The setting for Sirens ... |
The story of Sirens is centred in the Pacific Ocean, off the west coast of Vancouver Island, BC, Canada, an area I've sailed to many times. I selected this location as it's one of the most remote, pristine and isolated regions remaining on Earth. The Pacific seems like the new ocean, or perhaps, the ocean for a new world ...the new horizon. In the history of the western world, the Atlantic has long been the ocean of consequence ... Leif Erikson, Columbus, World War II Europe, and so on. Perhaps it feels that way to me because of our British roots, the Hudson’s Bay Company, and the exploration of Canada. The Pacific has always been there, but it’s been just out of sight for Eurocentric cultures.
A cluster of small islands, known as the Broken Group are sprinkled across an area known as Barkley Sound. On the outer edge of the group, exposed to the full fury of the open ocean, sits Effingham Island, once known as Huum-uu-wa … Village Island. Though now abandoned, it had once been home of the Tseshaht first nations people for thousands of years. The rich, colourful and mysterious culture of the Tseshaht adds a distinct new flavour to the Sirens story, which originally has it's roots in Greek mythology. Ancient Coast-Salish petroglyphs and spoken legend, tell of encounters with creatures of a similar description to the Sirens of Homer's myth. It's here, on Village Island, where the ocean dwelling "Offspring" and the land dwelling "Outcast" first collide. These are actual photo's of the village site, once inhabited by thousands. Beyond a windbreak screen of trees is a pleasant grassy meadow, with artifacts strewn throughout. The area is protected reservation land of the Tseshaht people. While we were visiting we were warmly greeted by three first nations men, who regaled us with the history of this amazing place. One, with amazingly intense green eyes, is now one of the principal characters in the Sirens story. |
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