COMPASS MAGAZINE VI | ISSUE 48 DEC/JAN 24 | FORGIVENESS

ISSUE 48 FORGIVENESS · DECEMBER 2023 + JANUARY 2024 Sharing the Direction of Vancouver Island Communities

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Issue 48 |

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Non-Stop from Comox to Puerto Vallarta Escape Winter with Twice Weekly Service with WestJet.

visit comoxairport.com 2 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 4 8

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Sharing the Direction of Vancouver Island Communities

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Yukusam/Hanson Island, Home of the Spirit Trees

COASTAL CHRONICLES

Catherine Marie Gilbert

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

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Jesse Brillon and Marlo Wylie Brillon

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Kristina Campbell

Adorning Art at the Bayview Hotel

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WE ARE ART

Artful : The Poets

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Kealy Donaldson

FEATURE ARTIST

Kealy Donaldson

WALKING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS

Keeping Nuclear Power Plants off Vancouver Island

Catherine Marie Gilbert

NORTHWEST COAST NATURE

The Colours of Fall Leaves Luna Loiseau-Tremblay

WELLNESS ARTIST

Pat Jackson: A Musical Life Well Lived

Caroline Lenardon

STAY WELL Forgiveness

Dana Mahon

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November 21 to December 21, 2023

Closed for Holidays

Dec 16 - Jan 8, 2024

Our Earth: Juried Concept Show

Jan 9 - Feb 3, 2024

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Time to Get Muddy

COMPASS MAGAZINE ISSUE 48 · DECEMBER 2023 + JANUARY 2024

Publisher's Note Forgiveness My mother’s motto was always ‘to forgive and forget’. For her, it was simple and she stood beside this motto for her entire life.

Me… well, I struggle but am definitely wrapping my head around letting go and moving forward.

It’s not easy, especially if it seems like the damage is a greater outcome than what may have actually been intended.

What I have come to realize is that ‘forgiveness’ has a power all on its own. It is deep seeded, under our scaly wounds and surface trauma; you can find it if you go looking for it and most of the time it is an easy pill to swallow. This is another lesson in taking the high road and celebrating the kindness that you can share versus the negative impact our angers can leave on others. Being on the other end of forgiveness, when someone let’s go of your impact on them, it is time to truly consider how lucky you are and what motivated you to direct this behaviour towards others. With the holiday season upon us and the long, dark nights, try to make time to practice forgiveness daily for yourself and others, and reflect upon the better things that arrive to you. I think you’ll notice the change in how you deal with what arrives to you and the challenges you face. Wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday season and a very merry winter solstice!

Gilakas’la, Emote, Marsii

Kealy Donaldson PUBLISHER

compassmagazine@ourmail.com www.compassmagazine.ca

MAGAZINE PUBLISHER Kealy Donaldson

COVER

LAYOUT Jessie Stones

Skil Xaaw Jesse Brillon

The Compass Magazine is produced on Vancouver Island, printed on the West Coast of British Columbia and published on Vancouver Island paper by: Kiki's Communications Inc. ISSN# 2369-8063 101-1811 Comox Ave Comox, BC V9M 3L9 250.203.1880 compassmagazine@ourmail.com www.compassmagazine.ca

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© Rawpixel.com

WE ARE ART Artful : The Poets K R I ST INA CA M P B ELL

IN THE SUMMER OF 2022, Ed Varney was looking for a

through their poetic community connections. The list

venue in Courtenay to host a reading by Paul E. Nel-

of local luminaries who have been featured has includ-

son, American poet, radio journalist, and founder of the

ed published, performative, poets laureate, and multi-

Cascadia Poetics LAB. That inaugural event at Artful :

media crossover artists, like Varney, Kolpak and Owen

The Gallery set in motion a monthly series of featured

themselves.

poet readings. Each evening includes an open floor for other poets to share their poetry, and the evenings have

The open floor poets have spanned an age range of

drawn poets from Parksville to Campbell River.

more than 8 decades and presented variations of poetry

Ed Varney was the connector who inspired the on-go-

responses to epic narratives. Whether you come to

ing series, drawing on the Comox Valley talent he was

share your own poetry (5 minutes each), or to enjoy the

well acquainted with. In 2020, together with poet Dan

inspiring performances, the evenings provide an inti-

Kirk, Varney had edited an anthology of poems written

mate opportunity for social and emotional connection

by 38 Comox Valley poets, Drift: Poems and Poets from

in response to the heartfelt original poetry.

the Comox Valley.

from free verse to structured forms, and poetry prompt

Planning for the 2024 season is underway, watch for

In the spring of 2023, regular attendees Diana Kolpak

upcoming events or subscribe to the monthly newslet-

and Carys Owen joined Varney to share hosting du-

ter at artfulthegallery.com.

ties, further expanding the selections of featured poets

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View of Hanson Island from the water © Cedar Garrick

C O A S TA L C H R O N I C L E S Yukusam/Hanson Island, Home of the Spirit Trees CATHE R INE M A R IE GILB ERT

“THE TRAIL STARTS OUT STEEP,” commented Aki

for about 200 metres to the camp, an inviting enclave

Garrick, describing the route up to his father, David

in a clearing in the woods. Hanson Island is heavily

Garrick’s camp. “Then it goes up from there.”

forested, exhibiting only scant remains of mining and

A small group of us were on Hanson Island, situated in Johnstone Strait near Telegraph Cove. We had come from Alert Bay (Cormorant Island), a 30 minute boat

of logging which ceased in the 1970s. Most importantly however, the island is home to numerous Culturally Modified Trees, or CMTs.

ride away in early June 2023 to bury David Garrick’s

Garrick, an environmental activist trained in anthro-

ashes. Known to his many friends and associates as

pology and archaeology, began studying these trees in

‘Walrus’, he had passed away the month previous at the

1985. His noteworthy findings make a significant con-

age of 76. Garrick was one of the few people in recent

tribution to the island’s history, and facilitated an im-

years to live on Hanson Island, as it is identified on

portant change to its status.

charts, but is Yukusam to the Kwakwa’kwa of the north island region.

