MOUNTAIN LIFE - Coast Mountains | Fall Winter 2018

90 MLCM FALL/WINTER 2018 during filming for The Radicals . She spent a day on the Bridge River helping McHugh and members of the Xwisten shovel out a side channel/refuge area for juvenile salmon (and other species such as rainbow trout and Dolly Varden). “I used to think hydro was a somewhat better option, like the green way to generate power,” Roy says. “I’ve come to realize it’s not the case at all. Still, the majority of the public thinks hydropower is green. The main takeaways for me are that we need to respect First Nations rights and implement strict ecological and social accountability measures to any development, energy or resource extraction project.” After learning about the issues facing the watershed downstream, Roy and the rest of the crew of The Radicals headed into the mountains and glaciers that feed the Bridge River watershed to lay down some serious snowboard tracks— reinforcing that connection between the snow and ice we’d all ridden numerous times before and what was happening downstream. “It sure does make you appreciate snowboarding in these mountains a lot more,” Roy says. “We take so much for granted. The mountains, the rivers, the forests, the oceans and the soil—it is all connected, and it gives us everything. I think we all need to make it a priority to protect and restore the land in exchange for what we extract.” After a winter of filming The Radicals and witnessing some of BC’s First Nations share their communities, culture and challenges with forward- thinking athletes like Roy, it’s become apparent to me that a little bit of engagement goes a long way. “I believe our most valuable tool is communication,” Roy says. “The first step to change in any movement is awareness. We need to listen and talk to each other to find solutions towards change. Then we all need to stand up and take action. Every relationship has a responsibility.” theradicalsfilm.com TOP The Radicals director Tamo Campos enjoying the alpine end of the water cycle. ABOVE Grease for the road. MF Roy, Jasper Snow Rosen, Tamo Campos and Carissa Winter. ERIN HOGUE