Wolf Communication: What’cha want Kingcome?


One of our favorite spots up river.

That’s what we have been trying to figure out.
I am officially the gym teacher at Lilawagila School. For an hour and a half every afternoon, I teach both the primary and intermediate classes. These are the kids I want to spend time with and this is how I want to spend my time with them. It is so rewarding and encompassing and I finally understand how much constant energy it requires to teach at this level.

With this job comes one very big perk. I have keys to a beautiful gymnasium. I feel like I have returned to being the gym rat that I was in high school. Opening the doors a few nights a week is sharpening up my jump shot and giving the kids a bit of extra time to run around. Soccer is the big sport in town and Jackie and I are loving the epic Friday night adult 3 on 3 soccer runs.

When we aren’t at school, we spend a ton of time doing bedroom yoga, cutting wood, knitting, discovering the area and our surroundings and making sure we are cooking up gourmet meals. The old italian saying goes, 'bien manger, bien vive.'

Fresh apple pie. Aww yeah.

We have also had the opportunity to become the new B&B in town. Providing room and board for workers who come into the community from time to time, it gives us the opportunity to mix it up with a few different characters that find themselves in Kingcome. There are a variety of skill labourers making alterations and upgrades from last years flood, and others that are here for social support or emergency preparedness.

My own couch surfing experiences have allowed me to meet some of the most hospitable people on the planet. I am learning everyday how to make my home more comfortable for visitors. Food is probably the only expense that is dipping into our account right now. ‘Free shipping in Canada’ isn’t always so, not when you are this remote.

Initially we envisioned a community of this size being similar to that of a bush camp. The only thing that a bush camp and Kingcome have in common is the amount of mouths that are eating. Some say that families and blood lines have been here for over two thousand years; the intricate nature of the village’s dynamic is something that we learn more about everyday. The bi-weekly newsletter that upates the community on all gatherings, birthdays, and fundraisers is something that keeps us informed. Gossip does not spare Kingcome, and sometimes it can be the best way for news to travel.

The population is constantly fluctuating hence the varying number of students in Jackie’s class. It is a place where kids can run around care-free. To raise a family here, it is a magical place.

At the same time, for some, it is very dark inside these coastal mountains. Covered by cloud, yet protected from howling storms in the straight, Kingcome can become a prison for some while it is a sanctuary for others. Although Kingcome is paradise for most that live here, it wouldn’t be the case for many. Flood warnings are always looming as the result of a warm front or dangerous downpour. Severe flooding is becoming more of an issue every year because of a congested river. A river that is filling up with sediment from melting glacial runoff. The steep terrain lends itself to landslides that are ever changing the banks of the river; a body of water that is the life blood of this community. Many of the now slide prone areas can be attributed to reforestation practices that took place up river. Replanting forests that were stripped of cedar, fir and hemlock with cheap cottonwood. For a quick moment in this communities history, big industry came in up river. The community noticed rapid changes. Yes, this town has always been a place where the river flooding was a part of life. Normal yearly floods would be to the nature of a foot or two. As the result of last years 10 foot flood, the community has been expanding and refining it’s emergency plans. There is a real fear of how big the next one will be. All homes have been reconstructed and built up higher on stilts. Kingcome has been here for hundreds of years and now must think about prospects of relocation because of climate change.


Halloween was a hoot of a night at the school atrium!!

Much of the new learning that I have done forces me to ask myself some deep questions. Are most ‘natural disasters’ signs of an ailing planet? Is the earth fighting its way back because we are over its carrying capacity? Global Warming is so evident here. Some might say its a sensitive ecosystem, but I see it as a perfect microcosm of our planet.

What’s the deal with the conservative government? Denouncing Kyoto and trying to persuade other countries to do the same. I am a little bit embarrassed to call myself Canadian with our governments stance that they are taking on at the global level. My emotions have never felt so volatile.

M-mmmovember Mug Shot. Hard. As. ____.

With this in mind, imagine that Enron is trying to buy their way into building a pipeline from northern Alberta through British Columbia and to Kitimat to transport oil through one of the most intricate channels on the coast; teaming with wildlife. They want big ships to move oil to China through the most intricate channels in the world. Imagine if a ‘disaster’ happened, like it happens everyday in other oil transfer stations around the world. This would affect the salmon, ooligan, and seal supply here. The food source of a village will be cutoff.

