LOW Area News - Spring 2023

In this issue

3 LOWDSA

President's Message 3

Executive Director’s Note 4

Mark your calendars 7

Introducing LOWDSA’s 2023 Board of Directors 8

LOWDSA’s 2023 AGM Recap 14 19 In the District

What's happening on your lake? 19

Water levels: 2023 water level outlook is positive 20

Water levels: Canadian Water Resource Association (Manitoba) workshop looks at the flood of 2022 23

Water levels: City encourages seasonal flooding preparation 24

LOWDSA attends area’s first Grand Council Treaty #3 environmental stewardship gathering 26

28 Highway twinning project progress builds on relationships and respect by Bronson Carver

40 Environment

Take a bath in nature’s splendour 40

What tires can do to freshwater fish… and what the world’s freshwater laboratory is doing about it 42

LOWWSF: Watershed Forum highlights moving from science to management actions 44

The worldly wolf 47

51 Living

How to reduce your chances of getting “ticked” 51

Treading wisely: Don’t give rodents a free ride 53

Notes from Razberry Lane: Off-the-wall gardening: a vertical option 55

Member recipe: Chicken gyros on the BBQ 57

58 Raising a naturalist by Jacob Rodenburg & Drew Monkman

60 Services

34 Learning from Mother Earth by Cassidy Mazur

38

Kenora’s Jeff Gustafson fishes a first-place finish in prestigious Bassmaster Classic by Leanne Fournier

Real Estate Listings 60

Classifieds 61

Home & Cottage Services 62

Advertisers’ Directory 63

64 A valiant escape by Lori Nelson

Cover photo by Kim Pirie-Milko

BU ILDING DRE A M S

President's Message

GARTH COLLIER

Celebrate Lake Life

We recently held our Annual General Meeting. Unlike previous years, there were no webinars or special presentations. We focused solely on LOWDSA business and activities. In case you missed it, a complete recording is available on our website. Feel free to direct questions to or seek clarification from Ashley Hoffmeister our Executive Director or Alena Collier, our Assistant Executive Director.

In past years (pre-COVID), in conjunction with our AGM, we hosted a Cottage Show at Winnipeg’s Victoria Inn. This year, as an alternative and for the very first time, we are hosting “Celebrate Lake Life” in the heart of Kenora at the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion (formerly Whitecap Pavilion). Our theme will focus on environment and sustainability topics. Representatives from area agencies, government departments, and local businesses will be there to answer your questions. Bring your queries about dock construction, proposed fishing regulations, forestry, cellular or wifi service to our celebration. You are sure to find solutions. There will also be children’s activities and complementary food. Admission is free so bring your family and friends on June 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Forestry update

The Whiskey Jack Forest and Kenora Forest 2023-2024 Annual Work Schedule (AWS) is now available online. To review, visit nrip.mnr.gov.on.ca/s/fmp-online. The AWS describes the forest management activities that will take place between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024. Information on tree planting opportunities can be obtained from Curt Pochaillo, Management Forester with Miisun Integrated Resources Management Company at 807-467-3351 ext. 2.

Coker Road

Those of us who use Coker Road West off of the Redditt Road will still need to detour east around the Kenora Bypass to East Melick Road. Coker Road at Kelly Road closed last November and will remain closed for some time yet. The City of Kenora is waiting for results from geotechnical tests which are due later in April. Reconstruction should begin shortly after.

Thank you

Carol Leduc of Carol Leduc Business and Consulting Strategies has decided to lighten her load and will be leaving us at the end of April. Carol has been our bookkeeper since 2015, during which time her support and professionalism were exceptional. She was our main-stay throughout COVID and during staff transitions. On behalf of LOWDSA, thank you Carol for your devotion and professionalism. If anyone needs professional advice, Carol is continuing on in her consulting business.

Welcome to Teika Newton

Teika has joined the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation as the International Coordinator. Teika is a long-time participant in watershed science. She was born and raised in Kenora and lives off-grid with her family just outside of town.

As we slide into summer, sitting by the water’s edge and, maybe enjoying a favourite beverage while the birds joyously sing in the background, be cognizant of the fragile world that envelopes you. The world of dragon flies, hummingbirds, loons and fauna too numerous to mention, and flowers resplendent in all colours of the rainbow are all gifts of the deepest mysteries. Enjoy each and every moment. They are precious and delicate.

Hope to see you at “Celebrate Lake Life” on June 24 at the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion!

Garth Collier

Executive Director’s Note

ASHLEY HOFFMEISTER

We can now officially say goodbye to winter and welcome longer days and warmth. Spring is upon us and with spring comes hope, renewed energy and new beginnings. There is so much to look forward to and plans to be made as summer approaches. As I continue on this journey with LOWDSA, it is with a great deal of excitement that I get to take part in all of the hiring and planning that comes with the change of seasons. I’m so grateful to be part of such meaningful work.

We hope you were able to join us for our AGM. We want to thank everyone for attending, asking questions and sharing your passion for lake life with us.

LakeSmart planning is well underway, and we are looking forward to getting back to some of our normal programming. With lower water levels and some supply chain issues resolved, we are excited to get back out on the lake to resume our dock visits. We will be back at Matiowski Market to continue to educate the public on all the great things we have going on. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you’d like a visit from our LakeSmart team. We’d love to see you.

We’re very excited to welcome back Brie McCardle as our new Environment Program Manager. Brie’s history with LOWDSA as the previous Environment Program Coordinator (EPC) and as a LakeSmart ambassador will be a hugely valuable resource to our environmental programming and planning. She will provide mentorship to our new EPC and LakeSmart staff which will greatly enhance our services.

It’s been nice to get back to in-person gatherings as we continue to leave the pandemic behind us. We were able to attend the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum in person for the first time since 2019. It was a great event with many incredible speakers, and an excellent opportunity to network with our peers. As someone with a non-science background, I certainly learned a lot. You can read a recap of the event written by Todd Sellers from the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation on page 44.

We were also fortunate to take part in an Environmental Stewardship Gathering hosted by Grand Council Treaty #3, which was planned by their Territorial Planning Unit. It was a jam-packed couple of days where we heard from many speakers and knowledge keepers. We left the event feeling inspired and filled with hope as the environmental stewardships efforts across Treaty #3 are significant. Highlights from the event are included on page 26.

We’re also very much looking forward to our first in person summer event being held June 24 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. under the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion on Kenora’s Harbourfront. We’re deep into the planning and are hopeful we will bring an engaging, fun event for you to celebrate lake life with us. We will continue to keep you updated through social media and our eNews. Please ensure you save the date in your calendar.

The articles and contributions to this issue of Area News are unique and insightful. I hope you enjoy every part of it.

PUBLISHED BY

Wake Marketing Inc., 140 Main St. S., Kenora, ON P9N 1S9

Publisher: Mike Greaves, mike@areanewsmagazine.ca

Editor: Leanne Fournier, editor@areanewsmagazine.ca

Art Director: Shayla Smith, shayla@wakemarketing.ca

Design & Layout: Mike Newton, Ashley Pereira

Advertising: Deb Polakoff, deb@areanewsmagazine.ca

The Lake of the Woods area and LOWDSA’s activities take place in the territory of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3 and the traditional homelands of the Métis Nation of Ontario. The beautiful lakes, shorelines, and environment that we enjoy should be respected for their cultural significance and history.

DISTRIBUTION & MEMBERSHIP

Lake of the Woods Area News is published five times per year and is mailed to LOWDSA members. To receive Area News visit lowdsa.com and become a member today.

TOLL-FREE 1-888-265-9784 PHONE (807) 468-8715

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© 2023 LOWDSA. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without prior written consent. Statements of fact or opinion are the responsibility of the author and may not represent the view of LOWDSA or Wake Marketing Inc.

Ashley Hoffmeister

The official publication of the Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association

Our Contributors

Bruce Ranta is a retired wildlife biologist, having spent 30 years with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. He has written for scientific journals and several Canadian and USA magazines. He is presently Chair of Ontario's Elk Technical Advisory Committee. Bruce and Lil live on 232 acres within the City limits of Kenora.

Alena Collier

Garth Collier

Jose Luis Rodriguez Gil

Sharon Gurney

Ashley Hoffmeister

Pat Keena is a life-long fan of Lake of the Woods. Growing up at the Patton-O’Grady family cottage on Keewatin Beach Road, she learned to swim, fish and sail. She and her husband, Gerry, built a cottage on Thompson Island, which they share with their children, grandson and two dogs.

Cassidy Mazur

Drew Monkman

Lori Nelson

Jeff Polakoff

Bronson Carver is a writer born, raised and living in Kenora. He currently serves as the Managing Editor for the Kenora Miner and News, seeing through the newspaper's 142-year-old legacy into the 21st century.

Henry & Anita Rasmussen

Jacob Rodenburg

Dave Schwartz

Todd Sellers

LAKE OF THE WOODS DISTRICT STEWARDSHIP ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT:

Garth Collier, Schnarr Lake

PAST PRESIDENT: Christine Semenchuk, Bigstone Bay

SECRETARY:

Jackie Lowe, Gun Club Island

TREASURERS:

Carley Fyke, Welcome Channel; Jeff Rempel, Pine Portage Bay

CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP: Adam Blake, Corkscrew Island

CHAIR, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS: Don Parfitt, Winnipeg River

CO-CHAIRS, ENVIRONMENT: Lucas King, Woodchuck Bay; Chelsea Lobson, Kendall Inlet

DIRECTORS AT LARGE: Barb Manson, Winnipeg River; Bob Stewart , Longbow Lake; Trevor Templeton, Minaki

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Ashley Hoffmeister, (807) 468-8715 executivedirector@lowdsa.com

ASSISTANT ED: Alena Collier, (807) 468-8715 alena@lowdsa.com

P.O. Box 1160

Kenora, ON P9N 3X7

EMAIL: info@lowdsa.com

TOLL-FREE: 1-888-265-9784

PHONE: (807) 468-8715

M N  LOWDSAssoc

P S  LOWDSA

V Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association

LWCB

Lake of the Woods Control Board

Water Level & Flow Information

Lake of the Woods / Winnipeg River

Lac Seul / English River

• Web Site (updated each workday): www.lwcb.ca

Current information & advisories, historic data & more

o Regulation Guide - Regulation rules & criteria; basin physical features; water level & flow preferences

o Before You Build *updated April 2023* - Hazard lands and docks; water levels to plan for; determining the level on your shore

• Notice Board (updated weekly): Level forecast and important updates on basin conditions; subscription option for email updates

o Recorded Message available at 1-800-661-5922

• Contact Staff: Call: 1-800-661-5922

Email: secretariat@lwcb.ca

Photo Contest

Julie Ward is our Spring 2023 Photo Contest winner! Of this heartwarming shot on Longbow Lake, Julie writes, “Robert and I spent COVID lockdown at the lake and I bought a new camera for something to do. This is one of my shots taken in front of the cottage near the entrance to Longbow Lake. That spring the pelicans came every day until the water warmed up. Lake of the Woods was such a wonderful place to spend a lockdown!"

Mark your calendars

Below are some of LOWDSA’s spring and summer events. Information is subject to change. We will notify members of any changes and information with as much notice as possible via eNews, on our website and social media platforms.

MAY 20

Seedling Day

Purchase your seedlings at lowdsa.com/cpages/ seedlings and pickup at Clearwater Bay or Longbow Lake Firehall between 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

JUNE + JULY + AUGUST

Matiowski Farmers Market

Have questions about how you can make a positive environmental impact? Swing by! Every week LOWDSA will have a booth just outside of the main entrance of Jarnel Contracting Pavilion in Kenora. Give-aways, resources, seedlings (limited quantity), friendly faces and much more.

Tree Planting

Are you interested in a peaceful day of hard work planting trees in the Kenora area? Join us in our restoration efforts. If you would like to be a part of this initiative email epm@lowdsa.com.

Dock Visits

Invite the LakeSmart team to your neck of the woods for a dock talk. We would love to come chat, check out your property or answer any questions you may have. We will have a boat on Lake of the Woods but if you can bring the LakeSmart team around your lake, we love to reach as many people as we can. Send a message to epm@lowdsa.com.

JUNE 24

Come Celebrate

Lake Life with LOWDSA

Come down to the Jarnel Contracting Pavilion on the Harbourfront in Kenora for our first in-person event in a few years. More details to come as planning continues.

Shoreline Clean-ups

LakeSmart is back in action and ready to clean up the beautiful shorelines. Volunteers welcome! The more the merrier to keep litter out of our environment, and the land pristine for generations to come. Locations, dates and times will be posted on social media and sent out through eNews so keep an eye out for it.

JULY 22

LakeSmart at Granite Lake

Send us a message if you want us to stop by your dock. We will be out and about visiting Granite Lake residents doing dock talks, answering environmental questions, and sharing all of our resources to help everyone live and play green this summer.

BoatWash

CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY. Together we can slow the spread of invasive species. Not only do you get a free BoatWash, it's the law. LakeSmart will be set up at boat launches around the area to help you keep your vessel free of those pesky hitchhikers that cause extensive damage to the waterways.

Introducing LOWDSA’s 2023 Board of Directors

Adam Blake, Chair Membership and Communications Committee

From childhood, Adam has spent his summers enjoying lake life at the family cottage in Clearwater Bay, Lake of the Woods. This early connection to the lake led to working at the Clearwater Market, then maintaining cottage properties to continue enjoying full summers at the lake throughout high school and university. During these summers, Adam met his wife, Kendra who cottaged in Deception Bay. Both passionate about lake life, they are now settled in their own cottage on Corkscrew Island. Adam has spent his career in business development, and has now focused his experience and passion for lake life on starting Clearwater Septic Systems. His interest in LOWDSA is to engage the incoming generation of cottagers to ensure similar experiences will be enjoyed for generations to come.

Garth Collier, President

Garth's grandparents were cottagers with their families in the early 1930s, and he has been going to Ottermere Lake all his life. His family is in their fourth generation at the lake now and continues to share the lake experience with their children. Additionally, Garth and his wife began building a cottage at Schnarr Lake in 2004. According to Garth, true to cottage "do-it-yourself" fashion, they are almost finished. Garth has been very active and involved in the well-established and vibrant Ottermere Cottage Association and was instrumental in coordinating their winter metal waste collection drop-off. He is a boater, snowmobiler, fisher (catch and release only) and an advocate for the environment.

