At Corner Rapids, on the Churchill River, in Saskatchewan’s far north, there is a plaque that reads:
To the memory of Naomi Heffler,
who never missed a chance to surf here.
“Naomi’s Wave” Thank God!
There is always a Land of Beyond,
For us who are true to the trail,
A vision to seek, a beckoning peak,
A fairness that will never fail."
…...The Land of Beyond, Robert Service
I first saw this plaque in 2008, and became intrigued with the story of Naomi Heffler.
Naomi Grace Heffler was a vibrant, energetic, passionate young woman, who passed away in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, Canada on Monday, January 20, 2003, at the age of 25 years. She was lost in a tragic avalanche, pursuing on of her many passions, skiing.
Naomi Grace Heffler was a vibrant, energetic, passionate young woman, who passed away in the Selkirk Mountains of British Columbia, Canada on Monday, January 20, 2003, at the age of 25 years. She was lost in a tragic avalanche, pursuing on of her many passions, skiing.
During Naomi's short life, she excelled at everything she attempted. She was on the University of Calgary swim team; coached competitive swimming; and played and taught the piano.
Naomi was passionate about the outdoors. She was an accomplished paddler in both the canoe and the kayak, and an expert back country skier. She spent many summers guiding and instructing at Churchill River Canoe Outfitters in Missinipe, Saskatchewan, Nahanni Wilderness Adventures, and was also a canoe and kayak instructor with Rocky Mountain Paddling Centre.
"She will be remembered for her ever-present smile, her attention to detail, and her love of life. Every day was a good day to go paddling for her."...... Ric Driediger, Churchill River Canoe Outfitters
Naomi has been dearly missed by her beloved family and her many friends, but her legacy lives on through her accomplishments and the many memories she has left behind with all who knew her.
Forest House is set on the shore of a pristine lake in the McLennan Lake area of northern Saskatchewan, Canada about 150 km north of Lac la Ronge. Forest House was carefully constructed to have minimal impact on the delicate Boreal Forest Eco-system. The main lodge, two cabins, and spectacular organic garden took thirty years to come to fruition. Original builders, Deb Peters and Rick Kolstad lovingly crafted their vision using lumber harvested from the local forest, banks of solar collectors to generate power, and a self-composting septic system. Every single detail of Forest House's construction, from location, to materials, to the self-sustaining garden was meticulously planned to create a harmony between technology and the natural beauty of the Boreal forest.
During the summer of 2015, a rash of wildfires swept across northern Saskatchewan, causing mass evacuations, the loss of many cabins and homes, displacing wildlife, and devastating the forests of the north.
The fires of 2015 did not ignore Forest House. A massive fire storm swept towards the tiny, unnamed lake, threatening the lodge, its two cabins, and outlying buildings. The only chance to save Forest House was to set up and man a sprinkler system, keeping pumps fueled, in an effort to make everything as wet as possible. Staff members from Churchill River Canoe Outfitters (owners of Forest House), braved the smoke, ash, heat and flames, to stop the progress of the blaze within mere feet of the complex. What an amazing undertaking!
Velda and I have a friend named Sherry Duncan Paterson, a gentle, warm, kind-hearted lady, who has endured so much in her life. 2012 was the twentieth anniversary of Sherry's double lung and heart transplant. In August of that year, we returned to Forest House, with Sherry and her husband, Bob, our gift to her to celebrate this wonderful occasion, and to thank her for her inspiration and friendship.
The forest floor was bursting with new growth, this time countless clusters of mushrooms of all shapes and sizes. As I was crawling around on my belly, taking pictures of the new residents in this magical place, I was deeply thankful.
That red canoe was still waiting on the shoreline, taking my thoughts, once again to Naomi. She would have loved it there in August and she would have loved to meet Sherry Duncan Paterson. Over the next few days, we explored the trails around the lodge, and ate gourmet meals with ingredients from the forest such as chickweed, dandelions, and cattails, as well as fresh produce from the abundant garden.
