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SaskatchewanSaskatchewan CentCentennialennial CanoeCanoe QuesQuestt I Ride along with Myrna Guymer GordonGordon LatLathlinhlin I Remembering OCN’s soft spoken Chief YYearear of the Veteran I Hugh Bunn shares memories of our War Veterans

Free August/September 2005

poetry

Perhaps a little charm; I tried a little teasing, If I kept that up, she said, then we had best be leaving! The lilly-like hand I touched; her voice quaked out, “Oh no you don’t!” “I do, I do,” I gasped, “It’s you it seems who won’t!” “What’s so wrong,” I pled, “with just a kiss or two?” “When you agreed to come with me, what did you think we’d do?” Love strangled by a frigid lass, frustration held me tight, A start that looked so promising, now proved a Illustration, Dave Negrych dreadful night! Then on the drive to her home, she seemed to have warmed, Was this ice-cold fish, Courting Irene slightly melting to my charms? The long, long night which could pass for any- By Dave Negrych Back in my time of hun- french fries, our faces gry desire, when I was wrapped in smiles, thing but bliss, young and keen, As hormones popped Took a twist, when she weet Passion, they say, One Friday night at the and whirled and sped, with- chirped, “Now you may bloomed back in days Jubilee Hall my eyes fell in me all the while! have your kiss!” of yore; upon Irene! I drove the car to Mandy But my manhood had S been stifled; balloon punc- Napoleon and Josephine, A girl so fair, who dwelt Mine, parked near the glis- and even long before. nearby, I knew from long tening lake; tured, Lovers drew together ago. A vision in the moon- I was livid with this like fingers to a glove, Suddenly the sight of her light, where lovers delight- dame! Overwhelmingly smit- had made my juices flow! ed to be, I angrily informed her ten, shot by Cupid from Her moves, her grace; a There we sat and gawked that two could play that above! desirable flower indeed, at it; just Irene and me. game! The wooed and the woo- And I a rogue; well I Her every breath lifted a There was no forgive- ers, love accepted or love was just a wee. bosom so appealing, ness, all night she’d spurned spurned, Sidling to dear damsel’s Together with that hour- my pleas, Caresses and fondles for side, I begged if she would glass shape, had my senses I would not kiss her which untold numbers dance, reeling! now, even if she begged yearned! As the music played and I peered into her dreamy upon her knees! The twitterpation that we slid across the floor, eyes and moved a little “I don’t want it! My the Browning wrote upon, I held her in my longing closer, desire you have broken.” Took place one night, arms and lusted for When lo! Calamity And since that night so mid the rocks and lakes of romance. struck; she shrieked out a, long ago, Irene and me ain’t Flin Flon. A shared soft drink and “NO SIR!” spoken.n

TABLE OF rr Faces of the north N magazine More portraits from the sketchpad of Gerald Kuehl The North’s independent magazine ContentsDeath from within 4 Alien has nothing on tent caterpillars Publisher/Editor Frank Fieber Birds of Churchill 6 Associate Editor On the Cover Why Churchill is a birder’s dream Pamela Fieber Dog whispering on the dock photo by Frank Fieber 10 Those awesome alliums Graphic Artist Something big is brewing in the garden Doug Fedrau 12 Lessons from the tackle box Postal Address August / September 2005 Unconventional wisdom from Ray Gauthier Box 911 Vol.2 Issue 3 Flin Flon, MB R8A 1N7 18 Saskatchewan Canoe Quest Phone rNr magazine is distributed free Ride along with Myrna Guymer 204-687-5411 at more than 100 locations in 25 Fax communities. Our web site, Heeding the call 204-687-3280 northroots.ca displays an elec- 24 tronic version. For those who Hugh Bunn remembers our war veterans Email would like a paper copy mailed [email protected] to their address, we offer Home 30 Temperatures rise Website delivery at $30 for six issues. A www.northroots.ca Our region takes global stage in enviro-research cheque or money order along with a name and address will get Contributing your subscription going for your- 36 My Red Blood Writers self or a friend. Chief Gordon Lathlin worked for his people Hugh Bunn Raymond Gauthier Myrna Guymer 40 Book review Jerrold Hamm Dick Madole, King of the North, by Walter Shmon Andrew Keddie Gerald Kuehl Dave Negrych 44 Lorraine Petryk From the editor Brenda Schmidt ur region is as beautiful as any on tory as it played out in our region you’ve the planet. Sitting on the deck in the got to check out our book review. evening, with the sun sparkling on Our bug and bird columnists get up real Web Master O Heather Johnsgaard the lake, I am reminded just how short close to the action, and we go along with and precious our summer is and how so scientists from the U.S who have arrived to 8,000 copies distributed free many people spend that time in their own way. study our Boreal Forest. at over 100 locations across If the cool September nights get you to our region. Whatever your circumstance as you pick route NORTH roots up your copy of rNr magazine — a tourist, thinking of far away places, we’ve got a magazine a local or a seasonal resident — this issue story from China. From Snow Lake, an old published six times a year. All rights reserved. has something for you. soldier honours the year of the veteran. Reproduction of photos, Our contributors have once again pro- From OCN we have a story of a Chief’s illustration or text in any determination, and 30 big canoes come rac- form without permission is vided a snapshot of life in our region. prohibited. Whether you are a fisherman, gardener, an ing out of the wilds of Saskatchewan. art lover or an adventurer we’ve got a story We start this issue with a poem and we to pique your interest. If you like local his- finish with a drink. Relax and enjoy.n

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Portraits

Gerald Kuehl Charlie loved his life – Charlie and said he smiled Editor’s note Contributing Writer the ability to support his when his image was dis- family yet enjoy the free- played. Unfortunately This is the third pair of Charles Learjaw dom to travel and hunt Charlie's health began to pencil drawings by Gerald without outside interfer- deteriorate at this time and Kuehl. Last issue we ran met Charlie Learjaw in ence. This loss for a period he was admitted to the two portraits from Thicket the summer of 2001 at of time, resulted in Charlie Lynn Lake Hospital. He Portage and Nelson Tadoule Lake. Born in and others developing mis- was such a delightful fel- House. This time we go I trust of non-Aboriginal low that after he passed further north to Tadoule 1911, Charlie hunted, fished, and trapped in this people. Overcoming initial away several months later, Lake in rememberance of area of vast lakes and tun- reluctance, Charlie shared in 2002, at age 91, the two well respected elders dra. In the 1920’s he had a life stories and we enjoyed nurses named the room in of the Sayisi Dene. To find cabin across from Tadoule several hours together. “I which he stayed, after him. out more about Kuehl and Lake and for one summer would like to erase every- I am proud to say the his work, check our last while following the cari- thing and go back to the Charles Learjaw Room issue, online or go to, bou migration, he was old life. To be left alone to now displays my portrait www.portraitsofthenorth.com stranded there. He built a hunt and fish. Life was of this fine member of the birch bark canoe to contin- much simpler then.” Sayisi Dene First Nation.n ue his journey north in the Charlie had a definite fall, a skill Charlie learned dignified presence to him years earlier from his and I promised to pro- father. The Sayisi Dene duce a drawing of him. It were relocated to Churchill was in fact completed in the 1950s. Charlie and several months later. others found work with the Fortunately my work was Canadian National filmed by CBC while Railway but for many, the being exhibited at the forced relocation to an Manitoba Museum that urban community con- fall. I sent Charlie a video tributed to many social tape of the program problems. Eventually many because his portrait was surviving Dene returned to prominently displayed. their traditional lands set- Some friends in Tadoule tling at Tadoule Lake. Lake saw the video with

Pencil drawing of Charles Learjaw Courtesy of Gerald Kuehl

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of the north

Betsy Anderson

n 1910 Betsy was ten years old when Treaty Five between the ISayisi Dene and the Dominion of Canada signalled changes affecting the Sayisi Dene forever. Several years after the treaty signing, her people moved to Duck Lake to be by the Hudson’s Bay Company trading post about 100 kilometers south of the six- tieth parallel in order to sell their furs. “Our people dressed well and ate well. They were good times. We lived through the long, cold winters by prop- erly storing our meat, the caribou.” In 1951, the Indian Act came into effect with increased efforts to assimi- late Aboriginal peoples and traditional caribou hunting became unacceptable to conservation officers. “One day I was in Churchill and a plane landed and our people got out. I knew it would be a disaster and that is what it became.” Over time, her people returned to Tadoule Lake, establishing the Sayisi Pencil drawing of Betsy Anderson Dene First Nation. Courtesy of Gerald Kuehl I spent an entire day with Betsy in her home in 2001. She talked and I recorded. Afterwards she played her accordion and harmonica for me. She was over 100 at the time and by 5 p.m. I was exhausted, but Betsy still wanted to continue. When I commented on her stamina and excellent sense of humor she replied, “I try not to let anything get me down. I am now the oldest in my community. I had to be strong to survive in this world.” Betsy Anderson passed away in the summer of 2004 at 104 years of age, an extraordinary lady whose joy- ful laughter always accompanied the wisdom she loved to share with others.n

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a bug’s life Bugs inspire science fiction

