
Paddle across the legendary waters of Lake Superior to camp on wilderness sand beaches. Explore issues of sovereignty, indigenous rights, and relations to land and water as we learn about local fisheries, logging practices, and the pursuit of “the good life” way up north.
15-18
Closed
Tuition is all inclusive aside from airfare and insurance fees.
Paddle your way to wilderness sand beaches, harvest wild foods and listen to stories of the Great Gitchigami under a blanket of dazzling stars.
In an endless sea of azure fresh water, verdant islands emerge outlined by white sandy beaches, mysterious caves, and the chaotic forest canopies. This astounding landscape of natural beauty and abundance is the spiritual hub of the Anishinaabe Nation and today is populated by a diverse community of farmers, loggers, fisherfolk, and artisans all pursuing “the good life” through myriad relationships to the land and water.
In an endless sea of azure fresh water, verdant islands emerge outlined by white sandy beaches, mysterious caves, and the chaotic forest canopies. This astounding landscape of natural beauty and abundance is the spiritual hub of the Anishinaabe Nation and today is populated by a diverse community of farmers, loggers, fisherfolk, and artisans all pursuing “the good life” through myriad relationships to the land and water.
Our journey begins deep in the woods on a historic farmstead situated along the south shore at the northern-most point of Wisconsin, on what is now known as the Bayfield Peninsula. The land here is renowned for its pristine environment, rugged waters, extensive wilderness, and abundant orchards and gardens. The local Ojibwe people, “People of the Big Water” or ‘gi-chi-b-waa-tig’ remain at the hub of this historical, spiritual and cultural crossroads highly significant for the past 1,500 years but which extends back more than 4,000 years. Potter’s farm, where we’ll spend our first nights together, is a retreat space dedicated to cultivating consciousness, connection and social change through a deeper relationship to the land. Housed together in a century-old farmhouse, our group will begin forging a unique bond that will serve as the foundation for the adventures to come.
From our wooded sanctuary we head to the shores of Lake Superior to establish a base-camp allowing us to pursue experimentation with the traditional ways of working with plants and animals. Alongside local mentors, we’ll pursue wilderness skills such as fire-making, shelter-building, animal tracking, working with birch bark and more. We’ll also delve into Ojibwe Language and begin learning the original names given to the plants and land around us. Each day we swim in the cold waters of the lake, and hike extensively through hardwood forests exploring rivers and waterfalls. This is also the time when the annual Red Cliff Pow Wow takes place and we’ll look to participate in the festivities and honoring of the Earth, Water and culture of the Ojibwe People.
Our next chapter takes us to the many farms that dot the landscape along the South Shore of Lake Superior. We’ll spend a few days at The Draw Permaculture Sanctuary learning about the core principles and practices of permaculture, and sharing in the summer agricultural cycles. We also take day-trips to surrounding dairies, orchards, fisheries and logging operations. As we explore, we invite conversations on land stewardship and natural resource conservation and harvesting.
Finally, we take to the water, working with local kayak guides we embark on a five-day expedition into the wilderness of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Each day, we’ll paddle several hours, landing on sandy beaches to make camp and prepare meals. Our destination is the journey itself, hopping from island to island and exploring the incredible beauty of this remote landscape. Lake Superior, the Great Gitchigami, is a temperamental force, lulling us to sleep on a sandy beach, only to be awoken by the ominous approach of rolling thunder. Five days at sea feels like a lifetime, and even as we return to land, we find ourselves with the sensation of rocking 0n waves as we drift to sleep each night.
We return to the familiarity of Potter’s farm for our last few nights together, grounding our experience, and authoring our narrative of our journey in this place. As we witness each other, and feel the abundance of the South Shore, we say our goodbyes and wrap up our program together under the warm, starry nights of the great Northwoods.
Click on the gallery below to browse photos, videos and quotes from our participants and instructors.
Introduction to Ojibwe spiritual beliefs and practices through teachings with local elders and Tribal members. Exploration of local earth-based spiritual beliefs and nature practices.
5-day kayak excursion into Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Group camping on Lake Superior in a private site. Multiple day-hikes and excursions.
Fresh water fisheries and water quality management, forestry and logging practices, agricultural impacts, indigenous sovereignty and land management practices
This program seeks to immerse students in the forests, farms, and rural communities of Lake Superior's South Shore. We seek to support local projects that practices eco-tourism, low-impact travel, and community-based models for lodging and activities.
Indigenous sovereignty, social and environmental justice, alternative lifestyles, food systems, conservation, artistic traditions.
Farm-stay with a local sheep dairy farmer and cheesemaker, farm-stay on a permaculture and education center and family homestead.
ISPs facilitated through the program. Students may focus on a hands-on project such as carving, weaving, drum-making, basket weaving, or medicinal plants, mineralogy, soils, wildlife identification and others.
Introduction to Ojibwe Language, story telling, songs, and basic vocabulary learning.
Service projects in cooperation with the Red Cliff and Bad River Tribal Farms, potential service work at The Draw Permaculture Center.