This journey is possible because many people shared their knowledge and talents with me. Your generous support is greatly appreciated!
In no particular order:
-I would like to thank Leanne Marin for sharing her wisdom about corporate partnerships.
-Thanks to all my coaches at the Medicine Hat Boxing Club for getting me into shape.
-To Nathalie Delmaire, thanks for encouraging me to pursue this dream.
-Thanks to Healthy Living Alberta for providing me with information about heart disease.
-To Tom Wilde and Patsy Stehr at Badlands Crossfit, thanks for seeing the value in this project and supporting it.
-Hadley J. Castille and his family made an outstanding musical tribute to M'Nonc. Merci. (The tribute is in the "Cajun tribute to my uncle" section of this website.)
-Darcy Dietrich was generous with his time when offering helpful suggestions and answering my many questions, thanks.
-For Judith Brooke, Tracey Knihnitski and Bert Legault - thank you to my proofreaders for their contributions to improving my partnership proposal and my press release. Thank you also to Bert's wife Paulette for her support.
-The Michel family in Eastend (Charlie, Maria and Charlie's mom Rose) were generous with their support and words of encouragement. Thank you all.
-To Kenny Walker, thanks for the encouragement and for seeing the value in this project. Expect a full geological account of the trip.
-Laury Waller of Green Tree Wellness Centres in Medicine Hat deserves thanks for agreeing to partner with Canoe to New Orleans.
-Thanks Enid Luk for buying a St. John's Ambulance First Aid Sport Kit for me.
-It was inspiring to hear Jim MacArthur describe the steps he's taken to take responsibility for the health of his heart. Thanks for sharing your story.
-After I lost my home in 2010, Christine Hoffman offered assistance as a volunteer with disaster relief. Now in 2012, she's been sending my press releases to media outlets and assisting in purchasing equipment for the trip. Many thanks for everything Christine.
-The Hamon-Fafard family of Lumsden, Sk. offered support and encouragement for the project and a big Merci goes out to them.
-To Lynne, Donna and Gerry at Clipper Canoes, thanks for playing such an important part in making this journey a reality.
-The Holeha family of Consul, Sk. got behind this project and supported it on many levels, thanks so much.
-To Ken and Lisa, the official Canoe Keepers, thanks for letting me store my boat at your place.
-Thanks to the Vass family at Saamis Moving & Storage for agreeing to partner with Canoe to New Orleans. Your support is very much appreciated.
-A big Crossfit thanks to my moving crew - "Scarlet", "Tammy", and Jody (we'll find you a crazy-wicked nickname!)
-Carol and the staff at Hirsch Signs deserve a thank you for the excellent work they did turning my partners' logos into stickers to put on my canoe.
-Thank you Royce Pettyjohn for your support and for sharing your keen knowledge of partnership proposals.
-Merci Memere de m'avoir si bien nourrit la semaine avant mon depart, tes "ham sandwiches" font toujours du bien.
-Thanks Dan Reynish for getting the word out about the project and for believing in it.
-Merci Paula Monvoisin d'avoir cru dans le projet et de contribuer a son succes.
-To Gabe "Velocity Boy" Hamon, thanks for shuttling me around southern Saskatchewan before the departure and setting land-speed records in the process.
-Thanks Toos Geisen Stefiuk for your contribution to the success of Canoe to New Orleans.
-Merci Nicole Ursu d'avoir partage les beaux souvenirs de Michel avant mon depart.
-To Denise and Rodney Dokkebakken, thanks for your support and I'll be sure to honour your wishes in regards to mon oncle Robert.
-Merci Danielle Hamon pour le souper magnifique avant mon depart, et j'apprecie ton aide aussi. J'apprecie egalement que tu sois venue me chercher a Glasgow.
-Michel Liboiron, merci pour ton aide avec le projet, ta contribution est certainement digne de mention.
-Thanks Hal Walters for believing in Canoe to New Orleans and for your kind words about M'Nonc.
-Merci Mme Allard pour votre appuis et votre encouragement.
-A Jean, Denis & Colette Hamon, merci a vous trois pour votre aide.