Scenes in the movie Alien closely resemble what one observes through the microscope in the lab Photos by Andrew Keddie Andrew Keddie that different parasitoid groups, screening to the sides or lid of clear Contributing Writer known as guilds, specialize on dif- plastic food containers, I created a ferent developmental stages. Some reusable structure in which to rear hile tent caterpillars peri- attack the egg stages, others the and observe insects. I placed some odically become so num- caterpillars and so on. Parasitoids caterpillars in these structures, sup- Werous as to completely consume the internal tissues of their plying fresh aspen foliage each day. defoliate vast areas of aspen forest, host, some working from the inside I noticed that the caterpillars most years they are difficult to find and others from the outside. In some remained stationary on the plastic unless you conduct a thorough cases more than one parasitoid walls despite a fresh feed of aspen search. Even then they may be diffi- species will attack the same host. leaves. Taking a closer look through cult to locate, with just a few adults The end result is always the same: the clear plastic, I saw that two dark showing up around lights at night in the tent caterpillar host dies. spots just behind the head appeared July. These incredi- Descriptions of how to be cementing the caterpillar in ble fluctuations in “Descriptions of these parasites attack place. Looking through the numer- population have fas- how these parasites their hosts are not for ous containers, I saw that the pattern cinated entomolo- attack their hosts the faint of heart. was always the same; each caterpil- gists and forest biol- are not for the Scenes in the movie lar had these “glue” spots just ogists for years. Alien closely resemble behind the head. Then a most fortu- No doubt many faint of heart.” what one observes nate event occurred. A caterpillar of you will have had through the microscope in the labo- moved up the side of the container personal experience with some of ratory. Rather than watch an alien and became stationary. Shortly these phenomena. burst from a human chest cavity, thereafter some tiny structures start- Insects, like all animals, are though, one sees parasitoid larvae “hosts” for a large number of other splitting open their insect host. organisms. They include a large I have observed a number of number of predators, parasites and these parasitoids at work in my labo- all types of disease-causing ratory. One, the braconid wasp or microbes — viruses, fungi and bac- Aleiodes malacosomatos, attacks teria — that we encounter in our early stage caterpillars. While the own lives. Predators include many doomed hosts continue to feed and Hymenoptera (Parasitic Wasp) species of birds, small mammals, grow at first, they eventually amphibians and, of course, other become stationary. Fixed to the sub- ed to emerge just behind the head insects. Most researchers have strate, they begin to shrink. A few and a patch of fluid spread over the focused on the insect parasites and weeks later the adult wasp chews its plastic in the area. The mouthparts diseases of tent caterpillars. Of these way out of the shrunken caterpillar. of the wasp larvae inside the cater- parasites (also known as parasitoids Since the wasp develops inside the pillar had created two wounds because they kill their hosts), mem- caterpillar, how does it manage to through which it could discharge the bers of the Diptera (flies) and attach the caterpillar to the sub- “glue” to hold the caterpillar in Hymenoptera (wasps) are the most strate? Fortunately I was able to place. Over the next few days the numerous. They are so numerous observe this process. Gluing fine caterpillar shrunk in size. Several route NORTH roots 6 - August/September 2005

weeks later, a healthy wasp adult observed the maggots in the silk tions. emerged from the shrunken body. glands but saw them emerge from The most spectacular disease of The most exciting observations of the silk glands as well. My video- tent caterpillar and perhaps of any parasitoids that I have made in the tapes of the process may not be as insect is caused by a virus. This laboratory are of the parasitic fly, exciting as a Hollywood movie, but virus, a member of the Baculoviridae Patelloa pachypyga. they are not science fiction either. family, has also been the subject of At first glance, the image of the As previously noted, disease- science fiction. The appeal to pur- adult provided here may not look causing microbes are veyors of science fic- very different from other flies you’ve common in tent tion is the manner of encountered — but note all the bris- caterpillar. Images of death that it inflicts tles covering the body. Up close, this tent caterpillar killed upon its victims. fly and its allies are in the family by diseases are not Insects usually are Tachinidae, many of whose members exciting for the most infected by consuming are noted for their “hairy” appear- part — they just look the virus on leaves. In ance. Adult Patelloa pachypyga like dead insects. The caterpillars such as females lay their eggs on aspen image provided here, Forest Tent Caterpillar leaves that are eaten by the caterpil- however, is diagnos- Healthy Forest Tent Caterpillar (FTC) the virus first unknowingly ingests lars. Once inside the caterpillar gut, tic. The caterpillars parasitic fly eggs. infects the gut before an egg will hatch and a small maggot appear to have a spreading to other tis- emerges. This maggot then makes its fuzzy covering. This fuzzy material sues. The gut recovers fully. way through the gut wall into the is actually the reproductive struc- This allows the infected insect to body cavity. In order to avoid the tures of a fungus disease that has continue feeding, thus providing immune response in this region it killed the caterpillar, mummified the nutrients to the remaining virus- enters a silk gland body and is now re- infected tissues. where it bides its emerging to discharge Then a series of seemingly time until the cater- spores to infect more strange events occurs. pillar has grown insects. As is the case An infected insect will cease quite large. It then with many fungi, con- feeding, often climbing to the high- chews its way out of ditions have to be est point in its immediate environ- the silk gland and optimum for signifi- ment and grasp the substrate very consumes most of the cant growth to occur. tightly. internal tissues. Maggot emerges from dried Cool moist air is best. Although it may still be alive, Finally it splits the up Forest Ten Caterpillar host Several years ago, most of its tissues begin to liquefy caterpillar apart, when we were expe- and the insect simply disintegrates. emerges as a large maggot, drops to riencing a cool wet June, a major At this point, of course, it is dead. the soil and pupates. The fly over- tent caterpillar outbreak occurred More than that, though, it seems to winters in this stage. It completes its near Creighton. It was of particular disappear. All that remains is a vast development to an adult the follow- interest to me because a large num- quantity of virus that rains down on ing spring, just in time to lay its eggs ber of northern caterpillar were mixed the substrate below. In classes I on aspen leaves for the next genera- in with the Forest Tent Caterpillar. I demonstrate this with a “pin test”. I tion of tent caterpillars. The exciting was hoping to collect place a diseased insect part of the story for me was observ- and compare the para- in a glass dish and ing the maggot passing through the sitoids of both species. gently touch it with a gut wall. Unfortunately, just at pin at which point it While working on another proj- the time I was to make forms a puddle in the ect, I had dissected a caterpillar and these collections, large dish. Although for was examining its exposed gut. numbers started to die insects the disease is When I looked through the micro- of fungus disease and After the maggot leaves fatal, be assured that scope and saw one of these maggots my research died with its host it drops to the soil none of these viruses suddenly appear, I was so surprised them. The next year where it pupates and winters infects humans or that I actually jumped. Just before when I surveyed the within a hard shell poses any risks to heading up to Denare Beach in late same area nary a caterpillar was to be human health. In fact, members of June I further explored this phenom- found. This illustrates how natural this family of viruses are often found enon by removing several silk glands processes can impact pest populations that had maggots in them. I not only albeit under unusual weather condi- Continued on Page 8

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a bug’s life

Box 600, 314 Edwards Avenue The Pas, MB R9A 1K6 Phone: 623-5411 • Fax: 623-3845 Caterpillar covered in deadly fungus • Commercial and Residential Insurance Cont’d from Page 7 • The Standard Lodge & Outfitters on fresh vegetables. Large to many other insect Insurance program numbers of caterpillars may species, with only the succumb to it. When this names changing. Most • Stand Alone seasonal homeowner policies occurs, slimy pink masses insect species do not reach are visible on tree trunks if the population densities • Commercial Truckers Insurance you observe short- “members that we observe ly after death. in tent caterpil- • Logging Contractors Insurance I have given of this lars due to a family of • Auto Insurance you an introduc- combination of tion to some of viruses are factors. When • Liability Insurance the parasitoids and often found they do become diseases that abundant, we impact popula- on fresh only notice or Visit us at www.cookandcooke.com Your Insurance Broker tions of FTC. vegetables.” care if they are a Understands There are many pest competing more. You might wonder for our food or fibre, whether a few key players spreading disease or irritat- can prevent outbreaks of ing us during outdoor FTC or, once an outbreak activities. Just keep in has occurred, reduce the mind that the vast majority numbers of caterpillars of insects do us no harm down to the point where and that many are in fact they are no longer pests. beneficial.n To me it seems unlikely; the picture is far more complex than that. What I have described for FTC could be applied

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birding The birds of

which is the only way I’d go. It never including the library where I’d give a got truly dark and I didn’t want to reading that afternoon. We stayed at miss anything. The lack of sleep paid the Tundra Inn, a birder friendly off. The changing landscape was place with a board that lists the dates Brenda Schmidt stunning. Goosebumps and locations of significant Columnist rose when the train bird sightings. We took crept over the notes, dropped off e finally made it to bridge spanning our luggage, and Churchill! I say finally not the Nelson River, headed straight to Wonly because it is a bird- the water the docks and watcher’s dream destination, but swirling madly then to Cape because we had booked a trip to below. Mary. Churchill several years ago only to Somewhere The first addi- cancel because of a late spring bliz- near Bird, we tion to our life zard. There was no blizzard to stop watched a forest list came as soon us this year. In fact, we were there fire burn, the as we got out of the from June 18-21 and we were greet- flames reaching up truck. The Common ed with nothing short of enviable into the middle of the Eider, a large sea duck, weather. night. As morning broke, is, indeed, very common, The train trip to Churchill is every we saw a caribou running but it is a gorgeous bird nonethe- bit as memorable as we’d been led to through the sunlit haze. Later, as we less, its otherworldly cooing gentle believe. After doing a reading at the approached Churchill, I saw my first enough to lull a weary traveler to progressive Thompson Public Willow Ptarmigan in breeding sleep. A small flock of King Eiders Library on Thursday night, and stay- plumage. It flushed as the train went had been in the bay just the week ing over at the brand new Days Inn by, then quickly crouched down, per- before, but they were gone by the (they were still stuccoing the exteri- fectly camouflaged. time we arrived. They summer much or!), we hopped on the train late We were met at the train station farther north. Birders from Denmark Friday afternoon. The 15 hour trip is by Tamarack Rentals, who gave us a and Germany saw a stray female reasonable – $113.42 per person quick and helpful tour, pointing out King Eider while we were there, but return, taxes included, going coach, the places we’d visit during our stay, we were unable to locate it. Churchill attracts birdwatchers from around the world. While we were there, tours came and went. We met birdwatchers from all over, including one from South Dakota who was testing new technology that will be available to birdwatchers in the not so distant future. We met her on the Goose Creek Road where we were trying to catch a glimpse of the very vocal but secretive Yellow Rails that were calling nearby. That evening as we dined in the Seaport Hotel, where the chef prepares the most delicious chicken dishes, we chatted about the new technology Common Eider ducks on the wing. ABOVE: Eiders on the rocks. with a birder from Germany. He told Photos by Harvey Schmidt us about his encounter with a caribou

