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Kenny Salaway speaks to visitors about his life on as a "River Rat" on the Mississippi River Tuesday night in Schofield Auditorium.

'River Rat' shows award-winning documentary of life on Mississippi

Salaway tells tales of living off land near river

By: Emily Hartwig

Posted: 4/17/08

A diverse, multi-generational crowd gathered in Schofield Auditorium Tuesday evening to view the Emmy award-winning film, "Mississippi: Tales of the Last River Rat," a documentary featuring Kenny Salway, an Alma native who has lived most of his life off the land near the Mississippi River. Salway also made an appearance, introducing the film and taking questions afterward.

In his deep, husky voice, Salway began by addressing the audience as "my fellow travelers in the great circle of life" and went on to introduce the film and set the scene for a laid-back viewing experience.

"Just kick back and relax and sit along the bank of the Mississippi River," Salway said. "Let life slide by a little bit."

The film takes the viewer through beautifully shot scenes along the Mississippi River, depicting wildlife and Salway in the woods and on the river. Salway also narrates the film.

Senior Dan Platta, who attended the event, called the film "a well-told tale," adding that having Salway narrate made it much more effective.

"You can definitely buy into what he's saying and understand where he's coming from," Platta said.

He said Salway's leisurely style of speaking also adds to his persona.

In the film, Salway described being a "river rat" and surviving on the river.

"I've never fit into what folks call the 'real world,' but I'd like to think this is the 'real world,'" Salway narrated in the film. "…Nature is always real."

Dan Langlois, the assistant director of Recreation and Sports Facilities, helped bring Salway to campus through the Environmental Adventure Center. He said the film is based on Salway's two books: "The Last River Rat: Kenny Salway's Life in the Wild" and "Kenny Salwey's Tales of a River Rat."

Langlois said he read Salway's first book, calling it "excellent."

"It gets you down to earth and (you) develop that appreciation that he talks about," Langlois said. "Sometimes it's a hard time to put the outdoors into words, and I think (Salway) does that in a great way."

Throughout the movie, the audience gasped at nature's beauty, laughed at creatures' antics and awed at baby animals.

Salway's philosophy, he said, is not to hunt or fish for fun. He said he kills animals that he needs to eat.

Despite his views on technology - Salway said computers are like "hot rocks" to be picked up, turned over and thrown away - Salway no longer lives off the land year-round. He and his wife, a wildlife education specialist for the Department of Natural Resources, are building a home in Alma.

Salway travels around the Midwest to share his stories with a wide range of audiences, Langlois said.

"He (has) an ability to mesmerize the audience," Langlois said, adding that many Eau Claire audience members complimented him about Salway after the event. "It's very powerful when you (have) him there and (then) the film."

After the screening, Salway took audience questions, addressing everything from global climate change to natural rheumatism treatments with a subtle, well-timed sense of humor - all while promoting his passion for preserving the environment for future generations.