1. Monument to Miners 2. Jacyn Lucas, Marcia Carroll & Gerald 3. Van After Accident

This trip was primarily to give seven portraits to the elders I had spent the previous year drawing. I was also hoping to get on the land with several friends and perhaps some elders.
The trek began well but unravelled very quickly on the drive north!

June 29/Wed.
Left Winnipeg early in my van and headed for Thompson on Highway #6. Had loaded vehicle with 2 full art crates for Exhibit in Leaf Rapids.
I gassed up near Grand Rapids and was just past Waboden when I fell asleep at the wheel. I woke up on the far side scrapping the road shoulder. I knew I could not get back on to the highway (would have rolled) so I kept the vehicle on its path, crossed over the extremely rough rocky shoulder then plowed down into the ditch where I eventually came to a complete stop.
Air bags had gone off. I found my cell phone and stumbled out of the vehicle. Several people stopped but remarkably two RCMP Inspectors just happened to be driving by. Dennis Eidet and Rob Frame stopped, saw I was okay then took me back to Waboden for processing. They were very understanding and quite concerned about my welfare.
My body injuries consisted of severe bruising with swelling on both lower legs, some scrapes on arms and general upper body stiffness.
Gave a statement in Waboden to Shane (RCMP) who drove me back to the accident scene. By now the Tow Truck Operator, Adam Traver, (Crane’s Towing) had pulled my van up on to the shoulder of the highway. I jumped out and snapped a few photos.
Adam put a 4 wheeled contraption under the rear of my van because all 4 of my tires were destroyed. He jacked up the front end and we headed to Thompson.
One hour later he pulled the van inside the Crane compound in Thompson then dropped me off at the Day’s Inn Hotel.
I made phone calls to Leaf Rapids to explain what had happened then phoned my family.
I wanted to have my own vehicle to visit communities at my convenience but that would not work out. I was, however, very lucky!

June 30/Thurs.
Went for a walk to test my legs. They had acted a little strangely during the night but seemed fine now.
Keith Anderson called from Leaf Rapids and would be arriving after 12:00 noon.
I checked out of my hotel then hauled my luggage across the street to the Pre-Cambrian Art Center. Marcia Carroll, the owner, was expecting me.
I decided to stroll through the mall but did not find much interesting. However, as I was crossing the parking lot, a van pulled up. Fred Moose and a fellow band member were on their way to Split Lake to perform for Treaty Days. I could have jumped in with them if I didn’t have commitments.
At the Art Center Jacyn Lucas and 2 female artists arrived. They were to meet the public for the afternoon.
Keith picked me up and we headed to the Crane compound across town. I emptied my van of everything of value. A brief inspection of the art crates revealed a dent in one. After loading them into the back of Keith's Avalanche, he strapped them in.
We stopped briefly at Crazy Pete’s for fishing tackle and I met one of the owners. Discovered he is a big fan of North Roots magazine.
On our 3 hour drive to Leaf Rapids I realized that this truly is truck country. My van would not have performed well under these road conditions.
4:40pm arrived in Leaf Rapids and continued directly to the Exhibition Center where Cheryl Woods (curator) was waiting for us. One hour later the exhibit was set up.
Back at Keith's home I found his father-in-law, Jake Fortin, visiting for a few days.

4. & 5. Beauty of Churchill River 6. Oscar Anderson's Boat 7. Painted Rock

July 1/Fri. Canada Day
I interviewed Jake Fortin that morning. Jake is one half Dene and a very experienced hunter and trapper.
Watched the Canada Day parade as it came down our street with sirens blaring.
Early afternoon Keith, Bertha and I drove to the Exhibition Center for a small Reception. Oscar Anderson was already there. Later Jake Fortin and Minnie Anderson arrived along with some family.
Keith introduced me and I talked about what I have been doing for 14 years then invited each elder forward to accept their portrait. Alex Thomas' daughter accepted the portrait on his behalf.
I signed some art cards and several Exhibit Catalogues.
That evening I interviewed Oscar Anderson in his kitchen. We discussed his life and Hydro's effect in the north.