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Churchill

along that road, laughing at the way looks at it through the scope. A spot- We were there for four days and we its legs moved when it walked. ting scope is necessary if you want to saw most of the birds that were on our While there are many birds that spot rarities on the water. Often seals wish list. The Little Gull is one species draw birdwatchers to Churchill from would bob into view and beluga that eluded us. During our search, we near and far, the Ross’s Gull is by far whales were everywhere. I never got were met with beauty everywhere we the one most talked about. Some peo- over the surprise I felt every time a went. The land was covered with an incredible carpet of purple and white flowers, set off by some patches of yel- low, and beneath the clouds the rocks were a dreamy blue. The Canada Geese looked larger than life, nesting here and there, necks outstretched, looking halfway between an exclama- tion and a question mark. All in all, the trip was wonderful. The people of Churchill were friendly and made us feel immediately at home. The accommodations were great, the food was exceptional and the service always came with a cheery smile. The Long tail duck. trip truly was a birdwatcher’s dream. n Photo by Harvey Schmidt Brenda Schmidt is an award-winning ple manage to see it, others don’t. whale came into view. Through the writer and artist. Brenda and Harvey Harvey and I were extremely lucky. scope their slick white bodies shone Schmidt have been birding in the north We saw it several times on the rocks so brightly it made me blink. I had to for over 17 years. To find out more go to near the docks and one afternoon we blink a lot. http://schevv.sasktelwebsite.net saw four at once. Harvey took photos of them. To top it off, two of them performed their mating ritual. It was incredible. To celebrate, we shared a generous slice of tiramisu, a delight- ful Italian coffee cake, at the wonder- ful Gypsy Bakery. Another highlight was the Parasitic Jaeger. It’s a notorious pirate and its aerial pursuit of terns and gulls is breathtaking. We just happened to be there when a large number migrated through. The sight brought on many oohs and ahs from birdwatchers, but for the birds trying to feed near shore it was pure chaos. The Black Guillemot was a bird we had not expected to see, since it’s not seen that often there, but Harvey spotted one near an ice floe not far from the docks. We both had great

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gardening

Awesome Lorraine Petryk ums are Contributing Writer edible varieties, bloom in shades of purple, September, because this re you looking to which include onions, some varieties bear flow- allows enough time for a add some drama to shallots, leeks, chives, and ers of blue, pink, white, or good root system to form garlic. While their savory yellow. Allium foliage before the ground freezes. Ayour garden? Try cousins excel in the emits a pungent garlic or Planting depth is usually adding alliums — orna- kitchen, ornamental alli- mental onions. The thing I alliumsonion-like scent when about four times the ums shine in the peren- bruised or crushed. height of the bulb love most about alliums is nial border. Like they are a great transition The flowers, (approximately six inches most gardeners, however, can deep). Place bulb in soil flower since they bloom in my first be sweetly with point up. Since alli- the late spring and early experience scented. ums thrive in well-drained summer. Planted in with alli- The soil; amend the planting groups, they add height ums came flower area by adding organic and an airy lightness to a from heads matter such as compost or mixed perennial border. growing generally well-rotted manure to a chives for Fresh cut or dried and are globe- depth at least a couple salads. shaped and inches deeper than you'll sprayed with varnish, Garlic these eye-catching peren- range in be planting the bulb. chives bloom diameter Some phosphorus fertiliz- nials are a flower quite late in arranger’s delight. from three to er can be applied at plant- the season and 12 inches. Alliums ing time and should be Countless people have produce white flowers. loved alliums since the come in all heights, from placed in the root zone as The regular purple flower- four inches to four feet. well. Water generously earliest civilizations. In ing chives bloom early, the Middle Ages, onions The leaves of alliums after planting. After the and I use these as accent come in many shapes, ground freezes, apply were thought to improve plants along my perennial vision, enhance sexual from round to straplike to mulch three inches deep to beds. But beware, chives broad. For many species, help prevent damage to prowess and counter bald- can become invasive! ness. The best-known alli- the foliage has withered bulbs caused by the freez- Although most alliums by the time flowering ing and thawing cycles occurs, earning these that occur during winter. plants the nickname drum- This mulch may be stick alliums. Most allium removed in May before leaves wither unattractive- the shoots emerge, or left ly, so plant alliums among in place if the shoots can perennials that have penetrate it easily. foliage to camouflage Alliums are easy to their bare stems. Remove grow as long as they have the foliage after it has plenty of sun. Note that a withered — the bulb will solid block of one colour have matured by that time. is more impressive from a Try mixing them in with distance than a mixture of irises, peonies, bleeding colours and varieties. heart, Asiatic lilies, They multiply and daylilies and hosta. I like increase in beauty each to leave the dried clusters year, providing more to provide a tasty snack stems and blooms for for birds in winter. years to come. However, White allium The best month for their bulbs decline in planting these bulbs is vigour and the flower route NORTH roots 12 - August/September 2005

turn from green to bur- gundy as they mature. Long-lasting 1 1/2-inch blooms thrive anywhere. Giant Allium — An interesting focal point for your garden. Huge blooms average six inches (15 cm) across for an exotic touch. Foliage is grey-blue, curved, and strap-like. Very decorative. Azure Allium — Charming flax blue spheres retain their colour up to a month. Moly — Also known as lily leek or golden garlic, great naturalizer and does well in partial shade. ‘Moly’ is ideal in rock gar- dens or at the front of a border. The striking clus- ters of citrus-yellow flow- ers are produced on 12- inch stems, blooming in late May to early June. Moly can create little rays Jordyn Petryk in Lorraine’s garden. Left, allium seed heads. Right: in full bloom. of brilliant sunshine in Photo, courtesy Lorraine Petryk your garden when densely planted.n cluster size diminishes tional blooms. already has started. accordingly, so give them When buying bulbs, Here is a list of some plenty of elbow room. A look for the largest size alliums you may want to To order bulbs or number of novelty alliums within the type or variety. consider, as they are hardy request free catalogs have been developed as Bulbs can be purchased to zone three. call:Veseys, P.E.I., giant showstoppers and are from catalogs, open bins Purple Sensation —My 1-800-363-7333 worth replacing every few and convenience pre-packs favourite! One of the finest McFaydens, Brandon, years, should they start in stores. Check bulbs for alliums for borders — 1-800-205-7111 shrinking. Once estab- bruising and signs of three-inch balls of deep Cruickshank’s, Toronto lished, alliums require mould or mildew. Don’t purple top three-foot 1-800-665-5605 minimal care and will consider bulbs that have stems. grace your garden year produced green tips, an Drumstick Allium — after year with their sensa- indication that growth Intriguing novelty flowers route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 13

UPDATES

Detail of Bateman mural Image Courtesy of Design North

The Lady Slipper, Re: Spirit Way Mural, Vol. 2 Issue 2. Cypripedium Acaule A Canadian company, C5, has been awarded the Photo by Dan Dzuba contract to paint the Robert Bateman wolf mural in Thompson. Charles and Sarah Johnston are award- Re: Provincial Flowers grow here, Vol. 2 Issue 2. winning artists from Winnipeg (mural of the year A reader sent in this picture of Cypripedium Acaule, 2004). Work on the 10-storey photo realistic mural the provincial flower of P.E.I. Dan Dzuba of Flin Flon began August 1st and is expected to take six weeks. found it near Granite Lake just down the Hanson Lake Road.

Fallen Son by Doug Dmytriw on display at the Manitoba Legislature Building. Photo, Courtesy Gov. of Manitoba Re: Fallen Son, Vol. 2 Issue 2. Doug Dmytriw has gone on to win the people’s choice award at the Manitoba Legislature in the 3rd Annual Northern and Rural Art Show held in July. Here’s how it looked against the stone walls of the Legislature.

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letters from china

Illustration, Doug Fedrau Two days on the road and I’m a’gonna make it home tonight. (maybe)

Jerrold Hamm coming onto the road. old boy a mouthful of near disaster would light Contributing Writer These guys all drive like I diesel smoke. One of the another cigarette with the do when I’m on the Chinese students translated one he was smoking, Hanson Lake Road. The the Chinese curses for me throw the used butt out the he highways in difference is that the and as they were truly foul open window, fire another China are excellent Hanson is empty and in I called our driver Vulgar burst of Chinese invective Tbut the highway China the highways are Bruce. He was a chain like a string of firecrack- drivers are insane. Greg, a like paths for migrating smoker and after every ers at the rearview mirror, fellow traveler, says: “you lemmings. must embrace the chaos” I rode in the front seat and, to be sure, a day in of the van for seven hours HOLMENHHOLMENHOOLLMMEENN Asia is worth a lifetime in all the way to Mount Medicine Hat or any other Taishan, and all the way TREETTREETRREEEE SERSSERSEERRVICEVVICEVIICCEE retirement spa. Who would back two nights later. not escape the world of Though not in every case proliferating by-laws that my own, I counted no less crush the spirit and travel than eleven near-death to a place where every experiences during minute is unpre- those two trips. dictable? But, Most often the highways are life of another the exception. Chinese peasant Highways are pedaling his places where wagon bike in thousands of the darkness or Serving Flin Flon, The Pas, tons of hurtling goosing his motor- Thompson and area steel (or is it bike or three-wheeled hurtling plastic?) are tinker toy truck onto the Fully insured specialists in professional tree removal, coming at you all the highway without lights or trimming and stump removal in residential areas. time and it would be concern was at risk. The Our lightweight self-propelled stump machine quickly nice if everybody stayed driver of the van whose grinds up into mulch, any size tree stump, in their own lanes in the English name was Bruce completely down below ground level. face of oncoming traffic would let fly a burst of when they went up a hill Chinese curses, swing the For a free written estimate or rounded a sharp curve. van on another sickening It would be nice if farmers curve around the insou- Call 623-1700, The Pas would wait until the traffic ciant peasant and goose Email: [email protected] lanes were clear before the gas pedal to give the route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 15

