UTSAM-WITNESS BLOG

Hello Cool World Intern Julius Booth creates short film from Archival footage

By Julius Booth, August 21, 2013

Verifying/Tkwáynai7m - A Short film by Julius Booth

Before packing my things and heading off to Montreal, I interned at Hello Cool World during a remarkably sunny July. The perfect send off from a city I’ve called home for so long. Accentuating the great month was the great time I had in the HCW office. Thanks to Kat and David for making me feel super welcome. Kat and I had quite a few ideas for what I could do at the beginning of the month but it turned out editing was my thing. When comparing the following video with my first its obvious how much I learned in such a short period of time.

I’ve been in Montreal for almost two weeks and I’m writing this only now because of the whirlwind of activity that’s involved in renting and furnishing an apartment. The hard work is behind me and a crazy first week of university awaits. Enjoy this short film on what was easily the most important day of the entire Uts’am/Witness Project.

Editors Note: We've been thrilled to have Julius for part of the summer and we're very proud of the short film he's made. Looking back at the events of 2001 and doing new interviews with Chief Bill, Nancy and myself was a great way to be reminded of what, with the participation of over 10,000 people, the Uts'am project accomplished. We wish Jules all the best at McGill and will miss having him around!

Watch the film after the break...

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Uts'am/Witness Project

For ten years, thousands of people – artists, loggers, government officials, tourists, youth at risk, families, and children – made the journey from Vancouver to Sims Creek in the Elaho Valley, as participants in the Uts’am/Witness project. These weekend journeys to threatened areas of “wilderness”, hosted by Squamish Nation Hereditary Chief Bill Williams, telasemkin-siyam, brought people into direct contact with ceremony and with nature; with Squamish stories, dance, games, art, and opportunities to hear from elders, scientists, conservationists, and artists from native and non-native traditions.

HOW IT BEGAN

In 1996, the Randy Stoltmann Wilderness Area (as then named by WCWC) was threatened by logging. Environmental activists who wanted to protect the area found the need to consult the Squamish Nation and its claims, history & stewardship of the Elaho Valley. It’s a remote area and difficult to reach. Only experience of the land would lead people to protect it. They required knowledge of its history, its place in indigenous culture, its geology, plant life, animals. And this is what happened. in the forest and on the banks of Sims Creek, indigenous and settler cultures, city and rural people, elders and youngsters, scientists and artists, loggers and activists, all came together, after winding their way up the long logging road every summer, for 10 years.