​NOBODY WAVED GOODBYE

THE BOYS OF THE SUMMER SEASON/SHIPWRECK SUMMER

​Summary:

"On the Mackenzie River watershed, the summer freighting season of
1956 opened with high hopes and great expectations. The Cold War was
driving tensions and worries about World War III. Freight traffic was
up significantly in the north, chasing significant developments in
uranium mining, and defense contracting. The Americans were
constructing Distant Early Warning (DEW Line) sites across the top of
the continent and watching the Russians across the polar sea.

At northern ports, three new ships were launched that spring, another
was re-built and re-floated, and yet another's fabrication was almost
complete. Tugs and barge transport hurried along the rivers of
Canada's northland, delivering unprecedented volumes of building
supplies, groceries, mining and defense equipment, vehicles, and tools
to destinations in Canada's northwest, especially north from Fort
McMurray,

On the dark night of August 26th, 1956, Northern Transportation
Company's 30-ton tug the MV Clearwater faced a deadly, unexpected Lake
Athabasca storm. The small vessel was on its way to deliver lumber and
supplies to the new uranium mines on the north shore of the one of the
largest lakes in Canada.

During the voyage, gale-force winds pushed treacherous, crashing waves
westward, smashing the small vessel to a standstill while its crew of
eight, some just teenagers, held their breath, prayed and waited to
learn their fate.

Less than two months later, Yellowknife Transportation Company’s tug,
the MV Sandy Jane faced a terrible storm on Great Slave Lake, as it
struggled through blowing snow and freezing rain to deliver one last
load of winter fuel to Yellowknife. For those on board who had not
faced the storms of war, it was the most terrifying night of their
lives, looking into the darkness as they settled lower and lower into
the deepest lake in North America.

Meanwhile, for the first time in their young lives, two other
teenagers boarded tugboats in the wilderness of northern Canada and
took to northern waters. They too would learn what vast northern lakes
and long rivers to the Arctic had in store for them.

All the young men became men of the north. They each sailed to their
destiny in the summer of '56."

In October, I had the pleasure of attending a fundraising gala for the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario. It is a wonderful place and in early October, a stunning vision of fall colours and the sparkling waters of the Trent-Severn Canal. I was impressed with the preservation and presentation of local and national history there. I am proud to say their bookstore carries Blue Sky, Red Canoe.

​I am very pleased that Blue Sky, Red Canoe is now available right downtown in Edmonton, at the Edmonton Arts Council Shop on Sir Winston Churchill Square. 9930 - 102 Ave NW.

I am pleased that "Blue Sky, Red Canoe" is still selling. The book continues to resonate with people, which is so gratifying, especially in a project like Blue Sky which is very personal, and close to my heart. 

Here are two recent reviews:
"I am so moved by your writing Neil! I picked this up about an hour ago and am really enjoying it. Thankyou for being so candid and vulnerable. This book’s a keeper!
- Sandra s.

"I have just closed Blue Sky, Red Canoe having read it, cover to cover.

What a gift to share with readers, what a window into your soul.  I hope that whatever regrets you reference are far outweighed by the wonder and adventure, the love of life that glimmers through these pages.  There are soft references to times past, to loneliness and love lost.  Your journey is not over, there are still more paddles to come and much to look forward to.

Thank you for sharing this memoir with me."
-D.T.

A reminder that the first printing of A Métis Man's Dream; From Traplines to Tugboats in Canada's North has just about sold out. A few copies remain in selected book stores, particularly Audreys downtown. Check your local book stores. I have 2 or 3 on hand too.

This review is just in from a beta reader of my new book, tentatively named Tales From the Wheelhouse: "Neil, this is absolutely terrific! Love the way you write. It is as though you were right there witnessing it all as it passed by. This history is so important to preserve. Something I have always admired in the Americans. And we have remarkable adventurers in our past too but no one has seemed to have the initiative to take it up". 

Dear Readers: All my stock of A Métis Man's Dream, From Traplines to Tugboats in Canada's North is now sold.  Thank you for joining in our journey to tell this quintessentially Canadian story of Gordon Gill and the making of our north country. We have sold in the neighbourhood of 1300 copies, making it a clear Canadian best-seller in the self-published realm. However, we don't intend to publish further copies of the glossy, deluxe, colour edition of the book at this time.

Retailers shown in my website  www.NeilGower.ca  likely still have copies of A Métis Man's Dream for sale but I suggest you hurry if you want a copy!

A non-glossy, black and white edition of the book will still be available through the on-line suppliers listed on the website, including Amazon, FriesenPress, and Audible (audiobook). 

I am so grateful to those who have bought the book, in whatever form, and to those retailers, shop owners, museums, and others who have so graciously agreed to carry A Métis Man's Dream.  Many, many thanks.

My second book, Blue Sky Red Canoe, is now out for sale.  It is a memoir of exploring the history and geography of Alberta, and the intersection of Indigenous people and white pioneer settlers primarily in the country dissected by the Red Deer River. I am very proud of this much more personal and poetic work.

My third book is coming along, too, and follows A Métis Man's Dream in exploring in depth stories of northern marine transport history.  More on this project in due course!

Thank you for all your support.

Yesterday I learned that I had been awarded a 2025 Rotary Integrity Award, along with a Paul Harris Fellowship and a donation to the charity of my choice.

I gather this is a pretty big deal in the Rotary world, recognizing "Core values of Service, Diversity, Leadership, Fellowship and Integrity".

I am humbled and very grateful to my friend John Yamamoto of the Edmonton Downtown Rotary Club for nominating me.  

Many thanks John and to the many friends and organizations with whom I have worked over the last almost half a century, thank you for knowledge gained, friends made, and opportunities to help realized!

Serving a large range of not-for-profits and government agencies over my lifetime has been a pleasure and a profound influence on my life and my family.  Thank you to my father Donald A. Gower for his example and courage.

1. I was chatting with Gordon last week. He mentioned he had a call from former chief James Ross from Fort MacPherson, NWT. Ross apparently purchased the audio version of A Metis Man's Dream; From Traplines to Tugboats in Canada's North from Audible and plays it in his truck, over and over, as he makes the 4-hour drive to Inuvik or off into the wilderness toward Dawson City. I guess he likes the story.

2. I have started on more in depth stories of the history of northern marine transportation, which so far includes Captain John Mattson's story, some history on the 1956 boat sinkings in Lakes Athabasca and Great Slave Lake, including some information on Captain Cecil H. (Cec) Kirkland and the sinking of the YT Sandy Jane, a northern memory of Captain Ken Simpson and a brief introduction to the Camsells.  What is amazing about all these reports is the sense of the north being a small world, and a place of deep connections. Initial readers are not sure who the stars of my little stories are. Some know the heroes are the captains, some the ships, and others know it is the north itself. You can decide for yourself in due course.

Of course, if any of you have stories, photos, or connections that you would like to share or explore with me, please get in touch.