Speaking of Wilderness...

Writers/Artists Symposium at Vermilion Community College, Ely, Minnesota, August 8-10, 2001

"Do it again next year! Let's have it in the Twin Cities for those who love the north but live in the city. No, we should always keep it in the north where the inspiration comes from. Whatever, this is a good start and we must do it again next year.

"Goodbye, this has been an inspiration. I enjoyed every minute. Do it again. The Mardy Murie film made me cry."

These words as the symposium closed down and people expressed their thoughts and feelings about the experience. In a way it was overwhelming to know how much words and pictures meant to the wilderness message and mystique. Speakers were lionized by their audience. The symposium seemed to have touched people's hearts and tapped their own urges for putting thoughts and feelings into words and pictures.

But how about the original purpose of the workshop/symposium, to consider the importance of writers and artists to wilderness education?

The Listening Point premise has been that wilderness has become a mainstream subject and that writers and artists have an important role in education beyond entertainment, amusement, and escape. In the words of Daryl Peterson of Sacramento,

"The establishment of a literary conference is an immediate and tangible activity the LPF could sponsor to achieve its mission. The purpose of such a conference would be to recognize and support writers that celebrate, teach, and explore the role of wilderness in human existence."

The Foundation decided that Peterson was right and that it was time to clarify this question and to give recognition to the contributions of writers and artists to wilderness education.

We already had a perfect example in Sig Olson, himself. He is usually, and quite rightly, identified as a writer/author on wilderness and the out-of-doors. What is overlooked is that he was primarily an educator from his work as a high school/college teacher to his writing, lecturing, and public service with environmental organizations and causes. Like John Muir, Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carlson, and many others, his greatest contribution was to enlighten the public about the idea, philosophy, and ecological importance of our wilderness heritage. Long after his public works have been forgotten, his writing lives.

It was a distinguished group. VCC Provost Dr. J.D. Droddy launched the symposium with a warm & enthusiastic welcome and endorsement of the LPF and purpose of the meeting. Sigurd Olson biographer David Backes enthralled his audience with his keynote talk on "Writing and Life." Paul Gruchow spoke movingly on the moral, ethical, practical, and emotional gifts of direct wilderness experience. Jeff Rennicke and Mike Furtman talked to a packed room respectively on the art and business of writing and on self publishing. Ely icon, artist, journalist, and writer Bob Cary charmed his audience with straight talk on "Wilderness, where do we go from here?" Minnesota 1998 nature writing award winner John Henricksson led a panel on "Putting it into Words." Audiences were thrilled to meet and listen to show-and-tell panels by famous photographers Craig Blacklock and Jim Brandenburg. Authors Doug Wood, Bob Treuer, and Jim dale Huot-Vickery led their panels on visits to Sig Olson's writing shack and Listening Point.

Craig Blacklock

University of Wisconsin-Madison musician and composer Doug Hill played and spoke about several compositions he was doing to put into music the words of Aldo Leopold, Sigurd Olson, John Muir, and Wisconsin novelist August Derleth.

Nancy jo Tubbs, Chair of the International Wolf Center and LPF Director, introduced the outstanding and moving film, "Arctic Dance: The Mardy Murie Story" created by the Murie Center of Moose, Wyoming, and provided courtesy of Friends of the BWCAW Co-chair Becky Rom. It was a moving and immensely interesting account of the life of wilderness matriarch Mardy Murie and the origins of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge.

The symposium climaxed Friday with a standing room only panel of publishers and booksellers led by Milkweed Editions Sales and Marketing Director Hillary Reeves, University of Minnesota Press Editor Todd Orjala, and booksellers Anita Zager of Northern Lights Books, Duluth and Lisa Pekuri of Piragis Northwoods Books, Ely.

Professor Mark Neuzil, Chairman of the Journalism Department, St. Thomas University. St. Paul, closed the symposium with a masterful wrap-up including his professional insights on the duties of writers and artists to the public, to their professions, to the publishers, and to themselves. Sometimes these goals are in conflict. But, he added, "At the very least, we should tell the truth as best we know it." Paul Gruchow reminded us that the best writing comes from within. Jeff Rennicke called it "living with delight."

In conclusion, the symposium involved a lot of good people and was a thrilling and rewarding event for many. We can say without doubt that writers and artists are indeed very important factors in wilderness education. Just think of Aldo Leopold, Rachel Carson, Sigurd Olson. But a question remains of whether they are effective in moving wilderness into the mainstream. A miniscule percentage, estimated at about one percent, of books sold are about wilderness or even nature. Perhaps this should be the subject of a second symposium.

Special thanks to speakers and panelists who volunteered their time and talents, sometimes at considerable trouble and expense; to Chuck and Marty Wick for hosting visitors to the Sigurd Olson home, writing shack, and Listening Point; to the VCC staff and Dr. Droddy for host welcome and facilities; to the Ely Baptist Church for the use of their van; to Don Johnson for managing the film; and to Doreen Packila, Alanna Johnson and Vonnie Olson who welcomed, kept the reception desk, records, and smiles going for days.