Spirit of Haida Gwaii: The Jade Canoe

Did you read this great article ?

20 Facts About the Jade Canoe on the 20th Anniversary
http://www.yvr.ca/en/blog/20-facts-about-the-jade-canoe
Well here are 13...read the article for the rest. Very interesting. 

1. In 1996, when the International Terminal Building first opened, they had to lift the Canoe with a crane and lower it through the skylights because it didn’t fit through the doors

2. Considered as Bill Reid’s masterpiece, it took the Haida artist 4 years to make. He started in 1990 and completed it in 1994.

3. Before coming to YVR the canoe was at the Canadian Museum of History from 1994 to 1996. Now, a plaster copy of the sculpture at the Canadian Museum of History

4. The Jade canoe appeared on the Canadian $20 bill from 2004 until 2012

5. There are 13 passengers on the Jade Canoe including men and women, young and old, animals, humans, and mythical Haida creatures.

6. Many passengers touch the Canoe for good luck before they travel. It is said that the luckiest part of the Canoe is on the Old Mouse Woman’s nose, which is noticeably worn out.

7. The Canoe was made in Bill Reid’s studio on Granville Island, and then cast in bronze in 1994 at the Talix Foundry in Beacon, New York

8. The Canoe was first made with clay being placed on top of metal rods and mesh. Pieces of the canoe were then removed one by one to be casted into plaster.

9. Although the Canoe is made of bronze, the green patina is meant to represent BC’s official gemstone: Jade.

10. The “Ancient Reluctant Conscript,” the person paddling near the back of the Canoe, is actually a self-portrait of Bill Reid.

11. The Bear Mother and Dogfish woman both are wearing a labret, which extends their bottom lips, and shows that they are women of high social standing.

12. The Raven at the back of the Canoe is one of the most prominent figures in Haida mythology. He is known to be a trickster and his paddling is meant to represent the unpredictable nature of life. The Bear is wary of the Raven’s tricks and is keeping a close eye on him.

13. The Mouse Woman is the Raven’s wise and ancient grandmother.
Read more here
http://www.yvr.ca/en/blog/20-facts-about-the-jade-canoe

I wanted to share this photo of Angel. This was  a few years back on our last trip to Mexico.

My time has flown and she's grown so much.

Angel with Bill Reid's Jade Canoe at YVR Airport

Be a Farmer for a Day or for LIFE!!

I was raised on a little hobby farm from when I was born to the about  7...and we had animals after that ...we never had a cow but we did have pigs, rabbits, chickens and cats, dogs etc.

I believe my dad instilled great respect and values for animals and food. He had been raised in Saskatchewan and I know they had a farm and cows...I don't know much about my dad as he passed away when I was little but I am so grateful for the love of nature he instill in me.

My mom loved animals too, and she was a huge influence on me. I have been wanting a garden for so long and to escape the city life for rural. But it's not easy anywhere right now. People are detached.

They have lost their way, they don't understand what's happening.

Sadly I admit that being poor and then given the opportunity for  big wage I sold out and I worked at Lilydale the turkey processing plant. That place took it's toll on my body and brain and I will pay the price for the rest of my life.

Hopefully though, because I worked in many farm environments before that I can use my knowledge and experience to somehow enlighten YOU and others of what's happening out there.

Most people want to turn away, and that's understandable, we don't want to think of caged and living things being killed or exploited.

We have to make big changes and we have to teach our children, and give them experiences so they can learn the value of life and food and balance.

Check out this link  http://www.capefarewell.com/latest/news/856-vanessa-reid.html and watch the video below.




When Angel was 10 we went Woofing, that means to work on an organic farm in exchange for food and shelter, there was a lot of ups and downs but we did have some great experiences and one of the best was Angel learning to milk a cow....something I have never done. In the video above where she mentions that everyone should be a farmer for a day, is BRILLIANT!!



Everyone needs to go and personally see how and where their food comes from. And then get on the bandwagon with me and start demanding local food. Just small local people growing, raising, sharing, bartering and selling their food. No more shipping it thousands of miles to be processed... http://ecowatch.com/2014/03/05/usda-chickens-shipped-china/

Eggs gathered while we are Woofing! -Work on Organic Farm- in exchange for food and shelter

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We Must Be Lighthouses of PEACE!