Giid Tll’juus means balance in X̱aayda Kil. It’s a state of being we necessarily strive for in every moment of our lives.
What hangs in the balance of Tll’aal? Not a whole lot on the surface, but dig deeper, and you see that the interests of Tll’aal intersect with those of all the people of Haida Gwaii and even — dare I say — the interests of humanity and of Earth itself.
It’s a lofty claim, for sure, but true nonetheless. At least, that’s what I told myself as I was acclaimed President of the Tlell Community Association.
Not long in existence but already facing the question of a decolonialized name change, the TCA concerns itself with being a unifying body for the diverse, spread-out, and often reclusive people of Tlell.
Our first and most enjoyable goal is to support and encourage events and ideas that bring Tlellians together. We are working with the Graham Island East Coast Farmers Institute in their efforts to improve local food sustainability throughout Haida Gwaii.
The GIECFI is putting on an educational and social event in the coming weeks, and we hope that many will come together to learn how we can support each other in local food production.
We also worked with the Easter Bunny to deliver a treat in everyone’s PO box. It was a sweet way to introduce the new executive: myself, Janet Rigg; Stacey Brzostowski, vice president; Sophie Peerless, secretary; Seth Cutter-Sovicek, treasurer; and Veronkia Higlister, director-at-large.
When not working our connections to fantastical bunnies, we are also working on improving communication with the North Coast Regional District to be able to deliver timely information about changes and improvements the district is planning.
Of utmost concern is the rapidly eroding highway.
While the decisions and repairs are all handled by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI), more transparency on how and why they are making their decisions would be, well, simply nice to know.
It might also be helpful to other coastal areas on and off Haida Gwaii that may be impacted by climate change.
But do we even need or want an organization in unincorporated Tlell?
Some would say no. We used to have Republic of Tlell T-shirts, a cheeky nod to our belief in personal freedoms and autonomy, which was (and still is) a hallmark of many Tlellian settlers.
But times they are a-changing, aren’t they?
Isn’t a more collective vision of community and relation to place re-emerging as Haida values and ways of being are being emphasized again? I may be here for a long time, but nothing close to the millennia the Haida have. But while I’m here, I can learn about and hopefully live in a greater sense of balance inspired by the place I inhabit.
The creation of a locally produced current affairs newspaper for Haida Gwaii is such a tool of connection. I hope to use the space I have been allotted to muse on all things balance—balance of mind, body, soul, spirit, and environmental impact—interests that concern all of humanity and the planet itself. Wouldn’t you agree? Send me your thoughts and questions at [email protected].