Song Of The Forest
Travel+Leisure India|October 2017

The province of British Columbia , on Canada’s western coast , is home to First Nations communities whose history is deeply intertwined with the mountains , woods, and waters . On a tour from Vancouver to Haida Gwaii , CRAIG TAYLOR encounters poetry and pride— and learns to see his homeland with fresh eyes.

Song Of The Forest

Growing up on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, I found it easy to mock visitors from abroad. “This place,” they’d whisper. “I can go swimming in the morning, skiing in the afternoon, then kayak home for dinner.” The views, the landscape, the wildlife—that was the refrain. Even in the cities, the scenery dominates. On any clear afternoon, look up from the streets of downtown Vancouver and you’ll see the snow-capped North Shore mountains glowing pink, an ostentatious show of natural beauty so commonplace that most residents barely take notice.

There were times when visitors’ compliments sounded like admiration for a two-dimensional backdrop. But BC is a complex place, especially when it comes to its aboriginal communities. With a population of just over 4.5 million, the province is home to around 230,000 aboriginal people from 203 different First Nations, who speak 34 languages and 60 dialects. Today, these groups live a life of ostensible equality, but centuries of oppression—referred to in official circles as 'alien modes of governance'—began a cycle of social devastation that hasn’t yet been fully resolved. In many aboriginal communities, poverty, homelessness, and substance abuse still loom large.

Indeed, residents of BC live in a province of uneasy contrasts. My village on the island was a haven of middle-class comfort, bordered by the poverty of a First Nations reserve. As a child, I walked down the stony beach and saw wealth and privilege give way to sudden hardship. This, I was told once, was my first experience of apartheid.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2017 من Travel+Leisure India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 2017 من Travel+Leisure India.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من TRAVEL+LEISURE INDIA مشاهدة الكل
Travel, Leisure, And Everything In Between
Travel+Leisure India

Travel, Leisure, And Everything In Between

Shibani and Farhan Akhtar share their travel dynamics, love for luxury, and why Raffles Udaipur, with its serene ambiance, is the ultimate getaway.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
10 Elevated Experiences in The Lap Of Luxury
Travel+Leisure India

10 Elevated Experiences in The Lap Of Luxury

Travel in a luxury caravan, cook a meal with Michelin-starred chefs, chill in your private in-villa wine cellar and snorkel with seahorses-here is our handpicked list of 10 unique indulgences at some of the finest hotels across the world

time-read
6 mins  |
November 2024
The Sound Luxury
Travel+Leisure India

The Sound Luxury

In 2024, the sound of Kenny G has been replaced by lo-fi beats in resorts and elevators, transforming the traditional musical landscape. Ambient music has become essential for crafting the perfect atmosphere.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024
APPETITE for LIFE
Travel+Leisure India

APPETITE for LIFE

Dandelion roots and pea greens, truffles and wild mountain thyme: a meal in Slovenia is like a walk in a fairy-tale forest. Sierra Crane Murdoch falls under the country's spell.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 2024
Silk Route Revival
Travel+Leisure India

Silk Route Revival

With its luxe offerings and ease of visa-free access to several countries, including India, Kazakhstan is slowly opening doors to travellers with a whole new set of handouts beyond the exotic, explores Shikha Tripathi

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
A TRANQUIL JOURNEY THROUGH TIME
Travel+Leisure India

A TRANQUIL JOURNEY THROUGH TIME

At Raffles Udaipur, discover the art of slowing down and connecting with history, nature, and yourself.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Basking in Opulence
Travel+Leisure India

Basking in Opulence

Lights, camera, glam. What is it about Rajasthan, especially Udaipur, that spells luxury travel like no other?

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Tradition in Modern Tapestry
Travel+Leisure India

Tradition in Modern Tapestry

Waris Ahluwalia's insights on sustainable practices and the power of human connection in his creative journey reflect through his words, and his work.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2024
Design, Diversity, and Sustainability
Travel+Leisure India

Design, Diversity, and Sustainability

Roopal Patel discusses the evolving landscape of global fashion, the power of personal style, her vision for a more inclusive industry, and the future of design in an insightful exchange with Samreen Tungekar

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
MUMBAI TO MILAN: LUXURY, CULTURE AND CULINARY DELIGHTS
Travel+Leisure India

MUMBAI TO MILAN: LUXURY, CULTURE AND CULINARY DELIGHTS

Tanya Khanijow enjoys the best of Milan with Lufthansa, from stylish shopping to tasting the city's culinary delights.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024