letters from china

nod at me for confirmation fresh mutton? No I did not and hit the accelerator. and neither did the other Most of the wildlife in passengers getting back on China has been killed off the bus. The farmer, who and eaten long ago but would wait through the day small flocks of black goats, beside the highway selling the little black horny types fresh mutton waved good- and big sheep that look like bye to us and the sheep in woolly cows with mule the truck box watched him. heads wander along the I don’t think they trusted roadside keeping the grass him. Vulgar Bruce swore down. The shepherds make something at the garage their flocks cross and re- mechanic and we were cross the four lane high- away. Nordic Pharmacy ways upon a whim. A “freeway high” in 328 Fischer Ave. The Pas, MB Apparently the grass in America is one thing: 204-623-5331 China is always greener on There’s a tacit agreement the other side. We killed among most North Pharmacists: none of the livestock but American drivers that Ian Johnson other buses did. We passed everyone is going to use Pat Tonn two stalled buses with a their head at some point or dead sheep stuck to the other. Sure, we all enjoy grill, the passengers stand- speeding, we all get a ing around smoking while ‘rush’ darting by a semi and the shepherd wailed his feeling that surge of power grievance at the driver. but we usually give way Sheep have always had a when we must–being alive tough time: We stopped at a still beats the alternative. garage and the crowd Forget all that on a Chinese onboard got off and headed highway. It’s pure to the bathrooms. A three Darwinism over here. I wheeled truck drove up, the don’t know if only the box full of live sheep and fittest survive but certainly the driver pulled a sheep the luckiest do and, by out of the box and slit its some strange law, the most throat and hung the animal reckless. It’s a great place by its heels to a tripod for a psychotic. In a short mounted on the back of the while I had become the dri- truck. While the sheep was ver’s twin, his doppel- twisting, jerking and bleed- ganger, cursing and growl- ing, the farmer skinned it ing in tune. We understood expertly and pulled the not a single word of each steaming hide to one side. other’s respective languages The animal finally bled out but we were soul brothers and hung quietly though its in our mutual detestation of eyes moved. The farmer everything on the highway gutted the sheep and split it beyond the windshield: down the spine with an axe. “Look at that idiot.” I The two halves of the sheep would point at yet another swung away and the insane biker squirting into farmer’s wife who had col- our lane between two lected the blood in a plastic oncoming cars. Bruce pail put the pail in the front would growl a Chinese seat of the truck. The whole curse in complete agree- business had taken about 15 ment. “Over there.” I would minutes. The farmer smiled point at an oncoming truck at me and gestured with his moving over into our lane knife: Did I want some in order to pass another route NORTH roots 16 - August/September 2005

letters from china Creighton truck. Vulgar Bruce would We jumped past 130 kms take a quick look in the an hour and started to rearview mirror and we’d weave a serpentine path jump into a right hand lane around the big trucks. This SuperSuper SStoptop to make room for the semi ‘bailando con muerte’ as to pass us on the left. We the Spanish would call it Gas Bar and Convenience Store could have shaken the dri- or dancing with death last- Located on the Creighton Freeway ver’s hand but cursed him ed for two hours until we instead. swung off the main free- Vulgar Bruce has the way and into a construc- freeway high in spades tion project. Bruce filled now: Four semis block our the van with Chinese curs- lane but do we hesitate? es. He had hoped to avoid Do we look upstream this stretch but somewhere before we pull out to pass his neuron wires got four trucks? What? Are switched and we had hit you afraid? Have you no the mess dead centre. The Asian cojones? Bruce hits next twenty kilometers the gas pedal and away we woke everyone on the bus go. An oncoming car and soon everybody was jumps onto the road shoul- swearing. We crawled der like a startled deer and along and came to a dusty leans on his horn as we Chinese village. Bruce got pass; another oncoming car out and asked for direc- does the same. We’re past tions and we found the the trucks and we slip back detour road that took us to into our lane. Bruce lights a paved highway that wan- another cigarette, mutters dered uncertainly east. We something in Chinese, took it for about 30 min- grins at me and eases back utes, found a better four on the accelerator. I don’t lane and we were away smoke. I have no crutch. I again, really flying this hide my white knuckles time, Buddha help the under crossed arms. Chinese peasant should he “Showed those mad bug- happen to be in our way gers didn’t we?” I say. now but the farmers of Bruce mutters something China had gone to bed at lost in translation. The last and I only saw two crowd in the bus, wrapped dead cats and a goat before in that remarkable sense of Bruce pointed at the glow immortality reserved for on the horizon that told those under thirty, contin- him Yantai was just ahead. ues to sleep. It was midnight when we After our fourth toll- got to the university’s east- gate, we came onto a four ern gate. I shook the dri- lane freeway with a boule- ver’s hand and gave him vard of small Cypress trees the thumbs up sign. I liked lining the centre lane. Bruce. He was a survivor Traffic was bumper to and, driving in China for a bumper but there was no living, that’s saying some- oncoming traffic to face in thing. Bruce grinned at me the night. This was the and lit another cigarette. It main road between the was all in a day’s work and provincial capital and tomorrow he would have Beijing and Vulgar Bruce to face the chaos again.n made up for some lost time that had to be accounted for somewhere in his head. route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 17

fishing

Two boys, two dads, a jumble of lures Life lessons from

Raymond Gauthier towards my line. Contributing Writer The trout chose this moment to dive under the canoe bringing my line into contact with the glowing end of Dick’s cigarette. n the late ’60s Dick Riehl and I The trout and my special jig were talked our parents into letting now gone. Ius camp on Clearwater Lake Dick was deeply apologetic. Of for a week to fish for lake trout. course, I milked it for all it was Armed with my dad’s 18-foot worth. My ploy for sympathy freighter canoe, a five-horse Elto worked for the rest of the day. motor, enough food for a It wasn’t until the middle of the month, and a four man tent, we next day that Dick mentioned the got dad to drive us down from fact that I was still catching three quarters of the fish and that I was Flin Flon and drop us off at now using a jig that he had already the pump house across from tried. The Pas Airport. Being young and foolish, and not After setting up camp on realizing the danger that I was about Honeymoon point, we set to subject myself to, I blurted out the out to fish for lake trout. truth. Because I was running the Since all our previous motor I had noticed that whenever I fishing experiences were had made a turn that the person on for walleye and pike, we the inside of the turn caught a fish. started out trolling. For the past two days I had made We trolled large jigs sure that I was on the inside. various distances behind Dick sat silently in the front of the canoe. Every once in a the canoe slowly digesting my sur- while we were rewarded prise revelation. Slowly his face with a laker. turned to a brilliant red. His neck The next day, we, or I muscles grew taut and his eyes should say I, were doing began to bug out. much better. Suddenly Dick leaped to his feet I caught four or five trout in with a paddle in his hand. a row. In a loud, controlled voice he told Dick was convinced that it me that if I didn’t want to be beaten was because of the jig that I had to within an inch of my life that he on. It was a two-ounce hair jig had better be on the inside of every with a red head and white hair and turn until further notice. it was outfishing all of the jigs that Being a quick learner and not Dick tried. wanting to be foolish twice in one As I reeled another trout to the day, I complied. boat a frustrated Dick pulled a ciga- For the next two days Dick was rette from his mouth and said, “I on the inside of every turn. Now he ought to . . .” while gesturing was catching more fish than me, not route NORTH roots 18 - August/September 2005

fishing

and a whole lotta fish to catch the tackle box

three out of four, because I was myself and thinking that he was duplicate Dick’s success. able to move my line to the back of wasting his time. Reluctantly we all went back to the canoe on the turns but enough to He snapped it onto his line and jigs and smelt and catching the occa- keep the paddle out of his hands! lowered it to the bottom. sional fish. For the last two days of our trip, He began working it with a For the rest of the trip that spoon our fathers, Marcien Gauthier and Al motion similar to that we were using hung on the end of Dick’s rod. Riehl, joined us for their days off. to work our jigs. Again, I snickered He knew better than to return it to They to myself. my tackle box. I never got it back brought Being the experienced angler that until we were packing up to return smelt with I was, I knew that spoons were home. “ them and meant to be fished horizontally by Dick outfished us everywhere we Now we were introduced casting or trolling, not vertically anchored. all switching to us to jigging jigged. The old black-and-yellow spoon spoons. under an My smile began to fade as he with Dick’s jigging technique out- Dad, Al, and I anchored caught a fish. fished jigs and smelt every time. boat. All feelings of superior knowl- It was a great trip filled with tried every We edge were gone as we watched Dick wonderful memories. It was the first spoon in the anchored in catch fish after fish with his non- time that I got to observe non-tradi- boat, but we about 40 feet conforming technique. tional methods outfish traditional of water. Now we were all switching to methods.n couldn’t Our fathers spoons. Dad, Al, and I tried every duplicate and I were spoon in the boat, but we couldn’t Dick’s success. catching Reluctantly we enough fish to keep our- all went back selves happy to jigs. but Dick wasn’t satis- fied. ” He tried everything in his tackle box trying to find something that would improve his catch. Having gone through his tackle box without success he asked me if he could try lures out of my tackle box. Remembering the paddle I told him to go ahead. The first lure he chose was a black and yellow spoon about six inches long and three inches wide. It was in the bottom because I had never had any luck using it. I can still remember snickering to route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 19

