Red Cedar Eagle Carving
This is my design and carving of an eagle out of red cedar. Inspired by The Brutal Telling and Haida Gwaii.
I had the opportunity to travel to Haida Gwaii many decades ago. A seven day kayaking trip that enabled me to experience the culture, food and pristine natural beauty of the islands. Many nights, I slept on the thick, luscious mossy ground, without need for a sleeping pad, the soft cushion of the earth was comfortable, cozy and warm. Like Mother Nature embracing me while I slept in her cupped hand.
We paddled the rough waters of on the west side of the island, unprotected from the harsh wind and unforgiving tides that pushed us away from every destination we had set out to visit. So when we would finally reach our various goals, the accomplishments were ever so much more sweet. We fished and caught salmon on many nights, cooking them on an open fire and enjoying meals as though we’d never eaten so well in our lives. There’s something camp fires that makes food taste so much better than can be found in five star Michelin restaurants.
We loved the totem poles and the history and the art and the culture and the people. And the people. What wonderful people live in Haida Gawaii. I will always tell this story of one example of the generosity and kindness we experienced on our trip:
My European friend who was not an experienced backpacker/camper/hiker had been assigned the responsibility of acquiring a tent for us. And, being the west coast of Canada and Haida Gwaii and this being a kayaking adventure, we expected to be wet. Not only from the ocean but from all the rain that falls to make the islands so lush and beautiful. Unfortunately, his lack of outdoor experience became an issue when we opened his tent on arrival to find that there was no waterproof fly that typically covers the entire top and sides of the tent. This one, purchased in a big city with little demand for camping, looked to be a play tent made for children wanting an adventure in their backyards.
Well, you can imagine my panic and soon my friend’s as well when I explain just how wet we were going to be for seven days and seven nights with this tent. Desperate to find a replacement, but having arrived on an evening ferry to the island we had little time to source a new tent. There were no outdoor stores to be found at all. With our trip scheduled for the next morning, we had only a few hours to find a solution or prepare for a week of misery. When our search for a store to buy or rent a tent failed, we thought to double check our inability to find a retailer who could help by inquiring at the tourist information centre. It was there that one of the workers told us that she had a good tent in the back of her truck and that we were welcomed to borrow it. We offered to rent it from her, but she refused any money. We asked if she would like us to leave some kind of ID or item of value with her, to ensure that we’d return the tent. Again, she refused. She had total trust that we would return it. And, of course, we did, with much gratitude.
This is an example of the kind-hearted, generous and trusting nature of the people of Haida Gwaii.
What an incredible experience that must have been. Your story of the kind lady who lent you her tent reminds me of the villagers of Three Pines. But how wonderful the person who helped you is real and so is the place!