CMTs, found in groves of old growth forests, are a critical component of First Nations’ culture. They are

Indeed the trail is steep, rising up through the trees

considered to be living archaeological artifacts, offer-

from Dong Chong Bay on the north side of the island

ing tangible evidence of indigenous use in an area.

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Vertical scars on the trees, healed over, show that the bark, particulary that of red and yellow cedar, was peeled off to create fibre used to make clothing and baskets, or ‘planked’ for wood*.

Garrick’s initial interest in CMTs coincided with area First Nations’ concerns about proposals to log Hanson Island. Garrick was no stranger to Hanson, having often visited Paul Spong, an old friend from Greenpeace days, at his whale research station OrcaLab on the east side of the island. Garrick learned in the early ‘80s that the forestry company Crown Zellerbach was building logging roads on the company’s timber licence on

Hanson Island location map © Yukusam Heritage Society, David Garrick Collection

Hanson. In consequence, the Umista Cultural Society of Alert Bay commissioned archaeologists to do a heritage study of the island to protect CMTs from being felled. Not only were 28 forest utilization sites identified, but midden deposits and evidence of human burial were found. A lack of funds deterred further research, and Crown Zellerbach took up the task. However, its expert identified only 76 CMTs. Garrick, with the help of a small group of volunteers felt compelled to do his own independent part-time research. By 1989, they had identified roughly 1,000 CMTs, some, four to five hundred years old. He presented his findSwiftsure at the Captain Cook Museum © Bill Maximick

ings to ‘Namgis elders Chief Bill Cranmer and Chief Pat Alfred, just as another forestry company, Fletcher Challenge was preparing to clearcut these areas.

With this evidence in hand the ‘Namgis were able to forestall logging plans and assisted Garrick with setting up a field camp near the centre of the island. Garrick named this camp ‘Earth Embassy’ the ecologically-based society he had first established in Vancouver in 1981.

Trail up to camp © Linda Gilarski

“Life in the rainforest was not easy,” Garrick wrote.

“Tents collapsed under wet snow and volunteers endured endless gales, storms and hurricane-force winds.

One night a black bear burst through the walls of one tent. Food supplies often dwindled down to brown rice and fish. Coffee was a luxury.”

By 1993, Garrick began conducting research full time.

His camp took on more permanence with the addition of several cabins and a large garden, and he spent the next five years combing the island’s forests for CMTs. The resultant research revealed about 2000 CMTs and took the form of a book, Cedar Shaping and Shaping Cedars, a Guidebook to Identifying, Documenting, Appreciating and Learning From Culturally Modified W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A

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C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 9

researchers identified over 1500 CMTs in Timberwest’s cutblock area. All logging was put on hold, and

by April 2001, Yukusam/Hanson Island was at last declared a protected area.

Over the period Garrick lived at Earth Embassy, he gave CMT and cedar workshops to school children from Alert Bay and adults such as ‘Namgis Chief Don Svanvik studied with him. A prolific writer, Garrick filled roughly 100 journals with field notes and personal reflections. He commented on the challenges presented by his off grid, subsistence lifestyle, where the need for firewood was constant, and fishing and foraging were a necessary part of survival. He often relied on donations to cover his minimal expenses.

When asked why he stayed on, he said that the longer he stayed, the more difficult it was to leave. About every two weeks, he hiked to OrcaLab to catch a boat ride into Alert Bay and get supplies. Here he attended meetings to discuss the future of Yukusam/Hanson Island. At one such meeting, it was suggested that CMTs be referred to as ‘Spirit Trees’ to honour the ancestors who lived on in spirit in the environ of the trees.

In 2018, illness forced Garrick to relocate to Alert Bay Garrick carrying log uphill to camp © Cedar Garrick

where he spent the remaining five years of his life. In June 2023, the community honoured Garrick at a celebration of life organized by Don Svanvik and Paul

Trees produced by the Western Canadian Wilderness Committee in 1998.

Spong.

Today, Yukusam/Hanson Island is jointly managed

Subsequent to the book’s publication, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Wilderness Committee and the Valhalla Society hired Garrick to conduct a series of CMT workshops on Hanson Island, on BC’s north central coast and in the interior.

Again, the spectre of logging, this time by Timberwest threatened Hanson Island’s forests in 1999. The forestry company was prevented however, when ‘Namgis’

by three area Kwakwaka'wakw groups – the ‘Namgis, Mamalilikulla -Qwe'Qwa'Sot'Em and Tolwtsis and.

