MF 104 Whitewater Raft Guides Project / Ian Cameron Collection

Northeast Archives of Folklore and Oral History: MF 104 Whitewater Raft Guides Project/ Ian Cameron Collection

Number of accessions: 4
Dates when interviews were conducted: 1986
Time period covered: 1970s and 80s
Principal interviewers: Ian H. Cameron
Finding aides: transcripts
Access restrictions: none
Description: This collection consists of a series of interviews with whitewater rafting guides conducted by Ian H. Cameron in 1986 as part of an independent study class at the University of Maine. The guides interviewed worked on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. Supplementary manuscript materials such as newspaper clippings and maps are also included.

NA1933 Gary Michaud, interviewed by Ian Cameron, February 9 and April 14, 1986, Orono, Maine. Michaud talks about his experiences as a whitewater raft guide on the West Branch of the Penobscot River; how he discovered whitewater rafting; guide training; the worse incidents he saw on the water; explaining whitewater rafting to guests; getting guests through the first set of rapids; the responsibility of guiding; the craziest things he has done and seen; running the Crib; his feelings about corporations damming the river further; showing people the value of the river; Rootie Kazootie and Pamola, rafting myths; and his tale of terror. Text: 36 pp. transcript, Cameron’s background information, glossary, pamphlet, newspaper, song lyrics, and map. Recording: C 0422, C 0426.2 1.2 hours. Photos: P06356.

NA1934 Joy Neilly, interviewed by Ian Cameron, February 29 and April 29, 1986, Orono, Maine. Neilly talks about her experiences as a whitewater raft guide on the West Branch of the Penobscot River; how she got involved in rafting; the licensing test; her first run guiding the Ripogenus Gorge; apprehension and responsibility; the joy of sharing the river with guests; flipping a raft; falling off the raft; Rootie Kazootie, the river imp; proposed Big A dam; speaking against the dam at a hearing and her feelings on the proposed dam; working in a male-dominated environment; and Wayne Hockmeyer. Text: 35 pp. transcript. Recording: C 0423 – C 0424 1.25 hours. Photos: P06357.

NA1935 Fred Martel, interviewed by Ian Cameron, March 5 and April 24, 1986, Orono, Maine. Martel discusses his experiences as a whitewater rafting guide on the West Branch of the Penobscot River; his first whitewater experience; guide training; learning to read rivers; dealing with a “screamer”; various rapids, particularly the Crib; his feelings on the proposed Big A dam; fear and adrenaline; his wildest experience while guiding; dealing with his responsibilities as a guide; guiding stories; entertaining guests; the lifestyle of a guide; and respect for the river drivers. Text: 35 pp. transcript. Recording: C 0425 – C 0426.1 1.2 hours. Photograph: P06355.

NA1936 Vicky Akins, interviewed by Ian Cameron, February 21 and April 29, 1986, Indian Island, Maine. Aiken talks about her experiences as a whitewater rafting guide on the West Branch of the Penobscot River; how she got involved in raft guiding; safety concerns in high water; apprehension about the upcoming season; going through a rapid out of the raft; her favorite rapid; dealing with frightened guests; rafting injuries; a dead moose in the river; Wayne Hockmeyer; John Connally, her boss; her perspective as a native Penobscot; spiritual connections to the land; her thoughts on the proposed Big A dam and environmental destruction; working as a woman in a male-dominated field; and explanation of her photo. Text: 39 pp. transcript. Recording: C 0427 – C 0428 1.25 hours. Photo: P06358.