VOLUME 1 – ISSUE 5, May 2020
Feature Article by Scott Lawrance
and much more…
Guest Editors Introduction
And if the secret heart stays secret and our work is made no easier, I for one will keep working for wildness day by day – Gary Snyder (The Practice of the Wild, 1990, p. 5).
I am writing on the fiftieth anniversary of Earth Day, and, today, the whole earth and all human beings, all creatures, are confronted by the Covid-19 pandemic. When asked by Arden Henley if I was interested in guest editing an issue of the Reader, the virus and this declared pandemic had yet to occur. The pandemic has taught me to be even more aware and attentive to our tenuous existence upon earth, highlighting impermanence. Physical distancing practices have punctuated how being human involves relational experiencing of others’ in close proximity, the beauty and solace of touch, of tactile connection.
I was delighted with Arden’s inquiry, envisaging this issue being centered around place, homeland, eco-poetics, ethno-poetics, and geo-poetic and geo-political narratives pertaining to lessons the earth may teach us; articulating what may be learned and experienced from attending to the wisdom and knowledge of elders, be they Indigenous elders referenced in Adrian’s piece, our poetic elder, Gary Snyder discussed in Scott’s piece, the poets of Cascadia noted by Trevor, the solo experience and visioning persons’ may discover being initiated into the wild as observed by Tara, and the exquisiteness of bearing witness to a marvelous ecological niche, as articulated in Brian’s piece. . . Read More
Dedication
This issue of the GTEC Reader is dedicated to Michael McClure (October 20, 1932 – May 4, 2020), San Francisco based poet, playwright, songwriter, environmentalist and novelist.
FEATURE STORY
Sheltering In Place: Thoughts on Gary Snyder in a time of Plague
“We can take advantage of this pause, this break in normal, to turn onto a path of reunion, of holism, of the restoring of lost connections, of the repair of…
Rewilding the World
The three-toed sloth moves slowly and deliberately, its nails curling around the branch with seemingly little effort. It looks over at me curiously as I gaze at it through the…
On GeoActivism / GeoPoetics
I claim no special expertise in the pedagogy of Ecological Studies. Having worked many years on various campaigns and projects there are certain areas where I’ve gained knowledge, so what…
Reflecting Upon Homeland
Drawing a close parallel to First Nations ontology is philosopher Merleau-Ponty’s proposal that the landscape is “not so much the object as the homeland of our thoughts” (1962, p. 24)….
Deep Listening in Nature
Have you ever noticed what happens when you really listen to another person or to a creature rustling in the brush at night or the wind moving in the trees,…
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Colin James Sanders
Colin lives with his partner Gail and their creature companions on British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast where he reads, writes, paints, and chops firewood. Colin has published academic book chapters and papers, and reviews relating to poetry and poetics; Colin has also presented his work in cities and towns across Canada, Nunavut, the Yukon, San Francisco and Havana, Cuba.
Colin, now a retired professor and psychotherapist, holds onto the belief that the earth is worth saving for others, including four grandsons, who gather oysters and mushrooms, sail, kayak, and paddleboard in the Salish Sea.
Adrian Sanders
I am grateful to reside—along with my partner Katrina, and our children, Anu, Faelan and Luna in Northern Coast Salish territory, Cortez Island. I remain especially honoured to work as a guest in the neighbouring Interior Salish territory. The richness of Salishan cultural narratives and history has been an endlessly fascinating exploration; making it contemporarily relevant to St’at’imc socio-economic, political and spiritual interests continues to inspire my community involvement.”
Brian Dean Williams
Brian Dean Williams (MA, RCC) is a therapist, Buddhist meditation teacher, and activist who lives, works, and plays on Coast Salish Territories with his family. Brian has a busy practice in counselling, leading retreats, and workshops. When not working, he’s active as a dad, trail runner, gardener, cyclist, and community organizer.
Trevor Carolan
Trevor Carolan is Professor Emeritus at University of the Fraser Valley. Trevor has published over twenty books, including poetry, prose, essays and translations. His new travel writing collection Road Trips: Journeys in the Unspoiled World is published by Mother Tongue. His most recent book of poems is published by Victoria’s Ekstasis Editions, In Formless Circumstance: Poems from the Road & Home. Trevor makes his home in Deep Cove, Vancouver.
Scott Lawrance
Scott Lawrance, Ed.D., R.C.C. – A retired member of the B.C. Teacher’s Federation, Scott has taught at all levels of public education from grade two to post-Secondary. His current professional interests include Buddhist approaches to eco-therapy. Scott and his Salish Sea Eco-retreats partner, Tara Souch offer annual eco-retreats for wilderness guides and interested professionals. He is the author of four books of poetry and has, in the past, edited two poetry magazines, “Raven” and “Circular Causation”.
Tara Souch
Tara Souch is a registered clinical counsellor and wilderness guide. She lives and works on the west coast of Vancouver Island on the traditional Indigenous territory of the Nuu-chah-nulth peoples.