The story of Yukusam offers a leading example of how aboriginal rights and titles, and land claim issues can be supported through archaeological evidence provided by identification of CMTs. *For the many uses of cedar consult Hilary Stewart’s Cedar, Douglas McIntyre 1984.

Catherine Marie Gilbert is an award-winning, best selling author and Vancouver Island historian.

She has a passion for uncovering unknown stories of British Columbia’s past and has had two books and numerous articles published. She is currently writing the life story of David (Walrus) Garrick from his role in the formation of Greenpeace in the 1970s, to his involvement with several environmental campaigns throughout the 1980s, and his ground-breaking study of culturally modified trees on Hanson Island, BC.

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Image courtesy Bayview Hotel

O F F T H E B E AT E N PAT H Adorning Art at the Bayview Hotel K E A LY D ONA LD SON I RECENTLY HEARD the Executive Director of Co-

Bayview Hotel owners Irma and Bill Smith typically

mox Valley Arts say that there isn’t enough public

reside in Saskatoon and commute to the Comox Val-

space to host art and how thankful they, as an organi-

ley for family visits and business matters. Their son,

zation, were to the spaces that allow public viewing of

Grant, is a seasoned hotel operator and is the General

local art. It’s a great point. There are many ways to find

Manager of the Bayview Hotel. Their daughter, Cheryl

and observe local art; some businesses have adopted

runs the Saskatoon Days Inn Hotel. It’s a family affair

the concept to allow Artists’ to hang commissionable

with these two properties, with a very caring attitude

works in professional spaces and waiting rooms.

about the property, guests and staff alike. The owner-

I’ve seen many local businesses with large commercial spaces truly embrace this policy, not only to

ship has strong roots and are hands on with the hotel management, staff and local engagement.

support the local Artists and Artisans but to allow lo-

The Bayview Hotel property came to be in 2009, with

cals and visitors the opportunity to view the incred-

clientele and community continuing to support this

ible talent that we have here on Vancouver Island.

beautiful property located in the seaside alley of South

YQQ is a great example of this! My visit to the Bay-

Courtenay. Tour de Rock and local sports groups are

view Hotel in Courtenay was pleasantly surprising

always supported through the Bayview along with

—they are another amazing business sharing and

many other local charities. What is most interesting

supporting local arts and culture.

about the Bayview is the abundance of beautiful lo-

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cal art work throughout the building. It truly shows an appreciation for and support of local Art and Artisans.

The owners mandated hosting and supporting local artists; so Grant Smith connected directly with local artists and hand-picked the artwork that now adorns almost every wall on the property. From First Nations carvings to locally themed photography, beautiful acrylic paintings and more, the Bayview has a wonderful arrangement adorning the hotel walls.

Master Carver Tommy Hunt Jr. has a massive circular wall plaque in the lobby area, hand carved and painted, along with K’omok’s own Gaery Cranmer who is a Master Painter in his own right. These two absolutely gorgeous pieces are pinnacle as you walk into the Bayview’s lobby.

Tom Hunt

In the hallway and breakfast area, Comox Valley’s own Kelly Everill’s pieces are present with pride. When asked about working with the Bayview, Everill says, “It was a humbling experience working with Grant at the Bayview. He had a vision for the artistic experience he wanted to create at the property, and myself and the other Artists are very appreciative of his support and the opportunity for our work to be seen.”

There are a number of other Artists and Artisans who have been selected. Works including local Comox Valley photography and specialty wood furniture, locally hand crafted, is a special feature in all the King and Jacuzzi suites. The Bayview property is quite large for an independent hotel property featuring 91 rooms with King, Jacuzzi and Family suites, an indoor pool with waterslide and hot tub and a pretty scrumptious hot buffet breakfast for those guests staying overnight.

Gaery Cranmer

As time allows, pop into this local accommodation on Cliffe Avenue to see the select art pieces on display or better yet, book a stay and immerse yourself into a stay-cation in this beautiful Comox Valley property and take the time to enjoy the local flair Bayview brings to the table.

Many hotel properties and businesses have done such an amazing job highlighting local art and culture; make sure you comment so they know there is a great appreciation for what you are seeing. www.bayviewvi.com

Image courtesy Bayview Hotel

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FEATURE ARTISTS

©Andy Everson

THE ART OF DIMENSION JESSE BRILLON and MARLO WYLIE BRILLON K EALY D ONA LD SON 1 4 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 4 8

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WE OFTEN SEE APPRENTICESHIPS FLOURISH into amazing co-existing relationships between the Master and the Apprentice. When this spark happens, and is within a family circle, the true magic of the cohesive hereditarial knowledge and understanding comes to light. This is a perfect description of the Uncle-Niece relationship of Jesse Brillon, traditionally known as Skil Xaaw | Xaaw SGaana (Lucky Fisherman | Great Fisherman) and Haayłingtso Marlo Wylie Brillon.

The magic between these two really came to light when they worked together for an Exhibition at the Haida Gwaii Museum June of 2022. The extraordinary repousse craftsmanship of Jesse Brillon matched with Marlo’s insightful depth in her traditional carved wood pieces truly shine as remarkable contributions to their heritage and culture. This Haida Gwaii exhibit, ‘The Art of Dimension,' was extremely well received and continued to be shown until October of that year. The exhibition moved on to the world-renowned Bill Reid Gallery on Granville Island in Vancouver, BC in 2023 and recently closed in mid October.

copper shields. While chatting, I notice the amazing jewellery Jesse has created as he dons a gorgeous cuff bracelet he designed and completed. His work has a special presence about it – the style, composition and knowledge are all present and very traditional.

