There’s a difference between learning about something and learning from something. 

Learning about something usually means a slideshow, a few notes, maybe a video if your teacher’s feeling generous. But learning from something? That’s different. It’s stepping into a place, listening to the stories it holds, and realizing that this learning doesn’t leave when you do. 

That’s what Haida Gwaii was for me.

The Trip

A few weeks ago, we went to Haida Gwaii. We went to every major town, and even all the way down to Gwaii Haanas, a special national park. We met people who carry generations of knowledge, talked to people who were arrested during the Lyell island protests, and saw Haida Watchmen sites. 

It was beautiful there. The ecosystem is something that could only be described as different yet the same, something you’ll only ever understand if you go there. 

Despite the trip being so incredible, you could go for no reason, we add a couple things that we were watching out for. We went to learn about Haida Gwaii’s Reconciliation, learn about their culture, and of course, have a once in a lifetime experience.

During the trip, we were asked to keep a scrapbook with prompts for each page. Here is mine:

The Activation 

When we got home from the trip, we were asked to create something that could bring our learning to life. An activation! An activation is something that makes people stop, think, and feel activated to learn, reflect, or act. 

That is what ReconciliACTION is all about. 

So for our final exhibition, I decided to build a giant 3D map of Haida Gwaii. 

This part of the project was not a group effort, I did this part myself. One big piece of plywood and lots of moss later, I had a beautiful map. I was incredibly proud of the final product, but I couldn’t be more proud of the process I took to get there. 

Meanwhile, my group were focused on the Big Tide Low Water agreement, the Golden Spruce, and the protests. As people walked through the exhibition, we explained the stories we learned. In Haida Gwaii. And together, we all presented the present and future of Reconciliation. 

What I Learned

• Reconciliation isn’t something you study, finish, or move on from. We saw that it the agreements being made, that it is a process. 
• The land speaks the truth. In Gwaii Haanas especially, you can feel the stories before you hear them. 
• Creation is a form of respect. For some people, building the map might have just been to show where things were. But for me, it was all about honouring what the land represents. 
• The future depends on what we do now. If we listen, ask question, and even just show up, we contribute to Reconciliation. 

Final Thought

This project didn’t end when the exhibition did, it keeps on going. Reconciliation isn’t about doing everything perfectly, it’s about choosing to act with care. 

I built a map, yes. But more than that, I built connections with everyone I talked to.