ISSUE 36 | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 SHARING THE DIRECTION OF VANCOUVER ISLAND COMMUNITIES
Naturopathic Inspirations
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And Why We Need Them
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SHARING THE DIRECTION OF VANCOUVER ISLAND COMMUNITIES
8
WALKING IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Reserve
10
The Royston Wrecks
12
Backyard Birds of Vancouver Island
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
FLORA + FAUNA OF THE NORTHWEST COAST Luna Loiseau-Tremblay
14
ARTIST FEATURE
20
WELLNESS ARTIST
Cole Speck | Speck-tacular Talent Kealy Donaldson
Matt Archer | Eyes in the Sky
Kealy Donaldson
NATUROPATHIC INSPIRATIONS
22
12 Months to a New You!
24
Stop Grinding your Teeth with Hypnotherapy
28
Ingrid Pincott, ND
SHIFT HAPPENS
Andrea Wagemaker
NORTHWEST NATURE PERSPECTIVES
The Importance of Wetland Ecosystems Luna Loiseau-Tremblay
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COMPASS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 36 | DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022
PUBLISHER'S NOTE NEW BEGINNINGS! Tis the season for a little hustle bustle as we get our lists completed, and look for those little special items
&
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and moments for our loved ones. With Winter Solstice and the New Year coming up, it's also time for reflection as we prepare for 2022 and the return of daylight. New beginnings are upon us—wipe the slate clean and get ready for a fresh start! Make time for you and yours; create space for gratitude for all that has arrived to you, by hard work or by chance. Remember to
designs. Constructed with the highest grade of quartz mineral and advanced polymer resin, combined with the latest compression technology from Keda, Omnia Quartz is engineered to be the best of its kind.
honour those who took time to lift you up this past year, to help those in need, and to hug your loved ones – it matters! We’re starting fresh here too – it's time for a change. To start our new chapter, we've opened a new store, Kiki's 2.0, at 1811 Comox Avenue in Comox. So please, drop by and say hi–yo! Wishing you and yours a very happy and safe Holiday Season—stay well!
Gift yourself a surface upgrade this Christmas!
Kealy Donaldson PUBLISHER
compassmagazine@ourmail.com www.compassmagazine.ca
MAGAZINE PUBLISHER Kealy Donaldson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jessie Stones
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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 2100 Park Road Campbell River, BC V9W 4P7 250.203.1880 compassmagazine@ourmail.com www.compassmagazine.ca To Advertise & Subscribe Kealy: 250.203.1880 In-Store Purchase $5 Back Issues $10 Annual Subscription $50 6 Issues
COVER Cole Speck Atlakim Door Mask, 2019 CONTRIBUTORS Luna Loiseau-Tremblay Andrea Wagemaker Ingrid Pincott, ND James L. Anderson Joseph McLean Kealy Donaldson
CONNECT WITH US Facebook | LinkedIn Kealy Donaldson
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada.
Entire magazine contents are copyright. All rights reserved.
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HOUSE OF TREASURES UNIQUE & BEAUTIFUL THINGS Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 5
WE ARE ART
SEWING LOVE + UNDERSTANDING 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
Community Art Projects can help connect us,
November 25 was the official start of 16 Days of Activ-
and help us talk about difficult things. Gender-based
ism Against Gender-Based Violence, a collaborative project
Violence is a difficult thing. It makes daily life unsafe
between CV Arts and Comox Valley Transition Society.
for too many people who identify as female, non-bi-
CV Arts is marking this action with a Community Stitch
nary and trans folx, people perceived as not comply-
Project and encouraging community to join in. To par-
ing with "traditional" gender roles, and men who aren't
ticipate, pick up a free stitch kit, participate in a stitch
"manly enough". It impacts all ages and abilities among
session, or discuss the project with friends—and most
them, too. And gets worse for Indigenous Women
importantly, consider how you and your community
and Women of Colour. There's a high probability you
can work to create a violence-free society together!
know someone who is a survivor of GBV. What can you do to end GBV in your own community group?
#weneedtotalkaboutit #itsnotok
6 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 6
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Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 7
WA L K I N G I N T H E I R F O O T S T E P S
MOUNT ARROWSMITH BIOSPHERE RESERVE The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Foundation was
200, and is a federally-protected species at risk. In 2018,
established in 1996 by research scientist, Dr. Glen Ja-
Kuth-KahChulth/Mount Arrowsmith was home to the
mieson, to raise awareness of the biodiversity of wa-
largest colony of these Marmots in the Nanaimo Lakes
tersheds on Vancouver Island’s Mount Arrowsmith and
area, although new colonies were found in Strathcona
adjacent marine areas. The Mount Arrowsmith Bio-
Provincial Park in 2021.
sphere Region (MABR) was officially designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 2000. Bordered by the
The massif is an area of alpine, not very well connect-
Cameron / Little Qualicum and Englishman River, the
ed with other Island alpine areas, and has many species
area surrounds the Arrowsmith Massif. Nuu-chah-nulth
of plant life that are rare. In 1915, the only Lewisia Pyg-
from the Alberni area originally named this moun-
maea ever found on Vancouver Island was found on Ar-
tain "Kuth-KahChulth" which translates to "that which
rowsmith's slopes—which was then rediscovered in 2008.
has sharp pointed faces." In the mid-1800s, English settlers called it Arrowsmith after two cartographers, Aaron Arrowsmith and his nephew John Arrowsmith. Early settlers on the east side of the mountain referred to it as "The Sleeping Maiden", for its profile at sunset that resembles a reclining woman. The mountain and its surroundings are home to cougar, deer, wolves, bear and elk. On the high ridges white tailed ptarmigan can be found blending in perfectly with their surroundings. Many of these animals are rare, endan-
There is archaeological evidence that Indigenous peoples went up into the Island mountains to hunt marmots. Several First Nations count the height of land of Arrowsmith as the border of their traditional land areas. The Arrowsmith massif has been attracting visitors since the late 1800s. One of the first written accounts was in 1887, when John Macoun, Naturalist to Geological Survey, Assistant Director and Dominion Botanist, and a small team made a trip up the massif. Professor Macoun men-
gered, and known only to Vancouver Island.