Carley Fyke, Co-Treasurer

Carley is a third-generation Lake of the Woods cottager and has been spending time at the lake before she even knew it. Her family's cottage is in the Welcome channel area, and Carley and her sister Jen have always been avid "lake" girls. Carley will be the third "Fyke" to sit on the LOWDSA Board of Directors with her grandfather Leverne and her father Terry both having served as director and president of the board. Carley and her husband Dale have two sons, Hayden and Nolan, the fourth generation to enjoy the lake.

Wanda Kabel

Wanda is a lifelong resident of NW Ontario, currently living in Sioux Narrows on Sammons Bay, Lake of the Woods. Her background includes extensive education and certifications after finishing high school in Kenora and since 1996, she has held the role of Chief Administration Officer in the Township of Sioux Narrows and Nestor Falls. Wanda’s interests and activities include writing, photography, graphic design and multi-media art creation with her photography and art having been featured in multiple galleries and publications. She is a member of the NEXUS Group of Artists and the Lake of the Woods Arts Community. Wanda is an active community member and enjoys giving back through numerous committees and events.

Lucas King, Co-Chair Environment Committee

Lucas grew up spending summers at the family cottage on Lake of the Woods in Woodchuck Bay. He enjoys spending as much time as possible on the water throughout all seasons on the lake. Lucas spent three summers as part of the LOWDSA LakeSmart team and now continues to work with LOWDSA as a member of the Board of Directors and the Co-chair of the Environment Committee. Currently, Lucas works as the Territorial Planning Unit Director at Grand Council Treaty #3 in Kenora, while pursuing a Masters in Water Resource Engineering at the University of Manitoba.

Chelsea Lobson, Co- Chair Environment Committee

Chelsea Lobson is a program manager at the Lake Winnipeg Foundation in Winnipeg, where she has managed their communitybased water monitoring network since 2017. Chelsea has a Bachelor of Science in biology and a Masters of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Manitoba. Chelsea and her family began coming out to Lake of the Woods in 2014 and have a cottage on Kendall Inlet. She is excited to work with LOWDSA to protect her favourite place on earth.

Jackie Lowe, Secretary

Jackie is a retired executive and General Counsel of National Leasing Group Inc. Jackie and her family moved to Kenora when she was thirteen. After leaving for university, Jackie and her brothers maintained a close connection to the community and the lake. She summered in the Lake of the Woods area, first as a guest (thanks to gracious parents), and then as a renter (thanks to a helpful network of friends). Since 2000, she and her lake enthusiast spouse and sons have enjoyed their own lake home on Gun Club Island. Jackie is looking forward to learning more about lake stewardship and assisting in the promotion of environmental awareness.

Martha Mankewich

Martha is a resident of Winnipeg and has spent her summers on Nanton Island, located near Scotty's Island on Lake of the Woods. She worked as a student for the LOWDPOA for two summers in the mid-nineties providing information to cottagers, attending events, and testing water quality. Martha currently works as a Consultant, HR Business Solutions at People First HR Solutions and brings extensive experience and knowledge in human resources to share with LOWDSA staff and directors as well as a keen interest in the issues that affect the lake. She is an active board member of Connect Employment Services and member of the federal government’s Human Resources Committee with her term ending in 2023.

Barbara Manson

Barbara is a proud life-time resident of Kenora. Her parents lived in Laclu on Lake Louise and then moved to West Bay, Keewatin, on the Winnipeg River. Growing up on the river was a wonderful experience, so much so, that when Barbara got married, the deal was, they had to have a camp on the river to bring their children to. She and her husband Chuck purchased three acres, just west of the Norman Dam where they enjoy all aspects of lake life. As anyone living on or near the water, their main concern is to ensure it is safe and secure to pass on to the next generation. Barbara is a retired Parks Supervisor, a newly elected member to Kenora City Council and also works part-time for MPP Greg Rickford. She looks forward to sharing her knowledge and working towards securing our area so that it is pristine for many generations to come.

Don Parfitt, Chair Government Affairs Committee

A long-time resident of Keewatin and the Lake of the Woods region, Don and his wife Helen live on the Winnipeg River. He has extensive experience in accounting, auditing, and taxation as well as consulting with a variety of industries and governments, all of great value to the board and management of the Association. Don has been a very active member of the community, sitting on numerous committees and boards, many of them with great relevance to LOWDSA and its members. His knowledge of the community and connections within it are recognized and appreciated.

Jeff Rempel, Co-Treasurer

Jeff Rempel is a CPA/CA at PricewaterhouseCoopers and a cottage owner, having purchased his family's property on Pine Portage Bay in 2017 with his wife Nicole. Jeff's history at the family "camp" dates back many years as his grandparents acquired the property in 1964. He has been enjoying summers there since he was a child. His interest in LOWDSA was sparked as he was transitioning the property from his grandparents, and he looked to the Area News magazine for articles on succession planning, hydro rates, taxation, and all things a new cottage owner needs to know.

Chris Semenchuk, Past President, Chair Nominating Committee

Chris's time at Lake of the Woods began with her family's purchase of a cottage at Bigstone Bay in 1986. She and her husband, Kevin, purchased their own cottage in 2001 on Storm Bay, selling it in 2008 when they bought their current lake home back on Bigstone Bay. Chris and Kevin enjoy the lake in all four seasons and make the most of being outdoors at all times of the year. As past-president, Chris places a high priority on contributing to LOWDSA's initiatives to preserve this beautiful area. Chris and Kevin have traveled to other places and countries, but always miss and appreciate Lake of the Woods. They live in Winnipeg, where Chris is self-employed doing business process work, and they rarely miss a weekend at the lake.

Bob Stewart

Bob was born and raised in Kenora. He and his wife, Brenda have lived year-round at Longbow Lake (Storm Bay Road) since 1992, acquiring the family cottage/home form his parents, who owned it since 1970. Bob has been a member of LOWDSA since then. He worked for the Daily Miner and News for 36 years, then in building maintenance, and has been retired since 2018. For eight years, Bob served on the LOWDSA Government Affairs Committee. He sees it as a privilege to now serve on the Board of Directors. He also believes that as a long-time waterfront resident whose family has always enjoyed the ‘lake life’, the importance of playing a role in maintaining the water and wilderness in the region for future generation is a worthy legacy.

Trevor Templeton

Trevor grew up spending all his summers, and many winter escapes in Minaki at the family cottages on Pistol Lake and Jackfish Bay. He has never missed a summer season at the cottage. This includes the 20 years he lived in Vancouver. His first jobs were in Minaki, and these experiences made him aware of the need for sustainability between local economies and their natural resources. He furthered this interest by attaining a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Ecology at the University of Manitoba. Trevor is currently the general manager of three family-owned Subway franchises, and a business development consultant in orthopaedics for Ossur Canada. He is committed to the future of the Lake of the Woods region and brings his passion for the lake to the LOWDSA Board of Directors. an

LOWDSA’s 2023 AGM Recap

On April 12, 2023, LOWDSA held the 2023 annual general meeting (AGM), virtually. We’d like to thank all of those who joined us. For those who weren’t able to join, you can watch the recording here: bit.ly/lowdsa23agm

The meeting was kicked off with a welcome by LOWDSA president, Garth Collier. Garth acknowledged that the Lake of the Woods area is located within the territory of the Anishinaabe Nation of Treaty #1 and #3 and Cree and Métis peoples and affirmed our responsibilities for improving relations through the protection and stewardship of the lands and waters of the region.

Adam Blake, chair of the membership committee, highlighted that in 2022 they were able to launch the 60th anniversary video. They were also able to present a LOWDSA legacy paddle to the City of Kenora as a symbol of our commitment to continue to collaborate and work in the community. During the summer of 2022, LOWDSA participated and attended meetings of several

Garth went on to give the president’s report which covered updates on Forestry and the annual work schedule, and access to the Coker Road. The staff were then introduced, and the agenda was passed off to the committees for their reports of 2022.

On behalf of the finance committee co-chairs, Carley Fyke and Jeff Rempel went over the 2022 financial statements. They stated LOWDSA’s cash position is strong, and we will continue to invest in short-term GIC’s to generate a small amount of interest income annually. They also appointed BDO Canada LLP to be re-appointed as auditors for the 2023 fiscal year.

regional lake associations in the greater LOWDSA area to better understand the unique needs of the diverse areas LOWDSA serves. The committee also began working on some exciting initiatives such as the marketing and branding for the upcoming “Celebrate Lake Life” summer event and working on the potential of getting a billboard placed on the west highway.

Chair of the Government Affairs committee, Don Parfitt, gave updates on all of the key issues they focused on throughout 2022. These covered topics such as the Trans-Canada Highway twinning, forestry management, hydro rates, fishery regulations,

nuclear waste disposal site, water levels, and the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act. They will continue to monitor these issues and will provide updates to the membership on social media, the LOWDSA website, Area News or through eNews email blasts.

Brie McCardle, Environment Program Manager, was up next to discuss a successful 2022 summer season of stewardship, education, and outreach. Efforts were focused on improving our land-based programs and increasing reach due to the record level flooding.

Notable highlights include the Education and Outreach Manager position led by Cassidy Mazur.

During her time, Cassidy visited 15 different schools, reaching and educating over 1,270 children and youth from junior kindergarten to grade 12. We recognize kids are a big part of our target audience as they are the next generation that will be taking care of the environment.

Meaningful connections with other organizations around the area where made, such as Lake of the Woods International Sailing Association, Tall Pines Marina, the Youth Rangers and more. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s Youth Rangers joined us for a tree planting day where we planted over 4,000 trees.

The LakeSmart program also had another successful season. The team delivered more than 400 environmental resources, attended many events, and connected with over 2,000 people. They documented concerns over water quality, invasive species, water levels and shoreline health, all things impacting the ecosystem and area that we all have come to enjoy.

Lastly, Chris Semenchuk chair of the Nominating Committee, nominated two new directors to the board. Martha Mankewich and Wanda Kabel were elected to serve a two-year term.

Chris advised that the following board members have agreed to serve another two-years term on the Board:

Adam Blake

Garth Collier

Carley Fyke

Lucas King

Chris Semenchuk

Trevor Templeton

The meeting concluded after a brief question and answer period. an

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Lake Life Resources

Gain easy access to just about anything you want to know about lake life and to learn more about what you love.

Area News Magazine

Stay connected to the district year round through the Area News magazine, issued five times per year, for articles featuring lake life and issues of interest.

Seedlings

Help reduce our carbon footprint while expanding your beautiful patch of forest to continue lasting memories for future generations.

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Seedling Day: May 20, 2023 10am - 1pm

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Community events planned for National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21, 2023

Ogimaawabiitong (Kenora Chiefs Advisory) is gearing up for another amazing National Indigenous Peoples Day gathering at the KCA Youth and Family Wellness Camp, located at 371 Strecker Road. The events, scheduled for June 21, 2023, will build on the success of KCA’s first annual National Indigenous Peoples Day event held in 2022 in partnership with Grand Council Treaty #3 and Ne-Chee Friendship Centre, which saw attendance of over 3,000 people of all ages. Like 2022, goals for the day include providing a safe space that is open for everyone to come and learn about and partake in cultural and traditional dances, pow wows, protocols and practices.

We want to hear from you!

Our goal is to always feature the broad spectrum of cottage group and association activities occurring throughout the region—but we need to hear from you. Let us know what’s happening on your lake—be it a regatta, fishing derby, festival, association news, or anything that brings people together to build community and celebrate lake life. Send your write-up of 300 words or less along with high resolution photos to editor@areanewsmagazine.ca.

Submission deadlines for the remainder of 2023:

• Summer issue (mails June 30): May 15, 2023

• Fall issue (mails September 13): July 28, 2023

• Winter issue (mails November 16): September 23, 2023

Is LOWISA 57 on your summer calendar?!

Lake of the Woods International Sailing Association (LOWISA) is in full swing with plans for LOWISA 57, which will sail August 6-12. The 2023 event will put a spotlight on northern lake accessibility and sailing adventure. The LOWISA 57 destination is Crow Rock Lodge—a famous stop on Lake of the Woods. Hosting the fleet at Crow Rock will allow the race to still get some fantastic sailing adventure (including a leg to Whitefish Bay), some new anchorages, close accessibility for access to resources and crew-switching all while still staying in the northern basin. Details about registration or if you're looking for crew or wanting to be crew on a boat are available at lowisa.org/event-info.

Here's a sneak peak at the race course:

Sunday: Cowboy

This year’s plans include a pow wow, story sharing circle, an indigenous crafter market, face painting, rock painting, bouncy castles, yard games, and much more. Watch for updates on KCA’s Facebook page at facebook.com/KCAYFWC.

Check out the Ne-Chee Friendship Centre Facebook page for updates at facebook.com/necheefriendshipcentre.

Monday: Hidden Bay

Tuesday: Crow Rock Lodge

Wednesday: Crow Rock Lodge

Thursday: Deadbroke

Friday: 22ft Bay

Saturday: Northern Harbour Watch for updates at lowisa.org.

WATER LEVELS

2023 water level outlook is positive

BY JEFF POLAKOFF, LOWDSA REPRESENTATIVE, LAKE OF THE WOODS CONTROL BOARD

This article was written following the Lake of the Woods Control Board regulation meeting in March, which reviews the end of winter watershed conditions and determines an initial water level strategy for spring and summer.

Beginning in late fall, the Winnipeg River Basin, including Lake of the Woods, returned to normal water levels and flows following the 2022 flood. Winter temperatures were above normal, and precipitation was near normal for most of the winter with moderate snowpack throughout the majority of the Basin.

In comparison to the same time last year, the snowpack was more than double normal conditions. As we learned last year however, snowpack is not the main driver of high spring and summer water levels. The most important factor for high water in the basin is heavy spring rainfall in combination with melting snowpack as well as frozen ground and lack of ground water absorption. The good news is that reported frost depths are shallow and it is anticipated that absorption will be an important factor in moderating flows into the lake. By the time you read this article, we will have a better understanding of the results of the spring thaw. Towards the end of March, the Lake of the Woods water level stood at approximately 322.42 m (1057.8 ft) or the 35th percentile.

