Ohlsen, Dieter (1938-)

A conservationist and spokesperson for the disabled, Dieter (“Ted”) Ohlsen was born in Germany in 1938 and immigrated to Canada in 1956. After losing his sight in a hunting accident in 1960, Ohlsen became the province's first blind outfitter and fishing camp operator when he and his wife opened the Northern Light Lodge on Deschambault Lake in 1964. After making the facility fully accessible to the disabled, Ohlsen established the first campground in northern Saskatchewan that was completely wheelchair accessible. Mr. Ohlsen was awarded an Achievement Award from the Canadian Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit in 1987.

Canadian Plains Research Center