tions in his account the views to the Pacific Ocean, but
The Vancouver Island marmot is one of the rarest mam-
from Cokely or Barkley Sound that can be seen from the
mals on the planet with an estimated population of
main summit of Arrowsmith. Another well documented
8 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 6
it's not clear if he is referring to the Alberni Canal as seen
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
early ascent on Arrowsmith was in 1901 by Dr. James Fletcher, Canada's first Dominion Entomologist and Botanist, and John Clutesi (father of the famed author and native elder George Clutesi of Port Alberni), among others. Fletcher wrote to his sister, "This was a glorious trip of four days, it is the highest mountain on Vancouver Island," (Lindsay Elms, Beyond Nootka, 1996). One interesting bit of folklore is that Edward Whymper, (of Matterhorn first ascent fame), made the first European ascent, sometime between 1901 and 1905, and the cairn on the summit is sometimes referred to as the
The 60s saw logging roads pushed further up the moun-
"Whymper cairn".
tain's flanks. As drivable access became easier, the popu-
In 1910 the C.P.R. built a tourist chalet at the East end of
larity of the massif increased dramatically.
Cameron Lake. By 1912 a pack trail was completed from
The roads opened the area to more activity. Some would
the lake to an overnight hut 4200 feet up the slopes of
say for the better, but old-timers said the mountain was
Mt. Cokely. From here visitors could do an easy day hike
overrun and ruined. In 1972, 607 hectares on the north-
to Cokely or a more challenging day to Arrowsmith's
ern slopes of Cokely was sold, for a dollar, by MacMillan
summit. This trail, known as the Old Arrowsmith trail, is
Bloedel to the Regional District of Alberni-Clayoquot
still very popular to this day.
(RDAC), to be turned into a regional park, since there was
In the 1940s and 50s, more cabins were built on the
already a small volunteer ski operation held there.
massif and this area became a destination for winter ski
Several commercial ventures then tried their luck at
trips and to enjoy the summer alpine beauty. The most
downhill skiing with no success, and they all went out of
noteworthy cabin was the Rosseau Chalet, named after
business. In 2005 the lift towers were taken out and the
a Port Alberni mountaineer, Ralph Rosseau. The cabin
area completely cleaned up, allowing it to return to a
was destroyed by vandals in the 70s, but a popular trail
wilderness state. It is a popular backcountry ski destina-
on the massif still carries his name. A few of these us-
tion in the winter and offers easy hiking in the summer.
er-maintained cabins still exist today, used by yet other generations of hikers and mountaineers. Ralph died in a climbing accident in the Septimus range and the highest peak in that range was officially named Mt. Rosseau.
Resources Peter Rothermel, October 2009 – A Brief History of the Arrowsmith Massif
Scrumpy's © Kealy Donaldson W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 9
O F F T H E B E AT E N PAT H
ROYSTON WRECKS HISTORICAL GHOST SHIPS In the first half of the 20th century the Comox
they are a reminder of the booming logging industry
Valley had a booming logging industry. The logs were
here. And whatever you think about it, it is a big part
pulled by train to the entrance of the Comox Harbour
of the local history. Looking at the hulking shapes you
in Royston, dumped there and then towed over the
can imagine how the whole place was buzzing with life
Strait of Georgia to the big sawmills in New Westmin-
more than half a century ago.
ster on the mainland.
Not to mention that a lot of wildlife enjoys this shel-
The site in Royston is very exposed to southerly winds
tered place nowadays. Divers and Kayakers still enjoy
increasing the tidal swells,
which made the dump
visiting this site. A Diver organization has GPS mapped
tricky and dangerous especially in winter. To protect
all the Royston Wrecks as part of an application for
against the South-Eastern winter storms, an exten-
National Historic Status. The Ships provide a protect-
sive breakwater was built. First the logging company
ed location for the re-growth of eel grass beds and are
tried to install a breakwater with boomsticks. In the
a protected habitat for all kinds of sea life.
late 1930s they sunk the first old ship hulks, beginning with the Laurel Whalen, to break the ocean's force. Over the next 25 years 13 more ships were sunk, including old whaling boats, schooners, navy frigates, freighters and tugs. The most historic might be the Melanope, a 79-metre 3-masted sailing ship built in 1876.
LIST OF SUNKEN SHIPS: Comet, 4 masted barque · Dunver HMCS, frigate · Eastview HMCS, frigate · Forest Friend, 5 masted barquentine · Gatineau HMCS, destroyer · Harpoon Boat Laurel Whalen, 5 masted windjammer (first boat) · Melanope, 3 masted windjammer · Nanoose, steam tug · Prince Rupert HMCS, frigate · Qualicum, steam tug ·
They are still there today, slowly but surely falling
Riversdale, 3 masted windjammer · Salvage King, tug ·
apart and vanishing. In a way these rusty bits and piec-
Tattnall USS, destroyer.
es sticking out of the water are ugly. On the other hand, 1 0 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 6
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
h a i s s e M Underwater view of a Dall's porpoise © Josh McInnes
Get your tickets at Kiki’s 2.0 101 - 1811 Comox Avenue
The Compass Community Radio Choir
under the direction of Paul Colthorpe
Jenn Forsland
Master of Ceremonies
Voices from The Comox Valley Children’s Choir and
The Quarantones
Car & Driver tickets $30 on sale at:Blue Heron Books in Comox and Colour Your World in Courtenay Passengers $20 charged at event ($3 refund to driver for each passenger in car) Children under 12 half price / under 5 free
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 1 1
Brown Creeper © Adobestock / daveweth
F L O R A + FAU N A O F T H E N O R T H W E S T C OA S T Backyard Birds of Vancouver Island LU NA LOISEAU -T R EM B LAY One of my favorite pastimes in the dark, windy days
the East, the yellow form takes over, meaning that the
of November is birding from my couch, or sitting at
underneath of the tail and wings is a lemon yellow
my kitchen table watching my bird feeders without
rather than the bright red we see here.
getting wet or being cold. Although I often end up putting on my jacket and grabbing my binoculars to get a closer look at something, there is a lot of simple enjoyment to be had by watching the birds while staying warm beside the woodstove.
