Sasquatch investigator Mike Paterson held onto two photos of his quarry for three and a half years.
Why? Partly because of the criticism he expected from detractors eager to label him a hoaxer, and partly because he believed his investigations had led to communication with Sasquatch.
“Now it’s going to be another shitshow of assholes coming out of the woodwork, with their slander and hoax bullshit,” he admitted calmly in a phone interview in late July. He had just returned from a trip to the Kawarthas. “It’s been a never-ending, persistent effort to undermine this and label me a hoaxer even since 2013.”
The photos were originally taken by Paterson’s fellow investigator, Dwayne, in December 2019. Dwayne captured one image after allegedly hearing Nef, the Sasquatch he and Paterson claim to have been in contact with in the Kawarthas. The second photo was taken a few seconds later. Paterson subscribes to the belief that Sasquatch are interdimensional beings who choose whom they communicate with.
The interdimensional Sasquatch theory suggests the cryptid exists on multiple planes of reality and can enter our realm through portals.
Over the years, aggressive skeptics have tried to recreate the images using 3D-printed masks, Photoshop and other techniques. Paterson says he is well aware that he won’t convince everyone.
“It’s not the fact that they’re naysayers, that comes with the territory,” the nature photographer said. “You’re not going to prove everything to everybody. There’s always going to be naysayers. That I don’t care about.”
What troubles him more are those who, in his words, stalk, slander and assassinate his character. Still, he continues with his investigations, with the long-term goal of meeting Nef face to face.
“I just do my thing. I’m on this journey,” Paterson said. “There are always going to be bumps in the road. There are always going to be people trying to knock you down.
“I react sometimes. I’m human and I have my own healing that I’m working on. That’s a lifetime process.”
He said he moves past the negativity, keeping his YouTube channel and social media feeds clean by blocking and deleting the more hostile comments.
Although his latest trip to the Kawarthas did not result in the face-to-face meeting he was hoping for, he said there was a sign that Nef and his family had been nearby.
“My experience shows me expectations tend to have a reverse effect,” he said. “I could feel their energy at a certain point, but I didn’t see anything.”
For Paterson, it’s never “Sasquatch on demand,” but when he returned home, he discovered five large fingerprints on his vehicle.
Alongside that discovery, he submitted a sample of strange black powder to retired FBI special agent and American investigator John DeSouza for analysis. The two met at the Ochiskicho Kaytukaheykano: Bigfoot Will Heal Us Through Wahkohtowin 2025 conference in May.
DeSouza spent more than 20 years with the bureau and worked on what he describes as real-life “X-Files” cases.
The tests indicated the substance contained residue consistent with rocket launches, a signature not unlike those found at alleged UFO landing or takeoff sites.
“The stuff is created from a significant amount of plasma energy transfer,” Paterson said.
Theories about the powder include links to UFO landings or portal activity. For Paterson, the evidence supports his belief that Sasquatch are interdimensional and strengthens his conviction that he will eventually meet Nef.
“I’ve spent 12 years so far and I’m waiting for that,” he said. “I believe it’s going to happen.”
Photo courtesy Mike Paterson