by Joseph Roberts
|
 |
Dawn in Clayoquot
Sound by Adrian Dorst
The Clayoquot Sound Rainforest Festival, August 9, celebrates
the 10th anniversary of the 1993 blockades and the largest
mass arrests and trial in world history. If you would like
to share your Clayoquot arrest story in 20 to 50 words please
email us. |
One Person
This July 8 marks the first anniversary of my dear brother’s
death. A friend suggested that we honor David and the love we have
for him in a special way. David was a deeply spiritual man who appreciated
nature and loved to help others.
One of my childhood memories of Davie was how much he liked both Davie
Crockett and Johnny Appleseed, embodiments of wilderness exploration
and planting trees.
In his twenties David left the city for the countryside, leaving the
noisy hustle and bustle to search for what was true. He lived beside
Kootenay Lake, then later Hornby Island, his Greenwood cedar and canvas
canoe kept close to water. David was always excited about and ready
to share nature. He introduced me to meditating while paddling.
Yes, I deeply miss him. He was someone I could always count on. He
was my brother. He taught me by example the value of nature and God.
Eventually he found what he was looking for when he met his spiritual
teacher Sant Kirpal Singh. I remember David telling me that Kirpal
was the first sane person he had ever met. Dave had met a messenger
who would direct him beyond the city and country, show him the way
out of confusion and back to God. David has gone beyond with grace.
A group of friends will meet July 8 at one of the trees David planted.
He is responsible for the towering Lombard poplar on the northwest
corner of West Fourth at Burrard and the tall fir tree next to Greens
and Gourmet, south of Broadway at Stephens. We will do a walk-about
including visiting the yellow cedar lotus carving he did for Banyen
Books.
I cry when I remember David. As the years go by, may my gratitude
grow taller than the grief. July’s cover represents that which
David wanted to honor and protect. He is not alone. There is another
anniversary to honor.
One Planet
This summer is the tenth anniversary of mass environmental protests
on the west coast of Vancouver Island. More than 850 people were
arrested and prosecuted for opposing the clearcut, wholesale liquidation
of ancient forests at Clayoquot Sound.
This was not just the largest number of arrests and prosecutions
in BC, it was the largest in Canada followed by the largest mass
trial anywhere in the world. People staked a claim for nature. We
made history. Now it is up to us to create the future we want. Read,
learn and act.
 Top
|