-Pour Annette et Gerry Breton, je vous remercie pour votre contribution.
-Merci a Chantal et Marielle Hamon pour votre aide et votre support.
-A Aime et Annette Bouvier, je vous remercie pour votre aide et encouragement.
-Thank you to Keith Brown for getting behind this project and supporting it wholeheartedly.
-Thank you to Dave and Vivianne Tindal who played a role in Canoe to New Orleans' success.
-Thanks Shirley Bond for the role you played in the project's success.
-To Dawn Redmond, thank you for helping me reach my goals.
-Greg Dermody helped Canoe to New Orleans and that's appreciated.
-To the Rorvik Family, we had a great time hanging out with you guys. And thanks for the monster cookies you left us.
-The Hays and Walkers of Val Marie helped with the logistics of the project and invited me into their homes, thank you.
-To Dr. Craig of Poplar, Montana. You're doing great work for the community. Thanks for helping me.
-Todd and Amy Aune gave me a place to store my canoe while I was in Glasgow, Montana. Thanks much for all your help.
-To Nick Gessell, I can't thank you enough for all the work you put into getting me back to my boat. All the best.
-A Anne Marchildon-Wong, comme dirait M'Nonc, "Merci ma p'tite crotte."
-Thanks Sandy for letting me dock for a couple days at the Southport Marina in Bismarck.
-To Bill Butcher and Rick Robinson, thanks for meeting Chantal and I at Fort Rice and for giving her a ride back to Bismarck. You were logistical god-sends.
-Thanks to Bob Klein for showing me around Mobridge, South Dakota and for helping me get groceries.
-To the Marshall family of Fort Pierre, I sure appreciate your help portaging my gear.
-Patrick Wellner deserves a thank you for helping me move my outfit around Oahe Dam.
-Thanks to Calla LaPlante Morton for introducing me to your family and for the care package.
-Thanks Shelley at Charlie's Marina for your kindness and the use of your car.
-Thank you for the conversation Ken and Lynn Larsen and for helping me get back on the water below Oahe Dam.
-Thanks to John and Laurette Walker for being a part of Canoe to New Orleans' success.
-Thanks again Percy for your help with the portage over Big Bend Dam.
-Thank you John Corey for helping me move my outfit over Fort Randall Dam.
-Neil and Tracy Haxton get a much appreciated thank you for helping me portage over Gavins Point Dam.
-Thanks to Troy Young for giving me an indoor place to stay during the worst windstorm of the trip to date. (early Oct.)
-For their kindness and assistance, thank you to Matt and Judy Connealy of Decatur, Nebraska.
-To the Chris and Ann Ekholm and Kathy Farrell of Omaha, I enjoyed spending time with you and thanks for all your help.
-To Norm Miller, thanks for the box of food. Equal thanks to Robin Kalthoff for storing it.
-It was great meeting you, Jody and Pam Maybee. Thanks again for your hospitality.
-Thanks to Janet Sullens Moreland and Naked Dave for the meal at Cooper's Landing.
-And speaking of Cooper's Landing, thanks to Mike Cooper for your help and kindness.
-To Anna Cash, thanks for the ride to the store. The new coat is plenty warm.
-A shout-out for Chris and Darren for the water and supplies.
-Thanks to Dave Hanley of the Plattin Rock Boat Club in Crystal City, Missouri. You made my trip easier.
-Merci a Roberta Dubois pour l'assistance avec ce voyage.
-Thanks to Matt McHugh for his contribution to Canoe to New Orleans' success.
-Thanks to the Bequette family of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri for your help with Canoe to New Orleans.
-Dolores Bailiff deserves a thank you for giving this bearded stranger a ride to the grocery store in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
-To Jeremy Odell of the Lady Luck Casino, thanks for the hospitality. There will be an NHL season after all.
-It was a pleasure to meet you, Bob and Jo Chamberlin. Thanks for letting me use your laptop.
-Thank you to Dale and Mariam Sanders for their kindness, hospitality and assistance.
-A Jocelyn Baillargeon, un gros merci pour ta contribution, c'est un geste que j'apprecie.