Upon returning to Missinipe after our trip, I sat in the Churchill River Canoe Outfitters office, chatting to Ric Driediger about our trip. Somehow, the conversation turned to the possibility of doing some recording at Forest House. Back then, it was just a passing thought. Little did I know.
Thoughts of Naomi entered my mind. I don’t think she had ever been to Forest House, but I know she would have loved it there. I then took the photo of the red canoe, entitled, “Waiting for Naomi”.
Sue Leonard and I met through social media in 2011 and immediately became friends.
Sue is an amazing musician. The moment I first heard her sing, I was taken with her sultry, sensitive, deeply-moving vocal style. She is also a brilliant song writer, with an uncanny ability to find the perfect words to paint vivid musical tapestries.
Above all, Sue is a genuine, caring, and sincere person. She has toured the world with k.d. lang, sung with Bon Jovi, and performed with Bruce Willis, as well as working with countless other gifted artists, reason enough to have a giant ego. Not Sue Leonard, who is one of the most humble, centered musicians I know.
In 2012, I posted pictures of my most recent trip to Forest House trip on my website.
Coincidentally, upon viewing my pictures, Sue messaged me, saying that it was the perfect setting for a musical collaboration. I relayed this to Ric. Ric agreed, and the initial seed The Naomi Project was planted.
Forest House can only be reached by canoe, involving five portages, or by float plane. However, the lake is so small that it is necessary to land on Hutchings Lake, one portage away. All gear and supplies must then be carried in on foot or transported by canoe to the lodge, which is situated half way down the lake. Power is generated via solar panels.
Thus, there were many logistical considerations. Studio equipment would have to be as compact and light as possible, and transported in sturdy, waterproof, floating cases, which were heavy, but completely necessary. Recording component power load was also a huge factor.
Sue and I decided, for efficiency's sake, to create five or six "scratch" tracks in advance, as our instrumentation would be limited to a small, 61 note keyboard. This process began in January of 2013.
The months leading up to the trip also saw me facing some unexpected hurdles, including a cancer scare during the winter months, and a heart attack, eight weeks previous to our excursion. My cardiologist strongly recommended that I cancel, but I was determined. Soon after leaving hospital, I began walking daily, starting with just going around the block, culminating in the ability to manage 6-10 km a day. I was ready!
Sue and I met in person on August 25, 2013, when she arrived in Saskatoon. The next day, we had plenty of time to become acquainted, on the 500 km drive to Missinipe, home of Churchill River Canoe Outfitters. There, we were met by owners, Rick and Theresa Driediger, and soon, we were on a float plane, headed to Forest House.
Following, were five fantastic days!
So here it is…... “Naomi’s Wave”
dedicated to the memory of a young lady Sue and I never knew, but who inspired us to undertake this journey in her name.
Why?......
Because we so admire her, her enthusiasm, her oneness with mother nature, and her strength.
The spirit of Naomi is universal, living in all women everywhere.
This is our attempt to celebrate it and her.
I am Mother Nature's daughter, deep within this world,
I leave my troubles and all my cares behind.
This place I call my home, where rushing waters hold me dear,
Suspends me here in time. I am the water, I am the sky.
I am the earth below,
Where Mother Nature smiles. In the stillness, I can hear my thoughts clearly,
While this gentle water, it holds me tenderly,
This wave and I are partners, in a dance we hold each other,
One life, one soul together, endlessly.
I am the water, I am the sky.
I am the earth below,
I'm Mother Nature's smile.
The silence that surrounds me here, it sings so loud, it sounds so clear,
For all who came before me here. I am the breath,
I am the light, I am the stars that bathe your soul,
On this magic night. I am the water, I am the sky.
I am the earth below,
Hear Mother Nature's smile.
I am the water, I am the sky,
I am the earth below, I'm Mother Nature's child.
I am the water, I am the sky, I am the earth below,
I'm Mother Nature's smile.