Spirit
Spirit – The nonphysical, the emotions, the soul. It is said to link us to nature. A continuous connection. Our gift of sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste processed the surroundings to formulate a perception of our physical environs. There is no tangible proof of the spirit, instead it is a feeling, a sensation brought about by internalizing the space we are in.
Stepping onto the tidal kelp covered beach, picking our way across the barnacles, then ducking into the abundance of vegetation. Making our way along the rust-colored river buried in the rainforest, taking in the air, the richness of flora, watching the pools of salmon looking to spawn and guided by Gitk’a’ata guardians. Finding the sanctuary of white cascades of the stream that enveloped us with a peaceful quiet. Waiting for something. Not knowing what, we are slowly drawn into nature, deeper than you ever thought possible.
Then, a glimpse of the Spirit bear (nicknamed Strawberry according to Maurice and Jolene our guides). Strawberry made her way towards us, seeming to be oblivious to our presence. Watching “Strawberry” come down and eat the left-over salmon strewn amongst the rocks. When nature truly manifests itself, you become lost, not in a moment, but a continuum of heightened senses. Finally interrupted when a black bear came down and moved her off the buffet table. Then we were absorbed watching the other bear fishing, not caring about us, stalking the salmon, diving into the river until he had his fill and wandered off to sleep. The decision to return to the boat was made when we figured it did not get much better than what we had experienced – and of course it did! We found Strawberry waiting downstream to wish us goodbye.
The mooksgm ‘ol or moksgm’ol (Tsimshian word meaning white bear) Kermode or Spirit bear, are rare white colored black bears (Ursus americanus kermodei). It is said that Tsimshian culture believe they have supernatural powers – some say their white color to remind us of when the glaciers covered the land.
As the Tsimshian artist Clifton Guthrie (Holtka Xsoo or Full canoe) wrote me it was a “ta Ts’ilaayü Nax Nox”(A visit from Supernatural beings)
Ayaaltkganuu (I am fortunate)
Read MoreStepping onto the tidal kelp covered beach, picking our way across the barnacles, then ducking into the abundance of vegetation. Making our way along the rust-colored river buried in the rainforest, taking in the air, the richness of flora, watching the pools of salmon looking to spawn and guided by Gitk’a’ata guardians. Finding the sanctuary of white cascades of the stream that enveloped us with a peaceful quiet. Waiting for something. Not knowing what, we are slowly drawn into nature, deeper than you ever thought possible.
Then, a glimpse of the Spirit bear (nicknamed Strawberry according to Maurice and Jolene our guides). Strawberry made her way towards us, seeming to be oblivious to our presence. Watching “Strawberry” come down and eat the left-over salmon strewn amongst the rocks. When nature truly manifests itself, you become lost, not in a moment, but a continuum of heightened senses. Finally interrupted when a black bear came down and moved her off the buffet table. Then we were absorbed watching the other bear fishing, not caring about us, stalking the salmon, diving into the river until he had his fill and wandered off to sleep. The decision to return to the boat was made when we figured it did not get much better than what we had experienced – and of course it did! We found Strawberry waiting downstream to wish us goodbye.
The mooksgm ‘ol or moksgm’ol (Tsimshian word meaning white bear) Kermode or Spirit bear, are rare white colored black bears (Ursus americanus kermodei). It is said that Tsimshian culture believe they have supernatural powers – some say their white color to remind us of when the glaciers covered the land.
As the Tsimshian artist Clifton Guthrie (Holtka Xsoo or Full canoe) wrote me it was a “ta Ts’ilaayü Nax Nox”(A visit from Supernatural beings)
Ayaaltkganuu (I am fortunate)
