Board Members
Curtis Gagnon, President
Grand Portage (218) 475-2486 cgagnon@boreal.org
I graduated from Cook County High School in 1968 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force that same year. Since then I have lived in Grand Portage making a living doing whatever was available that provided an income. My career has included everything from commercial fishing, logging, forestry technician, wildland firefighter, carpenter, running and operating a business to working for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, first as a Park Naturalist and eventually as State Park Manager at Grand Portage State Park. I have gained a lot of experience in the natural resource world. Most recently and for the last eight years, I have worked for the Grand Portage Band as their Trust Lands Administrator. This position puts me in charge of all natural resource, environmental, recreation, and conservation enforcement activities on the Grand Portage Reservation.
I have a lifelong connection to the Arrowhead region of Minnesota, having lived here all my life, except for time in military service. I am a member of the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa and our people have occupied this area for a long time. The Arrowhead Region includes the 1854 Ceded Territory. This is the area that was ceded to the United States government by the Lake Superior Chippewa in 1854.
During the last few years, I have observed various entities, governmental and private as well as environmental groups, moving in and claiming land and territory as their own with too little concern for the local peoples’ right to use the land, including the aforementioned treaty rights.
There was a need for a group to be formed to represent the local peoples’ rights and concerns. A coalition of people who like to use the land, but seemingly had no voice. A group of people was needed to be the eyes and ears of the Arrowhead Region, as well as the voice. There are many outdoor activities that we all enjoy—both for recreation and economic reasons. The Arrowhead Coalition for Multiple Use will be here to ensure that nothing will go unnoticed and we will speak and fight for the rights and activities we have always enjoyed. That is why I continue to serve on the ACMU board.
Frank Rabold, Vice-President
Grand Marais (218) 387-2412 raboldclan@boreal.org
I worked a variety of jobs before becoming a lineman for the Grand Marais Public Utility Commission, including construction and sailing on an ore carrier. I am a member of the graduating class of 1957 of Cook County High School. My wife, Elaine, and I have two daughters, Kelly and Kim and a grandson, Connor.
I enjoy fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, golf, and everything else.
I joined ACMU because I care about the environment. I’m an environmentalist—there is difference between an environmentalist and a preservationist. A preservationist doesn’t want to use the land at all. My belief, as an environmentalist is that you use the land—but you take care of it.
LeRoy Pratt
Grand Marais (218) 387-1354 l_c_pratt@msn.com
I am a 30 year resident of Cook County. I have an A.A. degree from the University of MN and in Civil Engineering Technology from St. Paul TVI. I retired with 30 years from U.S. Forest Service.
I am concerned with the decline in forest health, the anti-logging attitudes, and the land grabs by the extremist environmentalists. I would like to help create a friendly, informed atmosphere where all sides can come together in rational, common sense discussion about the future of our forests.
Annie Hess, Secretary
Grand Marais (218) 387-1342 anniebink@centurytel.net
I was born and raised on Good Harbor Hill in Grand Marais with my three brothers. I graduated from Cook County High School in 1973. I married my husband, David “Bink” Hess, another lifelong Cook County resident in 1975. We have four children and seven grandchildren—all who live in the Arrowhead region. I have worked as a waitress, bartender, cook, and painter. I spend most of my time at our family cabin on McFarland Lake in Hovland. I fish, pontoon, hike, ride my ATV, but most of our free time is spent working on the cabin or entertaining our friends and neighbors.
I joined ACMU because I believe there is room in Cook County for both motorized and non-motorized activities. I personally like both quiet AND noisy sports. I like to canoe just as much as I like to ride on the pontoon boat. I like to hike just as much as I like to ride my ATV.
I also think that we, as citizens of Cook County should know what is going on in our county, so a non-motorized land designation doesn’t occur again, like it did on the Vegetable Lake Chain, without us knowing about it.
Ronald “Carbine” Carlson
Hovland (218) 475-9913 galec@boreal.org
I was born three miles east of Grand Marais in Croftville. I grew up on the Grand Portage Indian Reservation, attending the Log School House there up until 8th grade. I then went to Cook County High School and graduated in 1959. I spent two years in the US Army.I worked for the US Forest Service for 37 years, retiring in 1994. While working there I took a six years home course in Civil Engineering. I also spent 20 years Commercial Fishing in Alaska in the summer, fishing for Salmon and Herring. At one time I also had a Commercial Fishing license for Minnesota.
My wife, Gale, who is a Grand Portage Band member, and I have two daughters, a son, and five grandchildren.
I love the outdoors and do motorized and non-motorized activities all year round. I joined ACMU because our land should be for everyone, and not put away so only a few—or no one can use it.