My heart beats and my heart ages. We will not be separated.
On it goes, pages and pages. We will not be separated.
I’m here for you, the segregated. We will not be separated.
A shelter for you, the lonely and hated. We will not be separated.
I love the land like I love my brother. We will not be separated.
I’m here for you, you’re here for eachother. We will not be separated.
Learn to grow food, no need for wages. We will not be separated.
Learn to grow wings, no need for cages. We will not be separated.
Learn to let go, it’s dissipating. We will not be separated.
Learn to rise up, reawaken. We will not be separated.
My heart beats and my ages. We will not be separated.
On it goes, pages and pages. We will not be separated.
from
Us,
released March 8, 2018
The Walbran, located in Pacheedaht territory, is a spectacular valley full of massive old growth forests and an ancient river lined with waterfalls and cascades. In 1989, the largest Sitka Spruce in North America was found in the lower Walbran and, later that year, 50% of the watershed was protected, with the other half still open to logging.
Then, in 1991, a 16km logging road was approved through the heart of the Walbran Valley. This sparked what is known as the Hot Summer in the Walbran where, for 71 consecutive days, forest protectors used different means of direct action to delay road building long enough for the rainy season to arrive and construction to be halted.
Later that year, public pressure and targeted campaigns pushing the valleys’ protection resulted in a 15,000 hectare park known as Carmanah/Walbran provincial park. Unfortunately, industry lobbyists had a strong hand in the creation of the park boundaries and the heart of the Walbran, where we recorded this song, was left out of the park.
Today, activists continue to develop recreational infrastructure (boardwalks, trails, signs) and build relationships with the Pacheedaht First Nations with the goal of permanent protection of the Walbran Valley.