The primary goal of the regulation strategy is to balance conditions across the entire basin considering the varying upstream and downstream interests for Lake of the Woods and Winnipeg River. For the spring thaw period, LOWDSA emphasized the importance of regulating flow, to minimize ice damage to shore infrastructure. In addition, we have

supported a strategy for lower-than-normal levels to better assist with repairs to docks, boathouses, and other shoreline infrastructure and erosion resulting from the 2022 flood.

The summer target level has been set at between 322.85 and 322.90 m (1059.2 and 1059.4 ft) on Lake of the Woods, which is at the lower end of our normal recommended level and consistent with nautical charts. Targets will of course need to take into consideration the balancing of risk depending on spring rainfall and will be the subject of ongoing analysis and potential adjustment by the Control Board and Secretariat.

Spring is not only an important time for water levels but also for the commissioning of navigational aids. Between May and June, you can anticipate seeing the Canadian Coast Guard undertaking the inspection of the 465 floating buoys and 140 range lights and towers in the region. It is expected that 2023 will see a return to the normal schedule of inspections, which was delayed last year due to high water.

The 2022 flood continues to be an important topic for consideration. The Secretariat is completing a draft report that reviews flood conditions, impacts and actions focused on Lake of the Woods and Winnipeg River. This is the second of two flood reports with the first being on the southern part of the watershed including Namakan and Rainy Lake. Both reports will be posted on the LOWDSA website, and I encourage you to have a look.

For up-to-date information on water levels and the work of the LWCB including the 2022 Flood Reports please visit the LWCB website at lwcb.ca.

Canadian Coast Guard conducts buoy commissioning and inspections.

Canadian Water Resource Association (Manitoba) workshop looks at the flood of 2022

BY ASHLEY HOFFMEISTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOWDSA

On February 21, I had the pleasure of attending the Canadian Water Resource Association (CWRA) Manitoba branch workshop. The theme was The Manitoba Flood of 2022: Stories, lessons learned and pathways to a more resilient future. The high-water levels and flooding we were faced with, beginning in the spring of 2022 were certainly challenging and devastating to many. So much damage and so little we could do. Total damages from the event are still being evaluated, but Doyle Piwniuk, Manitoba’s Infrastructure Minister, provided an initial estimate of $200 million. The City of Kenora estimates they spent between $600,000 to $700,000 on flood-related expenses. The cost to cottage owners to rebuild docks, boathouses, and other structures is significant.

There was a lot of learning and key takeaways from the day. The amount of planning and thought that goes into all technical aspects when it comes to understanding flood risk, mitigation, and management is substantial. Important research and bootson-the-ground work is happening.

The workshop was put on in partnership between the CWRA and the University of Manitoba's Price Faculty of Engineering. The event featured four sessions: Flood Prediction, Building Resilience Through Understanding Flood Risk, Flood Mitigation Measures, and Emergency Flood Management.

A diverse group of speakers from across the impacted areas shared not only the technical aspects of managing the flood of 2022, but also first-hand accounts detailing the social impacts of the flood, while exploring how we can become more resilient for future flood events.

The day began with a teaching and a prayer from Elder Norman Meade followed by keynote speakers Doug McNeil (McNeil Consulting), Russ Andrushuk (Assistant Deputy Minister, Engineering and Technical Services, Government of Manitoba), and Patricia Mitchell and Derrick Gould (Manitoba USKE).

Flood Prediction

During the Flood Prediction session we heard from Alexandra Lavictoire from Lake of the Woods Control Board (LWCB) who gave an overview of the LWCB hydrological forecasting system. Shane Wruth from Manitoba Hydro spoke about how Manitoba Hydro is modernizing the inflow forecasting system, and Fisaha Unduche from Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure spoke about their operations, forecasting, and lessons learned from the 2022 flooding.

Building Resilience

Session 2 was all about building resilience and understanding current and future flood risk. Michael Viera and Phil Slota from Manitoba Hydro spoke about a hydropower perspective on climate change and floods. Ricardo Mantilla and Chandra Rajulapati from the University of Manitoba discussed an academic perspective on the present and the future of flood hazard estimation and forecasting in Manitoba.

Flood Mitigation Measures

In session 3, Karl-Erich Lindenschmidt, from the University of Saskatoon presented on the studies they’ve been doing on advances in assessing mitigation effects on ice-jam flood hazard and risk. David Fuchs from Hatch gave an overview on the successes of the Fargo-Moorhead area flood diversion project. Jeremy Greshuk from the City of Winnipeg spoke about the strategic and tactical uses of Winnipeg’s flood manual during the spring 2022 flood event.

Emergency Flood Management

Ashley Keep and Stephanie Wolman from Manitoba Emergency Measures Organization kicked off session 4, which was all about emergency flood management. Their presentation covered their involvement in the spring flood event and showed how they typically set up their supports for these types of emergency events. Brian Earl from Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure and David Brown from KGS Group spoke about how they responded to the flood on the Little Saskatchewan River. William Sutherland from Peguis First Nation discussed how their community continues to be in crisis by the floods year over year.

Workshop attendees take in a technical presentation from David Fuchs of Hatch.

Photo: Milan Bijeljanin.

The day ended with a panel discussion, which focused on important insight on pathways that could be taken to plan for a more resilient future.

As stated by the CWRA, accurate flood prediction, efficient emergency response, integration of both green and grey infrastructure, and inclusive flood mitigation planning are all key components to building resilience to future floods that is both effective and equitable.

The importance of collaboration between different partners and stakeholders was highlighted throughout the day. This was reiterated by First Nation leaders Patricia Mitchell and Derrick Gould (Manitoba USKE), Merv Sinclair (Lake St. Martin First Nation), and William Sutherland (Peguis First Nation), who spoke about the need for improved communication, transparency, and the opportunity for First Nation Communities to sit at planning and decision-making tables to ensure Indigenous perspectives are included going forward.

Watch for future events and updates at cwra.org/en/events. an

City encourages seasonal flooding preparation

SUBMITTED BY THE CITY OF KENORA

The City of Kenora wants to remind you of the seasonal flood risks that come with the spring melt and rising water levels.

Everyone, particularly property owners near areas prone to flooding or who have experienced extreme water level changes in their neighbourhood, should take steps inside and outside to flood proof your property now to reduce damage and losses later. Prepare an evacuation plan1 in case you need to leave your home and build a 72-hour emergency kit2 to take with you. Find more prevention and protection flood tips at ontario.ca.

Sandbags and sand are available for residents. Pick up sandbags at Fire Hall Station One, 100 Fourteenth Street North. Sand is available to fill the bags at the Operations Centre, just down from the Fire Hall on Fourteenth Street North on the north side of the street.

Lake of the Woods Water Control Board provides water level updates at lwcb.ca/noticeboard. Staying informed and being prepared for extreme conditions can help you to assess water levels as it changes with appropriate actions and lessen the impact on your home and property.

1 ontario.ca/page/be-prepared-emergency

2 getprepared.gc.ca/cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/yprprdnssgd/index-en.aspx

Elder Norman Meade delivers teachings to open the workshop.

Photo: Ricardo Mantilla.

LOWDSA attends area’s first Grand Council Treaty #3 environmental stewardship gathering

BY ASHLEY HOFFMEISTER

Grand Council Treaty #3 Territorial Planning Unit hosted an environmental stewardship gathering March 21 and 22, at Gojijiing Anishinaabeg (Couchiching First Nation). It was the first gathering of its kind in the area, and they are hopeful it will become a repeat event. The gathering focused on bringing Treaty #3 communities, land managers, and environmental organizations like LOWDSA from across the territory together to highlight the environmental monitoring and stewardship work being undertaken by First Nations.

Both days were inspiring and insightful. After a ceremonial smudge, Blood Rock traditional drum and drummers Chad, Dillon and Ryan Smith led opening ceremonies, with prayers by Elder Priscilla Simard.

Following are some highlights of these incredible two days of learning and sharing.

Elder Priscilla Simard and Shy Cobiness from Grand Council Treaty #3 taught us about Manito Aki Inakonigaawin. The spirit and intent of Manito Aki Inakonigaawin signifies the duty to respect and protect lands that may be affected from over-usage, degradation, and unethical processes. They’ve recently launched the Manito Aki Inakonigewin Toolkit, which provides education on the significance and process of Manito Aki Inakonigewin. As the law of the Nation, the toolkit

will ensure the protection and preservation of inherent and treaty rights. To learn more about the toolkit visit gct3.ca/ launch-of-manito-aki-inakonigewin-toolkit.

Priscilla and Shy also taught us about the Nibi (water) Declaration and the Nibi Portal. The Declaration is about respect, love, and the sacred relationship with nibi and the life that it brings. The Nibi Portal is an online resource imagined and brought to life by the Women’s Council of Treaty #3, the Territorial Planning Unit of Grand Council Treaty #3, and Decolonizing Water. Based in the values expressed by the Nibi Declaration, this portal hopes to share knowledge, inspire action, and protect nibi. It’s easy to immerse yourself into the portal and spend time learning the story behind the Nibi Declaration, the timeline it has followed and what’s in store for the future. Visit nibi.gct3.ca to learn more.

Chief Lorraine Cobiness of Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation (commonly known as Dalles First Nation) has done significant work to ensure environmental sustainability and stewardship in the Treaty #3 area. A couple (of the many) projects she has been involved include the creation of Miisun Integrated Resource Management Company, and the Ni’Mi Sturgeon Recovery Project.

Miisun is 100 per cent First Nations owned by Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation, Whitefish Bay First Nation, Wabaseemoong First Nations (Whitedog First Nation), Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, Anishnabeg of Naongashing (Big Island First Nation), Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, Wabauskang First Nation, and Northwest Angle #33. The company was developed to promote First Nations opportunities in Forest Management.

Protecting Mother Earth is an obligation we all share. Following Manito Aki Inakonigaawin, it is possible for development to occur with the least amount of uncertainty and conflict. Photo: Grand Council Treaty #3.

Miisun has an evergreen management agreement for the Kenora Forest with Miitigoog (formerly held by Weyerhaeuser and transferred in 2010). Miisun offers Forestry Management, Geographic Information Services, Mining, Anishinabe Liaison Services, Access Roads Planning and Environmental Services.

Next, Chief Cobiness talked about the surgeon recovery project, which is a joint partnership between Niisaachewan Anishinaabe Nation and Rainy River First Nation along with contributions by the MNRF in Kenora, and Ontario Power Generation. Sturgeon have cultural significance for Indigenous people.

As

by

To kick off the recovery project, students, elders and members of Dalles First Nation took part in a ceremonial event to release 12 juvenile sturgeon into the Winnipeg River in 2017. Before they were released, each sturgeon had a transmitter surgically implanted and sixteen acoustic receivers were placed throughout the river, which will help biologists track the sturgeons’ movements and allow the First Nation to learn more about what the fish are doing and where they are going. Additionally, they added 15 sturgeon in 2018, and 12 in 2019. All are still alive and approximately 37 to 39 sturgeon are still in the Upper Winnipeg River as of November 2020.

Joe Cameron, Team Lead of the Indigenous Guardian Program discussed their involvement with the highway twinning project. Indigenous Guardians monitor, manage, and steward their lands and waters. They are “bootson-the-ground” and act as the “eyes and ears” of the territory. Joe spoke about the challenges they faced as they were introduced into the high twinning project and the efforts it took to ensure everyone was on board to help protect the land and water. He gave some examples of the successes of their involvement by showcasing pictures and videos of fuel spills they were able to get cleaned up in a timely manner to save fish habitat. Their worksite is very close to the project site,

so that they are available in a timely manner when they are needed. For more information on the Indigenous Guardians Program, visit the Indigenous Guardians Toolkit website indigenousguardianstoolkit.ca.

Laura Horton, Elder from Rainy River First Nations spoke about guiding environmental protection through Anishinaabe songs and ceremony. She taught us the Nibi Song, which we sang together, and it was encouraged that we give thanks and speak to the water every day through this song. The story behind the song is that it was written by Dorene Day at the request of her grandson. Every day on their drive to school, they passed a body of water and gave thanks:

Water, we love you. We thank you.

We respect you.

It was at her grandson’s request that it be translated into their language, Ojibwemowin. Dorene had the words taped to her car visor as they learned them together. It is sung like a lullaby.

Ne-be Gee Zah- gay- e- goo

Gee Me-gwetch -wayn ne- me — goo

Gee Zah Wayn ne- me- goo

To listen to a beautiful recording of the Nibi Song, visit motherearthwaterwalk.com/?attachment_id=2244.

There is so much incredible work being done by passionate people and organizations. It was an honour to be able to participate in the event and LOWDSA looks forward to continued learning, growth, and partnership from Grand Council Treaty #3.

We have so much to learn from Indigenous Peoples. See also “Learning from Mother Earth” by Cassidy Mazur on page 34. an

stated

Chief Cobiness “This project will enable Ochiichagwe’babigo’ining Ojibway Nation to continue to act as stewards of the land and play an active role in the conservation and restoration of lake sturgeon in our homeland.”

Laura Horton sings the Nibi Song.

Krista Robertson is a former LakeSmart ambassador who gave an overview of watershed modelling for mining impacts on behalf of the International Joint Commission.

Highway twinning project progress builds on relationships and respect

by Bronson Carver

The twinning of the highway west of Kenora is well underway, with all signs pointing toward four lanes eventually spanning all the way from the Manitoba border to Kenora.

Since July of last year, the Niiwin Wendaanimok (Four Winds) Partnership has been teaming with the Ontario Ministry of Transportation to twin a 6.5 kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway, starting at the Manitoba-Ontario border where Manitoba 1 meets Ontario’s Highway 17.

As the first of three potential phases of the project, the work is set to see the highway grow to four lanes all the way up to Highway 673, and eventually a further 43 kilometres all the way to Kenora if the stakeholders agree to terms to develop the rest.

As a part of Ontario’s longest highway, the roadway in question has been in use for more than a century. While the majority of Highway 17 already features four lanes, there are only two lanes west of Kenora, resulting in blatant safety concerns and longstanding calls for the highway to be twinned. Both the federal and provincial government have been pledging to get the job done since 2008, but it wasn’t until the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) eventually came to terms with the Four Winds group that shovels finally ended up in the ground.