Having several different kinds of bird feeders available in the yard is a good way to observe different species present at this time of the year. Suet feeders attract smaller birds but also attract a variety of woodpeckers, which will demolish a suet cake in a hurry. Large sized
One of these species is a large sized woodpecker, the
Pileated woodpeckers, with their bright red crown will
Northern Flicker, incessantly poking holes in my
visit suet feeders, the occasional Northern Flickers,
lawn. With its beautiful and distinctive black spot-
and the smaller Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers.
ted plumage, bright red nape crescent and a black mustache stripe, flickers are a bright bird against the gray-green hues of November. As the favourite food of these woodpeckers is ants and beetle larvae, they spend much of their time poking away at open spaces at forest edges or golf courses. When Northern Flickers take flight, a flash of red is surprising, coming from the undersides of the wing and tail feathers. In western North America the red form is dominant, while in 1 2 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 6
Dark-Eyed Juncos and Chestnut-backed Chickadees are the most common birds at the feeders these days, with Juncos landing in flocks to pick up any insects that have fallen out of trees. They are the clean-up crew for seeds tossed around by the chickadees. Song Sparrows, Fox Sparrows and a lot of Spotted Towhee are seen shuffling about through plant litter in search of seeds or insects. The hummingbird feeder is also W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
getting a lot of attention at this time of the year. Many people assume that all hummingbirds migrate south for the winter, and while Rufous Hummingbirds do, the Anna’s Hummingbird stays year round in our area. It is surprising that these tiny birds still manage to go about their business in the stormy days of fall and winter but they seem unfazed by the wind and downpours. A personal yard favorite that does not visit any feeder is the Brown Creeper. These little birds can usually be seen scampering up the trunk of a conifer tree and are easily missed. They are members of the treecreeper family, Certhiidae, and their behaviour is such that they spiral upwards from the bottom of the tree with their bodies flattened against the bark, using their beaks to probe into the furrows of the bark for insects. Brown creeper adults are small and brown, with a speckled
Northern Saw-Whet Owl © Luna Loiseau-Tremblay
mice and shrews but are capable of taking down small birds that are almost equal to their own body weight. January and February are the months that I hear Sawwhets the most, as their call is distinct, sounding like a repetitive alarm going off “too, too, too”.
mottling on the upper parts and white underparts that
Providing feeders is a great way to get a look at the
is kept against the bark as it scurries up the tree. They
avian wildlife in the yard, but even better is providing
have a long stiff tail and a long, slightly down-curved
a healthy habitat for birds to forage. Keeping a variety
beak that they use to dig insects out of the crevices of
of tree species on your property, while ensuring that
bark. With their quick, jerky movements and cryptic
there are different densities of tall and short woody
plumage, they camouflage extremely well against co-
shrubs, such as salmonberry, ocean spray, snowberry,
nifer bark.
red elderberry, and twinberry honeysuckle provides
It's worth keeping an ear out at night during the winter months. Great Horned and Northern Saw-Whet owls are busy with mating calls, as pairing occurs during this time of the year, while breeding occurs in the late winter to early spring. Clear, cold nights with no rain present the best opportunity to hear these fascinating nocturnal predators. While the Great Horned owl is
areas for birds to hide, forage and hunt. Planting or keeping native plants in and around the yard and garden provides seeds long after the blooms are done and allows for a diverse habitat that is extremely attractive to wildlife. This in turn gives us a feeling of overall well being, as being close to nature does wonders for our mental and physical health.
the largest owl in our region, Northern Saw-Whets are
There are a number of good birding apps but a good
one of our smallest owl species, around 20cm in length
guide book, such as The Sibley Guide to Birds (2nd
and between 65-150g in weight. They are opportunis-
edition by David Allen Sibley) and a good pair of bin-
tic predators, mostly feeding on small mammals like
oculars are all you need to get started. Happy Birding!
Buying? I'll find your Dream Home Selling? No-obligation Free Market Evaluation SUSAN MALLINSON
REALTOR® at Royal Lepage Advance Realty cell: 250.203.3545 office: 250.286.3293 toll-free: 1.888.286.1932 email: susanmallinson@royallepage.ca Serving the communities of
Sayward · Campbell River
www.susanmallinson.com W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 1 3
A R T I S T F E AT U R E KEALY DONALDSON
COLE SPECK Kwakwaka'wakw | Alert Bay
S P E C K- TAC U L A R TA L E N T It took me a little while to connect with Cole
at our cultural art. We brought out art photos of a Kwakwa-
Speck, but eventually we found a hole in the schedule that
ka'wakw rattle; we practiced drawing the rattle over and over
allowed both of us some time to talk about his creative back-
again until we could draw it without looking at the picture,”
ground, his hometown and what’s changed over the past few
says Speck. "At the time, my mom worked above the carving
years. It was a great chat, especially learning about some of
shed in Alert Bay. I was allowed to hang out a bit in the shed.
his favourite and most important memories.
