Returning to the Flock
I returned to the flock this past week, amidst the chaos and haste that is work-after-maternity-leave. Rearranging desks according to feng shui, updating outdated task boards, and re-establishing wall space for my professional life of sticky notes.
It is refreshing, invigorating, and even inspiring to be back in the roost, nesting in with the rest of the albino Ravens. I have missed the banter, the challenges, and, of course, the learning curve. Truth be told, I just plain missed the girls and the brilliant work that happens when we are all together. It’s magic being a bird!
A lot has gone down since I was off getting the newest member of my own little flock acquainted with the world-at-large.
A lot.
My head is still spinning from the warp speed at which this company is zipping right along. Like, for example, White Raven ensured that the Nuu-chah-nulth produced art piece for the 2010 Olympics got done. From start to finish, the Ravens oversaw every detail of this stunner. And it did get done, you bet it sure did. The 21 ft. tall cedar and carved glass show-stopper now sits majestically outside the speed skating oval in Richmond, a result of the collaborative artistic efforts of several fabulous Nuu-chah-nulth artists. If you haven’t already, make a point of seeing this beaut in its own natural setting - you won’t be disappointed for the effort.
On a huge, flashy national level, the Ravens, together with Bob Soderlund, got the Nuu-chah-nulth photographic exhibit “How We Are, How We Want to Be” set up all the way across the country, in Hull, at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. After flying all the way across this vast land, it is mind boggling just how the Ravens found the energy to curate the exhibit, but they did. And a good thing, too, because the Museum receives a whopping 1.3 million visitors each year. Well done, Ladies, well done!
Then, there is the Nuu-chah-nulth vs. Canada and BC fisheries litigation case that just saw its own dramatic end a couple of weeks ago in Vancouver. White Raven was a driving behind-the-scenes force of that. The BC Supreme Court case, which saw Nuu-chah-nulth win against Canada, finally wrapped up on November 3. Nuu-chah-nulth have been working on the case since 1993 – quite a haul for all, truth be told. The Ravens were responsible for a great deal of the media relations, key messaging, and overall communications for Nuu-chah-nulth, amongst the barrage of other tireless folk who were devoted to the cause.
On top of all of this biggy-wiggy stuff, White Raven also ramped up its efforts locally to improve life here, in the Valley. White Raven contributed to the important rebranding efforts of the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce by redesigning its logo. The logo is contemporary with a traditional twist – exactly what one thinks of when one ponders the state of this town’s business climate. It is very flash, if I don’t say so myself.
The Ravens also designed and developed a fancy brochure for the Alberni Valley Enhancement Association just in time for its launch of new information placards placed at several spots in town. The brochure looks just awesome and we are proud as punch.
Add to those tasks a reprint of the Raven’s overwhelmingly successful Nuu-chah-nulth seafood cookbook, Camus, and you have a recipe for BUSY.
Not withstanding the everyday miracles that the Ravens perform without pomp or ceremony, and you have a very impressed me.
Only the obvious question remains: How on Earth did they all keep up without me…?
I would like to say, “Thank goodness I am back – they sure needed me”. But, the truth is that they managed quite fine without me. So, I will just say, “Thank goodness I am back – I sure missed soaring with the White Ravens!”