From left, Coun. Nathaniel Gillman, Chief Kevin Redsky, Chief Chris Skead and Chief Lorraine Cobiness of Niiwin Wendaanimok (Four Winds) Partnership, holding a golden shovel during a ceremony when Phase I of the highway twinning project was first announced. Photo: Matt Kennedy, UpRiver Media.

After the plan was finalized in late 2021, leaders from both parties met at the Ontario Tourist Information Centre the following summer to celebrate the beginning of the twinning. With Niiwin Wendaanimok being comprised of members from four different Anishinaabeg First Nations—Wauzhushk Onigum, Washagamis Bay, Shoal Lake 40 and Niisaachewan— Chiefs from the communities were on hand to lend their thoughts about what made the work possible.

Pointing toward the successful completion of the nearby Freedom Road, Chief Kevin Redsky of Shoal Lake 40 referred to the project as a milestone and a shining example of how partnerships between Treaty and Crown can come to fruition.

“I don’t know how many governments have come and gone to get us to this day,” he said.

created. Specialized drainage system, including several culverts are expected to be installed.

The work in question has been contracted to Moncrief Construction Limited (MCL) of Kenora, alongside several workers from Niiwin Wendaaminok. According to Four Winds project manager Allan Luby, at least 14 full-time jobs, complete with paid training opportunities have been created for local Anishinaabeg youth from the partnership’s four communities.

“The work is moving along nicely,” Luby said.

“The Four Winds is currently running with seven pieces of equipment on site, and we’ve had trainers (from Moncrief Construction) in our communities working with people who are eager to learn.”

Notably, on April 13, 2023, the Government of Ontario announced an additional $1.9 million in funding aimed at training initiatives in Niiwin Wendaaminok communities.

Chief Lorraine Cobiness of Niisaachewan recalled a time when she herself once got into an accident on the highway, and how the importance of safety on the road is a top priority for her.

“Safety on the highway, not just for our people but for everybody. There’s no need for people to lose their lives because of this highway,” she said.

“The working relationship with the province has worked quite well,” Luby added. “There’s a willingness to address all issues as they come up, in a fully open and transparent manner. The recognition (on the government’s part) of Anishinaabe Law here in Treaty #3 is there, and I think it’s a fantastic example of reconciliation.”

Owing to the Four Winds, the project has been undertaken with Manito Aki Inakonigaawin (MAI), the Great Earth Law written and ratified by Treaty #3 Elders in 1997. As a series of principles, MAI is meant to help guide Anishinaabe as stewards and protectors of the water and the land.

According to Luby, several Harmonized Impact Assessments (HIA) were undertaken as a part of the Law at the start of the project in order to understand how the work would affect the land. As led by the Four Winds Guardianship Division, Luby says the assessments haven’t just guided the partnership, but provided new territorial information that expands well beyond the highway.

According to the MTO, the work is progressing well and is roughly one third of the way finished, with an estimated completion date of sometime next year. As of March 2023, the MTO says more than 200,000 cubic metres of earth have been cleared, 250,000 cubic metres of rock has been blasted, and 330,000 cubic metres of new roadway embankments have been

“There was a stream that got moved a little bit, and everyone thought it was empty,” Luby said. “But we found minnows and wildlife. We brought it forward to the project team, and immediately there was a process put in place to resolve and rehabilitate the fish and put them into a new environment. That’s an example of working together, and Manito Aki Inakonigaawin.”

“Everyone knows the story of Shoal Lake 40 and the struggles we’ve endured. Fast forward to today— the opportunities, the training, the companies created, entrepreneurship— that’s what partnerships do.”

“After my accident, I made it a goal of mine to make sure we were going to do this twinning, no matter what it took. We’re doing this in the spirit of reconciliation, business, but most of all, for the safety of all people.”

“The critical role of Manito Aki Inakonigaawin should not be underestimated,” added Niisaachewan Councillor Fabian Blackhawk, who has been working very closely with Luby on the twinning project file.

“The respect and application of the Great Earth Law is hugely important, critical even, to any project completed within Anishinaabe territory. It keeps everyone on the right path in a productive circle. The old colonial approach to building infrastructure on Anishinaabe land, rights and interests is a recipe for delay. We’re not just building a road, we’re building relationships.”

With talks about Phase II of the project set to begin soon, Blackhawk and the rest of the Four Winds are hopeful Manito Aki Inakonigaawin will continue to guide everyone in the future.

“There’s nothing like success to build up momentum,” he concluded. an

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Chief Chris Skead of Wauzhushk Onigum Nation, one of the leaders of the Four Winds Partnership, has said the highway twinning project speaks to what he calls economic reconciliation, or Anishinaabe people getting their fair share of capital when it comes to work that involves traditional land and water.

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By Cassidy Mazur,

This is a quote from Nancy Jones, an Anishinaabe Elder from Nigigoonsiminikanning First Nation in Treaty #3 Territory. I spoke with her and her grandson, Jason Jones, about their experiences and knowledge with nibi (water). Each one of us has our own relationship with the land and water around us. I hope that their words help guide our own journeys in our relationships with nibi and Aki (Earth).

Connecting with Indigenous history and knowledge can allow us to relate with the environment in a deeper sense. The land and water around us have been protected by and learned about by Indigenous peoples that have lived here for millennia and have passed on teachings of their knowledge.

To learn from Indigenous experiences is to learn from those who know our natural surroundings most intimately.

“Environmental sustainability” refers to a responsibility to protect ecological balance in our planet's natural environment and conserve natural resources to support health and wellbeing now and long into the future.

“Water is life for everyone, including the animals, you, and me. If you take care of nature, nature will take care of you.”

Education and Outreach Manager, Lake of the Woods District Stewardship Association & IISD Experimental Lakes Area, with Elder Nancy Jones and Jason Jones, Nigigoonsiminikanning First Nation

Across the many Indigenous groups on Turtle Island

there is a shared holistic and dynamic understanding of learning and the interconnectedness of all things in our world. The connection and care for the land and community reflect how Indigenous values are rooted in what Western society might call environmental sustainability.

Nancy shares, “Most native people on Turtle Island have teachings on how to take care of their portion of the land where they live. Teachings are similar across the country on how to take care of water and earth; each honour Creator, community, and Elders.”

The similarities between Indigenous worldviews and how we should approach environmental sustainability tells me there is so much to learn and

stresses the importance of Indigenous ways of knowing and Western science working together.

Indigenous ways of knowing refers to the complex systems of knowledge that incorporate Indigenous teachings, perspectives, and worldviews. It is based on relationships, respect, ecosystems, processes, stories, and views humans as part of the environment.

“Water is very important to the Anishinaabe people, it is very sacred and powerful,” said Nancy. “Many Anishinaabe teachings have always acknowledged water and Aki to live in balance with everything around us. We were placed here to take care of the Earth; Creator loves us and wants us to take care of everything that is placed on this earth so that we can live well.”

It can be easy to see things in life as quite separate from one another. Especially within a more Western worldview, which might see humans as separate, or even above, nature. That ideology has resulted in environmental damages across the globe. A simple shift in how we view our relationship with nature shapes how connected we feel, how we respect it, and how we take care of it.

Water is life

I’m sure many of us are familiar with the line. Of course it is—we need water to drink, grow and make food, and so much more that we need to live. The meaning for Anishinaabe includes that “water is living”.

Nancy adds, “It’s a spiritual belief taught since birth, the first step in understanding Anishinaabe worldview. Everything has life, you see the wind and the waves, we can’t say that you need certain things to say it’s living. You don’t need evidence to say that water is alive.”

Nancy referred to how science is slowly catching up to this, with research articles coming out about how water speaks to each other, has memory, responds to music, our thoughts, and emotions.

If water is seen as without life, simply a resource to avoid running out of—the acts of pollution and other harm to water might not feel as devastating and disrespectful.

If we approach our world as the interconnected system that it is, it will lead to a better understanding of what we need to do and how we can work together to do it.

A great example of science that embodies a holistic approach are the whole-ecosystem experiments happening at IISD-ELA. Jason spoke to the similarities this has to Indigenous ways of knowing and the importance of continuing to translate science communications to Anishinaabemowin, which can lead to an understanding of how things work, how to keep balance with surrounding spiritual environment, natural environment, and the physical.

He emphasized how important it is that people be out on the land and water, visiting IISD-ELA and beyond. “You can only learn so much from books. You have to experience rain, snow, sleet, etc. to see how things work. To learn and understand how the environment works you have to be out in nature, in the bush. Learn by listening to nature. The blue jay, when you hear him in the spring, it means warm weather is approaching. When the owl is heard at night, it sometimes warns of an approaching storm but for sure it means it’ll be windy the next day.

Sit quietly for an hour or two and listen to the ‘algorithm of

Jason suggests putting tobacco down on the water and letting that carry you and open your mind’s eye to seeing things differently than what you were taught.

Mother Earth’”.

Everything is alive

“Everything is alive, when talking, everything hears you,” said Jason. “Water, trees, your vehicle. Be humble about what you have, be happy with what you’ve got and don’t ask for more.”

Nancy shared that an important lesson is to appreciate what you have. She acknowledges the water and lakes during ceremony and when given food. She gives thanks to the water that comes in her house, and says ‘miigwech’ to her cup of coffee. She uses tobacco to say miigwech to her truck for bringing her where she needs to go and keeping her and her surroundings safe.

“Recognize what is important to us. When the sun comes up, say ‘thank you’, and ‘see you again tomorrow’ when it sets.”

Perhaps you can learn to appreciate the tree in your yard just as much as a tree in the forest. As you share your appreciation from wherever you are, it is sent to the rest of the Earth.

“You don’t necessarily have to be in the forest to be thankful for the forest,” said Jason. “You can acknowledge them with that one tree, the spirits always see us and hear us. The trees will still hear you far away.”

Language presents huge differences between English and Anishinaabemowin (or Ojibwe). The language we speak shapes our worldview, differing languages can present challenges and barriers to working together. Anishinaabemowin is verb based (actions) and centers around relationships. For example, Carbon dioxide in Ojibwe is mitigoo-inanaamowin, which means “(the air that) the trees breathe.”

I asked Nancy about the role language plays in bringing Western and Indigenous ways of knowing together. She spoke about introductions—knowing who you’re sitting with, eating with, and knowing each other. She said when two elders meet, the first thing said translates to “Wow who are you, where do you come from?

“Communication is important to know who we are, were we come from, and where we are going. Know each other.”

Communication, holistic understandings, experiencing Mother Earth, honouring nibi, and respecting where we are and what we have, will help us get to know the world around us and how to take care of it. I encourage you to explore Indigenous ways of knowing further, and if you don’t know where to go to do so, Nancy shares this.

“Approach any grandmother in your community with tobacco. If the elder doesn’t know, they can refer you to someone who might. The tobacco will lead you in a good way.”

My final note is to always share what you’ve learned. Help others on their journeys. It takes communities to care for our world and water.

Jason said it best,

“The world would be a better place if everyone honoured water.” an

Kenora’s Jeff Gustafson fishes a first-place finish in prestigious Bassmaster Classic

By Leanne Fournier

Two days of monster smallmouth catches, followed by a final day with only two keepers made the final weigh-in for the Bassmaster Classic tournament, held in Knoxville Tennessee, a nail-biter for Kenora’s Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson.

Tough as it was, it was enough to bring home the coveted Ray Scott Trophy, a $300,000 U.S. payout, and recognition of being the first ever Canadian Bassmaster Classic champion winner. Gussy drew on his past success fishing the Tennessee River, having won the 2021 Bassmaster Elite series there. “My game plan was to fish for smallmouths, which are not as common in the river, but the average size could be really good,” he said. “They have a unique size requirement there with smallmouths having to be 18" in length to keep. That is a big fish on this body of water, but you have to throw a lot of nice ones back to get a keeper. I think that turned many of the other pro anglers off from focusing on smallmouths.”

Over the first two days of the tournament, everything went according to plan. “I was able to bring in five keeper smallmouths. I could tell on day two though that they were getting harder to catch and I was expecting the third and final day of the tournament to be difficult, which it was.”

Heading out with nearly a six-pound lead was exciting but Gussy felt like he still had to catch another limit to make it to the podium. “It ended up being the hardest day of fishing of my life. Through eight hours, I was only able to catch two keepers. The boat ride back to the check-in was horrible. I figured that I had blown this amazing opportunity.”

Fortunately, it was a tough day for everyone else in the tournament too.

“I knew how much weight I was going to have (a little over 42 pounds) so I was listening as the other top five anglers weighed in. Some had struggled but had limits that were going to put

them close to me. I was the last to weigh-in and when it was my turn to come into the arena and none of the other anglers had crossed the 42-pound mark, I knew I was going to win.”

For Gussy, it was the win of a lifetime. “I feel extremely lucky to get to be on the Bassmaster stage. It's the biggest event in our sport and I really still can't believe everything worked out for me.”

The win qualifies Gussy for next year’s Classic and pretty much means he gets to fish the rest of the seven Elite Series regular season events for free. He said, “That is a really nice privilege. Hopefully that will be reflected in my results.”

Gussy credits growing up in Kenora on Lake of the Woods for bringing him to this incredible moment in his professional fishing career.

“This is such a great place to grow up for kids that love to be outdoors and, in my case, love fishing. I was lucky that I had a dad and grandpa who took me fishing when I was a little kid. I caught the bug for it early and it's been a big part of my life ever since.”

He adds, “I get asked all the time about my favourite lake and while nearby Rainy Lake is special for me, Lake of the Woods is amazing because it is so big, it has so much to explore and there are not many waterbodies that offer all of the world-class fishing opportunities that it does.”

Whether you’re an avid fisherperson or just starting out, Gussy’s top tip is to get out on the water and find new places.

“Go exploring, have an imagination and have fun.” an

Left: Gussy’s decision to focus on smallmouth bass brought home the prize. Right: Jeff and Shelby Gustafson celebrate Gussy’s spectacular first place finish. Photos by Paul Nicoletti and SIMMS.

Take a bath in nature’s splendour

BY DAVE SCHWARTZ

"We need the tonic of the wilderness, to wade sometimes in the marsh where the bittern and the meadow hen lurk and hear the booming of the snipe; to smell the whispering sedge where only some wilder and more solitary fowl builds her nest, and the mink crawls with its belly close to the ground."

