The Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa was the location for last weekend's three-day ‘Sasquatch Summit’ held in honor of local resident John Green. The Summit (April 8 – 10) was to mark the 50 years of dedication that Green has given of himself to the topic of the Sasquatch. Those in attendance came from several countries from around the globe to pay homage to Green. They ranged from the average Sasquatch enthusiast to dedicated Sasquatch field researchers, scientists, long time friends in and out of the Sasquatch field, and John Green’s family.
The weekend included several items of interest to Sasquatch hunters, including displays of foot castings, clear enlargements of the famous 1967 Patterson/Gimlin film, possible hair samples, and Sasquatch related merchandise. An all-day conference on Saturday involved some of the more prominent people in the Sasquatch field, who spoke on everything from the history of the Sasquatch to the more recent sighting investigation reports of late.
Key speakers at the conference were Idaho State University anthropologist Jeffery Meldrum, Vancouver Island wildlife biologist John Bindernagel, Sasquatch author Thomas Steenburg, Cryptozoologist and author Loren Coleman, Sasquatch author Chris Murphy, and Hancock House Publisher David Hancock.
Special guest in attendance was Bob Gimlin who was there in Bluff Creek, California with Roger Patterson (now deceased) when the two men happened upon and filmed what has been believed to be a large female Sasquatch. It’s been their film that has been one of the most famous facets of the existence of the Sasquatch for more than four decades now.
On Saturday night at the dinner banquet, John Green, his wife June and family, along with more than 200 guests were on hand. Many paid tribute to what John Green’s lifetime of work both in and out of the Sasquatch field has meant to them. Some of the more memorable tributes came when the famous Rene Dahinden’s ex-wife (Wanja) read letters of old concerning things pertaining to her and Rene’s relationship with the Greens, listening to Green’s long time friend (Al Hodgson) from Willow Creek, California speak about the old days when he and John first met when the subject of the Sasquatch was first gaining world-wide attention, and everyone’s favorite Bob Gimlin who has had a close relationship for the past 44 years since.
John Allen, local resident, ex-Mayor, and long-time friend to John Green, enlightened the crowd as to Green’s many contributions to the Village of Harrison Hot Springs and the surrounding area.
Probably one of the more memorable and heart-felt tribute moments for some came when Gerry Mathews, founder of Westcoast Sasquatch, gave one of the most sincere accountings of how Green’s early works and then later their friendship affected his life and inspired Gerry to become involved in the progress of linking people together by creating a website so to share as much Sasquatch information as possible to those who seek it.
While the tribute came to a grand end on Sunday (April 10) for most everyone who attended, John Green’s role was not yet over as he was still being called upon throughout the following week to give interviews and offer information to the media and private parties who had been documenting the entire event from beginning to end.
What started out for John Green as him being called upon to write an article on the legendary beast known as ‘Sasquatch’ … had led to a lifetime of work and dedication on Green’s part like none ever seen before and may never see again. While the Sasquatch may still be a mystery to those who have yet to see it, the type of person that John Green is and how his hard work and dedication has affected the community of Harrison Hot Springs, BC and the surrounding areas in which he has lived and worked in is not.