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Paddle Up on the Himmarshee Canal was a unique event – part public art and part history. This wasn’t a long paddle by any stretch, but it was special nonetheless. The brain child of artist Robin Haines Merrill of the Upper Room Art Gallery, working together with Seminole and Miccosukee traditional artists, this was an excursion into history, bridging cultures and waters.
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Historically, the Himmarshee Canal was a tributary of the New River, which was a major artery in and out of the Everglades. The word translates to “new water” or “new river” and legend has it that it appeared overnight after a big storm or possibly an earth quake. Now for the first time in probably a hundred years, there were trading posts along the river as well as Native paddlers in a (replica) traditional watercraft on the New River!!
This was also true for the delicious traditional Seminole pumpkin frybread that is NOT served in any restaurant!
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(Click pics for larger versions)
Paddling up the Himmarshee Canal, the first “trading post” is on the dock at left, featuring a Native clothing and fashion exhibit!
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I am standing on top of my kayak ‘Rosie’ and looking at artwork installed on the low bridges of the Himmarshee Canal.
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Knowing that this would be a short paddle, I took out “Rosie” – my plus-sized Sit on Top kayak that I usually paddle standing up, paying homage to Native paddlers. I did use a kayak paddle instead of poling however.
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Colorized reproductions of historical photographs from the early 20th century by Robin Merrill.
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The event was open to the public and many people saw it from the low bridges and restaurants along the Himmarshee Canal.
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The “La Croix” (second) trading post featured refreshing cool sparkling waters!
They were handed out to paddlers with a lacrosse stick!
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Third trading post on the canal was all about delicious traditional Seminole pumpkin frybread! 🙂
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A way of life, brought back in time for a moment on the Himmarshee Canal thanks to the Upper Room Art Gallery.
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Thanks to Anita Allen for capturing this great pic of me as I was being mesmerized by the “Row” video installation! 🙂
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Today’s Himmarshee Canal is a dead-end, however it was historically a tributary to the New River.
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Native watercraft meets the 21st century and paddle sports on the Himmarshee Canal!
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Traditional Seminole Native Artist Pedro Zepeda and local athlete and racer Anita Allen of the Lanakila Iki Outrigger Canoe Club paddle the large replica canoe.
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Anita Allen and Pedro Zepeda pilot the replica canoe around on the Himmarshee Canal.
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Paddling past a video installation by Houston Cypress on the SE 2nd Court bridge downtown.
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This section of the Himmarshee Canal is lined with cozy and tempting restaurants.
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Back at the first trading post!
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Traditional Seminole Artist Pedro Zepeda steers a replica of a large multi person native dug out canoe.
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Pedro Zepeda is carving an actual cypress dug out as part of the Tribal Arts Project in Ft Lauderdale.
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This canoe is on display at the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Village Museum on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation.
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Landing the large canoe at the dock of All Saints Episcopal Church on the New River.
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Many more pics here on the faceBook event page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1434646793503199/1436864666614745/
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A BIG thanks to artist Robin Haines Merrill and the Native artists for making this unique event happen and the kind folks at All Saints Episcopal Church for the hospitality!
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© 2016 Flex Maslan / kayakfari.com / awakenthegrass.com / decoratedreality.com. All original photographs, artworks and music in this portfolio are copyrighted and owned by the artist, Flex Maslan, unless otherwise noted. Any reproduction, modification, publication, transmission, transfer, or exploitation of any of the content, for personal or commercial use, whether in whole or in part, without written permission from the artist is strictly prohibited.
All rights reserved!
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DISCLAIMER:: The maps and images on this site are not intended for navigation, I am not a guide; use any and all information at your own risk! Your mileage may vary .. so use good judgement before venturing out!
With that said..
Blessings friends!
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Enjoy.
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! Bless
kayakfari ( kayak .. far .. i ) 