Presented by the Minnesota Canoe Association
Bob O’Hara Moderator/Coordinator

Saturday March 24, 2018
St. Louis Park Rec Center
Doors open 8:30am, Programs from 9:15am – 4:00pm

Featured Programs

Thlewiaza River Nunavut Canada

“Beyond Sleeping Island and down No Man’s River”
Lee Sessions has ventured to the Far North on 25 canoe expeditions, pursuing a lifelong passion for padding and re-discovery of the routes of early explorers and new adventures. Lee and crew flew to Windy Lake and paddled the Windy River where they historic fur trading posts. They struggled with big winds across Nueltin Lake and paddled down the Thlewiaza River in record high water towards Hudson Bay. Weaving in and out of tree line, the area they explored encompasses the border where Inuit and Dene both traveled.
Presenter: Lee Sessions

Utukok River Arctic Alaska above lat 69

From the Brooks Range to the Chukchi Sea.
The river flows through the National Petroleum Reserve – the largest piece of land in the US (that you’ve never heard of). Great walking and easy river paddling. Big weather. Abundant brown bear sign
Presenters: Jim Gallagher and Brian Johnston

Thoa River and part of Tazin River, North West Territories Canada

As mall little known river in the NWT. Rarely traveled—all in treeline.
Tributary to the upper Mackenzie River.
Presenter: Bear Paulson

Missinabi River Ontario Canada

The Missinabi River is a Canadian Heritage River, flows north into James Bay the south end of Hudson Bay. It is a very historic river that was used by native people, fur trade and logging cultural heritage, outstanding ecological and geological natural heritage, and wilderness recreation.
Presenters: Dave and Elsa Milaeger

CANOES A Natural History in North America

Ancient records of canoes are found from the Pacific Northwest to the coast of Maine, in Minnesota and Mexico, in the Southeast and across the Caribbean. And if a native of those distant times might encounter a canoe of our day— whether birch bark or dugout or a modern marvel made of carbon fiber—its would be instantly recognizable. This is the story of that singular American artifact, so little changed over time: of canoes, old and new, the people who made them, and the labors and adventures they shared. With features of technology, industry, art, and survival, the canoe carries us deep into the natural and cultural history of North America.
Presenter: Co-author Mark Newzil will share his writings and research.

Technology and the Wilderness traveler

Andy Jenks is back to update the use and pitfalls of new technology in wilderness adventures. Also new are maps printed onplactic—makes them durable and waterproof. Sat. Phones, transponders (Sport or In Reach), tablets, smartphones , GPS, are now part of most wilderness expeditions. Technology is ever changing and you need to be on top of your game.
Presenter: Andy Jenks

2018 Program Schedule (PDF)

Stories, presentations, photographs, maps and more from the Far North – get inspired and plan the trip of a lifetime!
Contact:
Bob O’Hara, Far North Coordinator
952-927-0874
email: Bobscanoe@comcast.net