Jesse is working towards presenting more workshops and lessons on jewellery carving with Marlo and Karver Everson, Marlo’s partner, in mind. He is focusing on sharing intergenerational teachings with them both on how to work with metal. “When you look at one of Jess’ pieces," Marlo says, "you don’t always understand the complexity of its shape and all the components through the artistic process. Karver has really picked up on metal working and jewellery. I’m still practicing and it is trial and error."

Jess laughs, saying, “It’s like me, carving wood – it’s a different feel and different process all together. It takes time and mentorship to get the shape and feel of the material to work for you.”

The two Artists were thrilled to secure and announce that their ‘Art of Dimension’ exhibition will re-open early December, on Vancouver Island, at K’omoks’ own Totem Design House, co-owned and operated by sister/Mother, Erin Brillon and her husband, internationally acclaimed Artist, Andy Everson. “We are thrilled and honoured to be shown in this important territory,” Jesse says. “This is a beautiful acknowledgement and we thank Kalga Jaad Erin Brillon and Chief Kwamxalagalis Andy Everson for accommodating this exhibition.”

The primary content for the exhibition is silver and gold repousse jewellery in traditional designs by Jesse Brillon and cedar carved pieces by Marlo Brillon. Some of these exhibiting pieces were used in a Ceremonial Feast, celebrating the joining of Kalga Jaad and Kwamxalagalis in Haida Gwaii and then presented to the Museum for the specific purpose of the exhibit.

Discussing his process and what he has been working on, Jesse shares that he has started playing with copper recently and it was a big focus when he went to Whitehorse this October. Marlo was in tow and they delivered workshops with local First Nations, working on large W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A

© Marlo Wylie Brillon

"The shapes are the same but getting it right is what the big learning curve is all about,” finishes Marlo.

When asked what makes his creative side flow, Jesse notes he is inspired by a little bit of everything. “It’s much easier working year round here versus Haida Gwaii, Issue 48 |

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F E AT U R E A R T I S T S JESSE BRILLON + MARLO WYLIE BRILLON W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A

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especially in the winter time." Jesse craves the sunshine and warmth in the winter, and the K’omoks location gives him a bit of reprieve throughout the darker months. He is looks forward to creating larger pieces this winter; the copper workshop in Whitehorse, this fall, were a start to that inspiration. He continues his own journey of learning and has been working on a large copper shield and a grouping of copper bowls.

Marlo started carving and creating with wood as a medium in 2020. She has been a full time student at University of Victoria and recently completed her degree in Social Sciences – Anthropology. Her time off during the summer has been her true creative focus and worked tirelessly to hone her craft, producing and practicing on a variety of traditional shapes and subjects. Marlo has been working on wood panels and elevating them to the next level; as she continues to expand her body of work, her first mask was a Shark and she danced it at the Ceremonial Feast in Haida Gwaii in 2022 – joining her mother, Erin and step-father, Andy Everson.

The learning process is exciting and challenging at the same time.

All these firsts are arriving to her and Marlo is so accepting and ready to work towards mastering her art skills, not to mention how humble she and Jesse both are. Marlo started the Shark mask here in K’omoks and finished the piece in Skidgate, before the Ceremonial Feast. To see her clan come together, for the first time in over 150 years, was an emotional but worthy celebration. She notes that it’s the process of creating from small to big, from craft style to larger more instrumental pieces that is truly driving her inspiration right now. As she continues to refine her forms and shapes, she works with Jesse to confirm her design styles and, her partner, Karver helps her layout the design idea on wood. “The learning process is exciting 1 8 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 4 8

and challenging at the same time,” she says. “Trying different tools, like a chainsaw, to work with the wood and make progress is a true challenge.”

Jesse looks to the future towards more teaching and workshops, working with Karver and Marlo. Those larger scale pieces are definitely at the forefront of his creative mindset. He is always creating – designing, carving - all the time. “It’s been a long time coming as while we are exhibiting, we are typically not selling or taking commissions. The time is coming to start taking on commissions and work towards some permanent collections. Haida Gwaii is still home but I have been spending more time here in K’omoks lately. For now, it’s a better space for working and teaching,” Jesse says.

Marlo shares she’s working on a couple commissions right now, and working towards a potlatch honouring her maternal side from Haida Gwaii. That is expected to take place in September next year. The preparation will be fierce with a busy ten months coming, preparing and creating for the beautiful gifts to honour the families who will be involved.

After enchanting audiences at the Haida Gwaii Heritage Center Museum and captivating thousands of visitors at the Bill Reid Gallery in Vancouver, don't miss this rare opportunity to experience the highly acclaimed Art of Dimension Exhibition—now gracing Totem Design House in the K'omoks Valley. Grand Opening is December 8th.

