MENOMINEE RIVER -- Four days -- 48 miles -- with the Protectors of the Menominee River in canoes and kayaks -- that was our goal for the July 4th, 2025, weekend. After kayaking just the first day of the trip in 2024, Keweenaw Now decided to do the entire trip this year, July 3-6, in the same tandem kayak generously lent to us by Dean Juntunen of Mass City.
And the weather cooperated -- with the exception of a rain storm one night that left some campers with soggy tents! However, their complaints were few since everyone shared the goal of paddling all four days if possible. On July 3, participants, young and older, launched their canoes and kayaks near the 60 Islands site of the ancient Menominee burial grounds, gardens and dance rings -- Anaem Omot (Dog's Belly), a Menominee Tribe cultural landscape bisected by the Menominee River that separates Wisconsin and Michigan. The site, which was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places by the Historic Preservation Review Boards of both Wisconsin (2021) and Michigan (2022), was approved for that listing by the National Park Service in 2023.*
The main goal of the Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Journeys, held now for seven years, is
to call attention to the need for protecting the river and those sacred
sites from the threat of the Back 40 mining project for gold, copper,
zinc and lead -- a sulfide mine that could be built very close to the
river and these sacred sites.
This year's canoe/kayak trip was
especially notable for the presence of a group of young paddlers who had
great fun shooting water guns and cooling off both on the water and
during the "swim stops." They also joined in counting the wildlife
observed during the trip -- from eagles, osprey and heron to turtles, a
pair of porcupines and a number of woodducks. The kids had fun while learning.
Co-organizer and teacher Dawn Wilber noted, "Our kids are so respectful to others out here."
Day 1: July 3
On July 3, 2025, Dawn Wilber, co-organizer with Wayne Swett of the Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Journey, welcomed Anahkwet (Guy Reiter), executive Director of a Menominee Indian community organization called Menīkānaehkem, Inc., to speak to the participants in the journey before the Day 1 launch near the 60 Islands cultural site.
Reiter spoke about historical places along the river. He also noted the power of the river to help and guide us and the need for its protection.
"When you're in your canoe the river is holding you and having a relationship with you, and it's been doing that for 1,000 years for our people," Reiter said.
Co-organizer Wayne Swett commented on Facebook that, as Guy Reiter spoke, an eagle sat in a tree, waiting. Swett said the group checked out two eagle's nests on Day 1 of the trip.
"One of the participants found a white tail feather! Good find," Swett noted.
"We do this [journey] to show our existence and re-connection to our Creation place," co-organizer Dawn Wilber commented on Facebook. "Also to show our opposition to the proposed sulfide mine."
"Enjoyed the quietness on the Menominee River listening to birds singing, looking for wildlife and reconnecting," Wayne Swett commented on Day 1. "Checked out the mouth of the Pike River, which is historic in its own self."
"When we are on that river, we are always looking for the Eagles -- looking in the trees, looking on the ground, looking in the water," Dawn Wilber commented on Facebook.
During the swim stops, Hunter Peters loved taking photos of people, sometimes candid or amusing. On Day 1 he captured (or set up) a photo of the co-organizers:
Day 2: July 4
Wayne Swett reported that Day 2 began with a visit from neighbors, who live near the camp.
"Started out the day with breakfast and a visit from the neighbors who lived bout a mile away," Swett said. "Fed 'em breakfast and visited. They had some beautiful huskies."
Swett spent Day 2 fishing, according to his comments on Facebook: "Been wanting to do some fishing on these trips but was always busy so I decided to skip the paddling part and spend the day at camp fishing since this was a short day for the paddlers. Sat in the shade and put a nightcrawler in the water. I haven't been fishing in 10 yrs so I was enjoying it. Lol."
He was pretty relaxed that day and agreed to an interview by Keweenaw Now.
Wayne Swett, co-organizer of the Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Journey for 7 years, speaks with Keweenaw Now about the new campsite for this year's trip -- the Chappee Webber Learning Center, located on the river and made possible by the generosity of the Menominee Historical Society. He also notes the educational as well as the entertainment value for the young people on the trip. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
Weather on July 4 was good again for paddlers on the river.
Dawn Wilber posted on Facebook these comments on July 4: "Day 2 in the books! Short run today but not short of fun! Half way done and half way to go! I will do this run as long as I can get in these canoes. This place is so relaxing and peaceful. Sitings count today: 7 Eagles, 1 Hawk, 1 Turtle, 2 Jumping fish, 4 Swim spots...."
