Advance exclusive
Artist journeying to protest pipeline
Fort 91原创芒鈧劉s Brandon Gabriel is taking part in a three-month canoe trip along the B.C. Coast this summer, intent on bringing awareness to its fragile ecology and the potential dangers of an oil pipeline.
On June 1, the local artist will join friend and canoeing adventurer Chris Cooper on an excursion of a lifetime.
Gabriel will be part of a small team leaving the Kwantlen tribal lands and spending 90 days paddling 1,200-kilometres north along the B.C. coastline to the Alaskan border.
The 35-year-old painter has participated in a few canoe journeys with Cooper in past. But this trek 芒鈧�� labelled the Spirit of the Coast 芒鈧�� is a project closer to home, and closer to his heart.
It芒鈧劉s been almost two years in the making, and Gabriel and Cooper were elated to unveil the plans to 91原创 Advance readers this week.
芒鈧揑 partake in these canoe journeys because of the holistic approach we take,芒鈧� Gabriel said.
芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s a challenge for all parts of self: mind, body, soul, and mental faculties are all tested to their limits,芒鈧� he explained, adding, 芒鈧揷ompounded by the fact that the purpose of this journey is to shed light on the pristine coastlines, fragile ecosystems, and the sustainability of remote and small communities that thrive on these shores, in spite of recent developments of proposed oil pipelines and increased oil tanker activity.芒鈧�
芒鈧揥e have an obligation as citizens of the world,芒鈧� he said, 芒鈧搕o educate and inform people that the beauty of this place is not infinite, if we don芒鈧劉t look after it.
As an artist, as an educator, and a concerned citizen, I am motivated to take part in such an ambitious project, because the time is now.芒鈧�
To date, the longest of Gabriel芒鈧劉s six canoe journeys was a 芒鈧揷hallenging stint芒鈧� paddling five days and 45 kilometres from Harrison Lake to Ambleside Park.
芒鈧揈ach journey has its own challenges, the only thing that芒鈧劉s a constant is that you are not the same when each one is over,芒鈧� he shared with the 91原创 Advance. 芒鈧揥hat differentiates this journey from all others, is the sheer length and time it will take to accomplish.
芒鈧揘ot many people can say they have navigated the entire coastline of B.C. in a non-motorized vessel, and to add to that, the important message that we are carrying with us, that the First Nations people have always done this for thousands of years, and that this way of life is still relevant and an important facet of life for First Nations and non-aboriginal people alike, is worth celebrating and shedding light on, despite notions that are steeped in corporate and political rhetoric that say otherwise,芒鈧� he said.
He knows being away from his family for such a long stint will be difficult. He芒鈧劉ll also miss the comfort of his own bed, although he芒鈧劉ll bring along his favourite pillow.
But he芒鈧劉s going to have to miss much of season four of his favourite TV show, Game of Thrones. And the self-proclaimed social media addict will have to be unplugged for long stretches of time.
芒鈧揑芒鈧劉m an Internet junkie, and spend a great deal of time communicating with the world through social media on a minute-by-minute basis,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揑t芒鈧劉s become an extension of who I am, in part because I am an artist, and communication is just part of what I do.芒鈧�
Knowing he芒鈧劉s not going to hit many wifi hotspots out on the ocean, Gabriel is attempting to prepare himself for withdrawal symptoms.
Despite the sacrifices and special arrangements he芒鈧劉s had to make around art shows and commissions, to be free for the trip, Gabriel said he芒鈧劉s honoured to be part of this journey: 芒鈧揗y nephew Emmett is just 16 weeks old, and I芒鈧劉m really sad I芒鈧劉m not going to see him for that length of time, but when it comes down to it, I芒鈧劉m doing this for him and all the other young people in my community. I want them to be proud that a Kwantlen [member] took part in something that has the possibility of being so transcendent and important to our times. It will be worth it.芒鈧�
Also joining Cooper and Gabriel on the journey will be friends Kye Valongo, a fellow outdoor enthusiast from Orkney, Scotland.
Valongo is helping Cooper write an autobiography, is the webmaster for Cooper芒鈧劉s www.spiritdancercanoejourneys.ca, and will join Cooper and Gabriel in journalling and blogging during the trip.
The goal for the trek will be to educate, Cooper explained, noting a friend and videographer is coming along, sailing beside the canoe the entire trip, to capture their experiences.
A number of other supporters will join the three-member canoe team and videographer for short periods.
The 91原创 Advance is also proud to be partnering with the Spirit of the Coast project, and will be bringing readers regular updates in the newspaper, as well as links to video footage, photographs, and blog posts from the participants.
芒鈧揥e芒鈧劉re delighted to be involved,芒鈧� said editor Bob Groeneveld. 芒鈧揟hanks to technology, readers will be able to learn all about Chris Cooper and his team, and follow along with them on this exciting and challenging.芒鈧�
While it芒鈧劉s going to be a long trek that will take them a long distance from family and friends, Gabriel said, it芒鈧劉s a meaningful trip that he is greatly looking forward to.
In the coming weeks, in preparation for the trip, Gabriel will be increasing his workouts to improve his fitness.
芒鈧揝ome people are natural athletes and have to do very little training beforehand. Its been my experience as one of those people who are less of an athlete, to do proper training beforehand,芒鈧� he said, noting that he芒鈧劉ll be working with a personal trainer.
He and his mates will also train with and test their equipment extensively. They know the undertaking involves risks, and they will reach out to about a dozen other First Nation groups they wish to visit with during the excursion.
芒鈧� Stay tuned to the 91原创 Advance for more on the Spirit of the Coast project