~ Henry David Thoreau

What the famous writer and naturalist, who is sometimes called the father of environmentalism, was referring to almost two centuries ago has a relatively new name. It was dubbed shinrin-yoku, which translates to “forest bathing” by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries about forty years ago.

Forest bathing is the practice of immersing yourself in nature, soaking up the sights, smells, sounds, taste and feel of your natural surroundings. Despite the name, it can be done on beaches, by waterfalls or in any tiny sliver of nature such as a city park. I think it should be called nature bathing. Although it has recently become popularized by its new, catchy title, it has probably been practiced as long as there have been humans. Many of us have been forest or nature bathing for much of our lives. For all we know, it’s what animals are doing when they appear to be just lazing about.

The Lake of the Woods area is a nature bather’s dream come true. We have natural wonders galore, including beaches, swamps, marshes, fens, streams, waterfalls, wildlife, and various types of forest. They offer gobsmacking sights and sounds to be soaked up, savoured, and enjoyed.

My favourite nature walks around Kenora include the Rotary Way Trail which is paved and wheelchair-accessible; Vernon Trails with its magnificent forests, marsh, beach and treetop lookouts; Rushing River Provincial Park with its spectacular rapids; Mink Bay Trails in Keewatin for its forest, meandering stream, rapids, marsh and shoreline; Tunnel Island Trails offer extensive hiking opportunities with spectacular views and great places to sit and enjoy them.

There are two main reasons for a good nature soaking: pleasure and health.

North Americans are experiencing an unprecedented epidemic of stress, which has been precipitated by a host of factors including toxic politics, economic factors and the social disruption and health concerns of the COVID pandemic.

Stress is a well-known trigger of health problems. It can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and behaviour. Left unchecked, it can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Concentrating on our natural surroundings is an excellent way to alleviate stress. To maximize the benefits of your immersion in nature, leave all your electronics behind or turn them off.

Nature is a far better connection than Wi-Fi.

For maximum enjoyment and health benefits you need to experience nature with all five senses. The more you can focus on the natural world, the less you will be troubled by events in everyday life.

While there appears to be no doubt that mindful immersion in nature conveys some health benefits, very extensive claims are being made. Dr. Qing Li, perhaps the world’s foremost proponent of forest therapy, claims that immersion in nature allows the stressed portions of your brain to relax. He maintains that after immersion in a forest, people feel less sad, angry and anxious, are less prone to burnout, depression and anxiety, have lowered blood pressure, improved concentration, memory and sleep along with improved heart and lung health. His claims also include improved immunity leading to fewer days of illness and faster recovery from injury or surgery.

According to Dr. Li there’s an extra benefit if you do your nature bathing in a forest. Conifers and some other trees emit substances which protect them from microbes and pathogens. He maintains that these molecules, known as phytoncides, are good for our immunity and that absorbing them from the forest air boosts the level of our natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells function in our bodies to fight infections and cancers.

I’d like to believe those panacea-like claims but could not find any peer-reviewed confirmation or independent verification of them. Regardless, it does remain certain that forest bathing is a pleasurable activity, which will result in improving peoples’ health and appreciation of nature. It’s environmentally friendly, too. There’s no need to guzzle barrels of fuel or rush out to buy special

equipment. Sartorial splendour is not required either, so whatever clothes you are wearing, or not wearing, will be fine.

Nature is a great healer, so good advice from our doctors might sometimes be as simple as, “Take two hikes in the woods and call me in the morning”. an

As beautiful as the Lake of the Woods area is, it’s great to soak up the splendour of the boreal forest with a side order of mountains, meadow and lakes. I forest-bathed in this scene many years ago at Lake O’Hara in Yoho National Park. Just once. But the memory will last forever.

One of my favourite places to delight in fall colours is at Bunny Lake by Highway 71 north of Sioux Narrows.

What tires can do to freshwater fish… and what the world’s freshwater laboratory is doing about it

BY JOSE LUIS RODRIGUEZ GIL, RESEARCH SCIENTIST, IISD EXPERIMENTAL LAKES AREA

Life is a highway…

Here in North America, it is no secret that we love our cars. In fact, in 2021, there were 289.5 million registered vehicles in the United States alone—almost one for every person.

And while we are always balancing the benefits and conveniences that automobiles afford us with the potential impacts on the environment, it seems as though there was one effect—from a chemical we didn’t even know existed—of which we had not even been unaware.

Until recently.

Here comes the science

This preservation process includes using a protectant called N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N’-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine—or 6PPD as it is known to its friends. Over the years, as the surface of the tire breaks down, those particles are exposed to the sun and to oxygen in the air and form a newly discovered chemical called 6PPD-quinone.

It turns out that when this chemical gets washed away from roads—during storms, for example—into surrounding water bodies, it can have some pretty deadly consequences for the

IISD Experimental Lakes Area—the world’s freshwater laboratory—is the perfect place to discover the impact of a given threat to the whole ecosystem. From zooplankton to fish, and more.

This matters for many reasons. Coho salmon are popular among recreational fishers, but they are also an environmentally important species within ecosystems, so a change in their populations can have knock-on effects on the whole food web. It now also seems that 6PPD-quinone could be deadly for rainbow and brook trout—although interestingly not for Arctic char or white sturgeon, nor for zebrafish and Japanese medaka, as recent studies have shown.

So… now what?

This is where IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), right here nearby Lake of the Woods, comes in.

A series of 58 lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada, IISD-ELA is the only place in the world where scientists can perform research on and manipulate real lakes to build a more accurate and complete picture of what human activity is doing to freshwater lakes.

The findings from over 50 years of ground-breaking research have rewritten environmental policy around the world—from mitigating algal blooms to reducing how much mercury gets

into our waterways—and aim to keep freshwater clean around the world for generations to come.

This summer, researchers from down south at the Nielsen Lab at the University of Texas are making the most of IISD-ELA’s whole-ecosystem approach to freshwater research.

They will be heading up to the site to work within some small mesocosms in one of our lakes into which they will add some 6PPD-quinone to simulate a storm event.

They will then spend the summer monitoring many aspects of the water column—from the water chemistry to the fish and insect populations—to investigate the impact that 6PPD-quinone has on freshwater bodies at a way broader scale than we already understand.

These types of studies are so important because they give us information that help scientists and policymakers come together to work out what the risk to the environment really is.

Without these data about the levels of risk to organisms, we can’t recommend or implement effective policies and regulations to preserve these sensitive—and highly important—species, habitats, and ecosystems for generations to come.

To learn more about this research, as well as everything that will be happening at the world’s freshwater laboratory this summer, visit iisd.org/ela. an

Researchers will be exploring what happens to fish populations—amongst much else—when tires break down and chemicals leach out into nearby freshwater bodies.

Watershed Forum highlights moving from science to management actions

Put a plan in place. Ensure there's enough science and management expertise. Unite and coordinate actions bi-nationally—communities, researchers, and policy makers. That’s our vision.

BY TODD SELLERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lake of the Woods and its watershed went under the microscope again at the 2023 International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Forum, March 8–9 at the Minnesota North College – Rainy River Campus in International Falls, Minnesota. The auditorium was packed with 132 researchers, resource managers, policy makers and members of the public attending the two days of oral presentations.

Elder Priscilla Simard of the Coochiching First Nation and Women’s Council of Grand Council Treaty #3 helped open the Forum with a prayer and ceremony honouring Nibi (water) and the work to be done together to respect and protect it. Binational greetings followed from U.S. Consul Bryan Koontz and Canadian Consul Colin McLeod.

Featured was a moderated panel discussion on “getting to shared water quality objectives” for Lake of the Woods. Questions and discussion followed presentations by Nicole Armstrong, Director of Water Science and Watershed Management for Manitoba Environment Climate Change and Parks, and Lucas King, Director of the Territorial Planning Unit of Grand Council Treaty #3.

Nicole reviewed lessons learned from case studies of how new international nutrient objectives were achieved for the Red River and inter-provincial objectives were updated for the Canadian prairie provinces. She noted that setting science-based water quality objectives is a complex diplomatic process that happens best when parties agree to follow a few crucial guiding principles, have a clear process documented from the outset, focus on consensus, and pragmatically remember that “perfect is the enemy of being done”.

Lucas provided insights and discussion with the audience on how Indigenous perspectives on shared water governance will contribute to protecting our waters in Treaty #3 territory. He pointed out that we are really starting to do good work to harmonize and work in the space between two systems — the western legal framework and Indigenous governance processes — with the Forum itself serving as an excellent example of an event that brings us together to build relationships and learn with and from each other, using both systems’ governance protocols to host the event.

Many of the presentations this year focused on knowledge and tools that will inform management actions. Highlights included:

• Reports on Minnesota’s remedial actions to cut phosphorus entering the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods

• Studies by Trent University of nutrients in the Canadian tributaries pointing to needs for ongoing monitoring and potential concerns from agricultural developments

• Advances in emerging technologies, such as in-place continuous water quality sensors and satellite sensors, that could provide useful tools for future assessment of the health of our waters.

It was clear from this Forum that much has been achieved scientifically that positions us to move from pure research to management solutions. It was also clear that it is time for all jurisdictions to move forward together.

The Foundation reception and banquet provided a casual venue for networking, presentation of recognition awards, and a much needed get together after years of separation due to COVID.

Crowd at the Forum attends to a presentation by Dr. Catherine Eimers of Trent University, on lessons learned from multi-year studies of nutrients in the Canadian tributaries flowing into the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.

Guest speaker David Malaher provided a historian’s perspective of the 100-year process of establishing the international boundary through our watershed and a cautionary note to not let getting an agreement on water quality take so long!

There were many more presentations, twenty-four in total and far too many to report on here. A detailed summary of the Forum is available at lowwsf.com and recordings of the Forum presentations are available online for replay at: lowwsf.com/ forum-presentations-2023.

Foundation Honours Minnesota Resource Manager at Forum

Mike Hirst of the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District receives the Kallemeyn Award for Scientific Achievement

The Foundation presented Mike Hirst of the Lake of the Woods Soil and Water Conservation District with the Kallemeyn Award recognizing his outstanding professional achievements and contribution to research, resource management, and support of collaborative approaches in the Rainy-Lake of the Woods basin.

Mike works tirelessly behind the scenes in just about every aspect of planning for the future of the Rainy-Lake of the Woods Basin. Mike remains a humble, thoughtful and calm voice of reason that guides and keeps our collective path moving forward collaboratively. Mike’s contributions to our watershed are many, including:

• Serving as a member of the IJC watershed board and cochair of its aquatic ecosystem health committee

• Coordinating invasive species efforts with the international collective of agencies known as the IMA

• Editorial contributions to the Rainy-Lake of the Woods State of the Basin Reports

• Participating in Minnesota’s Lake of the Woods phosphorus studies and plan to cut phosphorus.

In 2012, Mike led a coalition of stakeholder groups to launch the Keep it Clean Campaign for Lake of the Woods, recently highlighted in an engaging video by Minnesota outdoors media celebrity Ron Schara; see keepitcleanmn.org. This initiative

combats the growing problem of garbage and human waste left on the ice from ice fishers using the large “residential” communities of ice fishing houses off the south shore of the lake. In the ensuing years, the Keep it Clean Campaign has spread across the state. Fittingly, on the day that Mike received the Kallemeyn Award, a bill to make it state law was introduced in the Minnesota legislature.

The Kallemeyn Award is named in honour of Larry Kallemeyn, USGS (retired). Larry was the consummate professional and his collaborative and cooperative approach contributed significantly to cross border collaboration, public engagement and scientific understanding for this international lake and its watershed. The selection committee consists of researchers and resource managers from Canada and the United States. It was their unanimous recommendation that Mike’s contributions epitomize the values represented by the award.

A heartfelt thanks and congratulations to Mike from the Foundation and the 132 researchers gathered at the Forum for a well-deserved accolade.

Lucas King presents an approach to reconciling sovereignties and governance systems to work together for shared objectives.

Mike Hirst (left) is the 2023 Kallemeyn Award recipient in recognition of his contributions to Lake of the Woods, including the Keep it Clean Campaign. Pictured at right, Todd Sellers, LOWWSF.

The worldly wolf

BY BRUCE RANTA

Wolves occur in North America, Europe, Asia and North Africa. According to some, there are three species and close to 40 subspecies of wolf. Others believe there is only one species of wolf—the gray (or timber) wolf (Canis lupus). As all three wolf species and sub-species are believed to be able to interbreed and produce viable offspring, I’m in the camp that says there is only one species of wolf.

There is widespread acceptance that wolves and coyotes (coyotes are only found in North America) are separate species, although the situation is not cut and dried. For example, weights of adult gray wolves are reported to be between 40–175 lbs. (18–80 kg), while coyotes tip the scales from 20–40 lbs. (9–18 kg). Wolves in the 40 lb. range are often referred to as ‘brush wolves’.

Gray wolves are typically gray in colour, but black, white, creamy coloured and reddish-brown wolves are not uncommon.

A lot of people have an interest in wolves. It’s not surprising, nor should it be. Wolves have a long relationship with humans—our pet dogs are their direct descendants.

Wolves are carnivores that rely upon meat, but not exclusively, to survive.

Nowadays, wolves and coyotes seldom attack people. But in Old World history, wolves often attacked and killed people.

In France there are about 9,000 recorded wolf attacks between the 17th and 19th centuries. Between 1764 and 1767, about 100 men, women and children fell victim to something called the Beast. The Beast is presumed to have been a wolf; some say it may have been a werewolf.

Wolves (Ma’iingan in Ojibwe; Mahihkan in Cree) are prominent in North American Aboriginal cultures. For some, their relationship with wolves is sacred; in others, wolves are treasured as a brother or a sister. In general, Aboriginal people tend to not hurt any wolf.

There is a belief that the wolf was the creator of the world and a guardian of the underworld. Part of Ojibwe culture has their fate and that of the wolf intertwined. It’s been said “As the wolf goes, so go themselves.”

Coyotes are distinguished from wolves by their smaller size and having a more slender, pointed snout.

A typical gray-coloured wolf, still in good condition after a long, cold winter.