sponsored page CT scanner saves lives across region

Frank Fieber route NORTH roots

wo years ago, a CT (computer- ized tomography) scanner was Tinstalled at St. Anthony’s Hospital in The Pas. Since then they’ve processed about 2,400 patients a year. Using several beams of X-rays simultaneously and from different angles, the machine can create a three-dimensional view for superior diagnostic imaging. The machine looks like a dough- nut standing on its edge. The dough- Radiologist, Dr. Deborah Mabin with CT and ultrasound images nut hole is where all the action takes Photos by Frank Fieber place. The patient lies on a mecha- nized bed, which transports the body then provide a much more detailed into the doughnut hole. Laser cross- image. It comes in handy in trauma hairs help the operator to position the cases, such as a car accident. patient in exactly the spot where the “If we know someone will have cross-sectional scan will provide the to go to Winnipeg for a treatment we detail needed. X-rays pass across the can’t perform here, we can send the interior, reaching the sensors on the images ahead so doctors have opposite side. already seen the CT before the If the X-rays pass through bone patient gets there,” Mabin says. they appear lighter than if passing Chemotherapy patients who need through tissue. The computer can a CT scan every three months can interpret the data from the sensors to save time, as well as the inconven- create an onscreen image. ience of travel. Contrast is some- Originally designed to take pic- times added to a patient’s blood- tures of the brain, modern scanners stream, and this can be done in The can make very detailed images of Pas, using a controlled injection fea- almost any part of the body. ture on the CT Scanner. The machine in The Pas is a dual The exterior of the CT scanner. Kidney stones are another exam- slice helical made by General ple where the local CT can really Electric. Each scan provides a nar- save time, travel and pain. row, five-millimetre wide cross-sec- The machine takes its photo slices tion. The time required depends on much faster than an MRI but slower the number of scans required to than a single X-ray. Small children cover the affected area. who need to be sedated to prevent The Pas’ resident radiologist, Dr. movement during the scan, have to be Deborah Mabin, has been interpreting scanned in Winnipeg or Brandon. The images at St. Anthony’s since 1996 Pas Diagnostic Imaging department and she was glad to see the arrival of handles about 180 to 200 patients a the digital processing and storage. month from all over the NorMan “Being digital means we can, in Region. The resident radiologist can 10 minutes, send an image to A patient ready to scan. read the scan and fax results to the Brandon or St. Boniface,” says patient’s doctor almost immediately. Mabin. “To be able to call up an Your doctor may notice some- Regular scheduled appointments ultrasound image and compare it to thing unusual in a routine X-ray. A have about a two-week waiting list; CT scan — that is fantastic.” “follow up” on the CT scanner can emergencies get immediate priority.n This page sponsored by NOR-MAN Regional Health Authority route NORTH roots 20 - August/September 2005

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route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 21

Regionalroundup

Above: Menno drains another putt at the Thompson Golf Club

Right: Paint Lake Marina 15 minutes south of Thompson Above: King Miner action at Nickel Days

Below: Midway at Nickel Days, Thompson

route NORTH roots 22 - August/September 2005

p

Above: Flooding of the Saskatchewan River at The Pas

Left: Greg Richard prepared for the worst as the river reached the top of an 8’ river bank. As it turns out, Greg was looking at the worst. The water has since receeded.

Photos by Frank Fieber

Below: Veterans and kids enjoy the Trout Festival Parade in Flin Flon Below: Two retired canoe racers Norm Crerar and Gib McEachern showing their legs at Beaver Lake Day

route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 23

The 15-day race saw 30 teams of six paddlers at a time navigate their way from west to east clear across northern Saskatchewan. Paddlers plunge into Leaf Rapids on the Sturgeon Weir River. Photo by Jeff Henderson 966 kilometres Saskatchewan Centennial Canoe Quest and 15 days Myrna Guymer proud. Saskatchewan. In 25-foot Contributing Writer The Saskatchewan voyageur canoes, the race of sheer grit, Centennial Canoe Quest took them from the t was a bold celebration Race and Pageant is over Clearwater Dene Nation and those that played a role near La Loche to Sturgeon Monday, June linking the past and the in the 966-kilometre race Landing. Ipresent. Many days, it can claim that pride. After a year of prepara- was downright brutal. It The 15-day race saw 30 tion and training, our team, 20 to Monday, was an ordeal — an incred- teams using six paddlers at Amisk Lake Voyageurs, ibly satisfying one — one a time navigate their way pulled out of Denare Beach July 4, 2005 where you stand back and from west to east clear in a loaded 27-foot trailer say, “I DID IT” and feel across northern and 15 passenger van. The route NORTH roots 24 - August/September 2005

ern Saskatchewan. Paddlers plunge into Leaf Rapids on the Sturgeon Weir River. Photo by Jeff Henderson Centennial Canoe Quest

kick-off to the Canoe Quest entourages headed north- dining hall, twirling and morning, they may even started Saturday, June 18 in west toward La Loche for laughing until dragged off have slept with paddles in Prince Albert with registra- “the experience of a life- by teammates. They were hand and their clothes on. tion, canoe inspection and time,” a quote heard from paddling the first stage Into a mighty cold wind, 30 sprint races Sunday on the dozens of people. (day) and wanted a 4 a.m. teams pushed off that swift Saskatchewan River. Once camp was set up, wake-up call and a huge morning from the The dumping of the “Red several of us joined the pot of porridge ready. Clearwater Dene Nation. Coats” (the R.C.M.P. team) Treaty Day celebrations on Porridge and coffee The shore start was a and two days of drizzling the shores of Lac La Loche. were ready. So were our six mass of colour, wide eyes rain didn’t dampen any- Dancing reels and jigs with paddlers. They were elec- and thumping hearts. one’s excitement. Later that the locals, we fended off tric, fired up. Like little day, 30 canoes and their the cold winds in an open kids anxious for Christmas Continued on Page 26 route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 25

canoe quest “ Continued there were no quitters. and many times a paddler The shores were Every community along almost lost balance when from Page 25 lined with Considering the hype and the Quest route left its own reaching in for a stroke and anticipation of the Quest, unique memories. And caught only air — the bow spectators this first stage proved to be there was never any mis- was that far out of the who hollered, an emotional one. At the take in finding the finish at water. I shuddered at the each day’s stop. The shores thought of that. But we whistled, end of that day and close to drummed and 90 km paddled, there were were lined with spectators made it to Dillon. Another many comments, all dis- who hollered, whistled, breakfast and a change of cheered couraging. drummed and cheered for clothes was a welcome for every “What have we got our- every single canoe. That is reprieve from the soaking single canoe. selves into?” blurted some memory when you rain and waves experienced consider that the last canoe on the lake. Then it was to finish for the day was back in the canoe for a 41- ” sometimes more than km run to Buffalo Narrows. Trying to take in the geog- vet I have ever seen, were raphy of the new area we gradually being cut up, were passing was almost smoked and barbecued. impossible. Keeping in pad- Strips of fresh fish, too, bubbled over an outdoor fire. Tired, aching paddlers were treated to a massage in the First Aid tent. The rain came down and the party continued. I one of our bought a gorgeous team members four hours behind the first. pair of beaded as he staggered from the For the second stage moccasins. As canoe. switch, I paddled; first a dling synch “It was TOUGH,” said short 12-km stretch from with the team another, and then the tears Michel Village on Peter was imperative. flowed. Pond Lake — the largest Every 20 or 25 strokes One gal on the Scottish lake of the whole race. I all of us had to slide in team remarked, “Halfway remembered what our team unison to the opposite side up the lake, (Peter Pond), I mates had said about this of our seat when our lost my will to live.” lake the day before: stand- captain called, Yet, the next morning, ing waves that they surfed “Ready? Change!” down, rocking and rolling One daydreamer could easily cause a capsize. One team mem- ber calculated that if he I pad around our cabin in paddled the whole race, he them now, the smoky smell would slide 28 or so kilo- of home-tanned moose hide metres on his seat. reminds me of the colorful More music, dancing reception in Patuanak. and feasting in Buffalo Stages 5 and 6 were the Narrows. Next day at Ile a first of four mandatory la Crosse, paddlers wit- campouts. That meant that nessed the sod turning of a all supplies, (tents, sleeping new High School and bags, food) had to be car- Health Centre. Each host ried in the canoe for that community gathered us stage. Also, the six paddlers willingly into their prideful had to continue for the two and unique reception. or three days of that stage Stage 4, we landed at as there was no access to a Patuanak. That was a wel- road to meet the support come we won’t forget. Two vehicles. fresh killed moose, heads This first campout OCN Womens team Photo by Frank Fieber resting on a tarp, the antlers caused many teams a lot of covered in the thickest vel- grief. One of the maps had

route NORTH roots 26 - August/September 2005

Working on a Birch Bark Canoe at Stanley Mission Glen Campbell

a crucial section missing, river bank. leaving off sections of large Rifles lakes, narrow entrances to cracked the long bays and the actual clouded route, which for that day skies. Pump-action The Alberta team, Ray Fieber (front) and Vic Maxwell (2nd) was a total of 96 km. shot guns spit red cas- paddled in the 1967 race and came back for more. Behind Confusion resulted, even cades of empty shells. Vic is Dan Lyons from Flin Flon with the supplied Global One little guy in his Photo by Frank Fieber Positioning Systems (GPS). mother’s arms pointed This delay and the many his gleaming new six stop at La Ronge for a on our stern, we plowed rapids they ran and two shooter — a toy, I hoped. comfy night in a motel, into the shore, leapt from mandatory portages also The shots echoed up the restaurant meals and shop- the canoe into hip-high increased their total time. river. We wondered if any ping. water and clambered like Some teams did not arrive of the paddlers would think Grandmother’s Bay angry bears up the steep, at their destination until they were being shot at. offered many interesting muddy bank. We must have close to five hours behind Stages 7, 8, and 9 had diversions: birch bark bit- alarmed the team ahead of the first. One team reported the 180 paddlers running ing and basket making, us already on the portage. that their GPS registered long stretches of very fast paddle making, traditional They pulled to the side to 140 km that day. water, pulling the 270- hand games, trapper events, let us pass. Staggering, Next day, teams paddled pound canoes over five art and craft displays. We grunting and yelling, my 79 more kilometres to portages, and camping out tried our hands at many of team dragged our voyageur reach Pinehouse. The for two nights. They cov- these including the feasting replica over the rock and reception there was unsur- ered 175 km through and dancing. stump-strewn trail. I pulled passed. A young fellow Canadian Shield country I paddled Stage 10 — a up the rear, staggering and with binoculars clung to that, at times, required con- short 30 km in drizzling grunting. At the summit, branches in a tree announc- centrated navigation. rain. We had two portages we held the canoe back ing, “Here comes one!” In the meantime, while around waterfalls. On one, from plunging into the Loud boisterous gunfire six of our team paddled the team nearly left this water at the base of Twin erupted from 15 or 20 gun- their hearts out, the remain- female elder behind. Falls. Wet and muddy, we toting men that lined the ing seven of us, made a Racing to beat a canoe hot jumped in like excited

