Heading to Gwaii Haanas - August 14, 2014

Walking around the abandoned village gives me the feeling of contentment, calmness, and childhood playfulness. As a child I was the happiest just sitting in a meadow, hiking through the forest, or playing with the sea creatures at the beach. This place brings me back to that time, and it fills the void which the urban city could not. I wonder if it affects others as it does me.

Walking trail through the abandoned village

The totems go back to earth

The trip down south brings us to all the abandoned Haida villages, and taking in a bit of kayaking in the calm waters. Here you can see the sea urchin, a delicacy that I cannot appreciate. The silence of paddling forces one to get the full experience of what you are seeing, hearing, and feeling. The self. My breath is taken away by the beauty of this land, and I do not take it for granted.

Sea urchins

This is my maiden voyage to the south of the islands. As a young woman, I did not have interest in the land, the culture, or being Haida. I did not start thinking about it until I moved away and matured. I missed Haida Gwaii so much, but I made my life in the city. Now I get to see what I yearned for, and it is magnificent. I am so excited to see it all, the villages where my ancestors occupied the land. I drink it all in. I am home.

Taking in the morning

As we steam south we come across a Coast Guard Vessel named after Tanu, translated to its Haida name: T'aanuu Llnagaay, which means Eelgrass Town referring to the eelgrass beds found nearby.

Tomorrow another adventure