Title photo: A young wolf pup, roadside in the early hours of dawn.

In Inuit mythology, the gigantic wolf spirit, Amarok or Amaroq, is often described as a giant wolf that devours hunters reckless enough to go out hunting alone at night.

Wolf numbers decline

Overseas, wolves were feared and were a nuisance for those who raised livestock; Europeans and their neighbours hunted wolves relentlessly. In Britain, it’s believed wolves disappeared sometime in the 1700s, following centuries of persecution.

Unrelenting hunting pressure took a toll. By the end of World War II, wolves had been extirpated from all of central Europe and most of northern Europe.

Europeans brought their distaste of wolves with them when North America was colonized. It’s thought that about two million wolves once roamed North America, but by the 1960s they were gone from all the lower 48 except for Michigan’s Isle Royale National Park and parts of Minnesota. They were still common in Alaska; in Canada wolves remained common, but did become absent or rare in large swaths of countryside.

In the 60s, public sentiment about the environment began to shift. This included a much more tolerant attitude towards wolves. Worldwide, many countries enacted tougher legislation and regulations on hunting and trapping that helped provide wolves with opportunities to recover.

Unequivocally, wolf populations are recovering. Still, they currently occupy only about two-thirds of their former, historic, worldwide range; a meagre 10 per cent in the continental USA.

Here in northwestern Ontario, wolf populations continue to thrive, despite decades of hunting, trapping and poisoning. Hunting and trapping is still permitted; however, rules and

regulations have been tightened considerably and wolves killed by humans are much reduced from the days of airplane hunting.

Today, the resident attitude about wolves is largely positive, interspersed with reasonable trepidation.

New times

The wolves in this region survive largely on a diet of deer, moose and when available, beavers. Further to the north, caribou are a favoured prey. Of course, wolves catch and kill other animals, including bears. As detailed in Farley Mowat’s fictional book Never Cry Wolf, even mice might do in a pinch.

Wolves consume blueberries and other types of foods that aren’t meat, in moderation.

Some wolves turn to scavenging. They can be regular customers at dumps and landfills, spending time and effort scrounging for scraps.

Wolves are of concern to local livestock and to much dismay, seem to be particularly fond of (hu)man’s best friend, the dog.

Such traits are not particularly endearing. It’s very distressing to see or hear about a much beloved family pet being snatched by a wolf when out for a walk. Such attacks may be somewhat uncommon, yet consistently recur.

While less traumatic, it can be unnerving and menacing to see a wolf in the yard or on the street. People think these are places where wolves don’t belong.

Having been given a chance, wolves are adapting to living in close contact with people. But living in close proximity to wolves is not without risk.

A wolf licks his chops after a meal of road-killed moose.

In the 1960s, the Department of Lands & Forests, the precursor to the Ministry of Natural Resources, often used poisoned baits to try and kill wolves.

It was recently reported that the European Commission's President Ursula von der Leyen's prized horse Dolly, was killed by a wolf just 300 feet from her home in northwest Germany.

While unpalatable to some, regulated hunting and trapping of wolves appears to be necessary to keep wolf numbers in balance with societal mores.

Ups and downs

Wolf populations tend to fluctuate with prey abundance.

When white-tailed deer numbers exploded in northwestern Ontario several years ago, wolf populations followed suit. Wolf sightings by deer hunters, reported on Ministry of Natural Resources postcard surveys, increased by more than 500 per cent in less than 10 years.

In addition to the abundance of prey, wolf numbers are kept in check by wolves themselves. Studies have shown that wolves are pack animals with territories they defend. A pack can be as small as two animals; large packs may have more than 30 members. About a dozen is the average.

Most wolf packs consist of two parents and their puppies, including one- to three-year-old offspring that have not yet headed out on their own. David Mech, a well-known wolf researcher, called pack leaders alpha animals in his early research, but later recanted on that theory.

Most now believe the adults are in charge simply because they are the parents of the pack.

Wolves leave the pack for a variety of reasons. One is to look for a mate and establish a pack of their own. Wolves may kill other wolves to claim territory.

Some move great distances. In four months, one left the Algoma area and went east 2,500 km to establish a territory in Quebec. One collared in Michigan travelled 6,800 km in a year and a half. It passed through Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ontario and finally Manitoba, where it was shot (legally) in the Whiteshell.

Other radio-collared wolves have been tracked moving between Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba and the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, traversing Lake of the Woods.

We may not like everything about a wolf, but the presence of wolves makes the world a better place. For interesting, locally pertinent information about wolves, check out voyageurswolfproject.org. an

A reddish-brown wolf, alone, on the ice. A light, creamy-coloured wolf crosses Hwy 17A. Wolves make good use of ice to travel long distances.

How to reduce your chances of getting “ticked”

BY PAT KEENA

Warmer weather is back and so are ticks.

The good news is that much more is known about ticks than a few years ago. The medical community, university researchers and governments have more information about the range and impact of ticks and share that information with the public in a number of different ways. Credible sources are just an online search away for information about ticks, including maps that show areas considered higher risk.

“We have a two-pronged approach to surveillance efforts,” said Thomas Nabb, Manager, Environmental Health, Northwestern Health Unit (NWHU). “Educational kits that include tick identification cards, tweezers for removing ticks and alcohol swabs are distributed to people at public events and through local NWHU offices. Surveillance includes tick dragging to help us identify ticks, particularly deer ticks, which are kept and sent to the lab for analysis.”

Tick dragging involves selecting an area of interest and pulling a light-coloured piece of flannel along the ground. The ticks attach to the flannel and are collected for identification and bacterial analysis.

NWHU monitors the presence of diseases spread by ticks by keeping track of human cases in the region, which includes Kenora and Rainy River. Nabb says there were seven reported cases of Lyme disease in humans in 2022, three in 2021, two in 2020 and four in 2019.

NWHU no longer accepts ticks submitted by the public for species identification. Since the area is already known to have populations of ticks, including the black legged tick which can transmit Lyme disease, NWHU advises that Lyme disease should be considered a possibility if a black legged tick originating within the area has been attached for 24 hours or more.

Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry assists agencies that are monitoring ticks in the Lake of the Woods region. Over the years, surveillance and monitoring activities have contributed to the growing body of knowledge about ticks and shared on websites such as canada.ca, publichealthontario.ca, and etick.ca.

As a local naturalist, Chris Martin has plenty of opportunity to come into contact with ticks. He recalls numerous encounters with the American dog tick, also known as the wood tick. But when he was bitten by a black legged tick, it produced a very different result. Swelling and redness in the bite zone occurred within hours. A trip to a doctor and a precautionary course of antibiotics dealt with the issue and Martin did not experience further symptoms.

Understanding how ticks “work”

Dr. Rochon, associate professor of veterinary entomology at the University of Manitoba, explains that ticks are not insects but rather anthropods, which means jointed legs placing ticks in a category of animals that include scorpions, spiders and crawfish.

Dr. Kateryn Rochon, associate professor of veterinary entomology at the University of Manitoba, says the key to effectively co-existing with ticks is checking yourself regularly.

A tick will climb to the uppermost reaches of a blade of grass to "sense" when you pass.

Photo: Jordan Bannerman, University of Manitoba.

A tick’s legs are critical to its ability to attain food. The legs contain sensory organs that detect, grasp and orient the tick with its host. A tick in search of a host will crawl to the uppermost reaches of a blade of grass, balance itself on its back legs and extend its front legs, which are equipped with fore-tarsal Haller’s organs, a unique sensory organ not found on any other animals. The Haller’s organs detect vibrations and carbon dioxide released by passing potential hosts like animals and humans. Once in contact with the host, the tick will attach with minute claws and hang on, then orient itself and begin its quest upward to a feeding spot of its choosing.

Ticks survive exclusively on blood. The only moisture that they absorb is through blood and through the air. They do not fly or jump but rather stay low to the ground, favouring humid conditions that have a plentiful small mammal population, like mice and voles, upon which they can feed in their early development stages. An area with oak trees is a particular favourite as the acorns feed small mammals which in turn feed ticks, particularly during the larvae and nymph stage.

Tick prevention

According to Dr. Rochon, the key to effectively co-existing with ticks is checking yourself regularly. Deet-based repellents also work but must be reapplied throughout the day, particularly after swimming.

Dr. Rochon has been working with other researchers on mitigation efforts or “backyard interventions” that may reduce tick populations in a cottage owner’s immediate vicinity.

“If you can keep moisture down, you can reduce the number of ticks present,” says Dr. Rochon. She suggests keeping a part of your property dry and with proper drainage to make it less attractive to ticks. If that area is sunny and exposed to wind, all the better, and it can be covered with a canopy when you are using it to give you the sun protection you need.

Other steps include moving bird feeders further from your cottage and child’s play area. Ticks in the nymph stage feed on birds and then drop off to move on to larger hosts for the next stage of their development.

Performing your own tick dragging exercise with a piece of flannel may also rid an area of ticks for a time and might be a worthwhile step in advance of an outdoor party or barbecue.

Dr. Rochon says only the black legged tick, or deer tick, can transmit pathogens that cause bacterial infections and cause conditions like Lyme disease. However, not all deer ticks carry the bacteria and not all hosts bitten by a deer tick develop Lyme disease.

Dr. Celine Ward of the Kenora Veterinary Clinic, tells clients to check their pets for ticks starting in early spring, throughout the summer and until temperatures fall consistently well below zero. Pet owners should monitor for symptoms like lethargy, stiffness and low appetite. With early detection, most pets respond favourably to a 30-day course of antibiotics.

“Prevention is key and we’re fortunate in veterinary medicine that there are some highly effective medical interventions available,” says Dr. Ward.

One preventative medicine is an oral chewable tablet for dogs in 30-day or 90-day forms. The medicine causes the tick to die when it bites the treated pet. For cats, there are topical products that last for 30 days. There’s also a vaccine to provide yearly coverage against Lyme disease.

A tick infestation can ruin a great day at the lake. Cottagers should be aware of these pests—and what they can do to reduce the risks—in order to make the most of a healthy and enjoyable lake season. an

Top tips for tick prevention

For people:

• Apply Deet-based repellent

• Check yourself regularly and remove ticks immediately

• Reduce moisture on your property

• Move bird feeders away from your cottage and play areas

• Perform your own tick dragging exercise

• If a black legged tick has been stuck for 24 hours or more, consider seeking medical attention and especially if you have fever, headache, fatigue or a skin rash.

For pets:

• Check your pet regularly

• Consider preventative seasonal medicine and/or annual Lyme disease vaccines

• Monitor for symptoms like lethargy, stiffness and low appetite

Dragging a piece of flannel along the ground can be an effective way to collect and dispose of ticks. Jordan Bannerman, University of Manitoba.

Don’t give rodents a free ride

BY SHARON GURNEY

We all work hard to keep our vehicles and boats in good condition. These are big investments in not only our hard-earned income but also in the earth’s precious resources to make them. Repairing rodent damage can cost anywhere from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the severity of the damage. Damage to wiring, upholstering and other components can be so extensive that repair may not be possible, resulting in your vehicle being written off. This is not only a financial loss, but also a waste of valuable resources headed for the scrapyard.

Rodent damage most often comes from mice infestations, but rats, squirrels and chipmunks have also been known to wreak havoc. Rodents can cause damage by chewing wires and hoses. They can also harvest nesting material from upholstery, carpet and insulation. Nests are often found in the ventilation system, under consoles and behind panelling. I was shocked to once find a mouse nest in my van’s glove box.

Health risks

Although very rare, hantavirus pulmonary syndrome can cause illness or death to people coming in contact with hantavirus left behind by deer mice. Therefore it is important to get professional help or advice from a pest control expert on how to disinfect boats and vehicles that have been infested.

Signs of infestation

Here are some common signs that rodents have moved in.

• Mechanical problems: The first sign may be your vehicle not running efficiently. If mice have chewed on electrical wires, you could experience a range of symptoms. Some include headlights or other lights not working, vehicles not starting, blown fuses, and another issues depending on what wire is chewed.

• Upholstery damage: The first thing mice like to do is build a nest. So, if you see chewed-up foam, holes in the car seats, or missing chunks of insulation, chances are rodents are to blame.

• Nasty smell: Your vehicle or boat may be working fine with no apparent damage, but you may notice an odd odour that will be coming from urine, droppings or even dead rodents. Sometimes the smell comes through the air vents as mice can use this route to navigate in and out of the vehicle.

• Rodent droppings: If there is evidence of mice droppings on the carpet, car seats, or dashboard, then this is a tell-tale sign that you have unwanted company in your car. Mice droppings are black and rice-like in size and shape.

• Mouse nest: Finding a nest will confirm that rodents have moved in. They could be in several locations, so it may want to do a thorough inspection and use some of the methods listed below to ensure you get the squatters fully moved out.

• You may want to also seek advice from a mechanic to ensure the safety of the vehicle has not been compromised.

How to reduce the risk of rodent damage

There are many steps you can take to reduce your risk of a rodent infestation in your car or boat:

• Don’t entice rodents by leaving behind food or garbage in or near your boat or vehicle.

• Keep windows closed tight when the vehicle is unattended. Mice are very small and often fit into crevices and openings smaller than a dime.

• Do your best to seal up your boat when storing it for the winter.

• Park vehicles and boats away from bird feeders, piles of leaves, wood piles and tall grass where rodents like to hang out.

• Don’t let your vehicle sit unattended for long periods of time. Starting the vehicle regularly will help scare off rodents before they settle into nest.

• Consider using a rodent deterrent tape infused with super spicy capsaicin, the active ingredient in pepper. This will help stop rodents from gnawing on wires or other sensitive components. You can also purchase wire protector sleeves to protect sensitive components from chewing critters.

• Natural rodent deterrents can also reduce your risk. Consider using peppermint or cinnamon natural oils in the interior to keep invaders out. Rodents generally also hate the smell infused on fabric softener sheets. I have used these for years in my boat during winter storage, including in the drain hole.

• There are several commercially available sprays that are designed to deter rodents. It’s never a bad idea to consult with a professional pest control company to ensure you are purchasing products that won’t harm other wildlife or pose a health risk from accidental exposure.

