Celebrating Climate and the Arts

This 7-minute video features highlights from the premiere performance of Beyond VIMY, a 110-minute live stage production presented October 25, 2025 by the Creatively United for the Planet Society in honour and remembrance of the importance of peace and the sacrifices made by incredible individuals to ensure our sovereignty, freedoms and democracy remain intact.

More than 600,000 Canadians served in WWI, almost 10% of Canada’s population at the time. Of those, 60,000 Canadians were killed, most under the age of 30, in a war that became known as “the war to end all wars.” Despite it all, WWII occurred and Remembrance Day followed.

This creatively Canadian remembrance is anchored by the Juno-nominated band The Fugitives and includes letters and songs written by WWI Canadian soldiers with the melody and arrangements re-written by Brendan McLeod and Adrian Glynn with the original lyrics remaining intact.

Please visit Creatively United’s YouTube channel to view other vignettes from Beyond VIMY and see Creatively United’s many offerings.

Metamorphosis: A Healing Journey

Theatrical Performance and Book Launch

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported Creatively United's recent premiere performances and book launch of Metamorphosis: A Healing Journey and the incredible cast, crew and volunteers we were so fortunate to work with.

This live theatrical production involved a cast, dancers, crew and volunteers of more than 20 people, and an almost equal number of choir members from the Victoria Philharmonic Choir (under the direction of Peter Butterfield). See cast bios here.

Just like an ecosystem, we had to work in perfect harmony for things to flow, which further strengthened the unique collaboration of Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices, professionals and amateurs, young and older.

We experienced a metamorphosis together in the creation and delivery of this show. Everyone gave it their all and we thank our audiences for being so receptive. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

Going through this process is not for the faint of heart. We salute all performing artists and technicians who deliver their gifts and presence to making this world a more thoughtful, creative and beautiful place and to those who support the arts and environment.

We are grateful for the leadership and support in our community from businesses and organizations like Copper Mountain Acupuncture, Lifestyle Markets, the Polis Foundation and Climate and the Arts/Victoria Foundation.

Changing Course: A River’s Journey of Reconnection

Did you know that British Columbia is named after the Columbia River which used to be one of the world’s largest salmon bearing rivers in the world?

Creatively United for the Planet has produced a 60-minute documentary that explores the degradation of what was once one of the most productive salmon rivers in the world. It looks at the dams and storages that eliminated wild salmon from the main stem of the river in Canada, and how this loss cut the heart out of Indigenous culture throughout the basin. The film also touches on the Columbia River Treaty, which came into force between Canada and the United States in 1964. At the time, it had a very narrow focus on flood control and hydropower. Sixty years later, however, new thinking is needed to ensure a sustainable future for this important river.

In Changing Course: A River’s Journey of Reconnection, leading voices from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities eloquently express the need for new approaches to water management and governance that are more connected to nature, account for climate change, and meaningfully include First Nations leadership.

Produced and directed by Jonathan O’Riordan; co-producer and narrator Frances Litman and filmmaker, Bohdan Doval.

Please visit Creatively United’s YouTube channel to view this film and see Creatively United’s many other offerings.

Creative Solutions for a New World Webinar Series

Since 2012, Creatively United has hosted large, in-person, zero-waste Earth Day events in celebration of community – until the arrival of Covid in 2020.

Like many others, we pivoted to online learning and engagement with a free Climate and Artists webinar series. More than 40 timeless webinars, featuring an incredible array of world-class presenters, authors, and artists, can be found on Creatively United’s YouTube channel, with a few examples below.

Please be sure to sign up for our newsletter to stay informed with occasional updates about upcoming events and information.

Housing That Heals The Future 

Mark Angelo’s The Little Creek That Could

The Little Creek that Could is a children’s story written by Mark Angelo celebrating his life long commitment to bringing degraded urban streams back to life.

Mark Angelo is a globally renowned conservationist, teacher and writer who is an Order of Canada recipient for his successes in restoring rivers both locally and around the world. He is the founder of World Rivers day now celebrated in 100 countries. He has paddled more that 1000 rivers worldwide with his work being featured in several films.

Mark lives in Burnaby with his family where he undertook the restoration of Guichon Creek.

Mark is an inspiration to us all.

A Cellobration of Nature

Eight cellists from University of Victoria Cello class, under the direction of Pamela Highbaugh Aloni, recently debuted a new composition by Hollas Longton, featuring the poems of Creatively United's Frances Litman. The commission, funded by the Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Fund, is presented here with Frances reading and illustrating the pieces with her outdoor nature videography. This compilation is less than 4 minutes with footage from southern Vancouver Island.

Trees Matter Premiere – A Creative Collaboration

Awaken Forest Ballet

If you love our forests and trees, please share this special short film produced by Creatively United in collaboration with Ballet Victoria.

Awaken, an exquisitely intimate performance inspired by the soft whispers of the forest, features original music composed, sung and orchestrated by Canada's multi award-winning legend, Ann Mortifee, in collaboration with former Chilliwack band member, Ed Henderson (guitar), and Finn Manniche (cello).

