*****

Dagwaagin / (It is) Fall 1999

Doug Birk's presentation of North West Company trader John Sayer's 1804-05 journal should be in every reenactor's library. Why I didn't stumble around to reading it until this year (it was published in 1989) is beyond me. Great reading, solid information, lots of insight.Birk begins with a review of the mystery of the journal's author. Originally, the journal was attributed to Thomas Connor and was so listed in Five Fur Traders of the Northwest (edited by Charles Gates; another classic for the bookshelf) and even in earlier works by Birk. But he presents the research that caused everyone to reassess the attribution and place it where it belongs, on the shoulders of a fur trader whose career greatly influenced our region, the Fond du Lac District.

The book's first three chapters are an excellent introduction for anyone reenacting this era. What particularly is of interest to me is Birk's framing the context of the trade and NWCo operations in this area. There is information in this book that would support changing how White Oak interprets its fur post. For instance, we talk about shipping our goods via the Grand Portage (in part because it is a colorful and known place). The reality was that goods and furs from the upper Mississippi went via the St. Louis River to Fort St. Louis (modern day Superior) to be transported by sloop to Sault Ste. Marie.

As valuable and interesting of a read as is the journal, it is Birk's introductory chapters and appendices which provide the context and a goodly chunk of the useful information for a reenactor. The appendices have lists of the goods Sayer brought with him, an inventory of items at Fort St. Louis in 1797, and several listings of the men who worked in the Fond du Lac District (great source of voyageur and clerk names).

The introductory chapters interpret Sayer's journal within the context of the fur trade in the region. By themselves these chapters offer an excellent primer on the trade and firm guidance for anyone reenacting it. Let me list just a couple of the many examples:

"Though likely of separate religious and national groups, Sayer and his engages were brought together by common goals and fears when wintering in the woods. When two of his men lost their possessions in a canoe accident, and came close to losing their lives as well, Sayer seemed genuinely touched."

"From these entries, casual readers might get the impression that the Ojibway were on an unending binge. This is not the case. The use of high wine was almost constantly monitored in the diary while the distribution of other goods was hardly mentioned at all.... For example, of the many blankets and capots taken into the Folle Avoine in 1804, only those given as gifts are mentioned in the diary. The rest were quietly traded away.&guot;

The heart of the book, of course, is Sayer's journal. Covering less than one year -- 15 September 1804 to 27 April 1805 -- the journal provides a remarkable wealth of information and insight into the fur trade in this region. One highlight is the day to day progress on the construction of the wintering post beginning on Tuesday October 9 with the "Men Employed Clearing a Spot to build upon" to Tuesday November 20 where "[Construction now completed] the [east and west] Doors of the Fort where [sic] fixd & Shut [for the first time] this Evening. "

Sayer's stay on the Snake River was at the height and conclusion of the competition between the NWCo and the XY Company. The competition was featured in several ways. First there were the direct references to his competitor, Ignace Chenier. Learning that Chenier planned to go down the St. Croix to trade for furs with a group of Indians, Sayer devised to beat him to the furs stating in his journal "if he [Chenier] gets the start of me he will be a Conjuror."

More telling of the competition was the volume of high wines being traded. More than one entry talks about wine being exchanged and, as often as not, the resulting drunk. Sayer also noted the occasions when his voyageurs were drunk and performed no work that day. Left unmentioned was his own known love of the bottle.

Like most journals, nearly every entry has some nugget of information. For instance, on February 16 Sayer requested "an Origniale [orignal or moose] Skin for [making] pack Cords." I read this to mean the hide would be cut into strips for tying the fur bales -- no rope! But is this general practice or a one time event?

Make a point to read this book. It will be time pleasurably well spent. John Sayer's Snake River Journal, 1804-1805: A Fur Trade Diary from East Central Minnesota, Douglas A. Birk, Institute for Minnesota Archeology, Inc., 1989.

Among the Annishanabeg

"My father was a good hunter and sometimes killed two deer in a day. Some hunters took a sled to bring back the game, but more frequently they brought back only part of the animal, and the women went next day and packed the rest of the meat on their backs. It was the custom for a man to give a feast with the first deer or other game that he killed.... The men were good hunters, and we had plenty of meat, but every bit of the deer that was not eaten was dried for carrying away, the extra meat, the liver and heart, and even the hoofs." Nodinens, Mille Lac Band of Chippewa, to Frances Densmore.

At Day's End...

Monday 19th [November 1804]

"Charming Weather. [I] sent 4 Men to my Hunters Lodge [to fetch venison]. [At the same time I] dispatched Mr Seraphin with a Man to examine a Cache of 10 kegs of H[igh] W[ine we had buried at Cross Lake on 3 October] to know if all are safe. he came back at Noon. found the whole in good Order. towards evening I was surprised to see 2 of the XY [Company] Men Arrive [at the fort] with an Indian [guide]. luckily all [of] my Indians [the men] are Absent yet I apprehend they will poison the Minds of the Women [in camp] by offering to sell [goods] Cheaper than I do." John Sayer

1999 White Oak Rendezvous Wrap-Up

No doubt about it, the 11th Annual White Oak Rendezvous was a resounding success. Thanks to everyone who camped, volunteered, or attended. And special thanks to whoever sent the great weather!

