Land of Traces

Spirit Interrupted ~

Casting embers of crimson and jade

Upon the land where it will live

The raven forms the ivory bear

From legends, it will thrive

A token of when the world was white

An island reaped with joie de vivre

Rain forest valleys encase the allure

Yet not the spirit, for it roams free

Among the Sitka spruce and the ocean

Its presence known to the nomadic wolves

This is what raven planned for it to exist

Yet, the echoes of crushing metal break in

The jagged apparatus pierces the lavender skies

The grease explodes into the miles of cylinders

Toxins ablaze, the air thick with blackened odours

Nothing but destruction in its crude wake

The raven weeps as his beak is consumed with stench

His beady eyes; a mirror reflection of nature being decimated

The spirit bear’s snow-white fur drinks in the oil

As mother nature cradles the raven, overcome with sorrow

The beating of drums signifies the arrival of the pipeline.

~ by T.L. Alton 

Seated in my IMAX chair, I allow myself to take in the sight before me. Surrounding sound technology and a filmmaker’s dream, which transform’s every frame into magical moments...that is what the IMAX Experience is all about.

While I have used my annual pass to take in documentary’s music and adventure themed films, this one is phenomenal and in a league of its own.

The Great Bear Rainforest ~ Land of the Spirit Bear, is by far one of the best I have seen. The following reviews says it well:

“I’ve seen many filmmakers enter the giant screen industry, but none has excited me as much as Ian McAllister and Jeff Turner, who have quickly understood our unique format’s power and have captured spectacular, one-of-a-kind footage of this magical environment and its stunning wildlife,”
– Greg MacGillivray, Chairman of MacGillivray Freeman Films

From the stunning opening scenes, to the adventure I was taken on throughout the film, it made me long even more for wanting to visit Ocean Falls, B.C.

The film is packed full of exploration, guileful camera manoeuvres both on land and in water, with an added bonus of the narration by Canadian born Ryan Reynolds.

Another key component, is the valued connection between the First Peoples, within the Rainforest and the importance of sustainability, built on thousands of years of origin.

The Spirit Bear or White Kermode has been held in high regard throughout time as a powerful totem, inspiring those in need of bravery, to take a stand against adversity.

The director of the film, Ian McAllister, conveys the message best with the following:

“I get a lot of fulfillment just being here, in this world of diminishing ecological returns. It is hard to describe how special this place is. I think we are just so fortunate to have a place that still has the working parts—the full suite of flora and fauna—and we’re not talking about How are we going to bring these animals back? and How are we going to restore this system that’s been destroyed? which is really the ecological conversation for most other places. Here, we just have to protect what we have. If we just leave it alone and stop treating it like an inexhaustible resource it would have a fighting chance. I love it up here. I’ve raised my kids up here. There’s still so many things left to do and places to explore.” —Ian McAllister, director of Great Bear Rainforest

The harmony of co-existing, was the basis of a short legend story, I wrote many years ago and centred on a Spirit Bear. While there once was an element of love attached to it, the stardust particles in my eyes were forever changed, by the chemicals within my broken heart.

Yet when I sat mesmerized by the IMAX film The Great Bear Rainforest, I was reminded of its symbolism; the cycle of life within the beginning and ending of all things.

There once was a Spirit Bear who travelled all over the mountainside, the running rivers and meadows filled with wildflowers. He had a fire in his soul, which saw him drink in the beauty, wherever he went. Under the silver globe, he sought after adventure and while he followed the golden sphere; the Spirit Bear was a seeker of peace.

There came a day, when he stood, at the edge of the world. Returning to the rivers in search of food, he soon found himself trapped in a bush so full of thorns, he could not claw his way thru. Days passed, as he tried in desperation to reach the river for the fish, which nourished his body.

Under the scorching sun, he began to grow weak and gave up all hope of ever surviving. One night, the Spirit Bear heard a piercing sound that shattered the veil of darkness.

He lifted his weary head, to see a Golden hawk soaring past him. Dipping her claws into the glacier waters, she pulled out a coral salmon. With a swift turn, the Golden hawk flew rapidly towards the Spirit Bear, dropping the fish necessary to sustain him. He watched as she flew continuously in a succession of gathering the salmon and bringing it back for the ravished bear. Gorging on the light orange flesh, the Spirit Bear was brought back to life.

While he ate, the Golden hawk took her razor sharp beak and began to break through the wall of thorns. When the sun rose over the layers of basalt mountains, the Golden hawk lay battered and exhausted. Her wings were no longer strong to carry her up to the heavens. 

Facing the unknown, she was fearful, as she now was at the mercy of the powerful Spirit Bear. As he stood, the bear took his injured companion and began to cleanse the wounds of the Golden hawk. He pushed towards her beak one of the salmon, he did not eat. Using his claws, he gently fed the Golden hawk, as she had done for him. 

Not long after, both animals nourished and taken care of, were well enough to return to the forest. They parted, knowing they had become lifetime warriors. 

by T.L. Alton