Red Rock Townships seeks applications from local artisans for upcoming international cruise call port

By Rick Garrick

RED ROCK — Red Rock Township is calling for applications from local artisans and creators to set up tables with their products on the community’s boardwalk for passengers from a cruise ship from France on Sept. 17.

“In partnership with Superior Country, the Township of Red Rock is looking for local artisans in the Nipigon, Red Rock, Lake Helen, Dorion, and Hurkett area to feature locally produced wares and even baked goods for sampling that the cruise ship passengers can try while they’re in Red Rock for the afternoon on Sept. 17,” says Ashley Davis, community development officer at the Township of Red Rock. “They’ll be in Red Rock from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and we’re hoping to have [the vendors] set up from about 2-2:30 til about 8 p.m. The cruise ship will be tendering right into the marina and most of the activities they have are down at the waterfront.”

Davis says the passengers will also have the opportunity to do zodiac trips up the Nipigon River and guided trips on the Nipigon River Recreation Trail.

“We’re doing an application process so people can sign up with their name, business name, contact information, and a description of the type of products they’ll be looking to provide,” Davis says. “Because space is limited, they have until Aug. 23 to submit their application form or expression of interest.”

Suzanne Kukko, Lake Superior North Shore tourism coordinator at Superior Country, says the Ponant cruise line will be doing two visits to the area with the Le Champlain cruise ship from Sept. 4-14 and Sept. 14-24.

“The first visit is going to be about 48 to 50 people and the next visit will be between 75 and 80 people,” Kukko says. “They’re going to be stopping off in Red Rock, in Terrace Bay, Rossport and Silver Islet as well.”

Kukko says a group of Elders from the Red Rock Indian Band and possibly a boys drumming group will be helping to greet the passengers from the Le Champlain cruise ship on Sept. 11 in the Township of Red Rock.

“We have some ladies, too, that are doing some singing and some drumming, both from Red Rock Indian Band,” Kukko says.

Kukko adds that another cruise ship from Viking Cruises will be visiting the area on Sept. 12, the third visit by them this year.

“We have hired folks from Pays Plat as well as from Red Rock Indian Band in the past … to do some interpretation on Battle Island for Viking Cruises ships,” Kukko says, noting that former Pays Plat Chief and Councillor Raymond Goodchild did the interpretation on Battle Island last year and will be doing it again on Sept. 12. “He was incredible, the guests loved him and he couldn’t wait to come back, so it was a great experience.”

Goodchild says it was exciting to deliver the interpretation on Battle Island.

“It was good to talk about the history — I enjoyed it,” Goodchild says. “I sang some songs, talked about the stories about our community and how some of the places got names, like the Steamboat Channel.”

Goodchild says the passengers enjoyed their experience during the interpretation.

“On Sept. 12, I’ll be out there sharing my stories with them again,” Goodchild says. “Usually what I do is I’ll have a Sacred Fire, I do a Pipe Ceremony, talk about the pipe with the first tourists that come in from the zodiac boats. I talk about the Seven Teachings with them and then I start sharing some of the stories about Pays Plat and how we gave them some names like Steamboat Channel.”

Goodchild says he also talks about the water in Lake Superior.

“We’ve got to keep Lake Superior clean and take care of it,” Goodchild says.

Those interested in being vendors can contact Davis at: cdo@redrocktownship.com or 807-886-2235.