On March 26, 500 members of the West Kootenay community, from the Slocan Valley to the East Shore, gathered at Lakeside Park in Nelson and transformed into a free flowing river and towering mountain ranges.
Benjamin Jordan’s aerial photo of this event is intended to reminds us our shared love for the land, the importance of passing the fundamentals of environmental stewardship on to our younger generations and the incredible power we hold when we bond together as community.
Originally concerned that the weather would be poor and that there wouldn’t be enough people to fill the formation, Jordan recalls the sun breaking through the clouds just five minutes before launch and hearing a volunteers voice over the radio “Uh oh... The lines are packed and people keep coming from everywhere!”
All of his fear transformed into excitement, he skirted low over the mall and was astounded at the sight; no less than 500 people packed so tightly onto the lines some rows had become three bodies wide.
All proceeds from the sale of this photograph will be used to send children from low-income West Kootenay homes to Tipi Camp, a remote access youth camp on the East Shore which focuses on wilderness immersion for self esteem.
Prints are available in two sizes at Otter Books and Sacred Journey in Nelson.