Rainbow eyes
By Julie Henszey
I wiped my eyes and blinked hard. I had to choose between sitting downwind from a smokey fire ring or sitting with my back exposed to the rain.
Huddled with a group of individuals one third to one half my age under a plastic tarp strung between large western hemlocks, I kept wondering whether it would be better to go back to my very small tent and dive into my down sleeping bag.
My comfort was not my priority, however. I had flown to Vancouver, British Columbia, to join a logging blockade to which my 24-year-old son had invited me. We took a ferry to Vancouver Island, drove two hours west across the island — winding through forests with 2000-year-old trees — and met our companions for the next five days. The following day we walked up a gravel road for two hours to a bridge, which the blockaders secured, preventing logging trucks from using the road to reach new areas to cut.
I was there a few days. Indigenous led, the blockade lasted 500 days between 2020 and 2022, making it the largest act of civil disobedience in the history of Canada with over 1100 arrests. It shifted the public’s opinion about clearcutting. The logging company in the area wanted to “liquidate” 100% of unprotected old growth forest. No 2000-year-old wonder would be left upright.
If you want to see courage, look no further than the Indigenous women who were often seen standing atop earth moving equipment to lead a group in unity chants, or remaining passive as police dragged their bodies across gravel, or claiming their power as they spoke in front of hundreds at rallies outside the provincial government building.
One prominent voice belongs to Rainbow Eyes. As a member of the Awaetlala First Nation and graduate of Vancouver Island University’s First Nations land guardian program, she has a spiritual and cultural duty to protect these old growth forests. She is also the Deputy Leader of Canada’s Green Party.
Her timetable for change is “right now.”
After seven arrests, Rainbow Eyes has become a highly visible leader in the Indigenous movement to save the forests. She has been compared to Rosa Parks, refusing to obey laws that deny fundamental human rights.
Everyone from musician Neil Young to actor Mark Ruffalo and scientist Suzanne Simard are in her corner.
Hear this courageous leader’s Inspiring Story in Person in Santa Barbara and Ventura June 22-25, sharing her inspiring story of courage and ongoing collaborative work to address climate change.
Her journey will facilitate your own ability to adopt the mindset needed to tackle climate issues in your own backyard with greater power and influence.
There are eight events over four days including outdoor learning circles, viewings of an award-winning documentary, and private fundraisers.
Click here to register for events.
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Indigenous Learning Circles
Santa Barbara, 11 am, June 22, San Marcos Foothills
Ventura, 11 am, June 23, Thille Park
Documentary Viewings
Ojai, Sun, Jun 23 • 3:00 PM Location: Sane Living
Carpinteria, June 24, 7 pm, Location: Alcazar Theater
Ventura, 7 pm, June 25, E.P. Foster Public Library
Reception
Ventura, 12 pm, June 23, Home of Julie Henszey
For further details:
~ Use the QR code above
~ https://tinyurl.com/ClimateEyes
~ Contact Julie Henszey: 805-657-2793
juliehenszey@gmail.com