Tyee Moon - Consignment #97/250

Tyee Moon - Consignment #97/250Edition Date: 1992 Artist: Roy Henry Vickers Medium: Serigraph Image Size: 21 5 16" x 17 3 8" Edition Size: 250 Story In August 1992, I was a guest at the Lodge Effingham, a beautiful fishing lodge at the mouth of Alberni Canal near Port Alberni, British Columbia. There was a very special welcoming as we neared the lodge in our cruiser, Eagle Dancer. I was standing on the bridge with my son, William, as an eagle flew towards us about 200 feet above.

Story

In August 1992, I was a guest at the Lodge Effingham, a beautiful fishing lodge at the mouth of Alberni Canal near Port Alberni, British Columbia.

There was a very special welcoming as we neared the lodge in our cruiser, Eagle Dancer. I was standing on the bridge with my son, William, as an eagle flew towards us about 200 feet above. As the eagle passed over, I whistled my eagle call, and it turned as if to say hello. As the eagle turned, it seemed to drop something that spun like a helicopter blade as it fell. I realized it was a feather and turned to intercept it. I reached up to grab the feather and missed it as the white eagle feather lightly landed on my chest; it was a special moment for my family and me. We received a spiritual blessing from our Creator through the Messenger Eagle.

My stay at the Lodge of Effingham was worthy of such a royal welcome. The hospitality was first class, as was everything else. I had a glorious time filming an episode of the Gary Copper’s Fishing Diary. Fishing with Gary, his crew, and top-notch guides from the lodge provided me with two 30lb. Chinook, also called Tyee, and memories of calm waters, fog, and beautiful sunsets. The final evening at the lodge was enjoyed by newfound friends and guests from all over North America. We were treated to a warm summer evening and a magical full moon rising over the bay in front of the lodge.

These few words barely express the spirituality, rest, relaxation, and recreation that inspired this rendition of Tyee Moon. There are three salmon to remind me of fishing, the salmon’s head in the moon to remind me of the season, and the eagle to represent a truly uplifting experience.

One last note: among the aboriginal peoples of North America, an eagle’s feather represents the right to speak. The feather from that trip continues to remind me that children have the right to speak their hearts and minds and that we must ensure they feel free to be themselves.