In front of us not a single tree is standing. Just piles of brown and yellow debris scattered everywhere. The valley and the wide flank of the mountain have been razed as far as the eye can see.

The loggers have come during the past winter. They have completely stripped the land of trees.

We move forward like sleepwalkers, not really believing our eyes. It’s like being in another world. There is no more path. We wade through the mud that stagnates in the deep grooves cut by the big steel rollers of the caterpillar tractors.

The door of Tom’s little log cabin is open. The inside stinks of gasoline. Gasoline barrels are littered everywhere. The loggers have used the place to store their fuel.

Tom’s hunting territory has been completely destroyed, and there is nothing we can do to comfort him. We follow him step by step, silent in our grief and powerlessness, as the extent of the damage sinks in. We sit down on a bench in front of his cabin. The sun is setting in a big red ball right in front of our eyes.

Tom’s voice is choked.

“Right there was an enormous red pine that’s been there since the birth of my father, my grandfather, my ancestors. Now the pine is gone, and my grandfather’s spirit is lost forever. This forest was my memory. If it disappears, my people will be forgotten. It’s so stupid! What will be left for our children? Nothing! And all this for what? For money! One of these days they will take our water, too. Are they going to sell the winter cold, the summer heat, the air that we breathe? Nipishish, you must get ready to fight, get ready for difficult times. Me, I’m old. But I have never felt as old as I feel tonight. I wish I could have died before my eyes had to see this sacrilege.”

That night, as he lifts the canoe onto my back, Sam says, “Walk slowly and steadily, and don’t stop. Watch where you step. That way you will go a long way.”

I take the lead. Tom takes up the rear. As we walk, our sadness gives way to a heavy, deep anger. I feel it seep through me, as if it is coming out of the ground beneath my feet.

The moon is high, as round as an owl’s eye. It lights the path ahead, while behind us a fierce fire burns down Tom’s camp forever, spreading thick black smoke across the ivory sky.

5

5

SAM, CHARLOTTE, MANIE, Pinamen and the children have left for Manawane.

Everything has happened so quickly. They dropped me off at the reserve four days ago. I’m staying here in Manie’s house while they’re away. Manie is going to speak to Pinamen’s mother about Pinamen and me.