From Earth to Ocean: Stories from Gwaii Haanas

Parks Canada has identified the waters around Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site (Queen Charlotte Islands) as a potential national marine conservation area reserve. To present the stories of Gwaii Haanas, Parks Canada has partnered with The Vancouver Aquarium to offer a unique speaker series open to the public.

Here are three videos from the first session, "Exploring the Islands" which took place on Monday September 14, 2009.

For more information about the proposed Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, please visit Parks Canada's website: www.pc.gc.ca/gwaiihaanasmarine

Alicia Pearson: “Islands of Beauty” - Join Alicia Pearson, born and living on Haida Gwaii, as she visually explores special Haida places and rich marine habitats and introduces the audience to the sights, sounds, and feelings of Gwaii Haanas both above and below the water.

Ali Pearson was born in Haida Gwaii and raised in Vancouver. After graduating high school, she moved back to Haida Gwaii where she worked at the Haida Gwaii Watchman Program both as a watchman as well as a program manager. It was at this time that she developed a strong connection to the land and she knew that she would continue to work towards its protection throughout her life. Ali is currently employed with Parks Canada at the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve / Haida Heritage Site as an Interpretation Officer and enjoys sharing her knowledge and passion for Gwaii Haanas with the public.

Anne Salomon: “The world beneath the waves” - Join renowned researcher Dr. Anne Salomon from Simon Fraser University who will take you beneath the waves into the underwater world of Gwaii Haanas.

Anne Salomon is an applied marine ecologist and conservation biologist. Her research is motivated by a deep interest in the human alteration of marine food webs and the extent to which these disturbances modify the biodiversity, productivity and resilience of coastal ecosystems. These interests have taken Anne to the surf swept rocky shores of Alaska, to New Zealand and most recently to California as a Smith Fellow. This summer, Anne launched a research program with colleagues from Parks Canada, Haida Fisheries, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Simon Fraser University to examine the ecological repercussions of the proposed Gwaii Haanas National Marine Conservation Area Reserve on valuable fisheries (rockfish, red sea urchin), species-at-risk (northern abalone) and kelp forest dynamics.

Kevin and Luke Borserio: “Paddling in the mist” - Join Kevin and Luke Borserio as they relive their incredible kayak journey around Gwaii Haanas - recounting their challenges, and unforgettable experiences from their August 2009 trip.

Kevin Borserio - Kevin Borserio and wife Katie have lived on Haida Gwaii for the past 25 years where they raised their three children. Sixteen years ago Kevin was adopted into the Ts'aahl Eagle Clan by Guud Taawt'is (Judson Brown), and was named Luu Gaahlandaay. Kevin works as a community linguist with Haida elders at the Skidegate Haida Immersion Program and as a speaker of the Haida language. He is an avid surf and ocean kayaker, and works with youth coaching soccer, basketball, and kayaking.

Luke Borserio - Haida Gwaii born and raised, Luke Borserio started kayaking and kayak surfing at an early age and has paddled waters all along the Pacific Coast. From surfing and kayaking in Mexico and Guatemala, to paddling across the Hecate Strait and leading ocean kayak tours in Haida Gwaii, Luke's passion for the waves and for adventure has taken him on journeys abroad and around the misty islands of his hometown.

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