Team PBCN #1 finished strong, 2nd place overall. See pg. 34 for paddlers names Photo, Frank Fieber

route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 27

Drummers impressive display of love mouth. Yet, it took us at Knee of our country. The Scottish longer to paddle across the Lake team too, displayed pride wide open water of the lake Photo by Myrna for their country. In every than on the river. Winds Guymer community, their piper increased as we laboured. blew familiar tunes on the Drizzling rain bagpipes to great applause. kept us wet. Our big canoe At Pawistik Lodge on dug into the growing Maligne Lake, where the waves that washed over- Sturgeon Weir River inter- board, requiring constant sects with Highway 106, bailing. Soaking me further, we were met with streams one teammate in front of of spectators and a home- me unintentionally scooped to cooked turkey feast brought the top of each wave with imagine by our driver’s wife. We every stroke and threw it how 30 canoes think she may have just back. I threatened to drown and the paddlers had been happy to see that her him when we got to shore. any room to camp with- husband survived the trip At times, it seemed that we out hanging from the trees. so far. may not get there but just a Continued from Page 27 Teams of the Quest My last hurrah was the few kilometres from arrived in Pelican Narrows 75 km run down the Denare Beach, our home, puppy dogs afraid to be left on July 1. Sunny Canada Sturgeon Weir River into the sun came out. We shed behind and headed for Day celebrations included Denare Beach. I had pad- raingear and sweaters. Stanley Mission. canoe races. For some rea- dled this many times but Rounding the peninsula The last campout, son none of us participated! had never run Leaf Rapids point, we found energy we Stages 11 and 12, took Instead we watched the tal- — the first rapids on this had thought was lost and teams from the Churchill ent shows, face painting, section of river and a near paddled into the cheering River, over the historic tug-of-war and visited with three-metre drop. I was a bit crowd. Frog Portage and into the the local people. Canadian dubious of my teammates’ Our hometown area, headwaters of the Sturgeon flags and banners were judgment that it would be a which includes Denare Weir River. Having paddled stretched from one end of “fast, easy run”. I relaxed Beach, Flin Flon and there last year, it was hard the village to the other; an after two of our guys shot Creighton, was not to be the rapids in kayaks. So outdone. From the finish next morning, as we line, everyone moved to the reached the rapids, I con- Northern Gateway Museum centrated on eyes front, grounds. Revellers, workers paddle and pull. It was a and paddlers all filled up on fast, easy run and exciting. fresh pickerel, hamburgers That set of rapids, two and pop. A beer garden in portages and a clear free full swing satisfied the run down Snake Rapids got thirst of many, including us through the river. paddlers who on long dry - This section of the river mouth stretches had wished is close to 50 km in length. aloud for a “cold one” on Amisk Lake is about 25 km long, dry-mouth stretches across from the river of river. A live band

R.M. of Kelsey A Truerue NorthNorthernern EExpxperiencerience •Cranberry Portage Trout Challenge – August Long Weekend •Cranberry Portage Bombardier Rally - 1st weekend in March •Wanless Jamboree - 3rd weekend in July •Opasquia Agricultural Society Fair & Exhibition Third weekend in June •Ralls Island Annual Ski-doo Poker Derby Residential •Home of the Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club and Rural Municipality of Kelsey Commercial 264 Fischer Ave., P.O. Box 578 The Pas, MB R9A 1K6 Lots For Sale E-mail: [email protected] • Website: www.thepasarea.com LUD of Cranberry Portage Office 105 Portage Road, P.O. Box 209 Cranberry Portage, MB R0B 0H0 E-mail: [email protected] From Farming to Fishing, we have it all! route NORTH roots 28 - August/September 2005

pumped out dancing tunes and a few of us, who wouldn’t admit fatigue, kicked up some dust. This was a special hometown welcome. It was a reunion with paddlers from the 1967 voyageur canoe race across Canada, two of whom paddled the Quest. Representatives from each team relayed to the audience how they were impacted by the Quest. Next morning, 30 teams stretched along the start line on Amisk Lake, anxious for the last stage of the Quest. After giving what had become their customary thank you to each host com- munity — three hip-hip- hurrays, and a 180-blade paddle wave — they set off with the sun at their backs. Amisk Lake Voyageurs reach their home community finishing 14th overall On one set of rapids on the Photo by Frank Fieber South Sturgeon Weir River, three of the teams dumped. everyone because six of the and even, if, we would finish. A fourth, Team Amachewis- 31 registered teams (one Whatever those answers A Film crew pimawin from Stanley team did not start) were may be, one thing is cer- followed the Mission, stayed to rescue from Cumberland House. tain: the legacy of the race and their them. In true spirit of the And, most notably, two Quest will not die. documentary Canoe Quest, the four of the six winning Quest With the support and will air on SCN, teams crossed the finish line teams were from interest shown across our September 13th simultaneously by holding Cumberland House; a true province of Saskatchewan from 9-11 pm. For each other’s gunwales. testament to their canoeing and far beyond, there will more information on Cumberland House, expertise. surely be more people, the Saskatchewan The Saskatchewan young and old, paddlers or Centennial Canoe which was to have been the Quest winners race finish, was cancelled Centennial Canoe Quest is not, racing to those histori- and a list of due to high flood waters over. Each of us in the cal voyageur canoes for a paddlers from and the necessary evacua- Quest had our reasons for taste of this “experience of our region go tion in that community. entering. We each may a lifetime.”n to page 34. This sad blow by have had a goal about the Mother Nature was felt by finish; how, where, when

route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 29

year of the veteran

George and Ernie Watts, Uncles of Hugh Bunn - Devon Park, The Pas 1920 Photo, Courtesy Bunn Family

route NORTH roots 30 - August/September 2005

year of the veteran

Heeding the call to war

Japanese took him Hugh Bunn prisoner during the Second World War. He said that the prisoners He remembers in the camp that he was in were reduced to eating how it felt to be grasshoppers and frogs to stay alive. One inmate (a man down to skin and ready, willing bones, about 98 pounds) stole a can of sardines and was caught eating it. As and able to fight punishment he was beaten and died a couple of days for his country later. The following is what The canon was melted down in the scrap metal drive went through my mind as for World War 2 Photo, courtesy The Pas Library the story about the prisoner unfolded. Hugh Bunn The Pas; it was melted down to I had taken my advanced Contributing Writer make a new modern version. military training in camp Shilo, When I got out of bed this morn- Manitoba and was about to go over ack in the late ’30s and early ing, Beth had the History Channel to Europe when V.E.(Victory in ’40s, Hitler and his Nazi fol- turned on the TV. Europe) Day was declared. Shortly Blowers, along with Mussolini I caught the last part where they after the Canadian government and Hirohito with Japan’s armies, were interviewing a veteran who had called for volunteers to help the had managed to kill approximately been over in Hong Kong before the Americans in their fight with the 50 million people over a few years. Here in Canada at the time, many young and older men and women were enlisting to do what they thought was the right thing. Some parents were handed back that dreadful notice that started out wth “We regret to inform you...”. German submarines on the east coast along with Japanese subs on the west were shelling and sinking ships, killing people. Hitler had taken over all of Europe and was advancing down into Africa. Along with all the bad news floating around there were guards on some of the Hudson Bay railbridges, scrap metal drives, war bonds and women knitting to help fund war groups. Things looked very bad. There used to be a First World War cannon sou- venir that stood in Devon park in

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Continued from page 31 mines, were arriving home. Japanese in the Pacific. They were about to be Along with about 500 unloaded from a ship in other fully trained soldiers Victoria. Two platoons of in the camp, I volunteered our company were ordered and headed to the west to drive over to the dock coast for training, enroute area and help with the to be integrated into the unloading of the patients. U.S. Army. The hospital was a long, Our first stopover was two-storey building that Camp McAuley in must have been fairly new Victoria, BC Things were and so clean that one could on high alert until have eaten off of the floor. President Truman ordered We helped transport the the atom bomb dropped Hong Kong Soldiers from and the war came to a sud- the boat into the hospital. den end. The Americans We pushed many in wheel- had dropped a bomb on chairs, helped others on Hiroshima, Japan and crutches and assisted oth- destroyed the whole city. ers by carrying them on One could not believe just stretchers into the hospital. what kind of bomb this Most were thin, with far- could be. Two weeks later off eyes sunk into their a second bomb was heads and with a yellowish dropped on Nagasaki. complexion. Some had Shortly after, a boatload protruding, large bloated of Canadian soldiers who stomachs that did not fit had been prisoners of war their thin appearance. As Hugh Bunn in 1944 over in Hong Kong, and our two platoons were Photo, courtesy Hugh Bunn working in their coal about to board the trucks