I remember being allowed to use Doug Cramner’s tools and banged them up so Doug took them away." Speck laughs as
Speck was born in 1991 and raised in Alert Bay, Cormorant
he shares this memory.
Island on Namgis First Nation Territory, off the northeast side of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. In his thirties now, he
“I didn’t finish school and took on the apprenticeship to fol-
reflects on his youth in the Bay, and recalls some of his first
low my heart and passion as an Artist. I was never even able
interests in cultural art.
to get into an Art Class in High School”, he recalls, "because they didn’t have any room for my registration and it was all
“I remember being at school with my friend, Aubrey, and
I was interested in. I felt left behind by the system—I just fo-
instead of going out to play, we went to the library to look
cused on my own art through my cultural ties.”
1 4 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 6
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Speck apprenticed under the late Master Carver, Beau Dick,
he continues to be invited to participate in art shows all over
who is known well for his Cultural Position and body of work.
the world. Creating is definitely still his big passion—currently
One of Speck’s most important moments was helping Dick
working on a 8x3’ panel of Sisiutl (two headed sea serpent)
bring his Undersea Kingdom Story project to light in 2017—a
and Thunderbird, Speck is focusing on some bigger projects,
very big moment in his life. He assisted Dick on several proj-
along with tracking down materials. Projecting into 2022,
ects— additional highlights include outfitting an entire set of
large masks and totems are on his to-do list over the winter.
carved masks for a potlatch, on behalf of the Dick family. Speck truly has a life-long commitment to art, and hopes to He travelled to Holland with Rande Cook to do a Northwest
reach the upper end of the Art Market. “When that happens,
Coast totem exhibition that year as well, and participated in
we’re moving back to Alert Bay,” he says in anticipation.
the exhibition in Kassel, Germany as Beau Dick’s apprentice. Cole’s work has also been exhibited at NADA Art Fair in New
When asked about his latest work, Speck discusses one of
York and at Santander Cultural in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2018.
his biggest commissions to date – a four foot mask he refers
Speck also apprenticed under Wayne Alfred.
to as ‘Rich Woman’ Mask. It took him the better part of five months to complete. He would come back to complete the
Once home after Brazil, Speck was rear-ended in a car
piece in phases, allowing the wood to cure; as the movement
accident. There were serious impacts to everything related
in the wood takes place, it can crack or shift. “Working with
to his health. Physically, he is at 65% along with his mobility
natural materials is a different process and can be finicky;
and strength, compared to before. "I’m lucky to be getting
you have to finesse it sometimes!” he says.
an eight hour day in at this time,” he shares. He’s learned to put three hours into his art in the morning, and three hours
He is currently working with youth at Carihi in Campbell Riv-
in the late afternoon. He’s starting to get used to it now but
er, embarking on a copper embossing project and teachings
the pain doesn’t stop him, he tries to keep focused as much
paddle. Speck is preparing the students through drawing
as possible in short stints. The rear ending In the Summer of
their designs first. "Some of this work feels like part of rec-
2018 changed his life—he's also coping with a head injury
onciliation, finding common ground with the youth creates
which resulted in glasses and vision therapy. "It’s tough to
a new relationship with First Nations’ first hand,” says Speck.
be struggling with all of these impairments, plus being a Dad
“It’s an honour to share the knowledge and teach for a better
and an Artist."
understanding.”
The one lucky part of his physical downtime is he gets lots of
Speck currently resides and carves in Campbell River,
time with his kids. He still enjoys working, producing art, and
surrounded by family and friends.
Huk Huk Carving, Cole Speck
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Intruder, Cole Speck
Cole working in the shed
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 1 5
A R T I S T F E AT U R E COLE SPECK
1 6 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 6
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Cole Speck Box End Rendition Panel, 2021 fazakasgallery.com/artists/cole-speck W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 1 7
HEALTH & WELLNESS B E I N G H U M A N
JAMES L. ANDERSON
LIFE
"If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane, I'd climb right up to heaven And bring you home again." (anonymous) In the detached and confident world of Biology and Science the quintessence that we call "Life" is a many structured and defined thing. Like itinerant craftsmen through the ages, legions of relentless scientists have brick upon brick, fact upon fact crafted a sanctuary of meaning and identity meticulously circumscribing the essence of life in a secure web of cells, tissues and organisms. In a careful colossus of covalent bonds, ATP, organelles, metabolism, DNA, genomes and a myriad, interwoven sanctum of functions, terminology and definition they have courageously secured a bastion of law and order that all of us stand upon to navigate through the dark chaos of unknown. And for the most part, seen in the proper and reverent light, that logical sanctuary is airtight, valid and impregnable. It works. It comforts us and keeps us all safe and sheltered from the storm. But when the life within us falters and fails. When we are forced to helplessly sit
becomes useless and cannot save us from the desolate emptiness that will not be comforted with any fact, law or logic. The shadows fall away and we see that magnificent, brilliant palace of science and genius for what it is...at last. It is the best we can do. It is the accumulated excellence of the finest, the very finest the human mind can create. But it is not enough. When face to face with the stark eternity of death and the mystery of life itself...it all becomes a charade. An illusion that cannot capture and hold the secret majesty of the quintessence of life. And all those facts, laws and precise scientific universal truths become like lifeless garments, abandoned trinkets and forlorn things left behind. Empty. Deserted. No longer raging. No longer wild. No longer alive. And we wonder in lost confusion, unable to digest the dark mystery of what we once knew, felt and touched and finally lost... never ever truly understanding what it really was. What is life? We truly do not know. We live its intense, all consuming and overwhelming majesty. We try desperately to tie it down, structure and capture it. But it will not stand and stay. Always it flows and rages. Always it runs away. "Too strong to hold, too sweet to lose."
