Emil Iverson

Emil Iverson (1893 – February 21, 1960) was a Canadian ice hockey player and coach. The Minnesota Gopher Hockey Team won seven national championships while Emil was coach. His training programs were so ahead of the times, that some are still used today. Iverson was head coach of the Chicago Black Hawks for one season, 1932–33 along with Godfrey Matheson. Emil Iverson was also responsible for discovering 50 Ojibwa skeletons and native artifacts 1928. The site was one of the last undisturbed dwellings inhabited by the Kawawaigamak people - of the First Nation Ojibwa people. He continued to conduct extensive research regarding the history of the Ojibwa people that seasonally migrated throughout Hunters Island and the Border Lakes. The thriving tribe of Kabwawiagamaks, located at Kawa Bay, were eventually decimated by the Spanish infuenza epidemic and the forced removal by the Canadian Government. The people of the village were known by the White Settlers as the Kabwawiagamaks - because of their proximity to, and reliance on, what is now called The Wawaig river. After discovering the village Emil made sure the dead got the proper burial rites and brought back many artifacts to the Nett Lake people - their reservation being adjacent to his outfitting headquarters. This act of kindness was greatly revered by the Kawa Bay Band; to show their gratitude, Emil was given a ceremonial drum and the Annishinabe name "Chief of the Big Waters". The survey and graves proved once and for all, the size and scope of the Kabwawiagamak village was much larger than previously thought. His movie and photos of the expedition were shown to President Coolidge to help preserve the Quetico and Boundary Waters area. The complete story of his expedition and the history of Two Rivers - a leader of the Kabwawiaigamak Ojibwa, can be found in the novel "Hunters and Hearts Educational information can be found in past issues of The Ely Echo, The Chicago Area Pioneer Press, Minnesota Sun, U.of M newspapers, 13 Moons, The McHenry County Living Magazine, or by going to www.huntersandhearts.com.

In addition to his advocavy for the Annishinabe people. Emil developed one of the first fishing and exploration programs for women.

Emil also traveled throughout Asia and Africa hunting big game and exploring both continents. A previously unknown location,southeast of Kawa Bay is currently being researched by this family - led by his grandsons.