The Alexander Mackenzie Voyageur Route: A Community Perspective on Waterways and the Development of a Trans-Canada Heritage Route
Should the Alexander Mackenzie Voyageur Route be protected, developed and promoted as a local and national heritage resource for tourism and recreation?

While tourism and recreation are identified as the most important Route resources for current use and future use and community economic development, the identification and protection of the tangible and intangible heritage resources associated with the Route must take priority. Protection, in terms of compartmentalizing the Route in its entirety and setting it aside for future generations is unrealistic due to the size, complexity and variation of the Route along its course. While it is possible to increase local initiatives for protection of areas along the Route, it is more important to 'protect' the Route as a regionally and nationally important heritage resource through promotion and appreciation. Protection of 'intangible' aspects of heritage involve knowing them better, so by better understanding the Route as an evolving heritage resource, the future of the Route and its associated history is more secure. Oral history and literature associated with the Route are as important as museums and historic sites, reflecting the depth of the relationship to the waterway.

Development of the Route for recreation and tourism requires the identification of existing uses of the Route, and must take into consideration the economic importance of industry, agriculture and fishing. Development should be controlled at the community level, with administrative, logistical and, if possible, financial support from regional, provincial and federal government and national associations and supporters.

The Alexander Mackenzie Voyageur Route is many things to many people. Promotion of the Route, locally or nationally, should not be limited to the historical importance of Alexander Mackenzie or even the fur trade. Understanding Native culture and heritage associated with the Route is essential, and ideally should stem from the participation of Native communities. The Route contains a rich geological and natural history which provides a basis for national promotion, coupled with the historic use of the Route (or segments thereof) by Native and non-Native society.

National promotion of the Route should be directed by local participation, and support and compliment community based development. While there is no legislation to protect the route, acknowledgement of the Route by provincial and federal government, through the proclamations, provides a starting point for responsible use of the Route and its waterways.