The workshops this year, with some minor deviations (someone else does the snowshoe lacing one next year), were as good as you would find at any event. Bruce LePage's French Trade Gun making workshop was clearly a highlight. But there were scores of workshops given by talented and enthusiastic instructors. Missed them this year? Come back next year, most of these good folks will be here in 2000.

Great food was a definite highlight. The first annual Ladies Dinner in the Great Hall was a smash as were the breakfasts~folks appreciated having the Sunday paper available for those few who can read. The period dinner, with Faire Wynde once again introducing the guests, topped last year's inaugural event~it was worth the price of admission just to watch that begging voyageur Pascal being tossed out by Major Sir Lloyd Cheney and Mr. Ross!

We did well by the numbers, too ~ a record number of camps, solid visitor attendence, and the modern campground was at capacity for the first time. White Oak made a modest profit which will be used for our year round educational programs, pay off some old debts, and to seed next year's event.

The Canoe Shed Player's presentation of a Moliere one act play was complemented by the "pirates play" written, produced and acted by camp participants.

Our interpreter ranks were augmented by the Edmonton House Brigade, which besides setting new standards at Dad's, did yeomen's duty at the post. Special thanks to Bill Stewart who became our post bourgeois and Randy Chappel who, as the good doctor, gave memorable presentations on period correct health care.

Young Nick Langseth continued the tradition of youths winning the juried camp contest. His horse camp took top honors in a crowded field of excellent camps.

Reuben Fast Horse and his wife Ash offered insightful presentations about Dakota life. They were a hit at the activity stage. And we had music ~ Tanglefoot energized the place as did Blackhawk and others. Faire Wynd provided period correct entertainment near the post. Oh yes, the post interpreters had their moments as well. The level of activity around the post was the best in years. A toque off to the crew.

Of course there was lots of shooting, new champions in the trail walk, 'hawk and knife tossing, an atalatl "hunt", a hotly contested cribbage tournament, world class cooking contest at the Wednesday night camp feed, a trekking exercise and more.

Again, thanks to everyone who was there and especially to the volunteers. Not enough room for all the names, but the efforts of each one contributed to the best rendezvous ever!!

Along the Portage Path: Observations from the Gil Quaal Nature Trail

Folks who were at the White Oak rendezvous this summer probably stumbled over our long lost friend Quill near Broken Toe's cabin busily making twine. A man with woodcraft literally flowing from his fingertips, Quill demonstrated to one and all how to make twine from the inner bark of basswood. He also happened to be the purveyor of leatherwood bark that was used to make the netting of the raquettes used in the second annual White Oak lacrosse match.

People who listened to the presentations by Raven Woman, Far Wind Woman and John Parmeter at the Ojibwe village would have learned another application of basswood fiber. Here the strips were used to ty together the wood frames for the various shelters and structures at the encampment.

Basswood ~ wiigobiminzh ~ bois blanc: by any of its fur trade era names the tree was important to the Ojibwe industrial year. Today it is used for veneer and, look beneath the paint in the Great Hall, paneling. It's soft straight grain and crisp whiteness make it excellent for carving into noggins, spoons, fish spearing lures, and more.

To obtain the inner bark for twine or fiber: peel the bark in strips as wide as you can and at least 4-6 feet long; tie the bark strips into a bundle and soak the bundle in a lake or pond for 7-10 days to loosen the inner bark; dry and then strip out the inner bark and bundle for later use. The fiber can be washed to clean and brighten. Use the fiber as is or boil it to give it strength when making heavy cordage.

When using wiigoob (basswood fiber) for interpretation, remember your ecology. Basswood is generally found in the northern hardwoods forest. In the boreal forests to the north or up the North Shore, spruce root would be used for binding baskets or lashing frames.

As to how to make twine ~ it's easier to show than explain. Read Densmore or come to the Winter Camp where someone should be able to give a quick demo. Or catch Quill at White Oak next year~he'll probably have some fiber for you, too..

Bagley School Overnight Guests

On October 19th and 20th, 85 sixth graders from Bagley stayed overnight at the White Oak Learning Centre. They were treated to presentations and hands-on activities given by White Oak interpreters: Don Newsom, Deb Williams, Doug Marston, Perry Vining, Kay and Judy Pitschka, Roger Cook, and Ray Nyberg. Don's spooky stories were a particular hit.A number of the students and teachers spent the night sleeping in the Bourgeois Quarters, giving a special degree of authenticy to their stay. The following morning, after breakfast in the Great Hall, the students left for the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids. According to teachers' comments the students had a marvelous time at the two sites.White Oak will continue to team up with the Forest History Center and other regional sites for similar student visits. The Learning Centre provides an entertaining "home base" for overnight excursions.

Lifetime Membership Established

Chuck and Sara Hamsa, whose donations have almost single-handedly created the Rick Balen Research Library at White Oak, were made the White Oak Society's first lifetime members. The couple contributed $1,000 to the Society at this year's rendezvous. At the subsequent annual meeting, it was agreed that this generousity defined a lifetime membership and, hence, the category was created.

The Hamsas have been friends of White Oak for many years. Chuck's reviews and columns in various national publications always speak well of White Oak and give us visibility that otherwise is not possbile. Their contribution, and those of future lifetime members, will help fund our education programs. Migwitch ~ merci ~ many thanks to the Hamsas.

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