Lake Minnewanka
Written by Reneltta Arluk
This story comes to us from the book Mountain Voices. Paired with photos from the Mountain Legacy Project, Mountain Voices is a collection of unique short essays from alpinists, activists, artists, and mountain researchers as they share their unique and fascinating perspectives. The ACC is pleased to feature this new monthly series, highlighting a few of the incredible stories from Mountain Voices over the coming year.
To learn more about the book Mountain Voices, or to order a hard copy, visit their website.
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the secret of a mountain revealed itself while I stood on the water’s edge looking at its reflection
it seemed small when I peered down into it from above with my young eyes compelled to speak,
it whispered behind me into my ear rippling its thoughts from far away through winded breath
“I once was a giant.” it spoke
looking at its curved back and horned head I whispered back, “you still are”
turning around,
the sun showered rays onto its magnificent shoulder
in the humbleness of being small,
feeling the heated breath of sun
I turned back to the water and threw stones at the cloud’s reflection hoping it would rain
in its leisure the sky finally darkened
finally
in held breath
while stars hung low in anticipation
we remained waiting
waiting for the moment of
its reawakening
On Cascade Mountain looking east over Lake Minnewanka, 1888 (left) and 2008 (right). [Left: J. J. McArthur, 1888, Library & Archives Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada ecopy number e002506927; Right: MLP, 2008]
Mountain Voices
Discover Canada’s mountains as you’ve never seen them before with gorgeous photography from the Mountain Legacy Project accompanied by gripping essays from mountaineers, artists, and mountain researchers.
Mountain Voices features a diverse array of voices, including Indigenous activists, employees of Canada’s national parks, interdisciplinary scientists dedicated to mountains, alpine adventurers, and historians captivated by tales of mountain pasts. Mountain Voices brings the landscape to life through the passion and devotion of those who love it deeply.
“The stories are personal and universal. The paired images are humbling. Together they make a profound case for stewardship of these alpine environments.” -Carine Salvy, Executive Director, The Alpine Club of Canada
Mountain Voices was published with support from The Alpine Club of Canada’s Environment Grant.
