Documentary Reflection
December 11, 2022 By: Ellen Ross T00611006
Documentary Reflection
I am going to review the work of the Ancient Forest Alliance ( AFA) using a video and a narrative that was produced in 2021. It was produced in cooperation with the Tla’amin First Nation, of Powell River BC.
The historic significance of Powell River was a large influx of white settlers that were brought here from mainly European Countries. These workers heavily logged the area then used the logs to develop pulp and paper, at what was then the worlds largest pulp and paper mill.[1] At that time there was no consultation with the Tla’amin First Nation and no understanding of their ties to the land.
Eric Blaney is a well-respected member of the Tla’amin First Nation. He has worked with the BC chapter of the Ancient Forest Alliance and produced a video that discusses old growth forest and the damaging effects of excessive forest harvesting. The video is called Powell River Spotlight: Mt. Freda & Eldred Valley Ancient Forests. The video is respectful of the origins of the surrounding areas of Powell River the are the home of the Tla’amin First Nation. The narrative that is part of this production, is on the AFA website and was written by Jill Marie Bronson in 2021. The key words and discussion are powerful. She has said that production forestry (clearcut and plant) currently in BC are being managed for volume, that is “fibre” over value. Everything is bowing down to the “timber first” mantra, where sustaining the short-term flow of timber (allowable annual cut) is more important than sustaining the long-term ecological integrity of a forest.[2]
Ecological forestry (selection logging and natural regeneration) focuses more on having the biota, structures and functional capacities intact, keeping a more resilient forest. Both practices have their own nuances, especially when “management objectives” and “desired conditions,” are driven by ethical values and beliefs.
The AFA has been involved recently in protecting the Fairy Creek Old Growth Forest[3] on Vancouver Island. Their activism has been written about in the Narwhal Journal[4] and is considered independent journalism.
The second person that has tremendous influence on environmental issues is David Suzuki. He has done personal appearances, has had a successful television series, a website presence and a large foundation to support projects.
The individuals representing the AFA and David Suzuki have reach many followers that are concerned about old growth forests and environmental concerns.
Civil Disobedience- Documentarians in our Course Work
Documentarians noted in our course are the work of Greenpeace and the work of Rachel Carson. I have read in our notes the activities of Greenpeace and I admire some of their tactics to bring attention to the damaging effects of humans on the environment. The start of their activism was in 1971, when the U.S. started nuclear testing on Amchitka Island, Alaska.[5] It was noted in 2016 that one of many of Greenpeace’s success stories was that 85% of the forested area of the Great Bear Rainforest in B.C[6]. being protected from industrial logging.
Rachel Carson has incredible iconic status in her tactics of awareness raising of the rampant poisoning of our environment through her book Silent Spring. Rachel Carson’s publication of Silent Spring set the tone for the 1960s, as it marked the turning point in society’s understanding of the interconnections between the environment, the economy, and social well-being.
On a concluding note, the words of Jill Marie Bronson apply to the sustenance of this paper. We need regionally based decisions that can reassess our values, a framework that hopefully can quantify risk moving into the future. Without changing our relationship with forests, and all the ecosystems for that matter, the time remaining for our species is running out. sadly, our lack of wisdom, responsibility, and reciprocity are turning out the lights for many other life forms. Everyone in a position of power, influence and policy change needs to have a transformative mindset. I care deeply about our families and feel if we put enough time and attention toward a plan we can transition to a more sustainable future.
Biography
Ancient Forest Alliance .2022. https://ancientforestalliance.org/about/
Bronson, Jill Marie, Feb 23, 2021. https://ancientforestalliance.org/notes-from-the-field-powell-river/
Fairy Creek Headwaters Ancient Forest alliance. https://thenarwhal.ca/topics/fairy-creek-blockade/
Forestry History, Powell River Archives. 2022. https://www.powellrivermuseum.ca/forestry-history.html
Greenpeace Canada 2022.https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/about-us/history-successes
Green Peace. https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/46686/amchitka-the-founding-voyage/
Lear, Linda, 2012. Rachel Carson – https://www.rachelcarson.org/
The Narwhal Journal Article.2022. https://www.google.ca/search?q=narwhal+journalism&source
Powell River Spotlight: Mt. Freda & Eldred Valley Ancient Forests. 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hShgv9RDSQ4
Science History Institute. 2022. https://www.sciencehistory.org/historical-profile/rachel-carson?gclidd
Suzuki, David, Foundation. 2022. https://davidsuzuki.org/action/protect-bcs-old-growth-forests-from-logging/
[1] Forestry History, Powell River Archives 2022 https://www.powellrivermuseum.ca/forestry-history.html
[2] Bronson, Jill Marie, Feb 23, 2021 https://ancientforestalliance.org/notes-from-the-field-powell-river/
[3] Fairy Creek Headwaters Ancient Forest alliance. https://thenarwhal.ca/topics/fairy-creek-blockade/
[4] The Narwhal Journal Article 2022.https://www.google.ca/search?q=narwhal+journalism&source
[5] Green Peace. https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/46686/amchitka-the-founding-voyage/
[6] Greenpeace Canada,2022, https://www.greenpeace.org/canada/en/about-us/history-successes