While it's important to coexist with wildlife in our surroundings, we can take simple steps to protect our investments and reduce the risk of providing housing alternatives for rodents. an

Off-the-wall gardening: a vertical option

BY ANITA & HENRY RASMUSSEN

Gardeners are a strange breed. Given even the slightest encouragement, they will ply their trade and plant their seeds in any available space. Take an old bathtub for instance, consigned to the nearest landfill by the average person. A gardener fills it with soil and a few varieties of petunias, transforming it into a thing of beauty.

Conventional gardens tend to be horizontal rectangles, squares or raised beds, and can vary in size from large acreages to one-foot-square patches. But to the inspired gardener who looks beyond the ordinary, a garden comes in a multitude of shapes and sizes, flourishing in odd and unusual places. Where some may see a blank vertical space, gardeners picture a living wall showcasing lush greenery, texture and colour, its scope limited only by their imagination.

There are as many ways to channel such inspiration as there are gardening ideas, many designed to maximize growing space efficiently. Vertical gardening is one such method that can be simple yet effective. For instance, attaching staggered soil-filled boxes of flowers onto wooden or wire fencing will create an oasis of beauty and privacy in one’s yard. Securely framed chicken wire can act as an inexpensive trellis on a patio, deck, or alongside a door. Metal hooks secure clay pots filled with succulents, annuals or herbs to the trellis with striking effect.

Stacked wooden planters filled with bright annuals can easily be attached to the plain unattractive walls of a garage or garden shed, transforming its appearance entirely. Repurposed bookcases, shelving, or even old chicken boxes secured to a deck or patio wall, will hold a number of pots or baskets of ornamentals and edible plants. That uninteresting wooden fence comes to life when a variety of brightly painted pots of annuals and vines are hung upon it.

Industrial wooden pallets make perfect receptacles when stood on end to accommodate edibles requiring only eight inches of soil or so, like lettuce, cherry tomatoes, radishes, basil and Italian parsley. And they’re free.

Perennial vines like hydrangea, clematis or hops will cover an otherwise uninteresting wall with minimal support, while leaning that old weathered ladder against yet another wall will provide ample space for containers of annuals or edibles like strawberries on every step. For apartment and condo dwellers, sheets of lattice can be used as a mini wall between units, turning a deck into a sheltered area with a lovely curtain of annual vines and flowers.

On patios and decks, verticals can be easier still by lashing together several pieces of bamboo or long sticks to prop up creeping vines of morning glory and black-eyed Susan in large pots.

Wooden pallets stood on end make perfect receptacles for edible plants. We’ve all admired those large imposing brick and stone buildings covered with green ivy. The Sylvia Hotel, on Vancouver’s Robson Street captured our fancy. Its entire façade is draped with a medley of glorious green plants, a joy to the eye. While gardening on such a grand scale is obviously not for everyone, most vertical gardening is simple and can be executed successfully by the average imaginative gardener. Closer to home, a neighbour who lives a block from our house has created a wall of flowering plants on the west side of her deck featuring different types and colors of coleus. We look forward to this year’s version.

Transforming any plain, empty space or fence into a spectacular living wall, arbour or pergola is not only a joy for the creative gardener and homeowner and a great use of limited growing areas. It also attracts birds, butterflies and pollinators to one’s living space, a welcome bonus for the environment. an

Year round services with trusted local network in the Whiteshell. • Cottage Management & Maintenance

Chicken gyros on the BBQ

BY ASHLEY HOFFMEISTER, LONGBOW LAKE

When it comes to spring cooking, I get inspired to use the BBQ to do most of my cooking. One of my family favourites is chicken gyros. I like to make homemade pita too!

Ingredients

2 lb/1 kg boneless skinless chicken thigh fillets (can substitute chicken breast)

MARINADE

3 large garlic cloves, minced (~ 3 tsp)

1 tbsp red wine vinegar (pretty much any vinegar will do)

3 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp Greek yogurt, preferably full fat

11/2 tbsp dried oregano

1 tsp salt

black pepper

TZATZIKI

2 cucumbers (to make about 1/2 – 3/4 cup grated cucumber after squeezing out juice)

1¼ cup plain Greek yogurt

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or more if you want richer)

1 garlic clove, minced

¼ tsp salt

FILLING

3 tomatoes, deseeded and diced

3 cucumbers, diced

1/2 red onion, peeled and finely chopped

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

¼ cup fresh parsley leaves (optional)

1/2 cup kalamata olives (optional) salt and pepper to taste

TO SERVE

4 to 6 pita breads or flat breads

Preparation Instructions

Place the marinade ingredients in a container and shake to mix. Add the chicken into the container and shake to cover all the chicken in the marinade. Marinate for at 2 to 3 hours, ideally 12 hours for the best flavour.

MAKE THE TZATZIKI

Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Use a teaspoon to scrape the watery seeds out. Coarsely grate the cucumber using a box grater. Then wrap in paper towels or a tea towel and squeeze to remove excess liquid.

Place cucumber in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients then mix to combine. Set aside for at least 20 minutes for the flavours to meld.

FILLING

Combine ingredients in a bowl.

COOK CHICKEN

Brush the grill with oil, then preheat on medium high.

Remove chicken from marinade. Cook the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through (cooking time depends on size of chicken).

Remove the chicken from the grill. Cover loosely with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

ASSEMBLE GYROS

Cut chicken into bite size chunks. Get a pita or flatbread (preferably warmed) and place it on a piece of parchment (baking) paper (or you could use foil). Place some filling down the middle of the bread, then top with chicken and Tzatziki.

Roll the wrap up, enclosing it with parchment paper or foil. Twist the end with the excess parchment paper to secure it and cut if desired.

Raising a

Naturalist

Article and photos by Drew Monkman and Jacob Rodenburg

Set an example!

• If you show enthusiasm for nature, your excitement will be noticed and copied. Children will want to do the same.

• To cultivate a sense of wonder, you need to use the language of wonder. “Wow! That caterpillar is so cool. Look at all the different colours and the little hairs on its back. Let's put it in a jar and keep it for a while."

• To inspire curiosity, ask questions. “I wonder why it has these hairs and why it’s coloured this way?” This will almost always lead to more questions.

• Encourage children to ask why, to marvel and to explore further. Let’s imagine you're watching a nuthatch at a feeder and it begins feeding in its characteristic upside-down position. You might ask, "Why do you think it feeds upside down?" (Probably to spot food from a vantage point that "right side up" birds like woodpeckers miss.) "Look how long and narrow its bill is. I wonder why?" (To get at food hidden deep in the cracks of bark).

We all know intuitively that a love of nature begins in childhood; every boy and girl is a budding naturalist. Children have an innate desire—and need—to connect with other species. It follows that if we provide kids with rich and repeated nature experiences from early childhood to about 14 years of age, they are far more likely to develop a lifelong love for the natural world. If they spend nearly all their time indoors, however, nature may simply become a backdrop to their lives—a green blur as trivial as billboards, strip malls and parking lots.

The ability to recognize and classify different species is a way of "being" in the world and, according to some researchers, a type of intelligence. We see this intelligence in the young child who can readily identify dinosaurs or even Pokémon characters. How then can adults—be they parents, grandparents, teachers or youth leaders—cultivate a naturalist's intelligence in every child?

• Help children ask their own why questions and to hypothesize at what the answer might be. If you don't know the answer either, admit it. Think of this as an opportunity to do some research together. Remind children that there are many things science does not yet know, and we need more bright young people like them to pursue a career in areas like biology.

• When you’re out in nature together, be amazed at what you see but let the child "own" the discovery. For example, you might know where to find salamanders along a certain trail. Instead of saying, “Hey! Do you want to find a salamander?” you might simply ask, “I wonder what we’ll find under these logs?” It's so satisfying for a parent or teacher to hear a child bellow out, "Look what I found!"

If your children like to draw, encourage them to keep a nature journal.

• Play, too, is a powerful teacher, and the natural landscape lends itself to creative play. It is through unstructured play that children cultivate their imagination. Let them catch animals, make forts, throw rocks, climb trees, get scraped and dirty, and even disturb nature a bit—on their own and without too much coaching. These experiences are at the very heart of developing a love for the natural world.

Other ideas

• Buy your child a good hand lens (10X), a small compound microscope, and when they are 12 or so, a good pair of binoculars. Children delight in the very small, from the cells of leaves enlarged by a microscope to the feathery antennae of a moth revealed by a hand lens. Teach them how to use binoculars to view birds, butterflies, dragonflies and even the night sky.

• Set up a terrarium in your home or classroom. A terrarium is basically an aquarium that is filled with plants, soil and rocks suitable for terrestrial creatures. Allow your children to bring home “pets” for a few days— caterpillars, frogs, salamanders, insects, etc. Alternatively, buy an ant farm. Ants are fascinating to watch.

• Not all parents feel comfortable letting their kids roam freely. However, you can always head outside together and simply stay out of their way. Allow them to explore and play as much as possible on their own. Kids thrive on autonomy, so don't be afraid to let them loose sometimes—with a minimum of rules.

• Allow adolescents to undertake adventures with others such as overnight hiking and canoe trips.

• Children have a yearning to create dens, nests and hiding places. One of our most memorable experiences of childhood was going into the woods and building small shelters or "forts" as we called them. The building process is wonderful for problem solving and creativity. A simple shelter can be built by propping a long pole against a tree and using branches to create a frame on both sides.

• Put up several different kinds of bird feeders and keep track of the different species that visit. Give your child the responsibility of keeping the feeder stocked with seed. Make sure it's located near a window where the family spends a lot of time.

• Create a collection table where children can display their discoveries— feathers, flowers, seeds, cones, galls, skulls, dead insects, nests, etc. Add new items as the seasons change.

• Teach your kids to use free apps like Merlin Bird ID and iNaturalist. Merlin can even identify birds by sound. Take a picture of any organism and iNaturalist will tell you what it is.

• Go camping. Being outside for 24 hours a day allows you to see and hear things you will otherwise miss. Positive camping memories will make it much more likely your child will want to camp as an adult.

From the freedom to explore nature and the knowledge acquired largely by personal initiative come self-confidence, lifelong enjoyment of the outdoors, and a desire to protect the environment. What more could we ask for our children and for the good of humanity? an

Encourage children to ask why questions. For example, you could model this by asking, "I wonder why the nuthatch feeds upside down?”

If you show enthusiasm for nature, your excitement will be noticed and copied. Children will want to do the same.

Let children "own" their discoveries. Simply suggest, "I wonder what you'll find under that rock?”

Kids have an innate need—and desire to connect with other species. We've yet to meet a child who doesn't love catching to connect with other species.

Real Estate Listings

Little Sand Lake

3.68 acres waterfront lot with 174 ft. rock shoreline, low profile at water’s edge, sloping upland. West exposure. Exceptional privacy. Water access.

$140,000

Greg Kirby, Re/Max First Choice Realty Ltd

807-466-8266 / gregkirby.ca

Whitefish Bay, LOTW

2.03 acres vacant building lot on Hilowjack Island, medium profile with 705 feet rugged rock shoreline. Water access.

$159,900

Greg Kirby, Re/Max First Choice Realty Ltd 807-466-8266 / gregkirby.ca

Yellow Girl Bay

4.5 acres with 1,181 feet of shoreline in Yellow Girl Bay— screen room, bunkie and dock— location map on our website.

$235,000

Northwoods Realty

807-226-1024 / northwoodsrealtyltd.com

Lot 10 Pipestone Point, LOTW

Affordable lake getaway with huge potential! 320 sq ft cabin on 2.96 acres with 213 ft water frontage, 12' x 16' deck, storage shed and dock. Easy boat access. Perfect for a family vacation home or future build with guest cabin.

$270,000

Cabin Country Realty

807-468-3541 / cabincountry.com

Lot 5 Deception Lake

Escape to your own Deception Lake retreat! Great water quality and fishing. This off-grid cottage has a modern solar system, new composting toilet, and yard space. Enjoy a functional wood stove, screened verandah, and road access.

$299,000

Cabin Country Realty

807-468-3541 / cabincountry.com

16 Au Lac Retreats, Sioux Narrows

This is your opportunity to own a new 704 sq. ft. cottage with a self contained lower level. The second level has another self contained suite, all ready for you and your family or friends.

$339,900

Century 21 Northern Choice Realty Ltd.

Independently Owned & Operated – Brokerage 807-468-3747 / century21kenora.com

Lake of Two Mountains Private Isl.

NEW! Idyllic private island west of Kenora. This property has unparallelled privacy minutes away from the landing. 800 sq ft main cabin w/ recent upgrades; dry boathouse with accommodations above. Lots of decking, hot tub & hydro!

$399,000

Carmichael Real Estate Inc.

807-466-2236 / lakeofthewoods.net

Lot 10 Webb Road

Two homes/cottages with 136 ft. of water frontage on Rice Bay & 218 ft. on Lulu Lake. This low profile, level property is situated in Laclu and in unorganized territory. (Low property taxes and less restrictions)

$499,000

RE/MAX NorthWest Realty Brokerage 807-468-4573 / remaxnorthwestrealty.com

Parcel D. 182, LOTW

38 acres, over 3500' of shoreline! This Parcel is situated in the eye of the most versatile area for fishing, boating, and exploring. Located 15 min south of Clearwater Bay. If you are looking for a piece of paradise this is your chance!

$649,000

RE/MAX NorthWest Realty Brokerage

807-468-4573 / remaxnorthwestrealty.com

Classifieds

How to submit Classifieds

Email membership@lowdsa.com or mail LOWDSA, Box 1160, Kenora, ON P9N 3X7

Next submission deadline: May 29, 2023

Please try to keep your listing to 35 words or less.

FOR RENT

Island rental near Kenora. A modern two-bedroom with a sunroom that could be a third bedroom also has a pull-out sofa in the living room. It also comes with a one-room guest cottage. Comes with satellite TV, good cell service also BBQ on a large deck. It also includes 2 kayaks and a canoe. must have own boat or boat rental, and also comes with a parking spot in Kenora. Available for one week during the first three weeks of July or the last 3 weeks of August. Composting toilet knowledge would be helpful. $1350/ wk. Ph. 204 888-4839

Lakefront Cottage with road access. Main house has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. Air conditioned bunk house has a toilet and sleeps 6. Large dock includes 5 kayaks. Hot tub overlooks the lake in a private screened room. Weekly rental available. Phone 204 888 4698 for availability.