-To Charlie Hurston and Jeffrey, thanks guys for your help with the horse trailer portage. It was a big help.
-Thanks for the coverage Kyle Peveto and I appreciate your help moving my gear back to the Mississippi River.
-To Doak Wittigney, the use of your cell phone was a huge assistance to me. Thanks so much.
-The food and drinks you gave me were great. Thanks to the captain and crew of Assault.
-It was a pleasure to meet the CBS crew who filmed the feature for On the Road. Thanks to Steve, Miles and Bob for your professionalism.
-To Darrin Hicks, thanks for your generosity. I won't forget it.
-Thanks to Glen Bzdel, your story about travelling was very interesting. Now it's my turn to help someone who dreams of travelling. Your contribution was very generous.
-Merci d'avoir pense a moi, Joselle Stringer. J'ai fait comme tu as suggere et j'ai mange de la bonne nourriture cajun quand j'etais a la Nouvelle-Orleans.
-To Val Pobjoy, I'm glad we're still in touch after all these years. Thanks for your help with Canoe to New Orleans.
-Thanks John Urick, I'm glad you took the time to make Canoe to New Orleans successful.
-I was certainly never expecting a donation to come from Afghanistan. Thank you Scott Paddock. Your contribution was indeed helpful.
-To Darwin Anderson, thanks for assisting me on this endeavour.
-A la Tania Liboiron, merci de m'avoir prete ton Therm-a-Rest et d'avoir contribue a la reussite de l'hommage a M'Nonc Mitch. Que Dieu te benisse.
-Thank you Chip Durlacher for helping make Canoe to New Orleans a success.
-I appreciate your help and support Cheryl Home, thank you.
-To Jim and Anne Liboiron, thank you for your contribution.
-Thank you for supporting my endeavour Mark Brozovich.
-Merci Louis Stringer de m'avoir aide a suivre dans les traces de Marquette et Jolliette.
-There were many others who helped me get my uncle to New Orleans. I may have gotten your name, but I won't forget your help and kindness.
-A M'Nonc Mitch, merci d'avoir été qui tu étais.
-I would like to thank Leanne Marin for sharing her wisdom about corporate partnerships.
-Thanks to all my coaches at the Medicine Hat Boxing Club for getting me into shape.
-To Nathalie Delmaire, thanks for encouraging me to pursue this dream.
-Thanks to Healthy Living Alberta for providing me with information about heart disease.
-To Tom Wilde and Patsy Stehr at Badlands Crossfit, thanks for seeing the value in this project and supporting it.
-Hadley J. Castille and his family made an outstanding musical tribute to M'Nonc. Merci. (The tribute is in the "Cajun tribute to my uncle" section of this website.)
-Darcy Dietrich was generous with his time when offering helpful suggestions and answering my many questions, thanks.
-For Judith Brooke, Tracey Knihnitski and Bert Legault - thank you to my proofreaders for their contributions to improving my partnership proposal and my press release. Thank you also to Bert's wife Paulette for her support.
-The Michel family in Eastend (Charlie, Maria and Charlie's mom Rose) were generous with their support and words of encouragement. Thank you all.
-To Kenny Walker, thanks for the encouragement and for seeing the value in this project. Expect a full geological account of the trip.
-Laury Waller of Green Tree Wellness Centres in Medicine Hat deserves thanks for agreeing to partner with Canoe to New Orleans.
-Thanks Enid Luk for buying a St. John's Ambulance First Aid Sport Kit for me.
-It was inspiring to hear Jim MacArthur describe the steps he's taken to take responsibility for the health of his heart. Thanks for sharing your story.
-After I lost my home in 2010, Christine Hoffman offered assistance as a volunteer with disaster relief. Now in 2012, she's been sending my press releases to media outlets and assisting in purchasing equipment for the trip. Many thanks for everything Christine.
-The Hamon-Fafard family of Lumsden, Sk. offered support and encouragement for the project and a big Merci goes out to them.
-To Lynne, Donna and Gerry at Clipper Canoes, thanks for playing such an important part in making this journey a reality.
