By Michele Bourdieu
MENOMINEE RIVER, Mich. and Wis. -- Despite some very hot, humid weather and difficulty finding a campsite the first night, the 3rd Annual Menominee Canoe Trip again succeeded in bringing awareness to the proposed Back 40 mining project's potential threats to the environment and sacred cultural sites.
Since the group had some difficulty finding a suitable camping spot after paddling on Day 1, they decided to load up their canoes and camp at Tina Lesperance's dad's cabin.
"The next morning (Day 2) we put back in where we pulled out and paddled to Tina's dad's place, where we camped again," Swett explained. "So we spent two nights at Tina's dad's house."
As a result, Day 2 was a longer day of paddling than Day 1.
Tina, who was recovering from a broken foot that prevented her from participating in the trip as much as she had the previous two years, said she was happy to be able to provide the cabin again this year.
"All I really have to say is that I was honored to be able to help them with their journey and to give them a place to rest," Tina told Keweenaw Now. "I was disappointed I couldn’t join them because of the broken foot but next year I’m going to go for a couple days."
The weather was warmer and humid for the second half of the trip. Swim stops were essential, as were water fights, for cooling off.
Diving from a dock is part of cooling off during a swim break:
Wayne Swett encourages water protector friends to jump off a dock during a swim stop. (Video © and courtesy Wayne Swett)
Hunter Peters, a recent graduate of Menominee Indian High School, took many photos and videos during the Canoe Trip and posted them on Facebook.
Hunter, one of the youngest to join the Canoe Trip, told Keweenaw Now he participated in the trip for his community and wanted to show them what fun it would be for him as a young person.
Hunter's niece, Jordan Peters, often joined him in the canoe, paddling so he could take photos and videos.
Another swimmer Hunter caught with his camera was Jwin Zillier, who was participating in the Canoe Trip for the third time.
Zillier told Keweenaw Now the best part of the trip for her in previous years had been the energetic Thursday night and the water ceremony on the first day.
"Getting there spending the night. Up Friday early for a sunrise ceremony," she said. "Well this year it didn't work out. So we had our early morning ceremony the second day (when) we first put our feet in the Menominee River."
Zillier said she wished more people could realize the peace one feels in being close to Nature, especially during the first part of the trip, where there are fewer people on the river.
"So you don't get the hustle and speed boats as you do when you get closer to town," she noted. "I feel the people that far up the river understand what they will lose if that mine goes through. I feel sad about the people that are on the river strictly for the entertainment."
Dawn Wilber, co-organizer with Wayne Swett for the three annual canoe trips, also commented on the beauty of Nature along the river.
"On this third year doing this Canoe paddle, our River has not failed to show us more of her beauty in different ways," Wilber said. "Really paying attention to the wonders of Nature sure makes the trip absolutely amazing. She never ceases to amaze me. What another spectacular year!"
Hunter also captured an eagle flying above the paddlers:
The Canoe Trip participants are always reassured by the sight of eagles along the way. (Video © and courtesy Hunter Peters)
More photos by Hunter:
Day 3 stop at the Meyers'
"We made it! Arrived at Roger 'n Gail's!" Wayne Swett said. "Our meal consisted of Chicken, wild rice casserole, venison stroganoff, corn, many delicious desserts."
Swett said it was great to see the Meyers again.
"I guess all I can think of is when my mom asked me why we do this for people we hardly know, my sincere comment to that was, if we’re not put on this earth to be of service to others, why are we here," Gail Lindquist Meyer told Keweenaw Now. "God spoke to us and said to do this again, they need you and we are blessed to get to know these wonderful people."
Day 4: Final day on the river
Up early on July 4, Wayne Swett records the calm mood of the river before the group sets out from the Meyers' to their final destination, Menekaunee Harbor at the mouth of the Menominee. (Video © and courtesy Wayne Swett)Day 4 included a stop at the Menominees' Island in the river.
"(We) stopped off at the island that was gifted to the Menominee tribe by Tom Boerner," Swett said. "Picked up trash, took a group pic and everyone reflected on the trip."
Tom Boerner, who has property near the proposed site of the Back 40 mine, has been opposing it for several years and is involved in litigation against Aquila, the mining company.
Day 4 was hot and muggy, but the water was nice and cool, Swett noted. A low railroad bridge, a half mile from their destination, was the final obstacle.
Despite having to deal with a boot on her broken foot, Tina Lesperance showed up at that bridge to record the paddlers' skills:
These made it under...And so did everyone! (Video © and courtesy Tina Lesperance)Asked how she managed to take the above videos, Tina said, "I laid down on the bridge and stuck my arm through the beams with my phone and prayed I didn’t drop it in the river."
After videotaping the paddlers under the bridge, Tina said she had to "hightail it to the harbor by foot and I still had the boot on."
She made it to the harbor in time to capture those same canoes arriving and their paddlers cheering:
Also waiting to greet her fellow water protectors at the harbor was Regina Chaltry, an active opponent of the Back 40 mining project.
"Canoeing down the ancient water highway with family of the original people who traveled that way for millenia was an incredible experience and honor," Chaltry told Keweenaw Now. "So many amazing wonders to behold, so much laughter, good stories and even songs. I am already looking forward to next year while treasuring every memory made."
Regina Chaltry films the paddlers arriving and supporters joining them at Menekaunee Harbor on Day 4 of the 2021 Menominee Canoe Trip. Some carry signs to show opposition to the Back 40 mining project. (Video © and courtesy Regina Chaltry)Finally, everyone gathers at the Great Bear. This statue is a replica of the original sculpture on the Menominee Reservation (in Wisconsin), 60 miles west of the Menominee River mouth. This replica marks the mouth of the river, where the Menominee people are believed to have originated from a bear that climbed out of the river.
"I would like to thank Roger and Gail Meyer for the awesome meal that they and friends cooked for us! And they are awesome hosts for letting us stay at their place for the last 3 years," Wayne Swett told Keweenaw Now. "I also thank Tina for letting us camp at her dad's place. She has been an immense help!"
Editor's Note: Thanks to all who helped with this article, including Anthony J. Corey, videographer, who assisted Keweenaw Now in downloading videos and photos.
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