and watch it slip away from those desperately dear and
Through the ages in the saga of science and intellect,
priceless to us... that magnificent and colossal sanctuary
in the stray ideas of thinkers like Heraclitus, or Soviet
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Island kids need you dialecticians you hear mentioned the idea of life as being a "river." That our bodies flow "like rivulets" with the material within us constantly renewed "like water in a stream." That organisms are simply forms and structures holding a flowing "organic" fulmination temporarily within. That everything is part of an "organic unity of reality", an indissociable "unity of opposites" that cannot ever be fully explained in "physicochemical terms." When we lose someone precious and irreplaceable, it is the shattering revelation that we truly do not know what life really is that derails and destroys us. That our loved ones are forever lost because we never truly understood what that precious essence of life really is. That not only have they eternally disappeared into the unknown, we never knew what the precious life within them really meant. We just do not know. In spite of all the convoluted structure and law, there is only one thing we only truly know about life. Everything else is conjecture, illusion and mystery. It flows and consumes us in an intense, raging riotous torrent. But we have yet to truly understand what it means. And we are left with only the singular, primitive knowledge that it begins and ends. This we know. This we have learned, in devastating pain, anguish and sorrow. It ends. It is temporary. In our human world and primitive reality, life is somehow bounded by solitary, isolated dimension and separate, impenetrable discreteness. That discreteness composes the saga, story and definition of our reality and our existence. We see everything through that primary window of aching and isolated discreteness. It is a primitive state. And it hurts. It is why we live in such pain, agony and unbearable grief when those we love slip away and die. And there is nothing we can do for that aching, inconsolable loss. Not yet. When we finally find out what life and universe really
We’re nearing our $7 million goal and need your help to raise the final $1.8 million! Together we can ensure ̓Qʷalayu House, our home away from home in Campbell River, is here for north Island families for years to come. By giving a little, you can help a lot. Make your gift today at islandkidsfirst.com/donate.
mean...those precious loved ones will no longer disappear into that bleak, barren shattering empty darkness. We will no longer have to find a way to suffer through in ignorant silence without them. We will no longer have to say goodbye forever.
© James L. Anderson, 2010 www.james-l-anderson.com W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 1 9
HEALTH & WELLNESS
All photos © Matthew Archer
WELLNESS ARTIST
MATT ARCHER KEALY DONALDSON
“It’s cold and dark but a sunny day today!”
at an iconic local location, Pilots Monument. The
reports Matt Archer when we get chatting about his
event hosted traditional singers, dancers and a running
current work, and what’s happening in the Great
group. “It was an honour to be a part of this special
White North. He lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Ter-
day,” Archer says. In addition to his community and
ritories, and works in Restorative Justice Management.
event photography, Archer has a very rare look at the
He's also a photographer. "Living in the North has its
Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights.
challenges," he says, "but it's still very rewarding.” Originally from Ottawa, Archer experienced the Canadian
When discussing photographing the Aurora, Archer’s
cold long before NWT.
passion crosses into focus. “Glorious, beautiful reflections coming off the lakes; weather patterns change
Covid has had a huge impact on northern commu-
heavily through September and October… the Auro-
nities, and Indigenous Preservation is a top priority.
ra returns in mid to late September. There were only
With an initial Covid shutdown of four months in 2019,
a couple opportunities during the fall between the
NWT saw zero cases of Covid. Then border controls
weather systems to catch clear skies. That’s when ev-
were relaxed, and NWT was hit with the next wave.
erything else fades into the background.” He is com-
“It’s simply an epic wild card with transmission rates,”
pletely in the moment, saying “Stop, take a breath and
Archer says. “There are six ICU beds in Yellowknife.
steal the moment — take it with you.”
No hospitals, nursing stations only. Mental health is definitely on high priority but at 20,000 people, it is
Travelling is therapeutic for Archer; the trauma-based
still very hard on the community with the shutdowns.
information he deals with daily, at his regular job, is
Indigenous communities are being protected with the
hard to let go of. So Archer tries to journey and travel
highest regard—keeping knowledge keepers and el-
as part of his regular pattern to release the tensions
ders, along with all community members, as safe as
and emotions of day to day dealings.
possible.” Archer’s favourite experiences during photography Recently, Archer was lucky enough to land a very
field work is the wildlife; he came face to face with a
unique photography booking for a wedding ceremony
bison - bull male - pulled out his camera and thanked
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HEALTH & WELLNESS the bison, then moved along and got out of his way. Archer reminds himself and others: "Don’t forget to get out from behind the camera and take in the moment with your own eyes." He has forgotten this at times, and now focuses to be cognisant and in the moment. “Other important moments are failures,” he continues. “If you can believe it.” He was out taking photographs of the Aurora in September, with no snow on the ground and skies were clear. “It felt like the perfect set up." In the moment, he was inspired to make a contribution.He wanted to stage shots with a red dress to amplift MMIWG; but he started shooting and it wasn’t turning out. It was a very difficult shot to accomplish, and then the wind picked up and cracked his new camera lens he had recently bought for this shoot. It’s still on his goal list to complete this shot. He realized through reconciliation work that as a Caucasion, what he can contribute is through his art, through his eyes, drawing attention to important messages that are neglected. In this moment, Archer was reminded that it definitely takes perseverance to complete some of these ideas; especially in the tundra during the cold, wintery season. Driving through Banff and Jasper, Archer literally caught a fox running down the road with dinner in her mouth. “Simple opportunities. Remembering to seize the day, and the opportunities that present themselves,” was the message Archer walked away with after catching this amazing shot. Walking around Jasper, taking in the natural offerings of Northern Alberta, he was told to see the mountain goats and was able to connect with locals who referenced a great viewing location. He got a bit close to some baby goats and the mother was there and began to warn Archer to keep his distance. The future is focused on a couple of bucket shots—notably the Salmon Glacier, near Stewart and Hyder along the BC/Alaska border, of the Milky Way coming down into the glacier. Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon are also on Archer’s list. He truly fell in love with Vancouver Island this past summer, and is planning to come back to spend more time taking in the gorgeous offerings of all the vast areas to explore and experience: the Broken Islands, Strathcona Park and Storm Season on the West coast of the Island, along with other amazing locations right here in our backyard! Connect with Matt · @matthew.archer1979 IG · matthewarcher.ca
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 2 1
HEALTH & WELLNESS N A T U R O P A T H I C I N S P I R A T I O N S
INGRID PINCOTT ND
12 Months to a
NEW YOU! Photo © Adobestock / Anatoliy Karlyuk
This can be a great time of year to re-set yourself
March: Establishing an activity program for yourself
and your family. My husband and I call it a “planning
will be ever changing depending on the weather and
session” where we outline our dreams and aspirations
the season. Many folks start such a program in January
for the next 12 months. Here is a template to apply to
and then quit a few weeks later. Most of us do better
your health goals—let’s see where you are in one year!
