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Kailee Carr
October 10th, 2009by Written by Kailee Carr
Kailee Carr is Nuu-chah-nulth from the Ahousaht Nation. She is a teacher (and hobby writer) passionate about First Nations issues, especially within the contexts of education, health, and the environment.
When I was younger living on the Ahousaht reserve on the west coast of Vancouver Island I was aware of how greatly animals, the forest and the ocean influenced the Nuu-chah-nulth people’s history and culture, including our language, songs, stories, dances and traditions. Deeply etched in many other First Nations peoples’ way of life is their immediate link to the place in which they live, and with so many Aboriginal communities located in the boreal forests of Canada it is important to respect and protect these environments.
I wrote the following story in tribute to the value that many Indigenous people place on the interdependent relationship between humans, animals and the environment, recognizing the importance of Canada’s forests to every Canadian as we are all connected to the environment in which we live and share.
As I glanced around the large room I was amazed, not for the first time, at how different the world was now. In the first row three people were busy typing something into their cell phones/computers/cameras/3-in-1 cheese graters—it’s hard to compete with technology but I’ll share my story anyway.
“I was only twelve years old when it happened.” But I remember it like it was yesterday I thought to myself as my mind wandered back to that warm summer day seventy-one years ago. “One morning I was out picking salmon berries near my village and I got lost in the woods. As it turned out the forest was quite a large place and after walking for hours I wasn’t able to find the end of it.”
There were a few polite smiles in the audience as I began my account. Most of the people here were listening intently, some out of interest, others out of obligation, but on my far right there was one who sat with his arms crossed over his chest and a frown. I smiled at him.
“Now, in my culture wolves are highly regarded animals; hunters by nature they are dangerous and I knew my fate was uncertain.
“After hours of walking my legs felt very tired and when I looked up through the canopy of trees I realized that the blue sky above me was starting to fade. With the summer season coming to an end the temperature became cold after the sun went down, and I had never spent a night alone in the woods before—I was scared. I began to search for shelter, moving through the army of fir trees with my heart racing, and then it stopped.”
I paused and looked around the room, all eyes were on me.
“I came across a wolf standing alone beside a giant fir tree, and like any wolf, this one was wondering what I was doing so deep in the forest all by myself. As the gray wolf smiled menacingly back at me I knew I had to approach Wolf with great care so I immediately offered up the only thing I had, my basket of full of berries. Now, in my culture wolves are highly regarded animals; hunters by nature they are dangerous and I knew my fate was uncertain but in return for my politeness Wolf decided to help me find my way back home.”
“Are you saying you talked to a wolf?” a voice interrupted in disbelief.
“Well I certainly didn’t text the wolf.” I returned easily as a few laughs rang out in the crowd. Noting the doubt in some of the faces around me I continued on with my story. “It was very dark when we finally got near my village and I was so relieved to be home that I promised to give Wolf anything, but Wolf only asked that I always help keep the forest healthy. So I gave my word to Wolf that for as long as I lived I would be his helper as he had been mine and always help keep his home healthy.”
There were some murmurs from the back as I slowly addressed the audience. “Now I know a lot has changed since then but that same giant fir tree still stands today for Wolf to rest beside and I share my story with you now because it is up to us, to you, to help keep our forests healthy.”
After a brief silence Mrs. Coates stood up. “Thank you, Shirley. Let’s give her a round of applause,” she instructed her eighth grade class and one by one the people around me began to clap.
Glancing around the room I gazed into the eyes of all those present around me, our future, and saw understanding in many of them. I smiled because I knew I was keeping my promise to Wolf.
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Kailee is to be commended for her fine work and her passion. Great story, Kailee! Thanks for sharing it.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:08 am
Wolves are such amazing animals. They are an important thread in the web of life in the boreal forest. We must cherish and respect their role.