Haig-Brown Institute

Message from the Haig-Brown Family

Presented by Celia Haig-Brown, PhD

Haig-Brown Centenary Launch, Victoria, B.C.

February 21, 2008

I want to begin by acknowledging that we are meeting today on the traditional lands of the Songhees and Esquimault First Nations. Our parents taught us to recognize that the land and rivers are fundamental to all of who we are, lessons that echo traditional indigenous understandings. They also taught us the value in always remembering to begin our thought and work from a respectful acknowledgement of the first peoples of this land.

This love of and respect for land and people underpins all the work that my parents did. Long before the word conservationist became de rigueur, as a very young man newly arrived from England, my father recognized the importance of preserving, protecting and caring for the rivers and forests he so loved. He fought hard to teach others this ethic and he won some battles and lost others. As children, we learned that if the salmon can no longer return to their spawning grounds, we will know the true meaning of tragedy. We also learned the joy to be found in tall, old trees and free flowing water. He and my mother taught us that if we take care of land and the rivers, they will take care of us.

On behalf of my siblings and all my relations, I want to make clear how honoured we are that The Province and other partners, organizations and individuals have established the centenary celebration that both recognizes the work our parents did in this province and ensures that their legacy continues. A number of family members are pleased to be here today and others look forward to being involved in some of the many events planned over the year.

We hope the citizens of this province will take the opportunity to participate in these events honouring the accomplishments of Ann and Roderick Haig-Brown. It is especially gratifying to see the RCMP represented here today: my father had great respect for the force in his on-going relations as a magistrate in Campbell River. I also want to thank Christopher Springmann for the use of his picture of my father. It’s one of a wonderful series of photos he took of my parents at home in Campbell River for Fly Fisher International. We all have loved those photographs and this makes a special remembrance. And special thanks to Gretchen Harlow and Jim van Tyne for all their work in creating such a wonderful beginning to the year.

On behalf of the Haig-Brown family, it gives me great pleasure to present this token of our appreciation to Minister Penner. Our sister Valerie sends her regrets from her home on the snowy eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains and is here in spirit and in the form of her book, Deep Currents, an intimate biography of our parents based primarily on letters they wrote to each other. May you appreciate fully the insights into their lives and works the text brings. Our brother Alan currently working in his second home in Bangkok also sends his regards. Sincere thanks and best wishes to you all from all of the members of the Haig-Brown family: may you engage with and enjoy this year of celebration of the births of our parents and grandparents, Ann and Roderick Haig-Brown.