with fitness classes. Check out your local community
Now is the time for change to embrace a New You.
or recreation center for classes that will be fun for you.
January: Get a complete health assessment from your health care provider or ND. ND’s can provide deeper testing looking for allergies, hormone evaluations, and blood tests that can evaluate your cardiovascular and inflammatory risk factors. Are you up to date with your physical exam, stool testing and breast exams? If you are at an increased risk of developing a disease, preventive medicine can be applied to optimize these risks.
The Recreation and Culture Department of the Campbell River Facebook page has some great classes available online if you prefer to do them at home. Getting an exercise buddy always helps to keep you motivated and I suggest once a week is better than no times a week! Fitness apps can help you keep track of your progress, and increasing the number of steps per day is your goal. Just get started!
A foundational nutritional program is very anti-aging
April: Take time out for a healing retreat. This is time for
and you will feel the difference too!
yourself alone where you try to get away from technol-
February: Cleansing and detoxification is recommended two times per year and after the holidays is usually a good time to plan for this. There are easy cleansing programs that include taking homeopathic drainage remedies in water for 3-6 weeks. These remedies help to drain the lymphatics, the liver and the kidneys. The
ogy and have a planning session with yourself. Sleep is often the most important part of healing and getting a chance to step back for a good look at your life from a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual perspective. “Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh has been a great source of inspiration for me.
companies I like are Pascoe or Unda. Other cleansing
May: Meal planning is always a daunting task and get-
programs can include a vegetarian diet and cleansing
ting creative with cooking takes effort. Plan to make
herbs for 1-2 weeks. We take much better care of our
a new recipe once per week; freezing meals is a great
cars with regular oil changes and tune ups than we do
back up when life gets busy. Teach your children how to
our physical bodies. Treat your body like a Mercedes!
eat inexpensively and how to be a wise shopper. Eating
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BOATLAND GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE! A great gift idea for the outdoors person on your list.
food low in chemicals, free range and organic will lower the inflammatory load on the body.
June: A yearly dental check up is critical for your health. Inflammation of the gums and teeth affect the whole body. Removing amalgams in your teeth is highly
WE WILL BE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 24 TO JANUARY 3
recommended to lessen the toxic load on your body. Choose dentists who will give you other options. Are you flossing daily? If not consider keeping floss sticks in your car and floss on the go.
July and August: REST! These are great months to schedule time off—and much needed rest—during your summer holidays. Spending time outside hiking and camping and getting much needed vitamin D from the sun, albeit with sunscreen protection. Take up a creative pursuit that you can do while outside: ie playing the ukulele or painting rocks adds to the healing of your nervous system.
September: This is a great re-set month as the family gets into a new routine around school schedules. A great month to consider another cleansing program. Are you taking care of your physical body with regular massage, acupuncture or chiropractic care? Keeping your body flexible contributes to healthy aging. Consider adding yoga, pilates or Tai Chi to your weekly health program.
October: Attending the arts can be very healing. Are you
Wishing everyone a safe & happy holiday season from all of us at Boatland
PARTS • SALES • SERVICE
taking the time to attend concerts you love and inspire you? The HD MET plays at the local movie theatres, and CBC Listen is an app with every genre of music you can imagine. Choose music that is healing for you.
November: Financial planning is a way of reducing stress in your family. By being proactive, expenses of the household can be planned so that at tax time or car insurance renewal time you have the money saved up and you have a rainy-day fund. If you don’t have a financial advisor maybe it is time to get one.
December: Spirituality can be an important part of healing. Have you put your spiritual practices on hold? Are you looking for a change? What about meditating 20 minutes per day? There are interesting apps for that too! My favorite meditation guru is Jon Kabat Zin and favourite teacher is Harold Klemp. Keeping a diary about your progress and your hopes and dreams can help. Use your divine imagination to achieve a place of health you have never been before. The best and healthiest of New Years to you! W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
3125 N ORTH IS L AND H IGHWAY 2 50. 28 6.0752 | 1.877. 286.0752 WWW.C AMPBELLRI V ERBOATL AND.C A Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 2 3
HEALTH & WELLNESS
S H I F T H A P P E N S
ANDREA WAGEMAKER
Stop Grinding your Teeth WITH HYPNOSIS
Photo © Adobestock / gballgiggs
Have you been grinding your teeth while you
stress. It seems that when you have to 'grit your teeth'
sleep? Are you confused about how to stop doing some-
about things, you can fall into a habit of keeping your
thing you don't know you're doing?
jaw tense that carries over into sleep. It's possible that the grinding action has a soothing effect, like thumb
What's behind teeth grinding / bruxism?
sucking. Once you've acquired the habit, it seems im-
Why on earth do some people fall into a pattern of
possible to stop, because you don't know you're doing
grinding their teeth at night, when they're fast asleep?
it. You don't choose to do it, you mind goes into auto
It damages your teeth, makes enough noise to disturb
pilot and it happens all by itself.
a sleeping partner, and can leave you with a sore and painful jaw, headaches. What possible purpose can it
The good news is this doesn't mean that you are des-
serve?
tined to grind and grind until your teeth have worn away completely. Unwanted unconscious behaviors
The causes aren't fully understood, but there does
can be changed when you intervene on the same level
seem to be a strong connection between bruxism and
as the behavior - the level of your unconscious mind.
