Elisha-Grace King > Recent Status Updates

Part 2: I thought that this quote was a beautiful explanation of how the Haida people traveled. It shows their unique skill and resilience. The quote connects to later in the story as the author describes how the man who cut down the Golden Spruce traveled to Haida Gwaii by canoe.

P1"Traveling in these giant cedar canoes, the Haida would regularly paddle their home into, and out of, existence. With each collective paddle stroke they would have seen their islands sinking steadily into the sea while distant snow-covered peaks scrolled up before them like a new planet. Few people alive today have any notion of how it might feel to pull worlds up from beyond the horizon by faith and muscle alone."

I find this book quite easy to understand as I am from the area it discusses most. It is an interesting read because I can visualize each chapter from my personal experiences in those areas. Growing up in BC and having family who has been living there for a long time, I am familiar with the context of the story. I am interested in looking into if research is still being done on the golden spruce species in BCcolleges

What questions might your book answer for you?
I have always wondered about the tale of the Golden Spruce from the Haida perspective. I knew about the cutting down of the tree and that it was an extremely difficult blow to the Haida people but I never knew what the traditional story behind the tree was. I have learned now the story of the tree is one to inspire resilience and respect for nature which is ironic.

The author has elaborated on the culture of slavery, trading, and warfare which was common between Haida and other coast island nations. Vaillant challenges the "rose-tinted" pictures that have been painted of native people's lives pre-introduction to European traders. My thinking is shifting from believing that coastal nations did not already utilize their own form of capitalism.

I am thoroughly enjoying this book so far! As someone who's lived here my whole life, I feel the author describes the climate, culture, and energy of British Columbia well. The use of deeply descriptive language to illustrate the environment of Haida Gwaii and the life's journey of the Golden Spruce impressed me. While reading this book, I feel connected to my home and drawn to the story John Vaillant is telling.