Eric Radford: 
Eric was born on January 27, 1985 and began skating at the age of 8 after watching Nancy Kerrigan skate at the Olympics in Albertville. Skating reminded Eric of flying and he also loved the fact that you got to "fly" and perform to music.
Eric grew up in Balmertown and began skating with the Balmertown Figure Skating Club. His love of skating produced many national medals in Novice and Junior Pairs and he was also the National Novice and Junior Men's Champion.
Radford and his partner Meagan Duhamel have only been skating together since 2010, but the pair has put together an impressive resume in that short time. Eric and Meagan took the National title for Senior Pairs at 2012 Canadian Figure Skating Championships in January. Prior to the gold win, Meagan and Eric received a silver medal at the 2011 Canadian Figue Skating Championships in Victoria, BC, silver at the 2011 Four Continents and seventh at the 2011 World Championship in Tokyo, Japan.
To follow Eric and Meagan's progress and events, please visit their Facebook page (click here).
Ken Leishman:
Ken Leishman, originally from Holland Manitoba, moved to Red Lake in 1975. Nicknamed the ‘Flying Bandit’, Leishman was considered one of the most beloved Canadian criminals. He was responsible for a number of crimes from the late 50’s to the 70’s including bank robberies, stealing planes, escaping custody, and the largest gold theft in Canadian history.
The event occurred on March 1st, 1966 and involved $400,000 worth of gold from the Winnipeg International Airport. From his experience as a pilot he knew that regular flights of gold were made from Red Lake to Winnipeg. From there it was transferred to an Air Canada flight and sent to the Mint which was located in Ottawa. Working with 4 accomplices in Red Lake and Winnipeg, Leishman's plan involved intercepting the gold on the tarmac. However, the plan was interrupted by the Great Blizzard which hit Winnipeg. The RCMP became suspicious of Leishman and he was eventually caught and sent to Headingly Prison.
Upon his release he moved to Red Lake and opened a tourist shop. He was a local celebrity and was elected as president of the Chamber of Commerce. In December 1979 while in flight, Leishman's plane crashed and his body was found some time after the incident.
Cameron Mann:
Cameron Mann was born April 20, 1977 and was raised in Balmertown Ontario. He is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. An alumnus of the Peterborough Petes of the OHL, Mann appeared in 94 NHL games with the Boston Bruins and the Nashville Predators. He also has an impressive four years in the DEL,Germany’s highly competitive and esteemed top league and he also had a season in the Finnish Elite League with top flight club Tampere on his record. The GMB Nottingham Panthers signed Cameron for the 2009/10 season.
STATS
Date of birth: April 20th 1977
Place of birth: Thompson, MAN
Height: 6.00 Weight: 209lbs
Position: Right Wing
ShyAnne Hovorka:
While growing up in Red Lake, Shy-Anne Hovorka has been singing since she was three, and performing since nine. Enjoying a wide variety of musical genres, Shy-Anne performs blues, soft rock, pop, contemporary and folk music.
Having studied music at Lakehead University and received her Honors Bachelor of Music degree, Shy-Anne received her formal training in the classical tradition. She has performed as the featured soloist for the Thunder Bay Symphony under David Bowser (the Viennese Conductor), and has won numerous awards for her performances in Classical Musical Festivals.
Shy-Anne now has now released two CDs: Black Thunder Bird, which is her given spirit name, and Pseudo. In 2008 she was nominated for the Aboriginal Peoples' Choice Awards for Best New Artist, Best Songwriter, and Single of the Year. In 2010 she was nominated and WON for the Aboriginal Peoples' Choice Awards for Aboriginal Female Entertainer of the YEar and Best Producer/Engineer.
Visit Shy-Anne's website at www.shy-anne.com
Kristen Hager:
Kristen Hager was born in Red Lake and grew up in Cochenour. She attended Golden Learning Centre and the Red Lake District High School.
Kristen first launched her acting career with her appearance in 'Beach Girls', a TV mini-series starring Rob Lowe.
Kristen has also appeared in big name features including 'Wanted', starring Angelina Jolie, 'Alien vs. Predator - Requiem', and 'Lesslie, My Name is Evil'.
Her biography also includes appearances in a variety of TV series: 'Sophie', 'Runaway', 'The Listener', 'Wild Roses', 'Valemont', 'CSI: Miami', and 'Being Human'.
