Bigfoot Researchers Preview Upcoming Ottawa Sasquatch Conference

So there's this fantastic podcast segment that recently popped up on YouTube, and honestly, it's one of those conversations that just hits all the right notes for anyone who lives and breathes Sasquatch research. The episode features host Cat Ward chatting with two absolute legends in the field: Ann Selene, a paranormal researcher and investigator, and Ken Gerhard, a cryptozoologist and author whose name is practically synonymous with serious creature research. The main focus of the discussion is the upcoming Gatineau Ottawa Sasquatch Conference happening August 15th and 16th in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada. If you've never been to a Canadian Sasquatch conference, you're missing out on a piece of history. Ken pointed out something that really resonated: the whole concept of Sasquatch conferences actually started in Canada back in the late 1970s. The University of British Columbia's anthropology department hosted one of the first scientific gatherings, and the pioneers of the field were all there. John Green, Rene Dahinden, Peter Byrne, the guys who basically laid the groundwork for everything we know about field research today. The name "Sasquatch" itself is Canadian, so it only makes sense that the conference scene would have deep roots there. One of the coolest bits from the conversation was learning that in the Gatineau area, the indigenous communities refer to Sasquatch as "Sab." That kind of linguistic connection to the local culture is something that often gets overlooked in mainstream coverage, but it's incredibly important. These names carry generations of knowledge and observation. Ken Gerhard's backstory is the kind of origin story that makes you wish you could go back in time and tag along. His dad was a forestry professor, so he grew up immersed in the outdoors, collecting exotic animals, and yes, his first pet was a caiman. But what really sealed the deal was watching monster movies as a kid. Godzilla, King Kong, Creature from the Black Lagoon, all the classics. Then in 1975, when he was about eight or nine years old, he saw something on TV about Sasquatch and that was it. He was hooked. By 1982, at just 15 years old, he was at Loch Ness with his dad, interviewing witnesses and walking around the lake with a movie camera. That's not a hobby, that's a calling. His research spans way beyond Sasquatch too. Dogmen, lake monsters, all the legendary creatures that keep researchers up at night. He's been doing this for over four decades now, and the fact that he's still out there, still attending conferences, still talking to witnesses, says everything you need to know about his dedication. Ann Selene brings her own incredible perspective to the table. Originally from Oregon, she eventually made her way to Texas and now lives in upstate New York. Her journey into the paranormal started with personal experiences that ignited a passion for investigating the unknown. She's got that rare combination of being a researcher, an investigator, and an experiencer, which gives her a well-rounded view of the field. There's a hilarious moment in the episode where Ken tells a story about going through TSA at the San Antonio airport with a Bigfoot footprint cast in his carry-on. The TSA agent literally stopped the belt and yelled out "We got Bigfoot!" and suddenly all the security personnel came over to check it out. That's the kind of moment that reminds you how much these casts have become cultural icons. Ann had her own funny moment when she got to hold a cast for the first time at last year's conference and was terrified she'd drop it. Anyone who's held one of those knows exactly how that feels. They're delicate, they're irreplaceable, and they represent something much bigger than just a plaster replica. Cat Ward herself is a fascinating host. She mentioned her deep love of ancient Egyptology and how she got to meet Dr. Zia Hawas, the renowned Egyptologist, at the King Tut exhibit in Toronto. She refers to Sasquatch as "the king of the cryptids," and honestly, that's a title that's hard to argue with. Bigfoot is the figurehead, the one that draws people into the field in the first place. The conversation also touched on how the Sasquatch research community has grown and evolved. The fact that conferences are still happening, still drawing new researchers and witnesses, still generating serious discussion, is a testament to how alive this field really is. Whether you're a seasoned investigator or someone who's just starting to look into the evidence, events like the Gatineau conference are where the magic happens. Face-to-face conversations, shared experiences, and that feeling of being among people who actually take this seriously. If you're even remotely interested in Sasquatch, this podcast segment is worth your time. Ken Gerhard and Ann Selene are two of the most thoughtful voices in the field, and Cat Ward knows how to guide a conversation that goes beyond surface-level chatter. The Gatineau Ottawa Sasquatch Conference is shaping up to be something special, and hearing these three talk about it just builds the anticipation even more. Do yourself a favor and check it out.