The young generation here are realizing these changes and the impacts on the environment. They are concerned how it will affect their future, and not only here in Kingcome. One teenager in particular, expressed her concern by participating in a 400 kilometer walk from Port Hardy to Victoria to help raise awareness of the dismal effects that salmon farms have on the natural ecosystem. I will stop with my political rant now, but it is something that has been upsetting me on the daily and I needed to get it out.

Jackie is doing a great job with her students. It is something to watch a teacher bounce around from group to group in the classroom. Although she has only 9 students, on occasion 11 and it can be as low as 6, she is balancing almost all the kids on an individual program. Although beneficial to the students, it is quite demanding. That’s where teacher assistants come in. Marijo, born and raised in Kingcome, is an incredible asset and is an integral part of the daily program helping to maintain the fine balance in Jackie’s classroom. Most of the children call her Aunty and she is the one constant for the kids at the school in the last few years. I also lend a helping hand from time to time and other volunteers are in and out as well.

These three are priceless!!

How can we not already think about making our house into a cozier and more comfortable home? The artwork is starting to make its way onto the walls and every trip out is an opportunity to grab a few more things to make life just that much more comfortable.

We didn’t expect to have a pizza shop out here but Emily, the school administrator, cooks up a tasty pie with all the toppings you want! On my birthday weekend, we had all the children from the school over for a pizza party and cupcakes. I blew out thirty candles. Whoa!

Pin the tail on Gregor.

There are definitely times when Jackie and I both miss the Revelstoke and Vancouver social scenes that we’ve been surrounded by in the last few years. Not having the spoils that a bigger community has to offer, it is tight on the pocket. Saturday afternoon BINGO is a time to splurge on cards! Television has made a return to both of our lives. Our new favorite show is Boardwalk Empire and I am sorry to say that I got the Wednesday night Survivor itch..cheering for Ozzie. We have had a few very fun evenings with Liz, Ory, Marijo and Pete. Let me tell you, a little ambiance in the living room and dancing to Black Eyed Peas while watching a video game prompt on television can get very intense. Jackie and I need to practice our video game skills, but our dancing skills are priceless. I sometimes get it in my head that I am an amazing dancer. It is a scary place to be when there are people around!

We get to see some of the biggest and cutest smiles you’ll ever see.

Atticus. His social skills are again being tested to the extreme. He went from a bush camp full of gnarly tree planters and sweet dogs; to the suburbs where the pups are pansies and the folks are a little nutty; and finally to a wild pack of family dogs with freedom to roam as he wishes. To say the least, Atti is loving it. When I left for my fall plant, Jackie noticed that he whined and paced around the house the first night. He spent a few nights away from home and even a night away when I first got back. The mountain behind me allows for a good echo and my whistle carries up the river valley. Normally that triggers him to get home. A few years ago, a malamut-husky living in town got enticed to go play with some wolves....I won’t explain the result of that. We would rather him spend the nights at home. It gives us a peace of mind that our boy is safe.

Atticus, Marley & Grizzly coming up the stairs.

Fungi!!

We have also taken on another dog. They say that the dog chooses its owner out here, and Marley has taken to me. He has a bit of a Napolean complex. He shows vicious traits around some other dogs. I have been trying to train him. Over the last few weeks I have finally noticed a very slight change in his behaviour. He has about 4 years of bad habits to break. Marley is intimidating to most people, and he might be too far along to change. I think he needs to get neutered. There are no female dogs in town and the boy is equipped. I think it is a source of much of his aggression. The more love I show him, the better he behaves. I’m not sure what’s worse, writing about politics or about dogs.

The eco-tourism opportunities in the inlet are endless. After talking with a few of the fellas around my age, it seems that they will be ready to capitalize on it. Everything from white water kayaking up river to heli skiing in the surrounding peaks is a possibility. For now though, much of the community is satisfied with minimal tourism around the village. This is very understandable.

Christmas holidays are only 3 weeks away and Jackie and I have a road trip down to California planned. We will be back in Vancouver to celebrate New Years with our extended family of friends. I’ll have an update for you in the new year, so happy remainder of 2011 to all of ya! Enjoy your December, we sure will!

A current favorite tune I want to share with you http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH5YmHMg07E