My Familys Environmental history
September 18, 2023 By: Sam McQuillan-Gordon
I’m Sam, a 25-year-old born and raised right here in Kamloops, British Columbia. Although my connection to this land is only three generations old, My family’s story is still tightly woven with this place we’ve called home for over 70 years. From my grandparents to my parents and down to my own generation, this city will forever have a special place in our hearts.
My family’s history starts with my mom’s parents of Scottish descent, who moved from Moosejaw, Saskatchewan, to Kamloops when she was just a kid. Moosejaw was smack-dab in the prairies, a land of open spaces and fertile soil. Agriculture was the lifeblood of the community there. It was a close-knit place, where neighbors helped neighbors, and the land provided sustenance. But when my grandparents moved to Kamloops, they traded the flat expanses of Moosejaw for the rugged terrain of the Thompson-Nicola region. Kamloops is nestled between two mighty rivers, the North and South Thompson. It’s a place where the arid climate can be tough, but the land offers its own unique gifts. My grandparents brought their farming knowledge with them, adapting to the new environment by growing crops suited for this terrain. They had to transform their farming techniques to thrive in this semi-arid landscape.
On the other side of the family is my dad, James, Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec by Irish parents, his world was one of city streets, multicultural influences, and the mighty St. Lawrence River. Montreal’s urban landscape was a far cry from the prairies of Moosejaw or the semi-arid surroundings of Kamloops. It was a place where human-made environments intertwined with nature in complex ways. Summer was the time when my father really got to explore and connect with nature, when he would attend summer camps for months at a time, enjoying camping, riding, archery and canoeing. Camp was where my dad’s love for the outdoors and adventure first ignited, a love that he would pass on to me and my brother.
My parents met at Whistler-Blackcomb resort. They connected over their shared love for skiing and the great- outdoors. Whistler’s transformation from a quiet mountain village to a world-renowned ski destination was emblematic of how people could coexist with and even enhance the natural environment. Eventually, the pull of my mom’s hometown, Kamloops, proved too strong to resist, and my parents decided to return. It was here that myself and my younger brother Angus were born, in 1998 and 2000 respectively. Kamloops is a place where natural and human-made environments coexist in a delicate balance, and I love it very much, despite any flaws it may have. It’s a land of sagebrush and sunsets, where the community has learned to adapt and thrive, and a place that I would feel content to raise my future children.
Being a white family, our ethnic and class heritage has certainly shaped our relationship with the environment. We’ve been fortunate to live in places where opportunities to connect with nature are abundant. Yet, we must acknowledge the privilege that comes with this. Our ability to appreciate and engage with the natural world has been influenced by our socio-economic status and the opportunities available to us. My passion for skiing would not exist were it not for my parents, who were capable of supporting me in that passion.
Looking back, the relationships my grandparents and parents had with their environments were shaped by their unique journeys. My grandparents learned to adapt from the prairies to the arid landscapes of Kamloops. My father, from the urban jungle of Montreal to the lush rainforests of the Lower Mainland. Each generation had to find its own way to thrive in different environments. Now, in my generation, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to protect and preserve the legacy passed down through the years. I want to ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the richness of the natural world. This means embracing sustainable practices, supporting conservation efforts, and nurturing a profound respect for the environments that have shaped my family’s history.
I would like to imagine that our family’s journey has been one of adaptation, appreciation, and love for the environments we’ve lived in. From the prairies to the mountains, from bustling city streets to the ocean’s edge, these landscapes have left their mark on our hearts. As I look ahead, I’m committed to carrying forward the values of stewardship and connection with nature that my family has instilled in me. It’s a journey I’m excited to continue, one step at a time, right here in Kamloops, the place I’m proud to call home.