Raven Pendant © Jesse Brillon, 2021

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Winter’s Slumber an Om Oasis Sound Bath Event Broken Squirrel Wellness aka The Collective Wellness 445-10th St. Courtenay,BC Saturday December 9th 4:00-6:00 pm www.brokensquirrel.ca/Events

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Map from SPEC report showing sites for proposed nuclear power plants SPECTRUM 1979, David Garrick collection

WA L K I N G I N T H E I R F O O T S T E P S 'SAY NO TO NUKES!' Keeping Nuclear Power Plants off Vancouver Island CATHERINE M A R IE GILB ERT

AT THE SAME TIME AS THE WORLD was reeling

Awareness Program created by SPEC (at that time

from the news of the Three Mile Island nuclear power

SPEC stood for the Canadian Scientific Pollution &

station meltdown in Pennsylvania on March 28, 1979,

Environmental Control Society) in 1978. The VOW

and many were pre-occupied with fears of radiation

had joined in an anti-nuclear alliance with SPEC, the

poisoning, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL)

Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility, First

was busy promoting nuclear power in British Colum-

Nations groups, unions and church organizations, and

bia. In its 1979 report AECL authors wrote: “Vancouver

had a long history of educating the public on the haz-

Island appears to be a logical area for the application

ards of radiation.

of nuclear power.” (AECL Report 1979, 2) One of the proposed sites for a nuclear plant was close Members of the Voice of Women in Vancouver were

to Port McNeill on the North Island, chosen because of

alerted to the report and asked environmental activist

its low population and proximity to the ocean. Garrick

David Garrick, also known as Walrus, to look into this

travelled to Port McNeill to talk with residents about

proposal as part of his role coordinating the Nuclear

their opinions on nuclear power, and found that few

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knew about the proposal. The second proposed site was about twenty kilometres north on the east coast of the island at False Head near Port Hardy. Garrick had been to the area before while participating in Greenpeace’s whale campaigns and was aware that the area designated for the plants were in N’amgis First Nation’s territory. He alerted N’amgis First Nations elders in Alert Bay on Cormorant Island about the controversial proposals.

Organizations such as AECL presented nuclear power as an inexpensive and safe power alternative that would spur economic growth, and the report listed the many benefits nuclear power stations would bring to the North Island citing numerous new job opportunities. Yet many Canadians were concerned about the consequences of radiation leaks and did not trust the science that supported the nuclear way. Despite AECL’s assurance that “the effects on the environment would be less than for any alternative source of power” and that “the level of radioactivity found in the environment, especially outside the exclusion area, as a result of reactor operations would be a small fraction of that existing prior to startup of the nuclear plant”, (top) David Garrick in 1979, Photographer unknown, David Garrick collection; (left) Vancouver City Day of Anti-Nuclear Protest, © Greg McIntyre, Malcolm Crockett collection

residents of Vancouver Island had a right to be concerned. Not only had the incident at Three Mile Island just occurred, but the very first meltdown of a plant in the world had taken place in Deep River, Ontario at the Chalk River facility in 1952, followed by a second in 1958. Those involved in the clean-up later suffered from various cancers, most notably leukemia.

Garrick wrote an extremely comprehensive report during his tenure as SPEC’s anti-nuclear coordinator that outlined why nuclear power was being promot-

about the dangers of radiation poisoning: first on

ed. Contrary to AECL’s argument that more electric

September 17, 1978, where he addressed about 2000

power was required in BC with its growing population,

people at a rally in Stanley Park on the topic “Radia-

Garrick argued that more electrical power was not re-

tion and Survival”, then at the Vancouver Planetarium

quired since BC Hydro had a surplus of power and was

speaking about radiation hazards in BC. He repeated

selling this surplus to the United States. AECL was con-

this talk to a crown of 5000 on April 26, 1980, as part

fident that its operations on Vancouver Island would

of “Vancouver City Day of Anti-Nuclear Protest”, the

also produce excess power sellable to the US, which in

largest rally ever held in the city.

the end, became one of the main reasons the developments were not be approved.

Anti-nuclear activists in British Columbia were successful in convincing the public and the province

Garrick worked for over a decade raising aware-

of the dangers of using nuclear power and of allow-

ness of the dangers of nuclear activity and the detri-

ing uranium mines to open. Due to efforts by those

mental effects of mining uranium, the main source

such as David Garrick and members of the Voice of

of fuel for nuclear reactors. Garrick organized

Women, today there are no nuclear power stations on

rallies with the purpose of educating the public

Vancouver Island, nor in the entire province of BC.

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Issue 48 |

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© edb3_16

N O R T H W E S T C O A S T N AT U R E The Colours of Fall Leaves LU NA LOISEAU -T R EM B LAY AS THE FALL SETTLES IN and winter is just around

smells alive on our skin while nature is dormant and

the corner, the autumn colours are vibrant. It's hard

waiting for spring.

not to notice the bright yellows, oranges and reds above our heads, and crunching beneath our

Why do leaves change colours? As the days

feet as we walk through a forest trail. Gray

get shorter and the nights get longer, a

clouds contrast strongly with brilliant

biochemical process is triggered in the

leaf hues, while a blue sky on sunny

leaf tissues of broadleaf trees in our

days make up a picture perfect back-

area. Length of night, current weather

drop. The smell of Cottonwood tree

and leaf pigments present in a certain

buds plays gently on the breeze, and a

tree species are all factors that have an

large variety of colourful fungi grows all

effect on leaves to enhance the brilliant

over the forest, lawns, stumps and road-

colours that we see around us in the fall.

sides. Some of us are combing the forest for edible mushrooms, while others are gathering the buds of cottonwood to make the soothing

There are three different pigments involved in leaf colour change: chlorophyll, anthocyanins and carotenoids.

