Historian Isaac Walters takes a breather at a historic rendezvous event wearing a guide’s hat—a bedazzled beaver hat commonly worn by both French Canadian and Native Americans guiding canoe brigades for the North West Company. Photo courtesy of Grand Portage National Monument
Load up your canoe and prepare to embark on an historical adventure!
August 9th through the 11th marks the annual Rendezvous Days and Pow Wow at Grand Portage. Voyageur songs, Ojibwe drums, and Highland bagpipes mix as the Montreal canoe brigades, native peoples, fur traders, and North West Company partners gather for their annual rendezvous and traditional Ojibwe pow wow.
“Throw your hat in the ring” and join us at Grand Portage National Monument for our annual celebration. The theme of this year’s Rendezvous Days is “Hats off to the Fur Trade.” Special programming will give visitors a look back at the hats of the era, how the beaver felt hat fueled the business of the fur trade, and highlight some of the hat traditions still enjoyed today. Traditional and European headwear trends will be featured. Get your favorite hat out of the closet and come join in the fun!
Ever wonder where some of the “Hat-isms” we still use today like, “Here’s your hat, but what’s your hurry?” and “At the drop of a hat” come from? Come to Grand Portage and find these answers and a whole lot more.
Again this year, we will have all the traditional favorites of Rendezvous Days and Pow Wow, but many come with a “tip of the hat” including a program entitled: “Mad as a Hatter.” There will also be a make-and-take workshop for kids each day of the event focusing on the iconic guide’s hat worn by Native American and French voyageur guides working for the North West Company. Fifty kids per day can make and take their own guide’s hat.
As popular as a beaver hat is our annual lacrosse match. Learn a bit about this traditional game and cheer on your favorite team in the match! Hear stories and songs of the voyageurs. Learn about the daily lives of Ojibwe people, French voyageurs, and the European partners of the famed British North West Company.
Other special activities at Rendezvous this year: “Dem Critter Boys” will present an engaging program using puppets to help kids enjoy learning about the natural lifeways and fur trade connection of many of our woodsy neighbors; special musical guests, “Eric & Arty” playing the music of the Upper Missouri including traditional favorites on guitar and banjo; and musicians Kelly and Ray James along with other talented musicians return for our 18th Century Music Jam. These professional musicians mix it up and entertain all with a wide variety of music to echo the very tunes their predecessors played to regale those attending rendezvous in the 1790s.
On Saturday afternoon and evening, the North Shore’s own amazing musical ensemble, “Over the Waterfall,” will play tunes for all to dance to under the summer moon over Grand Portage Bay. Come dance, and enjoy the music.
In addition to the music, demonstrations and contests, you can visit with nationally renowned historic firearms expert Mark Sage, and visit with a variety of 18th century crafts/trades artisans. Explore a reconstructed 1790s fur trade depot, Ojibwe Village, and our historic voyageurs’ encampment. Try your hand at fire starting with flint and steel, and watch as the roughest men of the Old Northwest and the daintiest of ladies compete in a Voyageur Pentathlon.
The event is free and open to the general public. National monument rangers and costumed historical re-enactors help bring history alive in this fun-filled weekend event.
The Ojibwe pow wow is hosted by the Grand Portage band, and includes traditional food, music, craft stands, softball tournament, a turkey shoot, races, and much more.
For more information on the Rendezvous, contact Grand Portage National Monument at (218) 475-0123. You can also visit us on the web at www.nps.gov/grpo for an event schedule.
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