I wouldn't be who I am without my uncle as a role model. I know that he had an indelible influence on me, but I’ll never fully know to what depth. How do you calculate the effect of love?
There are many parts of my life path that are a direct result of Michel’s influence. For example, when I was in Grade 5, my uncle travelled to the country of Mali. His stories of Africa left a lasting impression on my young mind. When I completed high school, I lived and worked in Burkina Faso, a country bordering Mali. Living in Burkina Faso was the most rewarding experience of my life. After Africa, I travelled to Europe and, in time, I explored North America, Asia and Australia. His love of travelling fuelled mine.
My uncle had a lot of traits and characteristics that I admired, but what I appreciated the most is that he wanted to know me and spend time with me as a person and not because I was his nephew. That was an honour and a compliment.
Knowing M'Nonc Mitch made me a better person. He taught me to be more generous and to enjoy the special little moments life offers. He was there for every important moment in my life with words of encouragement and wisdom. We were very close. I saw him less as an uncle and more as a big brother.
I think it's a tragedy that my uncle died so young. The message I want to emphasize is for people to take the health of their heart seriously. The decision is up to them, but I'd like them to consider that if they succumb to heart disease needlessly they will be leaving behind people who will miss them forever.
When I was in high school, I realized that it would be possible to canoe from the southern part of my province all the way to New Orleans. The route would be long and arduous - one province, four rivers and 13 states along with many lakes and dams. No one had ever canoed from Saskatchewan to New Orleans, but I knew it could be done.
I'm an adventurer, speaker, author, journalist and photographer. I enjoy a lot of outdoor sports, but most especially camping, fly fishing, hunting and canoeing.
There are many parts of my life path that are a direct result of Michel’s influence. For example, when I was in Grade 5, my uncle travelled to the country of Mali. His stories of Africa left a lasting impression on my young mind. When I completed high school, I lived and worked in Burkina Faso, a country bordering Mali. Living in Burkina Faso was the most rewarding experience of my life. After Africa, I travelled to Europe and, in time, I explored North America, Asia and Australia. His love of travelling fuelled mine.
My uncle had a lot of traits and characteristics that I admired, but what I appreciated the most is that he wanted to know me and spend time with me as a person and not because I was his nephew. That was an honour and a compliment.
Knowing M'Nonc Mitch made me a better person. He taught me to be more generous and to enjoy the special little moments life offers. He was there for every important moment in my life with words of encouragement and wisdom. We were very close. I saw him less as an uncle and more as a big brother.
I think it's a tragedy that my uncle died so young. The message I want to emphasize is for people to take the health of their heart seriously. The decision is up to them, but I'd like them to consider that if they succumb to heart disease needlessly they will be leaving behind people who will miss them forever.
When I was in high school, I realized that it would be possible to canoe from the southern part of my province all the way to New Orleans. The route would be long and arduous - one province, four rivers and 13 states along with many lakes and dams. No one had ever canoed from Saskatchewan to New Orleans, but I knew it could be done.
I'm an adventurer, speaker, author, journalist and photographer. I enjoy a lot of outdoor sports, but most especially camping, fly fishing, hunting and canoeing.
This picture is symbolic of the canoe trip - an up-hill battle, but every footstep (or in my case every paddle stroke) got me closer to New Orleans. I took this photograph when hiking in the mountains of China.
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This is me pointing to cougar tracks that went directly through the porch of my canvas tent. Notice how big the paw prints are!
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A rattlesnake posing for the camera. This one was a little cranky as you can tell by its body language.
I wrote an article about how to sleep outside during winter without a tent and this photo accompanied the story. You can see the aluminium emergency blanket which reflects heat from the large fire.
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Canoeing through a military base in southern Alberta.
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After I lost my home in the flood of 2010, I lived in my canvas tent for 6 months. It was an outstanding experience. Deep snow forced me to move.
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