What Have We Learned From The People of This Land?

As me move further East we encounter more frequent signs of "civilization." I suppose you can look at that a couple of different ways! Certainly it gives some measure of comfort to realize you are not isolated from places that can provide "the necessities."  But, at the same time we realize we don't have this vast, beautiful environment all to ourselves!!  I suppose that is OK too if we all share a respect for these incredible treasures.  Despite the appearance of being a remote and lonely land, as you ride along highways that only superficially mask the fact that trails have existed in this very place for thousands of years you begin to get the sensation that you are not alone.  The spirits of the countless souls who trod this territory long before our ancestors ever ventured here keep us company today and remind us of our responsibilities.  Interestingly, I got curious the other day and did a little research.  After sifting through reams of information I finally identified twenty seven groups that were characterized as 'religions.'  (Hang on, this is not a religious soapbox thing!!!)  Despite the fact that they were often as much alike as "bunny-rabbits and barracudas" and, even though it was often a stretch to categorize them under the same term, they were, nonetheless, given that name.  Here's the point.  In every one of them -- ALL -- of them, their doctrines contained the equivalent to "the Golden Rule."  You know the one .. do unto others as you have them do unto us ... etc.  Well, it turns out that whether you are Baptist or Buddhist, Mormon or Muslim, Wiccan or Waldensian, Theosophist or Theocrat, all of us profess to believe that we should treat each other with dignity and respect.  Not so hard, huh??  Let's get on with it folks!!  Now, back to my point. Everywhere you turn in this land there is evidence of the great nations and tribes that have existed here.  All too often we fail to mark their words and let the message of their existence here slip away.  A little while back we happened to be in a place where the people are trying to prevent that from happening.  While it was quite a way from Lake Superior, I thought you might like to meet a friend of ours who is making a big contribution. Oh, while I was looking for our visit with the Tlingit people I found the pictures of the Inukshuks we saw on the way to Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory - the ones I was telling you about.  I added them here for you to take a look at.  That was truly an amazing sight!!!  If you get a chance to go back and look at the little guys we introduced you to earlier on our Lake Superior journey I think you will see both a remarkable similarity - and a subtle difference.  Many of the modern day figures are "copies" created by people, intrigued by the Inukshuks, who wanted to try their hand at making one.  I suppose that, too, is another thing that is "OK" when you keep in mind the old saying that "...imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."  There is no doubt that the ancient ones had many things we should be imitating.  For now, though, we'll give you a well-deserved rest.  We'll be back soon to begin our re-entry into territory that is a bit more crowded and a pace that is a little more hectic.  See ya. 

Location:Canada