Bulman Bay, Lake of the Woods. Private Cottage for rent in prime location. Located on Bulman Bay near Keewatin, 10 minutes down McKenzie Portage Road. Lake front with dock, 4 bedrooms, full bath with washer & dryer, good size kitchen, wood burning fireplace & satellite TV. Recently renovated. Available January through December. Minimum 2 week stay. $5,000/ week. Email inquiries to hklapman@ mwgapparel.com.

Lakefront - Clearwater Bay. South exposure; road access; spacious docks for swimming, fishing & boating. Large great room, kitchen & dining areas with spectacular lake view. 3 bedrooms; master with ensuite. Full second bathroom— shower & bath. Den with fireplace, satellite TV & pullout sofa. Dishwasher, microwave, washer & dryer. Large deck & BBQ. Minutes from the liquor store, gas & groceries. 1-2 week stays, June-Sept $4000/w. Contact dougpeever1955@ gmail.com for booking details.

LOW Storm Bay Rd 9. Large house with 9 bdrms, hot tub, multi level decks, granite kitchen, boathouse, sauna, WiFi, fireplace, washer & dryer, dishwasher. Kayak & boat are a possibility. $2500-$7000 weekly. Discounts available in the fall. mail@ markmcgregor.ch

Island rental Storm Bay Rd. near the rollers. 2 log homes, new mattresses, 1 king, 1 king, a double and a single. 2 kayaks & a boat can be included. $200-$375 per night. kaitlyn.mcgregor@gmail.com

Brule Point lakefront 3 bdrm cabin, LOW. Fantastic fishing area, quiet bay, two docking facilities with plug, private beach, fully stocked including freezer, large deck. Cabin sleeps 5, single bathroom/shower. Boat access only. 2022 rate $1330/week. Contact donna@taketwoinc.com

Exceptional location on Coney Island. Minutes from Kenora / Keewatin with western exposure. Newer, open concept cottage with 4 large bdrms and three bathrooms. Separate master suite with bathroom and private deck. Amenities include a full kitchen with all appliances, dishwasher, microwave, washer/

dryer, large island, separate dining area, wood burning fireplace and satellite TV. Screened porch with large wrap around decks overlook the lake, outdoor shower and built-in gas barbecue. Waters edge has a large main dock with two floaters that provide deep water docking and great swimming. Minimum 2 week stay. Email inquiries to bill.ralph@shaw.ca

Lakefront on Trout Lake. 20km north of Kenora. 2 or 3 bdrm cabin available for rent weekends or weekly May-June. Full kitchen & bathrm, TV/DVD, BBQ. Comes with canoe, kayaks & 12 ft. alum. boat. Deck off front of cabin; private deck at water’s edge; your own sand beach. Spring fed lake with crystal clear water. troutlake596@gmail.com

Lakefront Cottage on Lake of the Woods. Storm Bay Rd, road access. Includes 3 bedrooms, full kitchen, bath and laundry. 2 acres, private bay, sandy beach, floating dock and good fishing! Available June, July, August. $2,500/week. Text 204-9515812.

Lakefront Cottage, near Welcome Channel. South exposure, water access. 5 miles from Kenora by boat. Private dock, hydro, Starlink internet, TV & DVD player, full kitchen w/ dishwasher & 3 pc. bathroom, additional outdoor shower, washer & dryer, bbq, screened porch, 2 bedrooms. Available Jun–Sep. Seasonal rental $15,000. Contact: lowcottage@ hotmail.com.

Rustic 1000 square foot cabin on Zigzag Island (Clearwater Bay). 5-minute boat ride from Rockeries Marina. A boat rental could be available. Amazing fishing nearby. Satellite TV, great cellular coverage, bbq, kayaks, fire pit, and much more. Prefer a couple or former cottage owners. Knowledge of a composting toilet is essential. 1300$ per week. 204-688-7347.

Lakefront cottage, Sioux Narrows. 2 BR main cottage includes 2 baths, large great room, full kitchen with dishwasher, dining room with French doors, wet bar, laundry, BBQ, internet/tv, private docking & swim dock. Also included is guest cottage with full bath. Located on Snake Bay, beautiful water views on 3 sides. Minutes from store, gas, groceries. $2500/week- 2 week minimum. Price negotiable for longer term or seasonal renter. Contact laurel. whitla@gmail.com or (204) 298-5527.

Lakefront summer home w/ road access. Yacht Club Stretch-Kenora. 2400sqft cottage c/w 2x large great rooms both w/ vaulted ceilings & 400 sqft screen room c/w 2nd dining area. Low profile lot w/ minimal stairs to camp is great for seniors. New fully equipped kitchen & new dining area. 3 bedrooms. Full 2nd bathrm w/ tub & shower. Satellite TV, high speed internet [unlimited], washer & dryer. Large deck & BBQ. Lots of dock space for swimming, fishing & boat parking. 15 minutes down McKenzie Portage Rd. $5,000/wk, or option 1 avail June 12-July 15th @ $14,000; OR, option 2 June 12-June 29 @ $7,000. Contact jbanfield@joebanfield.com.

Lakefront Cottage for Rent - Locke Bay. Road access 15 minutes North West of Kenora. Built in 2017 with 2 bedrooms and

1 bathroom. South exposure with private dock. Fully furnished. Includes Satellite TV, Internet, A/C, BBQ and fire pit. Would prefer a seasonal rental May - September $22,000 or $2000 week (2 week minimum). Please email kenoracottage@hotmail.com for more information.

LAND FOR SALE

Private sale. 2 new road access lakefront lots on lake of the woods - Pine Portage Bay area, access via Storm Bay Road. Each lot has 200 feet of frontage, 2.6 acres and 2.42 acres, west exposure, heavily treed, very private gated-road access, hydro and telephone, unrestricted deeded access, legal title to each lot. Contact e-mail: peterzaj@mymts.net.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE

Minaki Island Retreat. 4 BR, large wrap around screen porch, BBQ deck, upper deck off upstairs BR. Boathouse with spacious deck & swimming dock. S. half (1.12 acres) of island property, S, E, W exposures. Wood burning stove/glass front, baseboard heat, shower, hydro, phone, sat. TV, washer/dryer, composting toilet. 1975 sq. ft. 2 levels. Furnished, move in ready. 7 mins to Minaki marinas. Txt/call 651-2002217, 651-274-7278.

Golf Course Bay, Lake of the Woods. For sale by original owner, 3200 sq. ft. 2 story air conditioned home, 2.5 stall garage with heated workshop, on 2 lots with sand beach, dock, covered boat lift, municipal water & sewer, natural gas heat, paved driveway, many other features. Phone (807) 468-8770.

WANT TO HIRE

Part-Time, General Labourer. For help around the cottage and land, possibly 3 days a week. Location: Northern Harbour area at the end of Storm Bay Road. Contact E-mail: peterzaj@mymts.net.

FOR SALE: MISC.

Three (3) 8’ X 20’ floating docks located on Lake of the Woods close to Kenora. These docks are in good condition and are constructed of heavy duty aluminum frames, plastics floaters and 2” X 6” treated wood decks. Price is $3,000/dock OBO. For further information call (204) 981-1588.

Antique Strand Woodburning Cookstove. White, with some black trim. Includes bun warmer, wood box, oven, boiler, 6 elements. Very good condition. $500. Must be able to take it away. Call or text 204-781-3504.

10x10 old log shed. 14" overhang. The bottom has some rot but if someone is interested in dismantling and moving it to a new foundation it would be a very cool garden shed or playhouse for kids. We'd just love to see it repurposed as it is pretty cool. Dismantling/PU at Trinity Bay (boat access only) Email mridgen@aptn.ca.

SCUBA EQUIPMENT. Selling as total package only. Items in "Like new" con-

dition. Includes wet suit with two sets of regulators, two air tanks, both re-certified May 2022, face masks, flippers, diver's hoods, gloves, weight belts, etc., etc. $1,200 for everything. Phone 204-3337182.

Z-Dock 15’x18’ floating dock. With integral small boat ramp $5000. 204-292-3970. Boat Rail System, Morson area. Approx. 100 ft. long with carriage for 17’ to 20’ boat (more or less) complete with winch system powered by a solar panel with charging system not including battery. Asking $4750. jaslaw1@shaw.ca.

WANT TO BUY

Looking to buy home, cottage or property on Winnipeg River. Thinking of selling? Our family is looking to build or buy a road access home, cabin or property in the $500-$900K range, within 20 min drive to Keewatin/Kenora. Email shayla.e.s@ gmail.com.

Snow Blower or Garden Tractor. Looking to buy a good condition, used, gas powered 30 inch or larger, with Snow-Thrower attachment and or Blade. Contact: peterzaj@mymts.net

Pre-owned boat trailer. For 17 1/2' Lund aluminum boat with 50 hp tiller motor; prefer 13" tires although not mandatory. Bunk or rollers. Contact 204-782-2808 or email jim.coldwell@mymts.net.

BOATS/MOTORS FOR SALE

2020 Bennington Pontoon Boat Model 20 SV with 2020 60 HP Yamaha outboard & 2021 Karavan trailer. Mint condition - 21 hours. Live well, 2 rear fishing chairs. Stored Falcon Lake. $39,500. Contact 289-696-3527.

Windsurfer Brand Sailboard with two sails. One sail is much larger than the smaller sail. Both are in great condition. Board could also be used as a paddle board. With center, dagger board in, very stable. Available May long weekend. $500. Call or text 620 363 1122. After May Long: local 807 543 2714.

1984 Tiara 31’ Lake Cruiser - Live aboard. Low-time Twin 350 Crusader engines, all new interior refresh with XM and loads of equipment. This ex-Great Lakes boat is ready to go. $40,000 USD. Contact at 204-292-3970.

Antique 1966 Mahogany CENTURY RESORTER. 17’7”. Original Chrysler V8 Marine Fury 210 inboard engine. Original upholstery, windshield, bench seat, cockpit cover. Professionally maintained and serviced. Stored indoors. Comes with trailer. Email rbkat5851@gmail.com or call 807-466-7456.

MISCELLANEOUS

LOVE DOGS? It's A Dog's Life needs foster and forever homes for their rescue dogs. Cottagers can help with short or long term fostering or adopting. Website: adogslife.cc or call 807-467-3647.

All classified ads are posted online at lowdsa.com. Note that they are posted within a couple days of submission and not subject to magazine deadlines.

Home & Cottage Services

Directory

A valiant escape

BY LORI NELSON

It was an August night in 1944 when the two young Fadness sisters were returning to their home at Wheelers Point from a 4-H meeting. It was late and very dark. They had about a mile and a half to go and the road they walked was through a heavily wooded area. Singing loudly seemed like a good idea.

They passed an old, abandoned freezer plant, not far off the road, which had been used by mink farmers for storing the horse meat they fed to the mink. As they walked by they noticed that there was a dim light in the apartment on the second floor of the plant. Odd, they thought, the electricity had been disconnected for a long time. No sooner had the thought crossed their mind, that their singing stopped. And in the silence that followed, they saw the light go out.

They raced home, hearts beating wildly, anxious to tell their family that someone was hiding out in the old plant. Their breathless news was met with disbelief and teasing.

But other mysterious happenings began to give credence to their speculations. A family friend who lived nearby told them her husband’s clothes had been stolen off the clothesline. Others reported seeing someone move through their garden at night with a flashlight.

It all began to make sense when the offices of the local sheriff and the Baudette Customs were notified that a German prisoner of war had escaped from a camp on Lake of the Woods.

In 1940, with Germany’s hold on Western Europe and the threat of its invasion of England, the British government was giving serious thought to the potential threat posed by German prisoners of war (POWs) and enemy aliens in the country. With the hopes of mitigating that threat, they requested that Canada accept the prisoners and house them until the war’s end. The Canadian government agreed and in June of 1940, the first ships were dispatched. Within a few months, 4,000 British internees and 3,000 German POWs were housed in makeshift internment camps across Canada. Between the years 1941 and 1944, another 36,000 German POWs were transported to Canada.

Eventually the Canadian government, in seeking ways to alleviate the labour shortages during the war years, looked to the growing population of POWs for a solution. In May of 1943

regulations were instituted which allowed the Department of Labour and the Department of National Defence to employ willing POWs in primary industry work projects. Such businesses could apply for labour.

Ontario-Minnesota Pulp and Paper, owner of the Kenora mill, did just that. Their application to use POWs in their cutting operations on Lake of the Woods was approved and in the fall of 1943, as the lumber camps were beginning their winter operations, trainloads of prisoners arrived in Kenora. The men were assigned to one of the six lumber camps on the lake—Camp 43 at Adams River near Yellow Girl; Camp 52 in Red Cliff Bay; Camp 56 at Alfred Inlet and Camp 57 on Ghost Bay (both on the Aulneau Peninsula); Camp 60 on Berry Lake; and Camp 61 in Oak Bay on the Western Peninsula.

It was from the Oak Bay camp that Josef Petzelt made his escape. He took a 12-foot dug-out canoe that had been made by prisoners, and headed south, hoping to reach Minnesota and perhaps find a job there on a farm.

In their search for him, officials checked all reports of possible sightings. Adelyne Fadness wrote: “They checked the apartment above the freezer plant. He had built a fire in the kitchen sink. And then he had taken a rack out of the oven and used it for roasting his food. They found vegetable waste, cabbage leaves, carrot and onion tops. Also they found partridge feathers and fish cleanings. But they were too late. He was gone, leaving his prisoner clothes behind.”

Petzelt didn’t get far though. He was captured by a crew of a Booth Fisheries boat near Warroad, armed with nothing but plenty of food and warm blankets after being four days on the lam. He later explained that he knew he was likely to be caught, but he was so tired of working in the bush that the days of freedom and “vacation” he experienced were well worth his 28 days of detention following his capture.

Petzelt was one of only a handful of German POWs who tried to escape from the lumber camps on Lake of the Woods. For most prisoners, including a fellow internee at Camp 61, Hans Kaiser, life in the camps was “paradise”, with only one exception—there were no women.

German POWs were employed in the cutting operations of the Ontario-Minnesota Pulp and Paper company on Lake of the Woods—work that at least one prisoner found tiresome!