If you love our forests and trees, please share this special short film produced by Creatively United in collaboration with Ballet Victoria.
Awaken, an exquisitely intimate performance inspired by the soft whispers of the forest, features original music composed, sung and orchestrated by Canada’s multi award-winning legend, Ann Mortifee, in collaboration with former Chilliwack band member, Ed Henderson (guitar), and Finn Manniche (cello).
Awaken debuted at Ballet Victoria’s live opening night performance of The Little Prince this past Thursday and will continue to be shown on a giant screen during their entire run, Thursday-Saturday, until October 25th.
The story follows the delightful journey of a young girl and her dog who discover the magical wonders of the forest thanks to guidance from forest sprites.
Shot in one of the few remaining intact wild urban forests on private land in Victoria, BC, the film Awaken was created to help bring awareness to the importance of protecting and preserving forest habitat. We will share more details about ways to save the forest shown here. Stay tuned.
Awaken is presented thanks to the generous sponsorship of Creatively United’s esteemed partner Jon O’Riordan of the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Series and a City of Victoria Strategic Plan Grant. We thankfully acknowledge the Westcoast Sacred Arts Society for their contribution to this project.
“You have touched my heart and that of my wife. We both just watched the video, wow!”
“I believe in truth and beauty at the core of existence and you demonstrate that and affirm it time and time again. This video takes us on a magical journey in one of our islands beautiful and unique forests. Our imagination is set free to wander with these lovely forest sprites who exemplify grace and serenity.”
“Creatively United only gets better and better.” – Dan and Jitka K
Creative Solutions for a New World – Let’s Shift This!
One of the main ways we can help create the change we want to see, is to send letters and call our elected officials. The more people who do this, the better.
To simplify this process, Kathleen Code, Vice-chair and Communications Director of the Ecoforestry Institute Society, and Jonathan O’Riordan, founder of the Climate and the Arts Series, have drafted this letter which we invite you to cut, paste and share by email and on social media by sharing this post.
As well, as an added convenience, we have supplied the email addresses and phone numbers for the key people who need to know that there is public support for a new forestry framework.
Please send this letter to everyone noted on this list, plus find your MLA with the link provided and add them too. Please cc info@creativelyunited.org. We will follow up with these elected officials to remind them there is public support. Having your voice, and that of your family, friends, co-workers and networks, is what we need to shift this. It will only take a minute or two of your time!
Anything is possible, let’s make this happen!
The Letter:
Subject: A call for a New Forest Framework in British Columbia
The forests of British Columbia are by far the most extensive ecosystem in British Columbia covering two-thirds of the land base. Thriving ecosystems provide a wide range of ecological services, have the potential to provide significant and diverse employment and are critical to the culture of Indigenous peoples.
The current track record shows the primary focus of government and the forest industry is to create tree plantations of commercially acceptable feedstock and fibre – trees are a commodity instead of an ecosystem. Over the decades, communities have suffered boom and bust cycles as jobs decline due to technological changes and the export of raw logs. Our forests and our communities deserve better.
Ecoforesty offers an eco-centric approach to forests, viewing them as thriving living beings, rich in biodiversity. Intact forests provide valuable ecological services, including the air we breathe and the water we drink, carbon storage, and critical habitat for a wide range of living beings from fungi to apex predators. They also offer climate change services that buffer pests, floods and drought- services which will become much more valuable as the climate changes. Ecoforestry recognizes that we are a part of nature and that we must work with nature. To destroy nature is to destroy ourselves.
We, the undersigned, call for a bold new forest framework based on an eco-centric approach that allows ecosystems and communities to thrive. The principles and practice of ecoforestry require that we live and work within ecological parameters and that we protect and restore natural ecosystem richness, complexity and resiliency that we can enjoy and help us adapt to a rapidly changing climate.
It is this approach that provides for an ecologically appropriate level of harvest resulting in greater job creation when the full range of economic values is realized. A rich diversity of direct and indirect jobs is created, from naturalist, restoration ecologist and healer positions to value-added wood crafters and community event planners. Local businesses and suppliers benefit from the uptake of local accommodations and eating establishments.
We no longer support business as usual in the management of our forests. Our health and that of communities is dependent on the health of the entire forest ecosystem. Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples cannot be fulfilled without healthy forests. We can do better. We must do better.
Time is of the essence and now is the time for transformation. We must start the shift to this ecosystem-centric approach to our forests now.
Signed:
(Your name here)
Email this letter and/or phone:
Hon. George Heyman, Environment and Climate Change Strategy
ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca
1-250-387-1187
Hon. Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
1-250-387-6240
Hon. Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources
seamus.oregan@parl.gc.ca
1-613-992-0927
Hon. Michelle Mungall, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness
JTT.Minister@gov.bc.ca
1-250-356-2771
Hon. Scott Fraser, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
IRR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
1-250-953-4844
Also, please send a copy to your MLA. Find your MLA’s email here:
https://www.leg.bc.ca/learn-about-us/members
Please be sure to cc: info@creativelyunited.org when sending your letter.
Thank YOU!