Sept. 22-28 is National Forest Week (NFW)! Hosted by the Canadian Institute of Forestry (CIF) to celebrate, educate and raise awareness about Canada’s forest heritage.
“During NFW, Canadians are invited to learn more about Canada’s forest heritage and to raise awareness about this valuable and renewable resource. Forests are fundamental to our economy, culture, traditions and history – and to our future,” explained Rachel Brown, Communications Manager of CIF.
NFW was established in 1920 as Forest Fire Prevention Week to increase public awareness about Canadian forests. During NFW’s debut, Brown explained that the only threat to forests was from fires, primarily caused by humans.
“Since then, National Forest Week, as it was renamed in 1967, has evolved to encompass the many and varied human and environmental aspects of Canada’s forest resources,” said Brown. She added that NFW’s goal is to educate Canadians on the value of forest heritage and gain recognition of the valuable resources that forests provide.
In honour of NFW, CIF will host two public events at Bird’s Hill Provincial Park (BHPP) related to the NFW 2024 theme, Two-Eyed Seeing.
“Originally introduced by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall, ‘Etuaptmumk’ is a Mi’kmaw word meaning ‘Two-Eyed Seeing.’ This teaching suggests that with one eye, we observe the world through Indigenous ways of knowing, while with the other, we look through Eurocentric viewpoints,” Brown explained.
Two-Eyed Seeing combines traditional knowledge and Western Science to create intercultural collaboration.
“Two-Eyed Seeing offers us the gift of multiple viewpoints,” Brown added. When integrating multiple points of view, there is a higher chance of achieving a positive outcome.
NFW will specifically focus on the Two-Eyed Seeing knowledge of sustaining forestry.
“Through mutual respect and collaboration, we can learn how to implement Indigenous Knowledge and traditions with Western Science to sustain healthy forests for future generations,” Brown said. She added that through collaboration, we can better fight forest challenges like wildfires and pest control.
You can join the CIF in celebrating NFW with their two Forest Theatre events at BHPP on Sept. 22 and 27.
The Forest Encounters are supposed to be both educational and entertaining and are best suited for individuals six years of age or older.
On Sept. 22, from 1-2:30 p.m., pay a visit to the Kudlowich Homestead for a sharing of Forest Encounters: The Seen and Unseen Worlds of Slavic Living Nature.
In this theatrical experience, discover what the Last Rural Forester finds in both the seen and unseen world of the Slavic living nature.
From the event’s description, “Living nature is a constant drama of interdependent relationships within the forest.”
Slavic wisdom is typically shared through oral tradition. You can be one of the first people to hear the Last Rural Forester’s story of his family’s origins in a village that was lost to war. The story claims it may change your perception of the forest.
For Sunday’s event, Brown asks you to park along South Drive as the parking lot near Kudlowich Homestead is reserved for those with mobility issues, so please expect a few-minute walk to reach the site.
The second event to NFW BHPP’s interpretation series is Slavic Campfire Tales: An Evening Encounter with the Unseen Forest on Sept. 27 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Campfire Amphitheatre.
Sit back and try to relax as you listen to the eerie tales provided by the Last Forester. Brown warns you that you may see Lysovik, the Guardian of the Forest Realm, peering in on your campfire session.
“[Lysovik] embodies the energetic balance and harmony of the forest ecosystem. Given the pervasive presence of forests in the lives of the early Slavic populations, their protector played a significant role in folklore. Hunters, warriors, woodsmen, and travellers have often led astray or bewildered by sounds in the woods, leading to the emergence of the Lysovik as a central figure in these narratives,” Brown explained.
For Friday evening, Brown encourages you to bring a flashlight, as you will be required to walk along a dimly lit gravel path. Parking is available at the Campground Store or along the road near the Amphitheatre.
Brown also recommends bringing a lawn chair to both of NFW’s events as limited pre-built seating options will be available.
Local arborist and CIF Manitoba Member Guy Shelemy will lead both of the BHPP NFW sessions.
Shelemy explained that Slavic mythology typically lacks primary sources due to its oral tradition roots.
“My perception of Slavic forest wisdom has been shaped by my grandfather who emigrated from a close region of Ukraine and time period as Lesia Ukrainka. As my research of forest ecology increases and I’m researching Slavic Archives for my book on Rural Forestry, patterns and similarities have become clearer,” said Shelemy.
A valid Provincial Park Pass must be purchased and displayed on all vehicle dashboards while in BHPP. You can buy your park pass online at www.manitobaelicensing.ca/licensing.page or by visiting the Birds Hill Campground Office. Brown also notes that these events have been incorporated into Bird’s Hill Provincial Park’s regular Park Interpreter Program.” A program led by park interpreters to educate park-goers about a variety of topics.
Brown invites you to visit the CIF website, www.cif-ifc.org, for more information on NFW and to learn more about the CIF.
