This week, a unique book about the Columbia River will launch June 1, 2024 at the Nelson Museum and Art Gallery at 7 p.m. Big River represents an important literary milestone: the first truly international project about this powerful river.
A few years ago, I was contacted by Braided River, a non-profit press based in Seattle, WA. An American photographer named David Moskowitz had proposed a portrait of the Big River, from headwaters to ocean. Would I be interested in writing a river biography to accompany his gallery of images?
Indeed I was! It has been a wonderful collaboration.
Thousands of travel-miles for the photographer. Two dozen years of my own literary learning, funneled into an accompanying narrative essay titled “The Grace of Water.”
Recently, I took the time to wander through the uppermost river basin, a nostalgia tour of this mountain landscape dear to my heart. One highlight was in early May, cupping my hand to drink at the headwaters spring that starts it all, the womb and birthplace for the fourth largest river by volume on the continent.
Congratulations! You’ll be launching on my 75th Birthday. I will celebrate the launch in my heart.
I live in Invermere, just north of the source of the Columbia River. I’m looking forward to reading this book!
Congratulations my dear friend. Much success to you and keep that passion alive.
Billie Jo
As soon as you announced the book I ordered an advance copy. Looking foward to it’s arrival!
Congratulations.
As the Lakota people proclaim, “mni wiconi”, water is life. As water becomes a precious commodity for many in this world, we must never take for granted the natural sources of water that sustain our bodies and spirits. Your work encourages me to believe we can save nature and its beauty from those who would exploit and destroy it. Thank you for this beautiful work my friend. Love & sincerest best wishes ~Yolanda Varela Gonzalez