Balm of Gilead, a wonderful way to keep the forest 2 2 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 4 8

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Chlorophyll consists of two green pigments, chlorophyll a and b, that live inside chloroplasts of plants and algae. Chlorophyll is responsible for absorbing light, in the red and blue spectrum, and turning it into energy in the form of sugars, in a process called photosynthesis. This process also uses chemicals like carbon dioxide and water, along with the absorption of light through chlorophyll for plants to make their own food, with the byproducts being oxygen, water and glucose. While chlorophyll only absorbs light in the red and blue spectrum, green light is reflected from chlorophyll-containing structures in the plant, making it appear green to us.

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Carotenoids, another leaf pigment, is responsible for the yellow, orange and brown colours like those that can be found in things like carrots, yams, buttercups and the bright yellow of leaves.

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Anthocyanins are the third pigment, which reflects red light, making leaves appear shades of red or purple.

In peak growing season with lots of sunlight, chlorophyll is being made and broken down constantly, however, as the days get shorter chlorophyll is being destroyed and not being replaced. This allows the carotenoids and anthocyanins to show in varying degrees, making for an incredible display. Of course, not every species has equal amounts of each pigment in their leaves nor does the chlorophyll break down all at once, which is why some species may be a brilliant yellow in the fall, such as the leaves of Ginkgo biloba, or a fade from scarlet red to yellow in the leaf of a Chinese Maple.

Big Leaf Maple, Acer macrophyllum is one of our most beautiful broadleaf, deciduous trees with expansive trunks and branches reaching high into the canopy, often dripping with epiphytes (plants that live on another plant in a non parasitic way) such as moss, lichens and ferns. The large leaves of big leaf maple in the fall are warm browns, yellows and oranges, brilliant beacons in the forest of evergreens.

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As our energy turns inward in the fall and winter season, reflecting on the beauty that surrounds us can help us navigate the difficulties of the present state of the world. The shades of colour in fall feels like gift, a return to seasonal normalcy tied to cool wind and

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W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A

Issue 48 |

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© Sergey Nivens

SHIFT HAPPENS Finding Your Flow ANDREA WAGEMAKER

WHAT IS FLOW? It was defined in the 1970 by Mihaly

Psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi's reseach on

Csikszentmihalyi as: “An optimal state of conscious-

flow started in the 1970s. He has called it the "Secret of

ness where we feel our best and perform our best”

happiness." Flow is a state of "optimal experience" that

(Kotler et al., 2022).

each of us can incorporate into our everyday lives.

One characterized by immense joy that makes a life

New year’s often come with new resolutions. Get back

worth living.

in shape. Read more. Make more time for friends and family.

In the years since, researchers have gained a vast store of knowledge about what it is like to be in flow and how

My list of resolutions might not look quite the same

experiencing it is important for our overall mental

as yours, but each of our resolutions represents a plan

health and well-being. You may have heard of flow, a

for something new, or at least a little bit different. As

seemingly magical state that some people enter when

you craft your 2023 resolutions, I hope that you will

they write that lets them be tremendously productive

add one that is also on my list: feel more flow.

and creative with little effort. Flow happens in many

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arts, like painting, performing music and dancing. We

Researchers have been studying flow for nearly 50

also hear of flow in sports.

years, but only recently have they begun to decipher what is going on in the brain during flow. Studies show

WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE IN FLOW?

that the experience is associated with activity in the

People often say flow is like "being in the zone". Psy-

brain structures implicated in feeling reward and pur-

chologists Jeanne Nakamura and Csíkszentmihályi

suing our goals. This may be one reason why flow

describe it as something more. When people feel flow,

feels so enjoyable and why people are so focused on

they are in a state of intense concentration. Their

tasks that make them feel flow. Research also shows

thoughts are focused on an experience rather than on

that flow is associated with decreased activity in brain

themselves. They lose a sense of time and feel as if

structures implicated in self-focus. This may help ex-

there is a merging of their actions and their aware-

plain why feeling flow can help distract people from

ness. You feel you have control over the situation and

worry.

your experience is not physically or mentally taxing.

Most importantly, flow is what researchers call an au-

HOW TO FIND YOUR “FLOW”

totelic experience. Autotelic derives from two Greek

We all are capable of reaching that state of effort-

words: autos (self) and telos (end or goal). Autotelic

less concentration and enjoyment called "flow” Flow

experiences are things that are worth doing in and of

tends to occur when a person faces a clear set of goals

themselves.

that require appropriate responses. It is easy to enter flow in games such as chess, tennis, or poker, because

WHAT CAUSES FLOW?

they have goals and rules that make it possible for the

Flow occurs when a task's challenge is balanced with

player to act without questioning what should be done,

one’s skill set. In fact, both the task challenge and skill

and how. For the duration of the game the player lives

level have to be high. So, when do people experience

in a self-contained universe where everything is black

flow? Csíkszentmihályi's research in the 1970s fo-

and white. The same clarity of goals is present if you

cused on people doing tasks they enjoyed. He studied

perform a religious ritual, play a musical piece, weave

swimmers, music composers, chess players, dancers, mountain climbers and other athletes. He went on to study how people can find flow in more everyday experiences. You can feel your glow by practicing yoga or by riding their bike, cooking or going for a run. So long as that task's challenge is high, and so are your

a rug, write a computer program, climb a mountain, or perform surgery. In contrast to normal life, these "flow activities" allow a person to focus on goals that are clear and compatible, and provide immediate feedback.