Wilber also spoke with Keweenaw Now on Day 2.
One of the young people on the trip for the first time this year was Gracey Chaltry, whose mother, Regina Chaltry, has made the trip almost every year. On July 4, Gracey gave her impressions of the trip so far.
Gracey Chaltry tells Keweenaw Now why she is participating in the 2025 Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Journey with her mother and what she plans to study in the future. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
Back at the camp, Ann Marie Oshkosh (Annie) the cook, prepared breakfast and dinner each day, cooking on a campfire near the dining pavilion with the help of volunteers when they were available. The main dishes of the meals are Menominee traditional foods including buffalo or venison or elk, walleye for the fish fry on Friday, boiled vegetables (including potatoes, carrots, corn on the cob, green beans, squash and parsnips), and her special wild rice with berries.
Another helper of Annie's, who also worked as a firekeeper and more, is Joe Moses, who occasionally took a break from his duties to play his flute.
Two of the busiest people during the Journey -- sisters Dawn Wilber and Annie Oshkosh -- still found a few moments to sing a welcome song at camp.During a brief break from their duties at the camp during the 2025 Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Journey, Annie Oshkosh, chief cook, and Dawn Wilber, co-organizer, sing a welcoming song in the Menominee language. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
Musician John Peiffer also took advantage of some free time at camp to sing and play some music.
Day 3: July 5
On Day 3, rain threatened but the storm didn't arrive until evening, when some campers' tents got soaked.
Early that day the firekeepers were concerned about keeping the fire going in case of rain.
Co-organizer Wayne Swett commented on the fire preparation before the rain.
"Under the watchful eyes of Dave and myself, Ron Dickie stacked wood on our sacred fire to protect the the heart of the fire as the storm approached," Swett wrote. "That fire did not go out during that storm. Everything and everybody got wet but the fire stayed the course, horse!"
Swett admitted he forgot to close the window flaps on his tent.
"Mattress was half floating and as usual everything got wet," he wrote on Facebook. "You might want to call it a Water Protector baptismal of sorts. Not the first time and I doubt the last time. It's part of camping."
At the camp on Day 3, Keweenaw Now interviewed two more participants -- Christine Fossen-Rades, a teacher at the Menominee Indian High School in Keshena, Wis., and Kyle Pecore of Keshena, a student there -- about their reasons for joining the canoe/kayak journey.
Paddlers had a shorter day on July 5 but still enjoyed 2 swim stops and observed a variety of wildlife. According to Dawn Wilber, they counted 9 Eagles, 2 Herons, 1 Porcupine, 2 Deer, 2 Jumping fish, and 1 Turtle.
After a portage at Turtle Nation the canoes and kayaks took off from McAllister Bridge for the home of Ed (Buff) and Sally Draze.
The water level allowed a scenic paddle between the twin islands, Bella and Aurora, named for Bella Wilber and her twin sister.
With the rain storm coming, the group had to get out of the water earlier than usual; and the paddlers, canoes and kayaks were driven to Buff and Sally Draze's house, where Ann Marie Oshkosh, the cook, created some traditional dishes to share.
The early landing was at a park that turned out to be a great swim stop for the kids as well.
Canoes, kayaks and paddlers were welcomed by signs at the Draze property, where the boats were stored overnight for the launch on the fourth and final day.
"Since we live on the Menominee River we really appreciate all that the Menominee Nation does to promote an awareness of keeping our river safe from the perils of mining," Sally Draze told Keweenaw Now. "This year we were honored to host a feast that Ann Marie Oshkosh prepared for the last night of their annual canoe trip on the Menominee. We invited additional mutual friends to cheer them on their mission. Some of their supporters were not able to make the event due to the storm that came along. Fortunately the canoes and kayaks arrived just before the storm hit.
"The gathering filled our home wall to wall with people, both young and old. The fellowship was wonderful with great camaraderie along with fabulous food! New memories and new friendships were made, and we look forward to supporting our friends again next year."
For the dinner at the Draze home, Ann Marie (Annie) cooked an array of delicious cultural foods -- using elk, beans and corn, including a delicious meatless hullcorn (Mandan bride variety) soup with red beans.
Day 4: July 6
On the way to the final stop at the Bear, the group made a brief stop at the new base camp, where the paddlers joined staff members there for a group photo.
