New Experiences

These past couple weeks have been about new experiences. Trying out different activities and gaining novel perspective and insight into people, places and events.

Another amazing day on the water, paddling among the spirits of Haida of the past in the giant cedar canoe. This time it was in Bill Reid's masterpiece, Lootaa, the canoe that was carved for Expo '86 in Vancouver. After the event in the summer of 1986, the Haida wanted to reclaim the canoe back for use in Haida Gwaii. This was requested under one condition-that a team of Haida paddled the monumental cedar boat back through the coastal waters of British Columbia, a 600 mile journey that would represent the type of journey that was likely made over a century ago by their ancestors. A welcoming potlatch was held for the paddlers, as it signified a tremendous feat that should be celebrated. I was hounoured and humbled to have the opportunity to paddle in that same canoe, an important part of the history and heritage of the Haida.

Last week we also got to weave cedar with Gladys, a Haida elder who specializes in handy crafts made of soft and sweet-smelling yellow cedar, sturdy and robust red cedar and smooth, spiralled spruce root. She creates beautiful hats, flowers, mats and baskets. These objects are not only intricate and lovely, but sturdy and resistant to all types of weather. They signify another important aspect of traditional Haida culture, as these materials from the great cedar and spruce trees have been integral to the Haida way of life for centuries. I got to create cedar lilies and a small tree frog, both of which sit in my room at Gracie's and are a constant reminder of how lucky I am to gain great insight into activities that represent the great value of the Haida tradition.

Just this past weekend I went out deer hunting with Ruth, one of the academic programers with the local higher education entity, NorthWest Community College. I know what you're all thinking-what is a vegetarian doing hunting for deer??? Well, it has only been two years now that I have tried the vegetarian lifestyle, and what I have based this dietary decision on has been the fact that I feel alot of the meat we have available to us is mass produced in often unethical ways, with a real human-animal disconnect. I feel that so many people eat meat and never really take the time to see or think where it is coming from. Especially farmed animals such as cows, pigs and chickens aren't always raised responsibly, purely and with respect for the animal. Additionally, I don't always feel good eating things like seafood in places that it is rare or where a species is in decline.

Here on Haida Gwaii, deer is a special case, where it has been said by many people that I am actually doing a disservice if I DONT eat the meat! Deer were introduced to the islands decades ago, and due to the fact that they are introduced species with no predators, they have multiplied in great numbers and do plenty of damage to the local forest understory, especially to baby cedar trees that are trying to grow tall and strong in their youth. Because of the great numbers (there are an estimated 500,000 residents on island and supposedly 100,00o deer) it sits alright with me that I consume some deer meat while I am here on island.

After a 6 hour trip up-island in to the bush exploring and navigating for the slender animals, Ruth and I never even got the chance to shoot the rifle-surprisingly there were none of them in sight! I did get the chance to play a calling game with a couple does (via Ruth's wooden deer call), as well as some songbirds, and we got to get an up-close and personal glimpse of a goshawk swooping down and preying on a duck which was pretty cool! Other than that, there was plenty of thoughtful conversation flowing between us and I really appreciated the local knowledge I gained from connecting and conversing with Ruth. She really is a beautiful and engaging individual whom I feel I can learn alot from. I admire the way she lives off the land here with her husband-a veggie garden in a greenhouse, a pig pen in the works, hunting for meat and always baking her own bread, muffins and making her own juices.

This upcoming week will be full of more exciting and engaging events: the All-Native basketball tournament in Prince Rupert, guest talks with a CMT (culturally modified tree) expert and one of the most integral Native lawyers for gaining Haida rights in court, and I'm not going to lie....I'm VERY excited to watch the first Olympic men's hockey game tomorrow evening! I guess its all about balance eh?