We nearly killed off the whales. That industrial non-sustainable enterprise ended in the 1970s. The cod fishery ended 30 years ago because the endless bounty of the sea was abused.
We are showing the same respect for the old growth forest as we did for the whales and cod, only now the well-paying jobs use chainsaws and helicopters, not explosive harpoons and factory ships. We’ve been here before.
Today’s focal point is the ecosystem known as Ada'itsx or Fairy Creek. Do we have enough yet or do we keep pushing on to the brink? The whalers are extinct and the cod fishers will be soon.
Do we want our time to be remembered as reflected in the words of the late Pete Seeger’s song, Waist Deep in the Big Muddy, “and the big fool said to push on,” or will we step back and spare the sadness we are about to leave for our grandchildren and their grandchildren and the shame of being a part of this betrayal?
Mel McLachlan
Comox
