After having two daughters, they found that they
were living the American way - running the rat race and not
realizing they were running in circles. The family was plugged in
at one of the fastest growing (at the time) church in the nation. DJ
worked sound / productions & Dawn was on the praise and
worship team. As young as the girls were, they were (by choice)
very involved in many area’s of children’s church. If the church doors were open, they were involved somewhere and loved every bit of it.
DJ and Dawn may be in the fore front of the business, but both will be the first to admit that without their daughters, they wouldn’t be where they are today.
Both girls have a plate filled with responsibilities. Neither one of them are a typical teenager, as you’ll see when you visit Black Bear Island Lodge.
Both girls have a plate filled with responsibilities. Neither one of them are a typical teenager, as you’ll see when you visit Black Bear Island Lodge.
Their oldest is all about anything nostalgic. Her dream car is a ’55 Bel-aire which she purchased (herself) the summer of 2006. She has a boy-friend, which she has liked since she was 9. What do dad & mom think? They love him. It helps that the family has known his family since he was an infant.
Their youngest likes anything ‘different’. She loves to hunt & fish & has perfect aim! She loves nature. She’s a leader and stands up for what she knows to be right.
She went hunting for her bear in June of 2006. Her and her daddy were exhausted, as
they waited. Not wanting to be out long, DJ closed his eyes,
and said a
quick prayer. “Lord please bring a bear in early.”
quick prayer. “Lord please bring a bear in early.” As he looked up, a cinnamon bear walked into the clearing. She is the only family member to harvest a color phase black bear.
Since 2001, during the winter season (Oct - April), the Enns family lived in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada.
The first week of May the family head to the lodge. The season begins with guests hunting and/or fishing until the end of September.
As of Feb, 2007 Enns family moved back to the states.
The first week of May the family head to the lodge. The season begins with guests hunting and/or fishing until the end of September.
As of Feb, 2007 Enns family moved back to the states.
“It’s been a long time coming!”
They are grateful for the time they had in Steinbach
...”that’s when we became a close family. We wouldn’t change that for the world!”
They are grateful for the time they had in Steinbach
...”that’s when we became a close family. We wouldn’t change that for the world!”
DJ & Dawn met in 1980 at a fishing lodge in Ontario, Canada. DJ’s family owned the lodge that Dawn’s family was
employed by.
It had always been DJ’s dream to own & operate
a lodge, and it was Dawn’s dream to own a hotel.
In the summer of 2001, the family was presented with an opportunity to operate Black Bear Island Lodge with the option of purchase. It didn’t take long to make the decision. That fall the four of them packed their home and moved to Canada.
In 2002 Black Bear Island Lodge opened it’s doors with it’s new managers, the Enns Family.
2008 DJ and Dawn became owners of Black Bear Island Lodge.
Dawn worked part-time at Helzberg Diamonds then in ’98 she began working for Salem Family Ministries.
Side note:
The first summer at the lodge, the three gals in the family, searched far and wide for the perfect birthday gift for DJ. Lily was just a puppy, a beautiful black Lab. Her second year at the lodge, Lily saved DJ’s life when he found himself trapped between a sow (female bear) and her cubs. Needless to say, Lily will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Dawn had the opportunity in June of 2002 to harvest her bear. This was to be her first hunting experience. Her bear weighed in at 381 lbs. Not bad for a first timer! One shot, and it dropped.
In
June, 1989, DJ & Dawn were married. While living in Tulsa, OK, DJ sold
motor homes until 1993 when he went to work with his Father.
Her first hunt was June, 2002. With her daddy as her guide, she was sure to bring in a bear. Her bear weighed in at 218 lbs.
To help their daughters with the adjustment, dad & mom agreed to find a puppy. Lil’ Bear was the runt of the litter, but he filled a huge part of our hearts.
