I have to admit, my experience wasn’t exactly fun, but it was challenging and transformative in many ways. A friend asked me to volunteer and help a wonderful group of people on Rez, located in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, between Armstrong and Salmon Arm. The job was to assist with seasonal work which involved trim-gardening the forest in large numbers. However, during my time there, I learned the right way to care for the forest. The indigenous community I worked with referred to it as “separating the men from the boys.” It was a heartfelt experience of camaraderie, overcoming hypothermia, and two-hour hikes (one way) to get to and from the sites. It was one of the most intensely physical and mental challenges I have ever faced. The elders and other workers were the most genuine people I’ve ever met and they taught me the secrets of the bush, natural sounds, the mountains, and the heart.
2018