Most recently, Kristen has starred in 'Textuality' and 'Servitude', in 2011.
Linda Lundstrom:
Linda Lundström was born in Red Lake. She studied Fashion Design at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario. She then won a Fashion Canada scholarship and spent a year apprenticing in Europe. In 1974, she formed her company, Linda Lundström Inc. in a two-bedroom apartment in Toronto.
After having visited Japan and saw the Japanese kimono had been brought back into the fashion scene, she became inspired to design a uniquely Canadian piece. Thus, the LAPARKA, a modern version of the traditional Inuit parka, was born. Linda then began working with local Native artists to create products and collections with a deeper meaning. Her designs are truly Canadian.
In 2009, the LUNDSTRÖM brand was re-launched. The core LUNDSTRÖM label is still designed by Linda and is currently distributed to more than 200 independent retailers across North America. The LUNDSTRÖM brand is owned by proprietors Eleventh Floor Apparel Ltd (EFA).
Peter McLeod:
Peter McLeod was born in 1984 in Red Lake. Growing up in Red Lake exposed him to floatplane aviation at an early age. At 16 Peter got his pilot's license, before he even got his driver's license. And he has been obsessed with aviation ever since.
As an acrobatic and race pilot, Pete has had made some major accomplishments in his life. Some of these achievements include 12th place at the European Acrobatic Championship in 2008, 2nd place advanced in the U.S. National Championships, 2004 North American Collegiate Acrobatic Champion, and undefeated in 2004 with five 1st place finishes.
Pete has been named the youngest and first Canadian pilot to compete in the 2009 Red Bull Air Race World Championship. Most recently, he placed 5th overall at the 2010 Red Bull Air Race World Championship.
To view Pete's schedule and place standings, please visit his website at http://www.petemcleodaerosports.com
Norval Morisseau:
Norval Morrisseau was one of the most original and important artists this country has ever produced. He was also one of Canada's most internationally known artists. Morrisseau, who spent a large part of his life in Red Lake, Ontario, was the first to paint his people's cultural heritage and, as a result of his work, the Woodland Indian School of Art evolved. He is the sole originator of the style.
The myths, history, and environmental truths portrayed in his work have no precedence in the world. The genius of his paintings speaks to us of the past, and cautions us about the future. Combined with legends are historical facts relating to early native history and archaeological theory.
Norval Morrisseau is considered one of the greatest Canadian painters of all time and is placed alongside Tom Thomson and Emily Carr. He was known as Copper Thunderbird, the Aboriginal Canadian artist. And he was also known as the "Picasso of the North", creating works depicting the legends of his people, the cultural and political tensions between native Canadian and European traditions, his existential struggles, and his deep spirituality and mysticism. His style is characterized by thick black outlines and bright colors. He founded the Woodlands School of Canadian art and was a prominent member of the “Indian Group of Seven.
He was the recipient of the Order of Canada, Doctor of Lawa, Doctor of Letters, a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Art, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, recipient of the Lifetime Aboriginal Achievement Award, holder of the Eagle Feather, which is the highest honour awarded by the Assembly of First Nations, and Grand Shaman.
Sadly, Norval died of cardiac arrest—complications arising from Parkinson's disease on December 4, 2007 in Toronto General Hospital.
Mark Vermette:
Mark Vermette was born in 1967 in Cochenour. Growing up, he played youth hockey in Cochenour until age 15. Mark then headed to Athol Murray College of Notre Dame to play for the Notre Dame Hounds.
Mark's hockey career took off while playing for Lake Superior State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's (NCAA) National Championships. After this, he continued to lead the Nation in goals and was named the Hockey News US College Hockey Player of the Year for 1987-88.
Mark went on to play seven years of professional hockey including 67 NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques.
STATS
Drafted: 1986 NHL Entry Draft
Date of birth: October 3rd, 1967
Place of birth: Cochenour, ONT
Height: 6.01 Weight: 203lbs
Successful Red Lakers
Dana Robbins - Publisher of Hamilton Spectator
John Geddes - Mclean's Magazine Ottawa Bureau Chief
Dr. Ryan Janicki - Neurosurgeon
If we missed someone who you feel should be mentioned, please contact us and we will gladly add them!
