Going Huge Reflecting on a season of canoe—and community—building

Going Huge http://www.canoekayak.com/canoe/going-huge/

By Conor Mihell
Things had a way of working out in 2012 for outdoor educator Adam Wicks-Arshack and his colleagues at Voyages of Rediscovery, a Washington-based nonprofit. Last spring, CanoeKayak.com first reported on their KickStarter campaign to reintroduce aboriginal youth to birch-bark canoe-building on Ontario’s Lake Temagami. Having achieved their fundraising goal of $10,000, Wicks-Arshack, and fellow environmental educators John Zinser and Dan Cassell traveled across the country from their base on Washington’s Columbia River to Temagami in May and set up camp near the baseball field at the Ojibwa reserve on Bear Island. Just when they thought they might have to import bark for the construction project, a local craftsman showed them a secret stash of suitable birch. In the end, the team constructed two canoes with the help of native youth, parents, elders and the greater Lake Temagami community.

Designing a HUGE Dugout Canoe!

Designing a HUGE Dugout Canoe from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.

This is the Inchelium School Canoe. It is a 33'3'' western red cedar which began as a 10,000lb log. It is being transformed by the students of Inchelium into a beautiful canoe for the Upper Columbia River.

Another Maiden Voyage - The Feather Fox Sockeye Canoe

Another Maiden Voyage - The Feather Fox Sockeye Canoe, a set on Flickr.

A 23ft. white pine dugout canoe carved at Mission Point overlooking the now flooded historic Kettle Falls.

Barter Faire as seen by Voyages of Rediscovery

Barter Faire as Experienced by Voyages of Rediscovery from Voyages of Rediscovery on Vimeo.

One canoe, Three days, great music, delicious food, and beautiful people! Thank you everyone for all the help!

5 canoes, 50 people, 2 days- Evergreen State College Natural History Canoe Trip

 Thank you to Dylan Fischer and his class from The Evergreen State College for a great trip last week on Banks Lake!   What a sight to see five big canoes out on the water, paddling together and packed with people and gear.  We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful morning to set off on, and we took our time getting to lunch, darting in and out of some islands, and rafting up for lunch. 

Our lunch beach offered an opportunity to explore the rugged landscape left behind after the torrents from the Great Missoula Floods receded from Grand Coulee.  As we paddled after lunch to our campsite, we paddled along cliffs at an elevation where the ravens would have been soaring if Banks Lake had not come into existence. 

Some rivalry sprang up between the Goat and River canoes, but the Goat-People couldn't overcome the spirit of 'Merican Dreamin' in a few impromptu drag races.  The air filled with various canoe songs, we paddled into camp, and unloaded the gear we would need for the night. 

Dinner of burgers and stir-fry was followed by a seminar Session on the Columbia River and a talk by Churchill Clark on his journeys traveling the trail of Lewis and Clark, and paddling dugout canoes.  Unfortunately we were unable to have campfires on the beach due to regulations, so everyone turned in pretty early in preparation for the day ahead.

After breakfast in the morning, the class went on a walk to investigate a cave in the riverside cliff-band, and check out the ecology of the sage brush steppe that appeared to have burned earlier this year. 

When the class returned the guides had the canoes loaded and everyone piled in for an all too soon return to the boat-ramp.  We had a great time with everyone, and it's always fun to have a whole class out on the water.  We're looking forward to seeing some familiar faces in the spring time, in our canoes, or at a guide training event somewhere!
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Finishing the Tyee Salmon Canoe

Finishing the Tyee Salmon Canoe, a set on Flickr.

This is the Kettle Falls Dugout Canoe! Thank you Kettle Falls for all of your support!

Photos of the last couple days carving on the Tyee Canoe.

Carving the Tyee Salmon Canoe

Carving the Tyee Salmon Canoe, a set on Flickr.

This is the Kettle Falls Dugout Canoe! Here are some photos of the second week of the dugout process.

We have received help from HUNDREDS of people! Thank you for your help in carving and support in the project!