Herman Perry was born in Charlottetown, Labrador and grew up in Daniel’s Harbour, Newfoundland. A career in mining took him across Canada and around the world. In 1970, he embarked on a 300-mile canoe trip from Labrador City to Seven Islands via the Aushuanipi and Caopacho Rivers, and later paddled extensively on Manitoba’s Churchill River and Labrador’s Churchill River. During the course of 19 years living and working in Southeast Asia, Perry canoed the coastal rivers of Irian Jaya in Indonesia. After returning to Canada, in 2013 Herman Perry commenced The Great North American Paddling Odyssey, a decade-long journey across the country. He now lives in St. John’s.