The Legacy of the Tamarack Tree

This is a story of a tree which has been told and has yet to be told; a story of a tree that has lived in glory and will now live in glory once again...

My dearest grandsonshine Bradley, I will always remember the day you invited me to see the Tamarack tree, to share the story your teacher Mrs. Corbett had with you and your classmates. I felt so special as you held my hand when we walked and with enthusiasm told me all about the wonderful adventure you had been on that morning. The closer we got, I felt your spirit grow. When we entered the forest trail, I noticed your step soften as your old soul knew to leave no trace. Your heart’s inner compass led the way to where she stood, the lone tree in her radiant golden autumn gown. Your face glowed as golden, and was soft as her needles as you shared the legend of the Tamarack, with words so clear, tender and warm, sensitive to my hearing loss. For a moment I wished I had a way to take photos and film the whole thing, then thought if I had, what was sacred, ancient and natural may have been lost in the process. And so instead, I breathed the experience deep within, so much that these precious moments washed over and through me and became eternally etched in my mind...

Back in the days when mother Earth was very young, everything had a spirit. This included birds and animals, rocks and sky, trees and water. Each was happy being a part of what the Great Spirit had created. Time and seasons flowed like a swift moving river. 

In the far northern land of Nunavut, Canada, when the fall season was changing into winter, a flock of birds were heading south on their seasonal migration. Part way through their journey, the first storm of winter descended without warning. It was especially ferocious because the north wind had just been released from the grip of summer and fall wanted to celebrate its release with a big blow. The frantic birds could sense the danger and hurried to find shelter. Still, being so far north, the only shelter the weakening birds could see in the distance were the majestic Tamarack trees.

In those days Tamarack trees were indeed the most majestic trees in the forest. They grew bigger and taller than any other trees in the north and they had thick branches full of needles that were soft as feathers to keep them warm throughout the winters. These soft needles also allowed them to live farther north where no other tree could thrive, because of this they had become very proud and spent all of their summers admiring their reflection in the northern lakes and ponds. For some unknown reason during that particular storm when the birds needed shelter the most, the majestic Tamarack trees said, "NO! You cannot land on us! We are starting our winter sleep and your noisy antics will keep us awake. Find another place to ride out the storm." Tired and cold, the birds were forced to fly on.

The Great Spirit had watched the entire drama unfold and became very disappointed with the Tamarack trees and in an effort to teach them a lesson declared, "Because you did not give the birds any shelter, none of you will have shelter from the cold of winter and from now on your needles will fall off like the leaves of the trees to the south." All of a sudden the slumbering Tamaracks awakened to feel the chilling wind on their branches. They watched helplessly as their warm winter coat fell to the ground. The winters were very hard for the Tamarack. In the years that followed they gradually learned to weather the cold by becoming smaller, more unassuming and at the same time they became stronger and more durable.

The Tamarack trees learned from their error and to show their regret at what they had done, they were determined to become a servant of the first nations people who inhabited the land. This pleased the Great Spirit who then decided to bestow on the Tamarack trees a new and great honor, with help from the spirit of the Muskeg (bog), nutrients were released into the trees allowing them to become a source of much needed medicine and tools for generations to come. 

Many years later while traveling in the woods, a man had stopped for a rest. With his back to a young Tamarack tree; surrounded by the peace of the forest, he fell into a deep sleep. He dreamed that he was traveling through a forest of Tamaracks. When he stopped to touch their soft needles, he sensed that they were speaking to him. As he listened, they told him the story of their long ago experience and assured him that the forgotten legend had really happened.

Then, a young Tamarack that was eager to be of some kind of assistance, offered to accompany him on his journey for support. He was very touched by this young trees’ offer and decided to honor the request. All of the other trees watched as the man took out his hunting knife, cut down, trimmed, pealed and smoothed the young tree into a Tamarack hiking stick. By the time he was finished, many of the other young trees were eagerly volunteering themselves for the honor and adventure of being a support and companion for the ever increasing numbers of people that were walking the many nature trails of the vast land.

Whenever he hiked with his Tamarack hiking stick, it was with a renewed vigor in his step and a new sense of unity with nature; the trees and water; birds and animals; earth and sky. While relaxing at the end of the day when his hike was finished, he would gaze at his cherished walking stick and reflect on days or yore. 

...This day and all days we visited her thereafter, were some of the best days of my life! I loved to see and hear you marvel in everything about her. How you held her limbs ever so gently, and filled the palms of your hands with some needles she had shed, proclaiming your love for how soft they felt to touch. How you wished you could have a pillow or bed as soft. How you took a few home and placed them in your treasure box alongside gemstones and feathers we have found on other sacred journeys. The day you gathered just enough to make a bookmark for your teacher for Christmas. I watched you carefully craft this with gratitude for her having introduced you to such a delightful story, and the lone Tamarack tree.