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to return back to the camp, them what I thought the we were milling about out- former prisoners were side about 50 feet from the thinking. I asked them to hospital building. As one return to their best military might expect, with the war training this one last time being over and all, and the and show the ex-prisoners enlisted men anxious to of war what a well trained return back to their civilian Canadian soldier looked lifestyles, the regimenta- like. We went through the tion and army drill was drill for all to see and a very slack. better parade square per- I, as an NCO, called for formance was never made one group of men, about in my eyes and it made me 30 in all, to line up before proud as heck. marching to the trucks for As we marched off loading. They very sloppi- towards the truck we could ly got together in a bit of a hear a faint cheering from unit and I called for them the windows. I turned to to right turn in line for the look back and they were trucks. They took their all cheering and waving as time doing so and it was best they could.n the very worst demonstra- tion I had ever seen. I glanced up at all the win- dows in the hospital and they were crowded with the long, gaunt faces of the patients that we had just helped off of the boat. The impression that I August 6, got from these faces was, 1945 was the “Now we will see how these Canadian-trained sol- day the Atomic diers measure up to the Bomb fell on Japanese soldiers who have Hiroshima, final- been working, beating, feeding and guarding us ly putting an end for the past five years or so.” to the Second I stopped the formation World War. and ordered them back into line. I then walked up and down between the men and quietly asked each one to look up at all the windows in the hospital. I also told

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Saskatchewan Centennial Canoe Quest Winners 1st Place team #5 Opimiskaw Sol Carrier Team Cumberland House, Quebec & USA 2nd Place team #23 PBCN Otawacikiwak 1 Pelican Narrows & Deschambault 3rd Place team #12 Roger Carrier Classic - Cumberland House 4th Place team #30 Hatchet lake - Wollaston Lake 5th Place team #21 Pemmican Portage Paddlers 6th Place team #15 OCN Men Canoe Quest Paddlers from our Region # 23 Team Otawacikiwak 1 (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation) From Pelican Narrows & Deschambault

Alphonse Dorion Ronnie Highway Darcy Ballantyne Leon Dorion Willard Highway Rusty Custer Steve Dorion Dale Custer Cannon Custer Hank Dorion Walter Ballantyne Thomas Custer # 24 Team Otawacikiwak 2 (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation) From Denare Beach, Pelican Narrows, Sturgeon Landing & Southend

Jimmy Custer Brennan Michel Darcy Jobb Ray Highway Steward Ballantyne Doris Sewap Charles Sinclair Mike Morin Courtney Dorion Roddy Sinclair Carlo Sinclair # 1 Team Amisk Lake Voyageurs from Denare Beach Flin Flon, Saskatoon & Creighton

Wayne Elliott J. J. Bujold Tracy Laval Marshall Manns Glen Campbell Chuck Morin Elaine Angelski Leigh Campbell Kelly Ryland Maurice Beauchamp Myrna Guymer Angela Simpson Driver/Support Bob Blake # 14 Team OCN - Women (Opaskwayak Cree Nation) From OCN & The Pas

Maria Moore Leona Jean Moore Marlene Young Lana Ross Norma McLean Cyndall Young Adrianna Sawchyn Juliana Cook Sylvia Buck Phyllis Cook # 15 Team OCN - Men (Opaskwayak Cree Nation) OCN, Thompson, Victoria, Yellowquill & Cross Lake

Robert Lafontaine Dan Moore Kenny Miswaggon Don Munroe Wilfred Buck George Muswaggon Steve McKay Keith Crane Philip Monroe Wantant mormore?e? A ddocumentaryocumentary vvideoideo wwillill bbee airaireded oonn SSCN,CN, Tues.ues. Sept.Sept. 113th3th 99-11pm.-11pm.

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Pisew Falls, Manitoba Photo by Frank Fieber

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environment

Climate-controlling chambers rise above the treeline. Inside, the boreal is put to the full global-warming test. Photos, Frank Fieber Powering up theBoreal Forest

Frank Fieber about 10 km south of Thompson. across Canada, Northern Europe and warming carbon — but this time side the enclosures. Fireweed, moss Higher growth may also mean route NORTH roots “This is a very complex system,” Russia as a circumpolar band of they’re creating a full ecosystem. and other plants are appearing earlier. increases in timber harvests in says Tom Gower, who heads the conifers with a smattering of decidu- The ground is being heated and so is Even the roots are examined Northern Canada. hat would a temperature project from the University of ous trees — Spruce, Jackpine, the air. Humidity is being controlled through special tubes buried in the The hardest thing to control is the increase of five degrees Wisconsin. “Each plant species Tamarack, Birch and Poplar — as well. Large plastic chambers ground. A root imaging camera takes rabbits chewing the insulation off the Wdo to our northern Boreal reacts differently to the changing cli- home to hundreds of species of birds criss-crossed with wires and sensors takes pictures and measures changes wires and the squirrels getting the Forest? Would the trees release more mate.” and animals including the people of rise above the treeline. Inside the in the root structure. choicest pine cones. Workers set live carbon? Would the vast quantities of Scientists anticipate a five-degree our region. It’s the largest natural circular plastic greenhouses fans con- All the data is compiled and sent traps to catch the animals and move carbon dioxide stored in bogs and rise in temperature may occur with ecosystem in the world. trol the temperature and humidity. by satellite back to the University in them far away from the project. permafrost be released, creating even global warming over the next 50 to The experiment is in its third Sensors record carbon dioxide, nitro- Madison, Wisconsin for analysis. It’s a million dollar project, $750,000 100 years. year. Manitoba Hydro has donated gen, oxygen, humidity and light levels. So far it’s not looking bad. Soil is from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and more greenhouse gases? Workers walk on raised plastic not releasing more carbon dioxide, $150,000 from Manitoba Hydro. U.S. scientists want to know. And Our Boreal Forest will experience the power and Manitoba the largest shift in climate warming Conservation turned over a patch of walkways to avoid affecting roots or and this is consistent with earlier “We still don’t know the mecha- they’ve set up an experiment in forest floor plants. Trees reach three- projects conducted in Sweden; per- nism,”[of the Boreal Forest] says Thompson to find out, burying four of any forest biome as global warm- ground they reforested about 10 ing occurs. years ago. meters tall with very healthy looking haps additional tree growth might Gower. “With this project we can kilometres worth of heating cable in specimens everywhere. Tree buds are mean warming forests can hold extra look at the system from day one.” the forest floor at Ospwagan Lake, This forest has huge economic In past experiments, Gower has n and ecological value. It stretches tested many different aspects of well advanced over what appears out- carbon in their roots and branches. route NORTH roots 36 - August/September 2005

A root imaging camera measures Heating wires were buried to heat the ground 30 cm. deep; inside, growth. Top: Sensors relay data. fans also control the temperature and humidity. World class research just Boreal Forest south of Thompson warming carbon — but this time side the enclosures. Fireweed, moss Higher growth may also mean they’re creating a full ecosystem. and other plants are appearing earlier. increases in timber harvests in The ground is being heated and so is Even the roots are examined Northern Canada. the air. Humidity is being controlled through special tubes buried in the The hardest thing to control is the as well. Large plastic chambers ground. A root imaging camera takes rabbits chewing the insulation off the criss-crossed with wires and sensors takes pictures and measures changes wires and the squirrels getting the rise above the treeline. Inside the in the root structure. choicest pine cones. Workers set live circular plastic greenhouses fans con- All the data is compiled and sent traps to catch the animals and move trol the temperature and humidity. by satellite back to the University in them far away from the project. Sensors record carbon dioxide, nitro- Madison, Wisconsin for analysis. It’s a million dollar project, $750,000 gen, oxygen, humidity and light levels. So far it’s not looking bad. Soil is from the U.S. Dept. of Energy and Workers walk on raised plastic not releasing more carbon dioxide, $150,000 from Manitoba Hydro. walkways to avoid affecting roots or and this is consistent with earlier “We still don’t know the mecha- forest floor plants. Trees reach three- projects conducted in Sweden; per- nism,”[of the Boreal Forest] says meters tall with very healthy looking haps additional tree growth might Gower. “With this project we can specimens everywhere. Tree buds are mean warming forests can hold extra look at the system from day one.”n well advanced over what appears out- carbon in their roots and branches. route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 37

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Greg Petryk with a sample of the quality product from their We manufacture customized products new Weinig Precision Molder, the only one in our region.

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profile: Gordon Lathlin

A chief like no other

Affairs. Gordon Lathlin The Pas Indian Band’s reserve lands contained fought for the rich deposits of gravel. If an outsider wanted to pur- chase gravel from the rights of his people Band, he would sign a contract with the Indian like no chief had Agent, a government appointee who was there to manage the gravel leas- done before es in the best interest of the band. Many of these leases were written on a paper bag or agreed upon Frank Fieber by a simple handshake, route NORTH roots adding very little to the band coffers. “The first thing Gordon ordon Lathlin was did was to get control of elected Chief of the the gravel,” says Philip GThe Pas Band in 1967. Dorion, one of the first It was the year of men hired by Lathlin in his Canada’s 100th birthday long quest toward self- and while Canadians were determination. celebrating their prosperity “We had about 98 per and good fortune from cent unemployment on the coast to coast, Aboriginal reserve and Gordon knew people still needed to ask we had to keep what little permission to travel. They money and resources we were not welcome in many had circulating in our own restaurants, could not community.” choose their own doctors Dorion had been work- or make a deal for Chief Gordon Lathlin’s ceremonial headdress on dis- ing for Tom Lamb at play in the Otineka Mall resources on their land Photo by Frank Fieber Moose Lake and he knew without asking permission something about running a from the Indian Agent. the Saskatchewan River at treaty signing in 1875, store. Lathlin had a small There were very few The Pas were frustrated. Canadian Aboriginals were store which he ran out of Indian-owned businesses. After 100 years of still living under the direc- his home on The Pas People living on reserve Canadian rule, and almost tion of Indian Agents and reserve. land on the north side of as long since their official the Department of Indian “When I came back