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Many people grind or clench their teeth from time to time, but regular teeth grinding (also known as Bruxism) is a problem. If you’ve been grinding your teeth in your sleep, then you’ll know just how damaging it can be. The long-term effect on your teeth can be devastating. For the vast majority of sufferers, teeth grinding tends to occur during sleep, so you’re often unaware that it’s happening until somebody points it out to you. Maybe your partner has heard you grinding your teeth in your sleep, or you have noticed that your jaw aches in the morning. Perhaps your dentist has told you about damage to your teeth. Aside from wearing a mouth guard, you might have been told there’s little that can be done about your teeth grinding. After all, teeth grinding is a subconscious process. If you don’t know you’re doing it, how can you stop? The good news is that Lucia Light and hypnosis offers a potential solution to teeth grinding. Clinical Hypnosis works directly with the part of the mind that controls this behavior. Imagine what it would be like to stop the unnecessary erosion of your teeth! It is time to be free of pain and discomfort in your teeth and jaws. Imagine sleeping comfortably without needing to wear a mouth guard. Teeth grinding is an unhelpful habit that you have learnt at a deep, subconscious level, so it makes perfect sense to use hypnosis to retrain
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your subconscious mind. Lucia Light and an advanced hypnotherapy techniques are used to retrain the subconscious mind in a calm and gentle way. Stop Teeth Grinding is an audio hypnosis session that will quickly allow you to gain control over aspect of your body that are normally completely unconscious - like what you do with your jaw while you are asleep. It is designed to help you:
• • •
Reduce teeth grinding Relax quickly and deeply Become aware of a general lessening of tension in your body
•
Start to sleep better and feel more refreshed when you wake
•
Feel generally more resilient and positive Andrea Wagemaker Shift Happens & Lucia Light in Courtenay www.ShiftHypnotherapy.ca • 250-338-3401
W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 2 5
I N T R O D UC I N G
ISLAND COOKERY III A fundraiser for
QUADRA ISLAND CHILDREN’S CENTRE
IN STORES DECEMBER 17
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I'm seeing multiple reports of low groceries in Powell River, with stores running out or low on fresh meat, toilet paper (not again), and some other items. While supply chains have been challenged and delays are inevitable, we are NOT cut off and helpless. Truckers know how to move product, and products will come. I'm afraid much of this buying pressure is self-inflicted; people are stocking up, sometimes enthusiastically. While not Covid related, this reminds me (all too painfully) of the run on supplies that marked the beginning of the pandemic. Please don't do this. Bulk buying during a temporary
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shortage keeps essential supplies from seniors and low-
KEEP SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS TO CREATE & SHARE DIALOGUE ON VANCOUVER ISLAND & POWELL RIVER!
Instead of taking more for ourselves, we should be
er income people (who buy on a strict schedule and budget), creates waste, and strains the supply chains even further.
thinking about how and what we can give: to our neighbours, to the food bank, to relief efforts. If your pantry is
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This is also a great time to think about agricultural
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self-reliance in qathet. If a temporary fraying of links to the big farms worry us so much, let's support our small farms more often, and support a more sustainable approach to food management in this community. We can work together to create scarcity, or we can work together to create plenty. I know what I'd choose.
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Joseph McLean lives in Powell River BC, where he runs a computer specialty store, a whimsical blog, and the occasional marathon. W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
WIth over 40 shops, restaurants, banks and services, Discovery Harbour Shopping Centre is a convenient and relaxing place to stop, shop and dine on the North Island. Visit discoveryharbourcentre.com for a complete list of shops and services available at the Shopping Centre.
1416 Island Highway, Campbell River, BC,V9W 8C9 | discoveryharbourcentre.com W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
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2019-03-27 6:47 PM
Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 2 7
HEALTH & WELLNESS Photo © Luna Loiseau-Tremblay
N O R T H W E S T N AT U R E P E R S P E C T I V E S The Importance of Wetland Ecosystems LUNA L OIS E AU - TR E M B L AY As the days shorten and the long, rainy Pacific
both natural and human activities, responsible for the
Northwest winter sets in, enjoying nature takes a little
stabilization of water supplies through flood, drought
more commitment and creativity as we wait for the
and erosion control. Wetlands protect shorelines, con-
buds of spring. For those of us lucky enough to live in
trol stream flow, filtering polluted water and acting as
a rural setting where the forest absorbs the heavy rain,
water storage to refill groundwater aquifers.
perhaps now we are noticing the wetlands around us getting larger as the fall and winter storms run their
In the last 200 years wetlands have been depleted
seasonal course.
more than ever before, drained, filled and developed
As we have seen with the recent emergency of the cat-
tial areas and big box stores. As the effects of climate
astrophic floods in southern British Columbia, it is be-
change bear down on us, people are finally waking up
coming apparent to the general public that wetlands
to the huge significance that wetlands play in our daily
are some of the most important ecosystems on the
lives—but the real toll is on biodiversity of flora and
planet. Occurring on every continent except Antarctica, wetlands provide a multitude of environmental
into everything from agricultural fields to residen-
fauna that call these ecosystems home.
services for human beings. As discussed in the first
Wetlands come in many types, classified by what the
chapter of Wetlands by William J. Mitsch and James G.
dominant flora is and whether the water is freshwater,
Gosselink, these habitats are receivers for water from
brackish or saltwater. Examples wetlands that are Photos ©of Luna Loiseau-Tremblay
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HEALTH & WELLNESS classified by the plants are marshes and swamps while
and animal species. Variation in species can differ
those that are classified by water type are habitats such
significantly depending on elevation and the level of
as tidal wetlands, estuaries, bogs, seeps, vernal ponds,
sphagnum and peat deposits. Less common plant spe-
floodplains, springs, and fens. Types of wetlands can
cies such as the humble and well hidden slender bog
be difficult to categorize because they may have sever-
orchid may grow between our lovely little native car-
al sources of water and/or different plants present that
nivorous plants, round and great leaved sundews.
are on the spectrum of one type or another of wetland.
