Kindlandia: The Bear Necessities of Life!

Dearest Edythe,

I must tell you more about my trip with daughter Kizzie Marie to Whistler, BC, the trip that replaced our annual getaway this first year of your being gone.

No lions or tigers, but, oh my, BEARS! Whistler Village was built in prime black-bear habitat. The hills and mountains are dry, and the bears are enticed by the irrigated lush grasses, berries, bushes, and young trees. While doing my initial research for attractions in the region, the bear tours caught my attention. However, when I asked the locals for tour recommendations, without exception I heard, “Keep a look out early dawn and at dusk. Chances are you will see them without a tour.” The advice proved true, twice!
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On the very first day, at 5:30 p.m., we saw a bear on the front lawn of the neighboring hotel. It was an adolescent, chowing down on freshly watered green grass. It paid no attention to the quiet awe-struck crowd gathered a safe block away. This bear found a banquet for dinner. After several mouthfuls it scampered up the street and disappeared into a stand of trees and brush.

The next day Kizzie Marie took her dirt bike out for a 25-mile trail ride. Shortly after she left I received a very excited and hushed tone phone call from her.

“Mom, can you hear me?”

“Oh, my gosh, did you find another bear?”

“Look!”

She turned her phone camera towards a bear standing on its hind legs and feasting on a young tree. It was a sight to behold. This beautiful creature used its paw to pull over a branch full of leaves for each new bite. Kizzie Marie was able to get a few seconds of video after the call. Eventually, the bear tried to climb this little sapling and it crashed down under the bear’s weight. Startled, the bear clambered off to the next adventure and meal.

To be clear, Kizzie Marie was well protected from her viewing spot. She stood behind a tall, chain-link fence, railroad tracks, and more than the recommended 100 meters.

It was evident both bears were not in the least interested in us humans. Their only focus was the lush green vegetation. Over the next several days we often found fresh bear scat full of berries.

As exciting as it was to see these amazing animals in nature, I was most impressed with the care Canadian authorities took to educate the public how to live safely with the bears, for the protection of both humans and bears. Every trash can lid was manufactured with a special lever to open and discard the trash or recycling to prevent bears from accessing them. Every receptacle had a sticker with the message, “Bear Smart Community. Stay 100 M From Bears.” A phone number was provided to report any bear problems. Other signs said, “Keep our bears alive.” “Dispose of garbage/recycling in bear-proof containers provided.” Several larger interpretive signs were also posted throughout Whistler Village and along all the trails. One sign read:

Whistler is Bear Country: Bears deserve RESPECT in their home. When encountering a bear: Stay calm—nearly all human-bear encounters are peaceful. Talk to the bear in a calm, respectful voice to let it know that you are human and carefully move away from the bear. Most bears will flee. If a bear approaches you in an urban area, stand your ground and say, “NO!” in a firm tone. That should help send the bear on its way.

Informative photos and information about bears’ habits were included along with the URL of the local Get Bear Smart Society website.

Edythe, as you can imagine, bears became our totem for the week. I had my photo taken with a large toy, a stuffed bear—for the ultimate Bear Hug. We did our share of retail therapy to keep the shops and us in healthy form! I brought back Lazy One’s colorful “Bear Hug” design slipper socks with skid-proof soles from the Bear Necessities Clothing Shop, of course!

An unexpected understanding and interaction with our Bear Totem took place where and when I least expected them during our guided tour at the First Nations Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre. The hour-long tour was well organized, informative as well as interactive. It opened with a native song and dance. We visitors were included in the dance—each group had an animal to represent in dance. Kizzie Marie and I were in the raven group. We had to stick our noses in the air and flap our arms like wings behind us. The dance was followed by an illuminating 15-minute historical video; next we learned the skills needed to weave strips of bark and we each made a bracelet (I couldn’t keep mine from unraveling. Kizzie Marie finished mine as I went around the room taking photos of costumes made from bark). The tour ended with the stories about how the two Native Nations, Squamish and Lil’wat, learned to live peacefully in this region—in harmony with each other, the land, sea, mountains, trees and animals. The guide concluded the talk,

See the natural world as your helper and friend. For example, if you ever get lost in the woods, find a bear. Keep a respectful distance, but it will lead you to water, show you the safe berries/foliage to eat and where to safely sleep.”

Once again, there was our Bear!

Of course, I could not leave the Cultural Centre without something to commemorate the visit and the stunning advice about the bear! The Cultural Centre gift shop came to my aid! Roxanne Dick, a member of the Lil’wat tribe, is an artisan of jewelry using agate stone beads and pewter. I found two bracelets each with the images of both the western and native bear designs beautifully engraved in the pewter pieces attached to the agate stone bead bracelets. Edythe, they complement the wood bracelet that your dear Chuck made for me!

I believe the Northwest Coast First Nations Animal Symbology for our totem, the Bear, wrapped up our week well:
BEAR is the protector of the animal kingdom, forests, and streams. We look to the Bear to show us how to fish the salmon and collect the berries. Bear symbolizes family and strength through motherhood and teaching. Mother bears are fierce defenders of their children and are known as the great protectors of family.
Edythe, as you know, this was my annual week away to honor the life of my dear son Levi. And this year I shared it with my precious daughter, Kizzie Marie. How fitting to have the totem of the Bear and its Native symbolism come to me this week. There is no greater bond than that between a mother and her children. The Native Bear symbolism proved to be a kind, gentle message to ease the burden of my tender heart as I remembered and celebrated my son and cherished the time spent with my daughter.