by Aliza Chavez, Northland College
There is something beautiful about immersing yourself in wilderness juxtaposed with artifacts left behind by First Nation people. It is hard to believe that I have been exploring in and around Atlin, British Columbia for five weeks and soon will be heading back to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. In the spring, I will be graduating from Northland College with a bachelor of art and science in studio arts and biology. My time here so far with Round River has been inspirational and life changing, as I am sure is the same for everyone else on this program. Never in a million years would I have imagined the level of mental and physical endurance I have put myself through in the past few weeks. Starting with one of our first summits, Ruby Mountain, to our most recent journey backpacking along 60 miles of the Nakina trail for nine days, culminating at the Nakina CALL (Center for Aboriginal Living and Learning).
Surprise Lake near Atlin, British Columbia
As an interdisciplinary artist who works in printmaking, drawing, and installation, it is important to me to focus my creativity in a place that is visually and conceptually inspiring as well as biologically important in a wider sense; I believe it is important to engross yourself into a place that has a well-defined history like this one. Everything about this area is thought provoking, from its boreal composition, to observing the ecological affects of plaster mining within the region, to learning about the First Nations communities pre- and post-colonization and its implications on the land and culture. The amount of visual and conceptual inspiration that this specific place has given me in the past few weeks is mesmerizing and has definitely played a part in how I view my future aspirations.
Llewellyn Glacier viewed from the Lina Range
One of the recent field adventures I embarked upon was this past Thursday, July 20th 2017. Morgan Brown, Lily Bosworth, Joe Gallucci, and myself hiked up to the high alpine GLORIA summit located in the Lina Range with Will to replace a temperature logger. Round River has partnered with GLORIA to do a long-term alpine vegetation study on monitoring the impacts of climate change on species of the alpine region around Atlin, British Columbia. Being surrounded by gorgeous views and great people are what made this strenuous hike a truly unforgettable experience – even after some arduous bushwhacking.
Kuthai Lake was our first stop during our hike down to Nakina CALL
The Taku River Watershed has truly been a beautiful and pristine place to be involved with conservation efforts in conjunction with learning traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) from the Tlingit First Nation people native to this area. It is important to think about conservation on a holistic level, which is something being here has taught me. What is important about the Taku Watershed is that it is the largest fully intact watershed left in North America, as well as being a place that is deeply engrained with culture. Spending time in this area has given me a greater appreciation for conserving boreal habitats as well as protecting the rights of First Nation people.