-The Holeha family of Consul, Sk. got behind this project and supported it on many levels, thanks so much.
-To Ken and Lisa, the official Canoe Keepers, thanks for letting me store my boat at your place.
-Thanks to the Vass family at Saamis Moving & Storage for agreeing to partner with Canoe to New Orleans. Your support is very much appreciated.
-A big Crossfit thanks to my moving crew - "Scarlet", "Tammy", and Jody (we'll find you a crazy-wicked nickname!)
-Carol and the staff at Hirsch Signs deserve a thank you for the excellent work they did turning my partners' logos into stickers to put on my canoe.
-Thank you Royce Pettyjohn for your support and for sharing your keen knowledge of partnership proposals.
-Merci Memere de m'avoir si bien nourrit la semaine avant mon depart, tes "ham sandwiches" font toujours du bien.
-Thanks Dan Reynish for getting the word out about the project and for believing in it.
-Merci Paula Monvoisin d'avoir cru dans le projet et de contribuer a son succes.
-To Gabe "Velocity Boy" Hamon, thanks for shuttling me around southern Saskatchewan before the departure and setting land-speed records in the process.
-Thanks Toos Geisen Stefiuk for your contribution to the success of Canoe to New Orleans.
-Merci Nicole Ursu d'avoir partage les beaux souvenirs de Michel avant mon depart.
-To Denise and Rodney Dokkebakken, thanks for your support and I'll be sure to honour your wishes in regards to mon oncle Robert.
-Merci Danielle Hamon pour le souper magnifique avant mon depart, et j'apprecie ton aide aussi. J'apprecie egalement que tu sois venue me chercher a Glasgow.
-Michel Liboiron, merci pour ton aide avec le projet, ta contribution est certainement digne de mention.
-Thanks Hal Walters for believing in Canoe to New Orleans and for your kind words about M'Nonc.
-Merci Mme Allard pour votre appuis et votre encouragement.
-A Jean, Denis & Colette Hamon, merci a vous trois pour votre aide.
-Pour Annette et Gerry Breton, je vous remercie pour votre contribution.
-Merci a Chantal et Marielle Hamon pour votre aide et votre support.
-A Aime et Annette Bouvier, je vous remercie pour votre aide et encouragement.
-Thank you to Keith Brown for getting behind this project and supporting it wholeheartedly.
-Thank you to Dave and Vivianne Tindal who played a role in Canoe to New Orleans' success.
-Thanks Shirley Bond for the role you played in the project's success.
-To Dawn Redmond, thank you for helping me reach my goals.
-Greg Dermody helped Canoe to New Orleans and that's appreciated.
-To the Rorvik Family, we had a great time hanging out with you guys. And thanks for the monster cookies you left us.
-The Hays and Walkers of Val Marie helped with the logistics of the project and invited me into their homes, thank you.
-To Dr. Craig of Poplar, Montana. You're doing great work for the community. Thanks for helping me.
-Todd and Amy Aune gave me a place to store my canoe while I was in Glasgow, Montana. Thanks much for all your help.
-To Nick Gessell, I can't thank you enough for all the work you put into getting me back to my boat. All the best.
-A Anne Marchildon-Wong, comme dirait M'Nonc, "Merci ma p'tite crotte."
-Thanks Sandy for letting me dock for a couple days at the Southport Marina in Bismarck.
-To Bill Butcher and Rick Robinson, thanks for meeting Chantal and I at Fort Rice and for giving her a ride back to Bismarck. You were logistical god-sends.
-Thanks to Bob Klein for showing me around Mobridge, South Dakota and for helping me get groceries.
-To the Marshall family of Fort Pierre, I sure appreciate your help portaging my gear.
-Patrick Wellner deserves a thank you for helping me move my outfit around Oahe Dam.
-Thanks to Calla LaPlante Morton for introducing me to your family and for the care package.
-Thanks Shelley at Charlie's Marina for your kindness and the use of your car.
-Thank you for the conversation Ken and Lynn Larsen and for helping me get back on the water below Oahe Dam.
-Thanks to John and Laurette Walker for being a part of Canoe to New Orleans' success.