Flow also happens when a person's skills are fully in-

skills, you should be able to achieve your natural flow.

volved in overcoming a challenge that is just about

WHY IS IT GOOD TO FEEL FLOW?

skills and increasing challenges. If challenges are too

Earlier I said that Csíkszentmihályi called flow "the secret to happiness". Why is that? For one thing, the experience can help people pursue their long tern goals.

This is because research shows that taking a break to do something fun can help enhance one’s self-control, goal, pursuit and well-being. A recent study also shows that flow helps people stay resilient in the face of adversity. Part of this is because flow can help refocus thoughts away from something stressful to some-

manageable, so it acts as a magnet for learning new low, one gets back to flow by increasing them. If challenges are too great, one can return to the flow state by learning new skills.

Looking to get into your flow? Hypnosis in a focus train of thought- you only need to “ask” for it and allow the magic to happen. For more information on Hypnosis or getting into your light – Contact Shift Happens located in Comox at 250-338-3401.

thing enjoyable. In fact, studies have shown that experiencing flow can help guard against depression and burnout. Research also shows that people who experienced stronger feelings of flow had better well-being.

What is your brain doing during flow?

W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A

Andrea Wagemaker Shift Happens & Lucia Light ShiftHypnotherapy.ca • 250-338-3401 Issue 48 |

C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 2 5

WELLNESS ARTIST

PAT JAC K S ON A Musical Life Well Lived CAR OLI NE LENA R D ON, SSO Fla u t ist PAT JACKSON EXPERIENCED THE WARMTH and caring

hand and help where needed. She has been a firm fix-

nature of Vancouver Island residents when she and her

ture in the non-profit performing arts community, in-

husband, Eric, were touring around to see if they want-

cluding a long-running role as President of the Comox

ed to emigrate from England to B.C. Her sister, who

Valley Concert Band and a Board Member of the Strath-

was working and living in Vancouver, suggested that Pat

cona Symphony Orchestra. She has also been involved

and her husband have a “drive around” and they ended

in a variety of organizations such as Meals on Wheels

up in Powell River en route to Courtenay on a snowy

and the Girl Guides, to name a few. If you have a cup

winter’s eve. One of the B.C. ferry workers heard about

of tea with Pat, she will share some amazing (and funny)

their predicament (they didn’t have snow tires on their

stories with you and experiences of a life well lived.

rental car, and they had no idea where to stay) and her family put Pat and Eric up at their home in Black Creek.

Pat’s connection to her euphonium (a member of the tuba family) which she still plays with the Concert Band

High marks for the kindness of strangers.

and Strathcona Symphony, comes from her evolution as a fledgling flute player. Many of the Air Force

Over fifty years ago, the Jacksons started their life on

base members, who were also musicians in the Con-

Vancouver Island. Pat has never been shy to put up her

cert Band, had transferred out and there was a need

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for more brass. One of the members asked Pat if she wanted to play the euphonium, and she took up the challenge with relish. She is also a proficient piano and recorder player, and I’m sure she wouldn’t hesitate to pick up the flute again.

She has seen significant changes in the performing arts community, including the number of groups and increasing proficiency and sophistication of the direc-

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tors and members who enjoy giving back to the community with their talent. Comox Valley and Campbell River residents can experience live performances on a frequent basis as well as the ability to join groups from beginner groups, such as Hello Strings, to sophisticated selections from the Island Voices Chamber Choir.

Pat expressed the urgent need for the area to have a dedicated rehearsal and performing arts space, similar to Powell River. Every year, that community’s PRISMA Festival and Academy attracts musicians, directors, and audiences from around the world. Although Pat has been involved in many conversations with planners and other members of the arts community, a solution has not yet been found to have a dedicated space.

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In the meantime, Pat is happy to practice and perform, visit her daughter in Nanaimo, and contribute her expertise and laughter to the greater good of the performing arts. In recognition of Pat’s immeasurable dedication and talent, the Strathcona Symphony has awarded her a Lifetime Honorary Member designation.

Keep playing music. We are so lucky to have you in our lives.

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W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A

Issue 48 |

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© Carla Duffey - Lime Soda Photography

S TAY W E L L Forgiveness DA NA M A H ON THE PAST DOESN’T EQUAL THE FUTURE; free yourself through grace and forgiveness.

A state of whole-level wellness, as we know, consists

•

journalling - where it is safe to be honest with ourselves about where we’re at and how we’re feeling,

of many elements all working in harmony with one

These are all beautiful practices for keeping our

another. At times it can be challenging to keep these

finger on the pulse of our “realities”.

well oiled machines of ours operating optimally, but it isn’t impossible!

Regular check-ins by way of:

•

meditation - quieting the mind enough to hear and feel what is going on inside, - movement and physical self-care practices - noticing and feeling what is going on physically,

As we move closer to the end of the year, the tendency may be to reflect upon what we could have done differently as it relates to our health. Could we have eaten better, exercised more or started a meditation practice. Could we have taken better care of our mental health, said no more often, or, said yes to new things?! Coulda, shoulda, woulda. What if instead of going down that road, we trusted that we did the best we could at the time.

