500 Days in the Wild

This screening took place on Sunday, March 24, 2024 at 4:00 pmYukon Arts Centre

The 24,000 km Trans Canada Trail stretches across the continent of North America, connecting the Atlantic, Arctic, and Pacific oceans. It is the longest trail in the world.

On Canada Day, 2015, Dianne Whelan left St. John’s, Newfoundland to embark on an epic trek travelling the Trans-Canada Trail and the many waters that connect communities from coast to coast. 2224 days and 24,000 km later, Whelan landed in Victoria, B.C. having traversed all corners of the Canadian landscape.

The film, which won the audience award at the Whistler Film Festival and was the runner up for the Audience chioce for Best Canadian Documentary at ALFF 2024, sees Whelan brave the elements and find harmony with the landscape. It’s a daunting challenge, but Whelan embraces her inner Cheryl Strayed and keeps putting one foot forward after the other, conquering all fears with some help from loved ones along the way. Whelan also connects with Indigenous communities throughout the journey home. She draws upon traditional knowledge and practices to learn more about the history that informs her path.