-Thanks again Percy for your help with the portage over Big Bend Dam.
-Thank you John Corey for helping me move my outfit over Fort Randall Dam.
-Neil and Tracy Haxton get a much appreciated thank you for helping me portage over Gavins Point Dam.
-Thanks to Troy Young for giving me an indoor place to stay during the worst windstorm of the trip to date. (early Oct.)
-For their kindness and assistance, thank you to Matt and Judy Connealy of Decatur, Nebraska.
-To the Chris and Ann Ekholm and Kathy Farrell of Omaha, I enjoyed spending time with you and thanks for all your help.
-To Norm Miller, thanks for the box of food. Equal thanks to Robin Kalthoff for storing it.
-It was great meeting you, Jody and Pam Maybee. Thanks again for your hospitality.
-Thanks to Janet Sullens Moreland and Naked Dave for the meal at Cooper's Landing.
-And speaking of Cooper's Landing, thanks to Mike Cooper for your help and kindness.
-To Anna Cash, thanks for the ride to the store. The new coat is plenty warm.
-A shout-out for Chris and Darren for the water and supplies.
-Thanks to Dave Hanley of the Plattin Rock Boat Club in Crystal City, Missouri. You made my trip easier.
-Merci a Roberta Dubois pour l'assistance avec ce voyage.
-Thanks to Matt McHugh for his contribution to Canoe to New Orleans' success.
-Thanks to the Bequette family of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri for your help with Canoe to New Orleans.
-Dolores Bailiff deserves a thank you for giving this bearded stranger a ride to the grocery store in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
-To Jeremy Odell of the Lady Luck Casino, thanks for the hospitality. There will be an NHL season after all.
-It was a pleasure to meet you, Bob and Jo Chamberlin. Thanks for letting me use your laptop.
-Thank you to Dale and Mariam Sanders for their kindness, hospitality and assistance.
-A Jocelyn Baillargeon, un gros merci pour ta contribution, c'est un geste que j'apprecie.
-To Charlie Hurston and Jeffrey, thanks guys for your help with the horse trailer portage. It was a big help.
-Thanks for the coverage Kyle Peveto and I appreciate your help moving my gear back to the Mississippi River.
-To Doak Wittigney, the use of your cell phone was a huge assistance to me. Thanks so much.
-The food and drinks you gave me were great. Thanks to the captain and crew of Assault.
-It was a pleasure to meet the CBS crew who filmed the feature for On the Road. Thanks to Steve, Miles and Bob for your professionalism.
-To Darrin Hicks, thanks for your generosity. I won't forget it.
-Thanks to Glen Bzdel, your story about travelling was very interesting. Now it's my turn to help someone who dreams of travelling. Your contribution was very generous.
-Merci d'avoir pense a moi, Joselle Stringer. J'ai fait comme tu as suggere et j'ai mange de la bonne nourriture cajun quand j'etais a la Nouvelle-Orleans.
-To Val Pobjoy, I'm glad we're still in touch after all these years. Thanks for your help with Canoe to New Orleans.
-Thanks John Urick, I'm glad you took the time to make Canoe to New Orleans successful.
-I was certainly never expecting a donation to come from Afghanistan. Thank you Scott Paddock. Your contribution was indeed helpful.
-To Darwin Anderson, thanks for assisting me on this endeavour.
-A la Tania Liboiron, merci de m'avoir prete ton Therm-a-Rest et d'avoir contribue a la reussite de l'hommage a M'Nonc Mitch. Que Dieu te benisse.
-Thank you Chip Durlacher for helping make Canoe to New Orleans a success.
-I appreciate your help and support Cheryl Home, thank you.
-To Jim and Anne Liboiron, thank you for your contribution.
-Thank you for supporting my endeavour Mark Brozovich.
-Merci Louis Stringer de m'avoir aide a suivre dans les traces de Marquette et Jolliette.
-There were many others who helped me get my uncle to New Orleans. I may have gotten your name, but I won't forget your help and kindness.
-A M'Nonc Mitch, merci d'avoir été qui tu étais.