Minnesota’s Bob O’ Hara is a name known to many experienced canoeists and explorers. In fact, he may be the most well traveled Arctic canoeist of all time. O’Hara has canoed 27 “far north” rivers, many above the Arctic Circle. In his spare time he has spent portions of the last 52 years paddling the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW).
All told, O’Hara has traveled the equivalent of the earth’s circumference via canoe.
According to O’Hara, he isn’t interested in tales of grueling portages or paddling nasty whitewater. Instead, O’Hara flies the native flag from his canoe when he travels the far north. Thisshow of respect for the Inuit culture has helped him form many friendships with these people. It is about these people and their culture, and not just the water and the wilderness, that O’Hara will share with listeners on Sunday, June 28 at 12:30 p.m. keynote presentation at North House Folk School.
Top: Minnesota’s Bob O’Hara (in back with sunglasses) is considered one of the greatest arctic canoeists of all time. Here he and his buddy, Ken push their canoe up a stretch of whitewater on a far north Canadian river. O’Hara is the Boat Show’s keynote speaker. Above: Not many have paddled the Arrowsmith River, which empties into the Arctic Ocean. But Bob O’ Hara accomplished the feat in 2005. Here he holds his “First Decent” bib he was given for accomplishing this difficult paddle. Left: Also speaking is Paul Danicic who will share the story of the “Canoe the Heart” expedition.
O’Hara will also speak on Saturday, 1 p.m., about his different approaches to canoeing the BWCAW. O’Hara will enlighten even the most experienced canoeist with his “what to bring,” “how to plan” and “where to go” presentation.
Other featured speakers include Eric Simula, birch bark historian and Grand Portage National Monument interpreter. Eric’s presentation is at 3 p.m. on Friday. Simula will lay bare the bones of a birch bark canoe, introducing not only the process of canoe construction of a 12’ Ojibwa hunting canoe, but also the ways of harvesting materials used to make these beautiful crafts.
Following Simula on stage at 4 p.m. Friday is Layne Kennedy. Kennedy has shot pictures for Smithsonian, National Geographic,
Traveler, Islands
and Backpacker
magazines. Kennedy will present his latest project, photography from an elegant and beautifully informative book on the Boundary Waters and Quetico. Kennedy is an experienced canoeist and a talented photographer.
Paul Danicic kicks off Saturday speakers with his 9 a.m. Canoe the
Heart Expedition 2009: Three Weeks,
320 miles, Nine People, One Big Canoe
presentation.
Danicic, former YMCA Camp Menogyn staffer, is now associated with Friends of the Boundary Waters and he will appear with Tim Cochrane of the Grand Portage National Monument.
The Heart of the Continent Partnership is a Canadian/American coalition of land managers and local stakeholders working together on cross-border projects that promote the economic, cultural and natural health of the lakes, forests and communities on the Ontario/Minnesota border.
Danicic will talk about the twoweek Canoe the Heart Expedition that helped draw attention to the fact that the lakes, forests and communities of this cross-border region form an interconnected whole.
Dick Enstad follows Danicic on stage. His slide presentation traces the historic developments of mechanical innovations in rope making as well as changes in selections of natural fibers used in the industry.
There will also be 15 other demonstrators and presenters on the grounds of the North House Folk School on Friday and Saturday. These experts will demonstrate their craftmaking skills to the public, welcoming your curiosity, questions and interest. Some of the artisans will display their handiwork, making the following: black ash basketry, Scandinavian woodcarving, maritime rope making, timber framing, spinning, wood-fired baking, natural plant dyes, Shaker arts, knot tying, hide tanning, and birch bark canoe building.
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