The Neighbourhood Small Grant from the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust enabled me to rent the Legion for my book launch, pay for event insurance, and provide treats from the Common Loaf for the audience. It happened in late March, mid-week. The place filled up nicely, and helpers kept having to unstack more chairs. A slideshow of ancient trees and other features of the ancient temperate rainforest ecosystem played on repeat until the presentations began. Three community members and a poet took the mic, as well as me.
There was a five-minute video featuring Ahousaht’s involvement at Sulphur Passage in 1988 and activists at Bulson River Valley in 1991, then skipping ahead to the large 1993 blockades and supportive demonstrations in Vancouver. Finally, a reading and a second slideshow occurred together. This was followed by book sales, socializing, and a book signing. Blockade: Diaries of a Forest Defender had been launched into the world. Its author could not have made this happen without the help of NSG! I am so grateful.
