Photo essay: Family Road Trip - Sun Peaks, Summer 2021

Let a life outside bring you happiness inside

On the road with Mom & Dad. Taken from the back seat en route to Sun Peaks, British Columbia

These photographs were taken on my point-and-shoot film camera as well as on my phone, while on a family summer road trip up to Sun Peaks this past August.

I respectfully acknowledge that these photos were taken on the traditional lands of the Tk’emlúps on the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc.

Inspired by the Seven Generations Principle, rooted in Indigenous philosophy:

The decisions we make today will have an impact for as many as seven generations to come.

Discover the soul of a place in its history.

Left: Community library book shelf at Pinnacle Lodge | Right: The Village at Sun Peaks Resort

As of this very moment, you are deemed a guardian of the land, air, and water.

Whether you’ve journeyed near or far…

Left: An RV trailer passing by (close up) | Right: The same RV trailer (at a distance)

…we invite you to feel at home in this place — and value it as we do.

Middle: Soaking in golden hour on our last night at the lodge

Follow the map of your heart—but venture wisely.

Right: Paved pathway we walked down, while on a family hike along the bottom end of Mt. Tod

Let a life outside bring you happiness inside, by learning the laws of the wilderness.

A welcome reminder to slow down.

Choose to buy locally, and you’ll transform riches into enrichment.

Took home a fresh jar of alfalfa honey by Sun Hill Apiaries from the local farmer’s market

Anything worth knowing is worth sharing.

Left: A few intense rounds of Scrabble–everything’s fine until someone loses an ‘i’… | Right: Highly recommended read

I first encountered the seven generations philosophy through a regional pledge crafted by Thompson Okanagan from which the words above have been adapted. The pledge was created “out of a need to develop guidelines for sustainable tourism and conscious travel.” If you are so inclined, you can choose to take the pledge either for yourself, or for your business.

Resources:

• Ron Deganadus McLester, of the Oneida Nation Turtle Clan, discusses sustainability and seven generations - Algonquin College
• “What is the Seventh Generation Principle?”- Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.