At Greenpeace Canada, we love celebrating the creativity and passion of our amazing community. This month, we’re excited to shine a light on one of Greenpeace Canada’s photo contest winners, Jack Adamson. His photographs capture not only the beauty of nature, but also the essence of deeply personal stories and beautiful poetry.
When Jack submitted the photo, we were immediately captivated by its vibrant colors, emotional depth, and stunning composition. But what really makes this work remarkable is its story: a tale of connection, reflection, and the power of nature to inspire and heal.
Here’s the story behind the photo (in the photographer’s words):
This is Stakiya, the lone wolf from Discovery Island, sculpted by my good friend and artist Kent LaForme.
Stakiya, sacred to local indigenous tribes, was tragically shot and killed by a hunter shortly after swimming back to the mainland. The cavity in this sculpture points directly to Discovery Island, where the lone wolf once roamed, and for me represents the bullet that ultimately killed the wolf.
I photographed this sculpture standing at Cattle Point on the morning of its unveiling, and as luck would have it, the sun was peeking directly through the gap, which only happens twice a year.
This was shot in three exposures and hand blended to highlight the spectacular lighting of a magical morning.
I would like to share with you the following poem about Sutakiya written by my mother-in-law.
STAQEYA from TL’CHES, still with us, freed from stone
Linda Rogers, former Poet Laureate of Victoria
There is a woman who lives
Alone in the forest and bathing
At night, when the moon rises
Across the ocean, anywhere
Evening stakyya, solitude
Wolf, a careful fish eater
Brain stalks her and chases her.
She went from island to island, he
a soul changed by desire
For my new born sister
mother star
A portal that invites us home.
she went on a lot of rides
On Staqeya’s back, his mighty
lungs blow the door open
It’s always small in the sky
The sun comes out and dances.
It is arrogant to kill a living person.
An embodiment of the spirit, but a soul
Survive and swim through any situation
Elements: fire, air, water, up
I feel the earth moving again.
all wild women singing
To the river, to all sculptors
Who carves the stone and all
photographers know that
Marble resists rocks.
The wolf howling at night
Immortals released through
Portal where Animus awaits
It comes out from a gap in the light.
We hope you enjoy the story behind this stunning award-winning photo and love it as much as we do. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories from our amazing supporters!