The next important stop was Menominee Island, an island in the river that local resident Tom Boerner gifted to the Menominee nation. Boerner has been involved in challenging the Part 632 mining permit for the Back 40 mine.
The last stretch to reach the Bear at Menekaunee Harbor was the most challenging of the trip.
Rocks right near the landing at the Bear were another obstacle to overcome in the wind!
Photos in front of the Bear, the statue that represents the origin of the Menominee people, are in order as soon as kayaks and canoes are unloaded.
Following a tradition, participants are greeted by supporters who join them for a great meal at Applejack's Restaurant in Marinette, Wis.
Back at the base camp, as campers packed up their tents, Keweenaw Now asked a few more participants to share their impressions of the Canoe Journey.
Jwin Zillier, one of the original three Menominee on the Menominee to make the journey -- with Dawn Wilber and Wayne Swett -- took on the role of van driver this year.
On the final day of the 2025 Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Trip, Jwin Zillier, one of the three Menominee tribal members who paddled the first trip 7 years ago, speaks about her new role this year as the van driver for the group. (Video by Keweenaw Now)Laureen Kaprelian of Wallace, Mich., a board member of the Menominee Historical Society, was instrumental in arranging for the new camp site the Society generously donated for this year's Canoe Journey.
Taking a break from helping with cleanup at the camp site on July 6, Laureen Kaprelian -- a board member of the Menominee Historical Society, which offered the use of their Chappee-Webber Learning Center property as a campsite for the Canoe Journey participants -- speaks about the history of the property, which was the site of the first trading post on the Menominee River. Laureen and her son Tom both paddled kayaks during the Journey. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
Jeremiah Moses (TJ) told Keweenaw Now how he and his partner, Cedar Fernandez, became interested in the Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Journey and continue to participate.
Jeremiah Moses (TJ) introduces himself in the Menominee language, which he studies and teaches, and speaks about his participation in the Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Journeys along with his partner, Cedar Fernandez. (Video by Keweenaw Now)
Cedar Fernandez, who was recuperating from bee stings after the final paddle on Day 4, was unavailable for an interview with Jeremiah, but sent Keweenaw Now her thoughts about the trip:
"Waqsepāēkacīwen eneq ekāēyan mesek Cedar Fernandez eneq āēs wīhseyan. Netōmāēqnomenēwem.
Waqsepāēkacīwen is what the spirits call me and Cedar Fernandez is what I am named. I am Menominee. I use Wenah, She, and They as my pronouns," Cedar writes.
"This was my third year on the Menominee River Canoe Journey with fellow Protectors of the Menominee River. Each year that I have been on this journey, I have come to feel more love and appreciation for Menominee river. From the creation stories that ground us in these places, to animals, plants, ancestors, rocks, soils, and waters who remind us of them. Eagle, Crane, Sturgeon, Turtle, Deer, Tree, and more Relatives who show up in the sky, on the ground, and in the water to say, 'Posoh-Hi,' reminding us of our stories and creating more with us. They take so much care of us, and we do our best to take care of them.
"I know I am home on our river.
"I remember who we are while being present with who we are now. We aren’t separate from our relations who came before us, we live with them and they live with us.
"Through four days of laughter, love, and learning, I am always wishing I can stay on Menominee river longer -- and I just can’t wait for next year!
"I want to say waewaenen (thank you) to all of our Relatives who joined us this journey. I so appreciate each of you for everything you bring and do in support and in working together to make things happen. I appreciate the community space we make and share through our journeys. We teach each other so much. I look forward to continuing to learn from one another and continuing to be a part of this sacred community space we carry as we connect with our beautiful Menominee River.
"Ketāpānenaemuaw (I love you all)."
Editor's Notes:
* See the Keweenaw Now June 28, 2023, article, "Menominee cultural site listed on National Register of Historic Places." See also the Wisconsin Public Radio July 2 (updated July 17), 2025, article, "Archaeologists make surprising discovery along the Menominee River on Wisconsin border," about the Dartmouth study of ancient raised garden beds at the 60 Islands site -- using lidar technology.
** See the Keweenaw Now August 8, 2024, article, "Protectors of the Menominee River, opponents of proposed Back 40 sulfide mine, complete 6th Annual Menominee on the Menominee Canoe Journey." A video of John Peiffer singing his song "Words Fail" at the Aura Jamboree is included in the article.
This year's Canoe Journey inspired a new song, "Earth, Water, Sky," which he sang at the July 2025 Aura Jamboree.
