Arrowhead ACMU

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.

Grand Marais (218) 387-9844 loonybin1314@msn.com

 I lived in the city of Indianapolis until I was 12 years old, so I have always appreciated the lakes and the forests of the Arrowhead region. I graduated from Cook County High School in 1974 and joined the US Army serving for almost 22 years. I was stationed in Washington state, Germany, Colorado, Korea, California, and Virginia—when I lived in big cities, I always wished I was back on the North Shore.

I agreed to serve on the Arrowhead Coalition of Multiple Use because I want to see our natural resources protected—but not closed off. The Superior National Forest and state lands that surround our community are big enough to allow all users.

I enjoy hunting with my two sons—with rifle and bow—and I plan to share that sport with my grandchildren.  I enjoy fishing from canoe and motorboat. I am an avid ATVer and snowmobiler and I will do what I can to help create safe and reasonable routes. But I’m not “just a motorhead.” I like snowshoeing and I like hiking—one of my favorite hiking routes is the Border Route, which is sadly overgrown. We need to work together on projects like that, keeping trails open, rather than spending time in courts fighting over forest plans.

I want my four grandchildren to have the same freedom to enjoy our public lands as I have had. 

Grand Marias  (218)-387-1183

I was born in the Chicago, Illinois area. I spent my summers working at a resort in northern Wisconsin. There I learned to enjoy the out of doors and value the experience of wilderness living. This led to an education focusing on botany and forestry that became the foundation of my business career and life. After completing my education, I spent the next 35 years in the building products industry primarily involved in the manufacturing and distribution of wood based products such as windows, doors, siding, paneling and nursery products.

Although Phyllis and I lived in numerous locations across the country during my business career, our vacation time was primarily spent in Cook County where we developed an appreciation for the quality of life and many recreational opportunities that this area has to offer. As a result, when retirement approached, we made the decision to locate in Cook County, where we currently reside as year around residents.

After retirement, I became involved in numerous volunteer activities in the county such as: the Maple Hill Community Fire Department, Cook County Snowmobile Club, the Cook County Firewise program, ATV Club and ACMU. In addition, we became volunteers and supporters of the several special events within the county such as: Beargrease, Mush for a Cure, Ham Run, and Fisherman's Picnic. These activities were combined with my leisure time spent biking, sailing, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling. I currently serve on the Cook County Firewise, Sprinkler and Wildfire Planning Committee, the Maple Hill Firefighter's Relief Association Board. I am a past board member of the Cook County Snowmobile Club.

During early involvement in these activities, I became aware of a gradual shift in the availability of our natural resources for multi-use recreation. This shift became apparent as more and more restrictions were being applied, in many cases without common knowledge, to the use of the natural resources that we, Cook County residents, so highly value. As a result of this concern, which was also expressed by a number of local residents, I became involved in the establishment of the Arrowhead Coalition for Multiple Use. (ACMU) in 2004.

ACMU's charter was, and continues to be, that ACMU would be a moving force in education and informing the general public, and our membership, of potential changes that impact our access to Cook county's abundant natural resources. It was clear to me that whatever our interests: hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing, fishing, hunting, mushing, snowmobiling, or ATVing, our access to the natural resources were gradually being restricted by resources outside of our control and in many cases without our knowledge. Most importantly, ACMU was established to be an informational resource for individuals of all interests.

Given the organizations charter and successful informational campaigns to keep the users of our county's natural resources informed, I am pleased to be a member of the ACMU board and it's treasurer.

Grand Marais, MN        dgreeley0@gmail.com

I started my life in Cook County at Adventurous Christians on the Gunflint Trail in 1972. In 1973 I became a staff person for AC.  I enjoyed the time spent on canoe trips and in the mountains working with people. I met many residents of Cook County who became close friends and family.

College came next, with summers spent working in Cook County. After college I settled full-time in Cook County, with just a short stint in Alaska.

I had the pleasure of raising two very fine young boys to manhood. I volunteered for the activities they were involved in such as: Y- ski (cross country skiing for elementary age), car pooling with folks to transport kids to the ski hill, hockey, baseball etc. Our family is very active, we enjoy time outdoors in many ways: hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, biking, cross-country skiing, dirt-biking, ATVing, bird watching etc. I also enjoy gardening.

 I joined ACMU because I believe everyone should work together to ensure the future plans for this area do not create a negative impact on the historical and cultural life of it's residents and visitors. 

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.