your visit, from cabin cleanliness to hospitality and programs.
Social / Cultural Responsibility
We are industry leaders in taking settler-colonialism seriously, from design to hiring and operations.
Good things in small packages
We have intentionally kept operations small, for a sense of family and community with the forest and each other.
How Are We Different?
For peace of mind
and warmth of heart
and warmth of heart
Home is where the heart is
When here, you are not just at a place of business, but in our home. You will be able to feel this in every detail.
Environmental Responsibility
Sustainability is not just a trend here, but a way of life. We are fully off-the-grid; always practicing to live in balance with the land.
Recreation / Education Balance
We not only focus on recreational sport and activities, but also deeper learning and culture.
Reliable and high quality
Members of our family are personally involved in all aspects of your visit, from cabin cleanliness to hospitality and programs.
Social / Cultural Responsibility
We are industry leaders in taking settler-colonialism seriously, from design to hiring and operations.
Good things in small packages
We have intentionally kept our operations small, retaining a sense of family and community with the forest and each other.
We continue evolving today. Our innovative guided hikes and Indigenous cultural programs address current conversations around decolonization and truth, justice, and reconciliation. We tailor them to requests and design them for the outdoor industry, tourism and arts organizations, businesses, and schools. Whether here for recreation or education, though, all guests are visiting our family and home, not just a business. And we continue to learn and imagine alongside our guests how to live better together with the land, our history, and each other.
We continue evolving today. Our innovative guided hikes and Indigenous cultural programs address current conversations around decolonization and truth, justice, and reconciliation. We tailor them to requests and design them for the outdoor industry, tourism and arts organizations, businesses, and schools. Whether here for recreation or education, though, all guests are visiting our family and home, not just a business. And we continue to learn and imagine alongside our guests how to live better together with the land, our history, and each other.
We continue evolving today. Our innovative guided hikes and Indigenous cultural programs address current conversations around decolonization and truth, justice, and reconciliation. We tailor them to requests and design them for the outdoor industry, tourism and arts organizations, businesses, and schools. Whether here for recreation or education, though, all guests are visiting our family and home, not just a business. And we continue to learn and imagine alongside our guests how to live better together with the land, our history, and each other.
Our Team
Troy Patenaude, PhD
(he/him)
Georgian Bay Métis scholar, educator, curator, and ACMG hiking guide who has spent his life exploring the intersection between nature, arts, culture, and social change.
Georgian Bay Métis scholar, educator, curator, and ACMG hiking guide who explores the intersections between nature, arts, culture, and social change.
Rob Patenaude
(he/him)
Georgian Bay Métis guide, builder, innovator, and entrepreneur whose sense of adventure, strong work ethic, and enduring relationship with Marilyn, laid the foundation for Cross River.
Georgian Bay Métis guide, builder, innovator, and entrepreneur whose sense of adventure, strong work ethic, and relationship with Marilyn, laid the foundation for Cross River.
Marilyn Patenaude
(she/her)
Settler Canadian (British/Scottish), artist, educator, wild-crafter, and homemaker with a knack for making people feel at home around her, which is also part of the fabric of Cross River.
Settler Canadian (British/Scottish), artist, educator, and homemaker with a knack for making people feel at home around her, which is also part of the fabric of Cross River.
Erica Olmstead, MMEd
(she/her)
Settler Canadian (Welsh/French), free-choice learning educator with interests in cross-curricular, aesthetic, affective, participatory, and dialogic learning models.
Settler Canadian (Welsh/French), free-choice learning educator with interests in cross-curricular, aesthetic, affective, participatory, and dialogic learning models.
Melaina Patenaude, MA
(she/her)
Georgian Bay Métis plant specialist, wild-crafter, and medicine maker with a reverence for the traditional knowledge about plants, food systems, and ecology that was passed down to her.
Georgian Bay Métis plant specialist and medicine maker with a reverence for the traditional knowledge passed to her about plants, food systems, and ecology.
Rocky Courtoreille
(he/him)
Cree/Iroquois/French member of Driftpile First Nation and skilled social worker who values the opportunity to connect through humour, and make a difference in the lives of youth.
Cree/Iroquois/French member of Driftpile First Nation and skilled social worker who values connecting through humour and making a difference in the lives of youth.
Delmar Williams
(he/him)
Squamish/Lil’wat skills practitioner, hunter, archer, fisher, harvester, and ACMG hiking guide who trains youth, adults, and teachers in ancestral skills, knowledges, and resourcefulness.
Squamish/Lil’wat skills practitioner, hunter, archer, fisher, harvester, and ACMG hiking guide who trains youth and adults in ancestral skills, knowledges, and resourcefulness.
Teresa Fritz
(she/her)
Settler Canadian cook, hospitality artisan, mother, and nature lover whose mission is to create community and connection through thoughtful and shared meals and experiences.
Settler Canadian cook, hospitality artisan, mother, and nature lover whose mission is to create community and connection through thoughtful meals and experiences.