Nancy Scott - Lake Nipigon: Where the Great Lakes Begin

M uch of the research for this book was carried out in phases spanning several years some of it while I worked on various planning projects with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). These included the Lake Nipigon Integrated Resource Management Plan and the Lake Nipigon Provincial Park Management Plan, as well as caribou research related to Wabakimi Provincial Park. To all my colleagues, who throughout the years assisted me with this research, answered my endless questions, and provided me with information on this vast lake and its myriad attributes, I extend my sincere thanks.

I remain much indebted to Brenda Carroll and the late Tim Carroll of Nighthawk Charters at Orient Bay on Lake Nipigon, for accommodating me on their charter boat, for taking me to the islands and to the distant reaches of Lake Nipigon, and for imparting so much information and knowledge about the lake. The review of colleagues is also much appreciated, in particular Rob Swainson, Rick Salmon, and David Ferren, all of MNR Nipigon, and Ted Armstrong, retired Regional Wildlife Biologist at MNR in Thunder Bay. Also, a big thank-you to Hans and Joanna Sauermann of Nipigon, who were so hospitable and helpful with research and information about the lake. I am indebted to them all.

Thanks also to all those who reviewed the manuscript, including Hans Paulsen and also Laurie McCallum of Reflection Lake Resort. I appreciate the history provided to me on the Mud River Traders and Outfitters by the now-late Doug Townsend and his sister Carol Riddolls. In addition, a big thank-you to those who assisted with historical and archeological perspectives, including Bill Ross and Ed Lavoie, but especially to Betty Brill, curator of the Nipigon Museum, for all her numerous contributions.

A special thank-you goes to Gayle Ketola, for her expert clerical assistance, which helped make my job so much easier. Her dedicated and diligent assistance was invaluable in the typing of this manuscript. Thanks, too, to Ruth Parent for help in cutting down the manuscript to a manageable size, and providing helpful suggestions. And foremost, thanks go to Anne Champagne of Green Words for her excellent copyediting and ongoing encouragement and to Jane Gibson for her enthusiasm for the topic and dedication to editorial detail without them this book could not have been completed. Also, thanks to Barry Penhale for his invaluable contributions and to Carrie Gleason and Laura Harris of the editorial team and to all the Dundurn staff who worked with me to bring this book to fruition.

My sincere thanks go to gifted photographers Joanie and Gary McGuffin of Sault Ste. Marie, Klaus Rossler of Sioux Lookout, and Phil Kor of Peterborough for the use of their superb photos, and to Mark Smith at Chrismar Mapping Services Inc., whose preparation of the exceptional maps used in the book is especially appreciated. Thanks also to Susan Hall of Sault Ste. Marie for providing a transcript of her harrowing sea kayak adventure on Lake Nipigon.

To my paddling companions, Dr. Michael Whittier, Patrick Whittier, Tony Louwman, and Rick Wise, I am truly grateful for your paddling expertise and enduring friendships.