8. Churchill River 9. Fishing With Andersons: Lianna, Layne & Keith 10. Keith Anderson

July 2/Sat.
Keith left to drop fishing nets. I wanted to accompany him but was expecting a few phone calls.
Instead, early afternoon found me on the Churchill River with Oscar in his 22 foot boat. We were joined by John McDonald and his son, Harry and daughter, Casey.
We headed north briefly then turned west. Oscar skirted 'Leaf Rapids' and passed under Leaf Rapids Bridge. Soon we were on Okowacheeweenik Bay traveling north. This Bay runs into Outlaw Bay. We had gas only for the northeastern arm. Along the way we spotted gulls, bald eagles, ducks and loons plus several exposed beaver lodges.
I photographed stunning landscape while Oscar educated me on how the land has changed since the flooding in the early '70's.
We reached a point on Outlaw Bay where we could go no further. On our return John refueled just before we reached the Leaf Rapids. He mentioned and earlier experience whereby he had run out of gas just after passing the Rapids with a boat load of kids. It was a very tense time as he refuelled while the current brought their boat back into the rough water. I appreciated his caution.
We were back in town for supper.
That evening I interviewed Oscar Anderson again. He talks about his life with a 'no holds barred' attitude.
With the sun still up at 10:00pm Jake and I sauntered down the street to visit Minnie Anderson. She is a great lady who usually has visitors.

July 3/Sun.
Late morning I left with Keith, Lianna & Layne to check the fishing net he set the previous day. First we viewed the painted rock I had heard about several years ago. It is hundreds, possibly thousands of years old.
Fifteen minutes later Keith was hauling fish out of his net. Over the next half hour he put four dozen, many pickerel, whitefish and others species in four plastic tubs.
Afterwards we headed for shore to scale and fillet the best fish. Keith showed Layne how to scale the fish and she insisted I give it a try.
While Layne and Lianna worked I kept busy photographing the activity.
At 1:30pm Oscar pulled up in his boat with young Austin. I jumped in and we returned to the painted rock to show Austin.
Oscar held to the same route as yesterday but just as we got to Leaf Rapids Bridge he gave the wheel to Austin. With a huge grin, Austin turned it in a CCW direction to point us back toward home.
One hour later I hopped out to tie up Oscar’s boat at the Churchill River Lodge dock.
We climbed the embankment and joined the friendly couple who run beautiful Lodge in the main building for a snack.
I spent most of the afternoon at Minnie Anderson's home. Numerous children and 3 Anderson daughters were visiting. They were spending the very hot day keeping the kids entertained with a pool and various water games.
I enjoyed a supper of whitefish cooked by Dawn. It tastes the best in the north!

July 4/Mon.
It was a cloudy morning with periods of light rain when Keith Anderson drove me to see 95 year old Annie Spence. When Annie saw her portrait, she beamed. That made my morning.
At noon I was at the Exhibition Centre picking up my portrait of John Colomb and afterwards Keith and I departed for Lynn Lake. We found John Colomb on the street, returning to the Band Office. John was thrilled about his portrait and I made sure I took a few photographs. Keith and I left John in a small crowd anxious to see it.
Following lunch at the local hotel, we headed back to Leaf Rapids.
Enjoyed great cuisine and conversation again at Minnie's.
While reading a book on northern Manitoba on the porch, Fred Moose came by. Fred is talented performer who travels Canada with his band. He filled me in on his Split Lake gig. Wish I could have been there.

Reception 11. Oscar Anderson & Gerald 12. Jake Fortin & Bertha (daughter) 13. John Colomb

July 5/Tues.
I departed Leaf Rapids on the morning Greyhound Bus. I had hoped to drive my own vehicle back to Winnipeg but that was no longer possible.
What I like about the bus is the opportunity to read. During my 12 return trip I finished “As Long as the River Runs” and began ‘The Dispossessed”.
When we stopped for 20 min. in Grand Rapids Gerald McKay was able to meet me. I agreed to spend some time in his community in July.
I would like to extend my thanks to the individuals who stopped on the highway to see how I was doing.
Thanks so much to the two RCMP Inspectors who looked after me, including Shane (Waboden RCMP) and to Adam, the Tow Truck Operator, for his excellent service.
Thanks Brother Keith for being there when I needed you.