Aug 16, 2025
Calgary,
Alberta
“During the Cold War era of the 50’s, uranium mining was conducted on one of these islands and the ore shipped across the lake to the north shore.”
(Can’t read the full email – click
here for the online version.)
A few weeks ago, we took a tour of Lake Nipissing to the French River and back, on board the Chief Commanda II. Nipissing is a large lake, close to 340 square miles. Only 2 others are larger that lie completely within the borders of Ontario.
The name “Nipissing” comes from the
Ojibwe referencing this lake as the big “little water” as in it was a big lake but not nearly as big as the Great Lakes, into which its waters flow.
It was an important lake too, serving as bridge between the Mattawa and Ottawa rivers, which terminate in Montreal to the east and southwest to Lake Huron. This pathway was used for millennia by the
indigenous peoples, then by fur traders and explorers. It allowed one to canoe and travel far into Canada’s interior, before roads and railways existed.
For a brief time during the Cold War, one of the islands was mined for uranium ore, which was then shipped across to north shore.
The name of the ships, both I and II incidentally, come from a renowned and respected Elder,
Chief Semo “Simon” Commanda, at one time, reputedly the oldest living man in Canada. (1828 -1938). It is said that when his grandfather, Chief Rotten-Wood was fighting alongside the English during the war of 1812, that he took on the name Commanda. That story, as told by Semo went like this:
"That was a big war" Simon reflected. "That was a fight between the English and the Americans. You know the
English were short of men so they came up here to get our people. They wanted help. My grandfather, Rotten-Wood, was the chief. He liked the English, so he took the Indians down to fight.
“But you know the Indians didn't know what the English soldiers said. My grandfather did. He could speak English. So the English soldiers told my grandfather what they wanted the Indians to do. He told them when to start fighting and when
to stop. He told them when to get up in the morning and when to go to bed. The Indians heard the big English officer was called commander. Only they couldn't say the word very well and they called him 'Commanda’. It pleased my grandfather, so he kept it."
"And Commanda, the family has been known as since.”
I recall taking the first Commanda as a young boy to the
Dokis Indian Reserve dock, inside the French River. My father, brother and I were launching a 5-day canoe trip from there and we used the ship to transport us, our canoe and gear. I thought it was a grand way to begin a trip of that nature.
I regaled some that adventure with my wife and a friend while enjoying a glass of wine and savoring an excellent barbequed burger.
This newer ship, which can hold as many as 320 passengers, has 2 bars and serves up cold beer, wine, food and drink. At a premium price, I might add.
More importantly, to me, from a business perspective, is the fact that they have a strongly enforced policy that prohibits passengers from bringing any such consumables with them. Thus, during a longish voyage of 4+ hours, in the summer sunshine, they can count on a significant addition in
revenue, over and above the regular fare.
I was pleased to see that the owners of this business were using one of the 5 key elements in growing any business to good use. That is:
“What can you do to increase the average purchase amount of each and every customer?”
I hope that whether you are business owner or
consultant/coach in the industry, you do the same.
Until next week,
Stay healthy and focus on profit!
- Hugh
The “Profit Accelerator” Expert
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