My youngest grandson’s teacher has taken children to visit this magnificent tree for 4+ years. There she connected with something she had been robbed of in her own childhood: her Indigenous roots. Rekindling them in her own children's and students lives.  

Weekly visits brought gentle teachings on empathy, compassion and being kind to one another. They learned how to write in gratitude journals, and experienced great comfort and joy throughout the seasons and these unprecedented times. 

...I saw the comfort and joy she brought you on each and every visit we were blessed to share. When we checked on her in the winter to see how she was weathering the storms and colder days. Then more recently to admire her new bright green spring growth. I watched as you carefully walked around her and placed seeds for the birds under her boughs. We talked about picnicking there...

I walked the path alone on Earth day. It was meant to be, as I discovered “someone” had mindlessly ended the life of this lovely, innocent, voiceless tree. I stood by its severed trunk, in shock.  

The next day I made phone calls to the corporations surrounding the area where these nature trails are meant to be open to all our relations for pleasure and enjoyment through the community. I needed to find out who and why, when she was certainly not standing in anyones way. Even if she was, those who are truly in alliance with nature would honor her abundant beauty and go around.

I finally found the words to tell the teacher in private. Her jaw dropped in disbelief. She too wanted to get to the bottom of who would do such a thing. In one stage of pain, she sent me a message that this would just have to be a lesson to the children on loss and grief. I sensed her words came from a deep-rooted place of anger, frustration, helplessness and potentially some of her own unattended loss and sorrow. A colonized version of dealing with grief is to suck it up and move on, quickly. I strongly felt they did not need this in addition to everything else going on and could not let it end there. I believed they needed a lesson on empowerment, on what they could do to honor the Tamarack tree and help mend their broken hearts.

I reached out to several nurseries as well as an old friend who owns a silviculture company. 

*Please see Brenda’s claim to fame here on the Amazing Race Canada 2019, planting trees task. And at the 40-50 second mark with winners, doctor James Makokis and his partner Anthony who are investing most of their winnings into health, wellness and healing in First nation communities across the country.   

https://twitter.com/amazingracecda/status/1148776747917283332?lang=en

Find more on her remarkable work here: 

https://www.revelstokereview.com/news/in-the-forest-with-the-revelstoke-community-forest-corporation/

She said her Tamarack’s were literally being shipped on the Monday after the weekend and would be more than happy to donate several bundles. At the same time, Twin Sisters Native Plant Nursery in Moberly Lake further north donated several bundles to their local elementary school. 

Over the weekend I emailed the teacher, respectfully stating the trees were being delivered Monday afternoon. Due to covid restrictions in place, I requested permission to join the class the following day. She said she'd have it no other way. Tuesday morning, the day they always visited their magnificent tree, the teacher gently told her students the news, then showed them a slideshow of many of the times they visited the sacred Tamarack tree. Then we walked to the area... stopping for a moment of silence before rounding the corner to where she had stood. Some of the children shrieked at the sight. Several fell to ground and wept. One placed a cross where she had stood. Others were angry. Branches of remains were gathered and held close. All emotions were welcomed, honored, embraced. There was a discussion about how they felt. Then we carefully planted several trees in a circle around her trunk, more along the trails, and on seedling hill at their school. 

My friend and I received a beautiful handmade card of thanks from the teacher and students for helping them heal and learn a lesson in taking their power back. 

In weeks to follow, the entire hill was devastated of all trees and other indigenous plants which had fed all in need over and under earth for hundreds of years. Alarmingly, those guilty was an organization who call themselves the Shuswap Trail Alliance. We think they have lost the right to use the term alliance.

...How could we know her life would be cut short. I can’t bring her back but hope to make a difference by staying connected on nature walks, feeding the birds, sharing stories and by planting seedlings in her memory so that one day the hillside where she stood in all her glory will be covered for others to receive comfort and joy for generations to come.  

Thank you for sharing these very special times and sacred journeys with me Bradley. I appreciate them more than words can say. With infinite love, your kookum xxxooo  

"When we plant trees, we plant the seeds of peace and seeds of hope. We also secure the future for our children. I call on those around the world to celebrate by planting a tree wherever you are."  Nobel Peace prize winner, Wangari Maathai

And that's how it's done... The power of choice, in the name of love.

May these children rule the world in generations to come!    

Thrive On Spirit Strong Everyone!

All our relations.