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What if we practiced acceptance and even forgive-

Forgiveness is a highly underrated action, a choice

ness for some of the things we participated in that

really, yet one that can liberate us from mental,

may not have been optimal for our well-being.

emotional and even physical suffering. It tends to

What if there were an equal tendency not only to

cause knots in the belly, heaviness in the heart and

not shame or blame ourselves, but to celebrate our

fog in the mind, preventing us from feeling good,

successes, growth, evolution, and the experiences

light and open, from thinking clearly, and from mov-

that may not get public attention or recognition, but

ing freely about our days, without anxiety, distress or

that we know deep inside were life changing. These

mental clutter. Simply put, not forgiving can weigh

could be releasing something or someone, setting a

on us and hold us back from shining our light. It’s like

goal regardless of the “size” and reaching it or at least

Pigpen from Peanuts, where that dark messy cloud

consistently working towards it. It could be learning

just followed him around, hanging over his every

to drive, cook or bake, planting a garden and harvest-

move.

ing one sweet cucumber! It could be eliminating or reducing harmful substances like caffeine, sugar or alcohol. Whatever it is, remember to sit with your wins and celebrate them, and in turn, yourself!

Sometimes the hardest things to do for many of us, and it is something that can interfere with that feeling of whole-level wellness, is releasing anger, judgment, resentments and pains of the past; whether towards another or ourselves, and the toll on our wellness can be significant. Hey, we could even be in extraordinary physical shape, experience financial abundance, be in the top tier of our profession, but if we carry excess mental and emotional weight we may still not feel well, in that whole, complete sense.

Something to ponder that may facilitate forgiveness for you as you move forward and into a new year: Forgiveness does not negate something that happened or the feelings that ensued. It simply loosens the stronghold of an experience so that it no longer “owns” you. Think of it as: Forgiveness = inner peace.

Q: Where might I exercise and practice forgiveness whether toward another, or to myself. How might I soften the feelings around an experience, and replace them with better-feeling, more compassionate, loving thoughts, and as a result, remove the emotional charge for myself? How might I free myself by choosing forgiveness? ~xo

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Issue 48 |

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about 2 notes per second.” Saw-whet owls make many different kinds of sounds, from high pitched barks and growls to mewling hissing sounds and beak snaps, but the “too-too-too” is easy to distinguish and catches one's ear late at night, when it occurs to us that it seems strange to hear something calling consistently in the dark, sometimes for hours.

About the size of an American Robin, Northern Sawwhet owls have a light white and brown face with brown, cream colored streaks, big bright yellow eyes with a white Y shaped eyebrow pattern. While this is one of our smallest owl species, northern saw-whet are amazing predators, hunting primarily at night. They may supplement their diet with some insects but they eat almost exclusively small mammals such as shrews, voles and mainly deer mice in the genus Peromyscus. Because of the orientation and shape of their ear openings, Saw-Whet owls have excellent hearing and © Luna Loiseau-Tremblay

rely completely on sound to hunt in the dark, swooping down to snap up a mouse on the forest floor.

B A C K YA R D B I R D I N G

While Northern Saw-whets are a resident of this area,

Northern Saw-Whet Owl

greatly from year to year. This owl is largely noctur-

LUN A LOI SE AU -TR EMBLAY

sually. The preferred habitat for Northern Saw-Whet

they are also a migratory species whose numbers vary nal, making them easier to hear, than to observe viOwls is older coniferous or mixed evergreen/decid-

AS THE FALL SETTLES IN, the days shorten and the rain

uous forests with an open understory that has space

comes down, we are feeling the urge to cozy in, light-

for hunting and a lot of pre-excavated cavities of a

ing woodstoves and pulling on leg warmers. Enjoying

certain size for nesting. In the islands of Haida Gwaii

outdoor activities takes a little more effort to stave off

there is a non-migratory sub species of Northern Saw-

the damp and cold, being able to appreciate nature in

Whet owl, Aegolius acadius brooksi, which is listed as

its more dormant form or perhaps focusing on inside

a threatened. As with the more common saw-whet, the

pastimes. While birding in fall and winter feels differ-

Haida Gwaii owl prefers to inhabit mature forests that

ent because the migrants have left to warmer climates,

have old growth, near wetland areas.

the seasonal cycles bring the usual suspects. The beautiful colors of a Varied Thrush foraging in the grass

The forest attributes that are important to the conser-

or a flash of blue from a curious Steller’s Jay, and the

vation and protection of Northern Saw-Whet owls, are

sounds of Anna’s Hummingbird foraging, or the ham-

directly connected to the preservation of mature and

mering of a Red-Breasted Sapsucker are common at

old growth forests. As more and more of this type of

this time of the year.

ecosystem is destroyed through unsustainable logging practices, so too will the habitat of the Northern Saw-

One of my favorite winter birding activities is listen-

Whet Owl, as well as many other species of flora and

ing for the calls of Northern Saw-Whet owls (Aegolius

fauna. To learn ways to contribute towards protecting

acadius) on clear, cold nights in the months of January

owls, as well as all birds species, refer to the website of

to March. The Cornell lab birding page on this species

All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (allabout-

describes one of the common sounds as a “distinctive

birds.org) and more locally Rocky Point Bird Observa-

“too-too-too” song, that is insistent and at a rate of

tory at rpbo.org.

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