Kennesis Lake, Haliburton

Taken in Feb ‘08 when Sandy and me went on a one-day snowshoe experience into Wolf Country guided by a Wild Life Biologist. This was an outing organized by the Haliburton Forest & Wildlife Reserve. It was a great day breaking trail in the remote backwoods of the Haliburton Forest with a small group being led by an outdoors/wolf specialist. Lots of great photo’s came out of that day, but this was one of my favorites.

Back before Christmas, a buddy and me went out for a couple hours to shoot. Nothing serious, just out for some fun to capture images of some of the more northern, rural areas of Buckhorn. We had a great time and got to see some new country. Now, it wasn’t all fun and games, as on our way out of our remote location we got stuck and were standing around for over an hour waiting for CAA to show up! But we were very lucky and some fellows with 4×4 trucks (and if you can believe it, even one of them driving a tow truck!) happened by and were kind enough to pull us out. After we gave them our sincere thanks and had called CAA to cancel the tow truck, the CAA tow truck driver called and said ‘I’m having trouble finding your road, where the heck is it!?’. Yes it was a remote spot, but I didn’t think it was that remote!! Anyways, it was a fun adventure and we saw some very beautiful remote areas. Below are my top pic’s from our afternoon.

Curve Lake Native Reserve – Buckhorn

“At Powwows we gather in a circle. In a circle, no one is higher than anyone else, everyone is equal. Our dancers move in a circle, searching the ground for the footprints of our ancestors in order to follow their ways. The drum beats out the solemn rhythm of all creation. It is the sound we remember from before we were born. It is the rhythm of our mothers’ heartbeat. The drums summon up a memory that is common to us all.

Powwow means gathering, or celebration.

Traditionally, families had to scatter far and wide to be able to find enough game to feed themselves throughout the long and harsh Canadian winter. The powwow took place each year when families and friends were reunited to dance, drum, feast and give thanks to the Creator. Each community had its own time for gathering – Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall. At Curve Lake we still hold and annual powwow, bringing together Natives and non-Natives, to honour our ancestors and uphold this sacred tradition.”

This past September, I went to the annual Powwow at the native reserve in Buckhorn. The weather was perfect for this large outdoor event. Folks from all over come to watch and learn about the native ceremony. Many bring cameras, and the MC of the event says when pictures are not permitted due to the delicate significance of the dance or the collection of natives that do not want their ceremonial regalia to be photographed. But when the camera’s are allowed, many enjoy capturing images of this piece of North American past. The below images are my favorites that I captured during the hour I was there (would have stayed longer but I had my kids with me and their patience had ran out). These images (as were all of the pic’s I took) were taken during when the MC said photography was permitted.