Janice Matichuk is about to begin her 29th year as an interior park ranger for Quetico Provinicial Park. Stationed at the Cache Bay Ranger Station on Saganaga Lake, she has a unique take on life lived on the edge of wilderness.
“What matters is that you get out there and plunk yourself in the bush. Breathe it, hear it, smell it, feel it, taste it, wander in it.”- Janice Matichuk
On loving her job and home:
“I’ve been at the Cache Bay Ranger Station for more than half of the cabin’s life! (although there have been two other ranger stations since 1915). My job as an interior station ranger is a fine fit for me. I love the job with a passion, it’s as vital to me as breathing. I can’t imagine my life without Cache Bay.”
On being the first line of support for canoeist in trouble:
“I thought I would remember all the canoe rescues I’ve done. Not! People continually remind me of their brushes with wind and waves that caused them to be topsy turvy in the frothy water of Sag or Cache Bay. For many campers returning to Quetico each year is a mustdo. I’ve learned that several have a Quetico scrapbook! They remember everything because that one trip each year is such an important part of their life.
‘Remember when you had fourteen of us in your cabin?”…no.
‘Remember when you saw us being driven by the waves past your island, and you came roaring up in your boat to help us?”…nope.
‘Remember when you used your generator-run washing machine to wring out our sleeping bags and clothes?’…Ya I remember that one. I thought I was rather clever to think of using the washing machine instead of hand wringing the water out of the tent, sleeping bags and clothing.”
“At Cache Bay I used to see about 4,000 people a summer and had many rescues. Age and memory are challenging my recall! These days there are fewer campers, so fewer rescues. Because they are dedicated Cache Bay/Quetico campers, they’ve heard me say ‘stay put on Hook Island and come in the next day’ if the lake is rockin’ and rollin’. They know to be more cautious …as I say every orientation ‘better to be late for your tow than leave in a body bag.’ Perhaps I am rather blunt but it gets the message across and the campers learn to have huge respect for the elements.”
On the importance of introducing youth to the wilderness:
“We are losing the youth. Most of the those canoeists I call ‘Lifers’—who will continue to marvel in the serenity of Quetico—were introduced to the outdoors by their parents. Society has caused a blip in that practice. Unless it’s off-the-wall, high-end extreme sports, the youth today aren’t too interested. Sad that. We need to treasure the natural world, respect it and protect it. Every once in a while it is so fun to see campers at my desk who were once little kids, now 10 years later coming to Quetico with their friends. So it can happen folks!”
On visiting Quetico:
“I find that there are a few patterns with the canoeing public. Those that will paddle every year to the same area to revisit old campsites, see how big the trees have grown and go to the favorite fishing hole (the one that no one else knows about). Those that want a circle route. Those that want new areas unexplored by themselves. Those that are now a tad tired and sore but still want the solitude of a Quetico experience so ask about one good campsite for the entire trip. We are all unique and can be delighted by many different campsites and lakes… What matters is that you get out there and plunk yourself in the bush. Breathe it, hear it, smell it, feel it, taste it, wander in it. You will get more mileage out of stories about your Quetico trip than you thought possible. And a good ranger can help you find the right route for you. I hope I see you at my desk in the bush, on the most beautiful island anywhere. Come to Cache Bay and say ‘hello, I read your article in Wilderness News and am going to give it a go.’ “