I’ve lived in a few places now, and one thing that continues to surprise me about the World is their lack of knowledge about Canada. I’m not talking about people not knowing who our Prime Minister is, or people not knowing the intricacies of Ice Hockey… I’m talking people that ask me what State Canada is in, how we get water to run through our pipes without freezing, how much upkeep a dogsled demands, or if I’ve ever been attacked by a polar bear.

Those are all real questions I’ve been asked.

Worse yet, a lot of them aren’t questions, they’re statements “I’d never thought of visiting Canada… there’s just nothing to look at. Barren snow would get boring.” Barren snow? “I need mountains and rivers around me. I couldn’t handle snow and flatness.”

Suffice to say that our humble Canadian demeanor preceeds us — perhaps it’s time to start bragging a little.

(sourced from spiritbear.com)

So in an effort to open your eyes I’m posting a 45 minute documentary (via Kris Krug) on a special type of bear called the Spirit Bear. A Spirit Bear to untrained eyes will look a lot like a Polar Bear, wrong — most would then guess it’s an albino after that, and they’d be wrong too — it’s actually a plain old West Coast black bear with an interesting genetic trait (explained in the documentary). I’m posting this documentary for a few reasons:

1. Scenery — It’s important to me for the people I meet abroad to see where I come from. I don’t live up to my chin in snow all year round, in fact there are some years when we get no snow at all. My region of Canada is very mountainous, not barren land. We have ski hills 30 minutes from beaches. In the Summer we suntan. Yes, in bathing suits. This documentary is set merely tens of kilometers from the house I grew up in, and really shows you what my surroundings look like. It’s a beautiful place, I hope you enjoy what you see.
2. Bears — The World seems to be terrified of bears! Understandably so, I suppose, seeing as most of you have only ever experienced a bear encounter by way of Anthony Hopkins in The Edge. The truth is bears are not the human-eaters they’re made out to be; they’re animals just like us. That’s not to say they’re not dangerous — rest assured a short paw-swipe could make your face disappear faster than a David Blaine exhibit, but that they’re not out to kill you at any given moment. People are surprised to hear my parents get one or two bears in their yard every year. Never once has someone I know been attacked — even at marginally hairy times like my sister at 5 years old walking between a mumma bear and her cubs. They’re beautiful animals, I hope you enjoy what you see.
3. Anti-oil — I’m one of those left-wing crazy nuts jobs who believes the World can work in harmony with one another. The circle of life is very present in my decisions and I see one animals actions affect the rest of the animals down the chain, which in the end mains up the chain, coming down on us. The documentary makes note of a proposed pipeline spanning from half-way across Canada to the British Columbian shore. The problem is where the pipeline ends: Hartley Bay. Doesn’t ring a bell? Well, for my West Coast Canadian readers it may when you realize that Hartley Bay is the same area that BC Ferries had their recent accident, killing two, due to hitting bottom in a routine turn. The oil tankers will have a lot further to traverse BC’s dangerous rocky coastline, an oil spill would render many many many towns useless, not to mention killing thousands of animals and very possibly wiping out entire species on animals, such as the Spirit Bear. All energy-sources aside, in a World where oil is becoming less and less feasible, is it worth risking animal and human habitat to extent our crude oil business plans another few years? It’s a disgusting industry, I hope you hate what you see.

(Spoil from EP Films)

My job isn’t necessarily political awareness, but I loved this short film (perhaps the best online documentary I’ve seen?) and wanting my traveling friends to have a look at where I come from I offer it to you to watch. I also want to take the time out to mention how grateful I am for the excellent, compelling comments I receive on the blog from you all. Please continue to discuss!