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Chief Gordon Lathlin in full headdress, 1974. Lathlin is remembered as soft spoken man who never quit Photo, courtesy of Toronto Star (to the reserve) to help to manage the gravel and for a strip mall and other Canada had separate facili- Gordon I said ‘Where’s the leases. Everything had to ventures. “The Chief and ties for Aboriginals, locat- office?’ and Gordon said, be done by band resolu- Council began talking ed above the post office. Well this is it right here, tion, so councillors and about small scale ideas but “We were not allowed pointing to the front counter.” elders had to be convinced when we told them (the to choose our own doctor,” Lathlin took his that progress would be consultants) what we really recalls Dorion. “We schooling at a residential good for everyone. wanted to do, the plan got brought in U.S. activist Sol school in Elkhorn, “We just took on a cou- bigger and bigger,” adds Solinisky who had been Manitoba. Then he worked ple of things each year so Dorion. “Gordon really active in the black civil for the railway and in we could do them right. knew how to negotiate and rights movement in the construction jobs and as a Lathlin was very convinc- in the end, he came out ’60s. We met and strate- band councillor. Once ing when dealing with his smelling like a rose.” gized at the old Friendship elected Chief, the soft spo- own people, government Lathlin was not a one- Centre Building. After that ken Lathlin began assem- officials or anybody. He project leader. He appeared we went right to Ottawa.” bling people to put his was a great listener,” says on national television over “I was amazed, when vision in motion. Dorion. health issues when band Gordon spoke, the politi- Joe A. Ross was a Lathlin hired consult- members were not being cians listened. Gordon had councillor at the time and ants from Winnipeg to treated right at the local gained their respect. Not Rod McGillivary was hired look at long-term planning health facilities. Health many Indians had stood up

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Lathlin Arena, Otineka Mall and the Kikiwak Inn - the Chief’s dream on the north side of the Saskatchewan River Photo by Frank Fieber Continued from Page 41 [for Indian rights] like he $700,000. did.” Gordon Lathlin passed Back in the early ’70s, away in 1976 at the age of Lathlin put it all on the 43, just a few months line when he packed every before the official opening file from the band office, of the $6 million Otineka marched across the bridge Mall. It had been exactly to the The Pas Post Office 100 years since his grand- and straight up to the fathers had signed treaty Indian Affairs Office. with the Queen. Lathlin There was great frustra- had risen from behind the tion over the lack of fund- counter of his tiny store to ing given to the programs successfully launch his the band had taken over. vision — a 210,000 Lathlin had to negotiate square-foot shopping mall with all levels of govern- and office complex, the ment to get realistic fund- largest in northern Manitoba. ing. For many years the The Opaskwayak Cree budgets of Indian Affairs Nation (OCN) now oper- had been eaten up in the ates numerous other busi- beaurocracy with only a ness ventures including a fraction reaching the hotel, a casino, a gas sta- intended targets at reserve tion and a trailer park. level. Lathlin understood OCN has a champion what had occurred and he hockey team, playing in an negotiated well to look arena named after their after the best interest of his soft-spoken Chief. people. During his eight As a result of Gordon years as Chief, Lathlin Lathlin’s vision, the OCN took the band’s operating is known as one of the budget from $13,000 to most progressive First route NORTH roots 42 - August/September 2005

Lathlin in 1970. The Chief lived in one of the smaller houses on the reserve, refusing a new one; he believed the Chief should be the last to benefit from special programs. Photo, courtesy Lathlin Family

Nations in all of Canada. ple. Prominently displayed When he died, tributes to in the main hall of the Lathlin’s vision and deter- Otineka Mall is the head- mination poured in. The dress worn by the late gist of the sentiment was, a Chief Lathlin and the great leader had died too words he wrote at the young, having worked too height of his inspired hard for his people and vision.n taken too little rest. “As Chief, he and his family lived in one of the My Red Blood: smallest and oldest houses We are proud to be on the reserve, but he refused a new house under Indian People. We are the Indian and Northern proud too of having a little Affairs Program because bit of Canada to live in for he felt the Chief should be ourselves. We gave most of the last to benefit from it away when the treaties special programs.” — Ron were made. But now we McBride, The Pas Herald. “Lathlin often said that are living on the reserve. he was attempting to And this is one reserve acheive ‘a constructive where we are not ashamed concept of the Indian peo- that we are treaty and we ple of Canada as equals in are not ashamed that we opportunity, status and responsibility for their des- are Indians. tiny as all other Canadians’.” Gordon Lathlin, 1975 — Winnipeg Free Press. Perhaps the best tribute of all is from his own peo- route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 43

book review

Walter Shmon came north in 1932- now at 91, he’s written a book about it Photo, courtesy, Shmon Family Truth better than fiction?

In his new book Frank Fieber knew how to trap animals. upstream from The Pas to route NORTH roots The new friends decid- Sturgeon Landing, over Dick Madole, ed to join forces, trapping Goose Lake and ick Madole met in winter and prospecting Athapapuskow, Trout and King of the North, in summer. Kissynew until they landed Carl Sherritt on a Madole had already at Kississing Lake. Walter Shmon Dwest coast paddle- won and squandered a Not many people lived wheeler as Madole was small fortune in Yukon in the area but one family, spins a tale of the returning from the Yukon gold. the Charlettes, were leg- Gold Rush. While they would be endary in their determina- north that’s Madole was a mountain able to make good money tion to keep strangers out. man from the hills of as trappers, their fortunes They brandished a worthy of Kentucky, larger than life would ultimately be tied to German Luger pistol in his coon skin hat and the discovery of copper which the author links to a Jack London — buckskins. Sherritt grew and nickel in northern pair of missing brothers, up on a farm in North Manitoba. the Brunos, who had once and it’s all true Dakota, and they both The pair travelled crossed their path.

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The two Germans were hiding out to avoid intern- Shmon spins tales ment during the first world war and had been working of adventure, heroism on a blue stained copper Author Walter Shmon trapping, prospecting and outcropping inside the came north in 1932 trap- real-life frontier charac- Charlette’s territory. ping and later mink ters will take you to The Charlettes eventu- ranching on Sherritt another place, but a place ally staked the site for the Island on Kississing Lake. with familiar names. mineral rights, but Philip In 1954 he purchased the Shmon has written a Charlette made the mis- Cambrian Hotel which Jack London adventure, take of sending the wrong was a crossroads for so about our region, with man to The Pas with the many great northern char- wonderful descriptions of money to register their acters. For over 40 years life, times and places in claims. The man drank up Shmon listened to beer frontier Manitoba. This the money and the claims parlour stories of what book is filled with vivid were never registered. really happened with descriptions and twisting Madole and Sherritt these characters — tales story lines. The revenge had staked all around the back out into the wilds to of adventure, heroism, of the Charlettes, Carl Charlette claims and the trap and trade furs with the curses and fortunes won Sherritt’s mysterious copper-showing, so when natives. Madole never and lost. plane crash, the wild the Charlette’s claims stopped looking for minerals. In 1990 I sat mesmer- escapades of Dick lapsed on New Year’s Eve, One day Madole ized for several hours as Madole — the king of Sherritt and Madole returned from his trapline Shmon regaled me with the north. These are just became the sole owners of carrying a chunk of inter- his stories of the north, a small part of what a huge copper deposit. esting rock he’d picked and I’ve been waiting for adds up to a great new Sherritt headed for New from his trapline on Last the book ever since. At 91 regional read. York to seal the deal, and Hope Lake. years old, Shmon has Dick Madole headed for After dropping the sam- finally distilled this era of Walter Shmon’s book is Winnipeg for six months ple at the Sherritt Gordon adventure. His intimate available at the Flin Flon of booze, women and wild mine assay office, he head- knowleddge of wildlife, Public library. antics. He was the self- ed to the local hotel for a proclaimed King of the celebratory beer or two. north and he spent money The next day as he sat like a king, burning off in the hotel beer parlour, most of his first $50,000. he realized that many of When Madole returned the usual patrons were not to The Pas the next spring, there to swap stories — he learned that Sherritt was they were all gone to a big dead. He had returned staking rush. Sherritt from New York flying an Gordon geologists were airplane, and eventually about to jump his claims. ? died in it — he fell out of Madole had lost his for- it during an acrobatic spin tune once already and was over The Pas. not about to lose it again. The mineral claims Finishing his beer, tak- were all registered in ing only his rifle, he forced Sherritt’s name. Without a the pilot to fly him back written agreement Madole out to his new find, where dwas forced to start all over he managed to get the again. geologist to write him a Back in the new town cheque for $1,000. , of Sherridan, named after Madole considered this Carl Sherritt, the mine was a down payment on the in production and the min- property and he headed ers had plenty of money to back to the hotel bar with spend. his $1,000 cheque. That Madole and his girl- was the last money he saw a friend, Edith, spent a prof- for what would become a itable time in the red light huge nickel mine at Lynn e district of boom town Lake.n Sherridan before heading route NORTH roots August/September 2005 - 45

recipe

. . .Rhubarb and perfect is ripe for the picking for baking, snacking and juicing . . .

hubarb is great for pies, sauces and drinks. RStrawberries can really add something to this ancient friut, allowing you to add a little less sugar, and the rhubarb takes on the flavour of the strawberries. Rhubarb’s first recorded use was in China, 2700 BC. The roots were used for medicinal purposes. It appeared in Europe 200 years Mix strawberries in with your rhubarb recipes for a flavour burst. ago and in North America 100 Photo, Frank Fieber years ago. It’s one of those fruits that is botanically a vegetable. oxalic acid levels can cause Almost indestructable and it’s one severe illness. Place stalks in a Rhubarb Juice of the first plants up in the spring. plastic bag to preserve freshness. 6 cups chopped rhubarb Rhubarb is a source of vitamins Store in the refrigerator; use with- 6 cups water A, B and C, and the minerals in two days.To freeze cut into Put in a saucepan, bring to a potassium and phospherous. one-half to one inch lengths. Fill boil, simmer for 15 minutes. freezer bags and freeze. Strain. Mix 6 cups juice with Select small to medium sized, 3 cups water and 1 cup sugar. crisp, bright ruby red stalks. Wipe Here’s a great summer drink Mix and store in the fridge. the stalks clean with a damp cloth recipe from Anne Davies’ — discard the leaves. Their high kitchen.n

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