White bog orchids grow amongst the cottongrass and
In their book, Mitsch and Gosselink explain that because of the overlapping characteristics of wetlands, the definition of them should include three main components: the presence of water, unique soil composition which is permanently or seasonally saturated with water (hydric soil) and plants that are adapted to wet conditions (hydrophytes). A common thread across all types is their productivity and their capacity to support a large and diverse number of bird, fish, insect, shellfish and amphibian species that make up the base of an intricate food web that many larger mammals depend on.
indigo coloured king sceptre gentians grow between patches of standing water holding skunk cabbage, water lilies and buckbean, while red columbines, arnica, western buttercup and dogwood bunchberry grow along the sides. This is just a fraction of incredible plant life that bogs hold, wrapped into the buzzing of insects and the smell of cedar, labrador tea, bog cranberry, blueberry, bog rosemary and laurel, in the heat of midsummer. As Canada unravels the long, heavy history of colonization and systemic racism, and the stripping of land and cultures from the Indigenous people who have lived on this land since time immemorial, it is becom-
Often when we think of wetlands, one of the main an-
ing clear that the connection between land and culture
imals that comes to mind are beavers, but their value
is extremely important. First Nations, Inuit and Me-
to a healthy wetland is often underestimated. These
tis all use wetlands—historically and up to the present
interesting animals are important in establishing and
day—in all aspects connected to culture and traditional
maintaining wetlands, providing much needed habitat
food harvesting. As we make a pathway towards truth
for sensitive plants and animals, such as economically
and reconciliation, the conservation efforts directed
important fish species.
towards wetlands must include Indigenous perspec-
From a botanical perspective, my personal favourite
tives and traditional ecological knowledge.
wetland type has always been bogs, which are wet-
So in the spirit of “forest bathing” during the storms of
lands that accumulate peat and dead plant material,
winter, pull on some gumboots and take a walk into a
dominated by Sphagnum mosses, with no significant
wetland... listen to the gentle trickle of water, run the
inflow or outflows of water. In our area, bog habitats
palm of your hand along the stalk of a rush, or watch a
are inhabited by unique and specialized plant, fungi
kingfisher hunt.
Photo © Luna Loiseau-Tremblay W W W. C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E . C A
Photo © Luna Loiseau-Tremblay Issue 36 |
C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | 2 9
S T A Y W E L L
KEALY DONALDSON
LIGHT THERAPY and
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER
Photo © Adobestock / RFBSIP
What is SAD and Light Therapy?
Although light therapy is effective for SAD, it is not ful-
Many people may feel mildly “depressed” during the
ly understand how the light works and what is the best
winter, but some people have more severe bouts of feel-
method for light therapy. There are many light ther-
ing down all the time, low energy, problems with sleep
apy devices available on the market, but they are not
and appetite, loss of interest, and reduced concentra-
well-regulated in Canada. Therefore, it is wise to be cau-
tion, to the point where they have difficulty functioning
tious about recommending light therapy devices.
at work or in the home. This is called clinical depression to distinguish these more severe symptoms from nor-
These recommendations, by psychiatrists with exper-
mal everyday ups and downs.
tise in diagnosing and treating SAD and depressive disorders at the UBC Mood Disorders Centre in Vancou-
Seasonal affective disorder (“affective” is a psychiatric
ver, are based on the following principles:
term for mood), or SAD, describes people who have
•
tive in scientifically valid studies
these clinical depressions only during the autumn and winter seasons. During the spring and summer, they
•
The light device should have a filter that blocks harmful ultraviolet rays
feel well and “normal”. For this reason, SAD is sometimes called winter depression.
The light device should be tested and found effec-
•
The light device should be CSA approved for use in Canada
Other common symptoms of SAD include oversleeping, extreme fatigue, increased appetite with carbohy-
•
The light device company should have a track record of reliability
drate craving, overeating, and weight gain. With more severe episodes, people may have suicidal thoughts.
Fluorescent light boxes are recommended, as they have been extensively tested with the greatest evidence for
The good news is that there are many effective treat-
effectiveness in scientific studies. Other light devices
ments for SAD, including light therapy, a safe and easy-
may be helpful for some patients but there is less evi-
to-use medical treatment. Light therapy is now also
dence for effectiveness compared to light boxes.
demonstrated to be effective for non-seasonal depression (major depressive disorder) and bipolar depression.
Most light devices use white light. Narrow-band blue-
Other treatments for depression (for example, antide-
light devices are probably effective, but have not been
pressant medications, cognitive behavioural therapy)
as extensively tested as white-light devices. There is no
are also effective. Self-diagnosis or self-treatment of
indication that blue light is better than white light for
SAD is not recommended because there are other med-
SAD, and there is no information on long term safety of
ical causes for depressive symptoms, and because light
blue light devices (unlike white light devices).
therapy may be harmful to people with certain medical conditions. See your doctor first! 3 0 | C O M PA S S M A G A Z I N E | I s s u e 3 6
Resources | Faculty of MedicineSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) Information | UBC Mood Disorders Centre | Department of Psychiatry
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