Awaken debuted at Ballet Victoria's live opening night performance of The Little Prince this past year.

The story follows the delightful journey of a young girl and her dog who discover the magical wonders of the forest thanks to guidance from forest sprites.

Shot in one of the few remaining intact wild urban forests on private land in Victoria, BC, the film Awaken was created to help bring awareness to the importance of protecting and preserving forest habitat. We will share more details about ways to save the forest shown here. Stay tuned.

The Gail O’Riordan Climate and the Arts Legacy Series is proud to have supported this worthwhile project. We thankfully acknowledge the  Westcoast Sacred Arts Society for their contribution to this project.

"You have touched my heart and that of my wife. We both just watched the video, wow!"

"I believe in truth and beauty at the core of existence and you demonstrate that and affirm it time and time again. This video takes us on a magical journey in one of our islands beautiful and unique forests. Our imagination is set free to wander with these lovely forest sprites who exemplify grace and serenity."

"Creatively United only gets better and better." - Dan and Jitka K

Citizens Stand to Protect BC's Old-Growth Forests

On April 1, the BC Supreme Court handed down a decision to impose the injunction sought by Teal Jones. The order calls for the removal of the peaceful camps protecting several old-growth sites within Tree Farm Licence #46. The Rainforest Flying Squad has held sites at Fairy Creek, Bugaboo, Granite, Creek, Grierson, Edinburgh and others beginning August 2020.

Rainforest Flying Squad is a volunteer grassroots organization comprised of citizens, Indigenous peoples, forest professionals, tree planters, families, environmentalists, scientists, academics and others determined to protect the remaining 3% of BC’s magnificent old-growth forests.

The judge encouraged the protestors to take their concerns directly to government.

Call For Action & Dialogue

This conflict has to stop. Citizens create blockades as a last resort when dialogue, phone calls, letters, rallies, and all else fails and when disaster looms. Once those stands of old-growth forests are clear cut, they are irreplaceable.

Now is the time to start a respectful dialogue for citizens to protect these forests. We urge you to copy and paste the following actions and send to elected provincial and federal representatives:

Mitzi.Dean.MLA@leg.bc.ca, lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca, nathan.cullen.MLA@leg.bc.ca, ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca fin.donnelly.MLA@leg.bc.ca, seamus.oregan@parl.gc.ca, premier@gov.bc.ca, FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca, JTT.Minister@gov.bc.ca, IRR.Minister@gov.bc.ca

Immediate Actions

1. Full and honest consultation with Indigenous peoples, including elected band councils, hereditary chiefs and band members in accordance with UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples for free, prior and informed consent.
2. Based on this consultation, the immediate protection of all rare, high productivity old growth forests as defined by Holt et al. in BC’s Old Growth Forest: A Last Stand for Biodiversity.

Longer Term Actions

1. Management of BC’s forests including old growth forests in the public interest, driven by ecological parameters.
2. Recognition that BC’s old-growth forests are a major element in storing carbon under the climate emergency strategy.
3. The creation of community dialogues to discuss opportunities to steward and manage local forests.
4. A transition plan for forestry companies and workers acknowledging the diminishing forest industry, the need to develop a value-added manufacturing sector and the need to diversify local economies.

Background

The federal government has pledged to protect 30% of the land base and 30% of the marine base by 2030 as part of Canada's Nature Legacy Initiative.

The focus of this protection is stated to be on ecologically sensitive and endangered ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. One of two key avenues for this plan is through Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas which are placed under the control and authority of the First Nations whose territory the IPCA's are located within.

The federal government can and should step in and intervene to protect endangered old growth ecosystems on Vancouver Island.
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/conservation/nature-legacy.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/nature-legacy/indigenous-leadership-funding.html

The call to protect the last remnants of BC’s old-growth forests has been gathering momentum over the last eight months. BC communities, non-profit organizations and individuals are calling for the government to act on election promises to implement the 14 recommendations of the Gorley/Merkel Old Growth Strategic Review.

Last November, Premier Horgan mandated the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Katrine Conroy to:

“Implement the recommendations of the Old Growth Strategic Review in collaboration with Indigenous leaders, labour, industry, and environmental groups to protect more old growth stands – in addition to the 353,000 hectares protected in September 2020.”

In addition, the Gorley/Merkel report calls for a series of actions to be implemented over three years. Top priorities are the immediate collaboration with Indigenous peoples and a deferral of logging areas of very high risk. Yet the six-month mark has passed with no visible signs of Indigenous consultation or deferment of any old-growth logging.

This lack of action over a number of years has pitted forest dependent communities and industrial forest companies who intend to harvest all available old-growth until it is exhausted against those who insist the government follow through on election promises.

Contacts

Mitzi Deane
Mitzi.Dean.MLA@leg.bc.ca
1-250-952-5885

Lana Popham
lana.popham.mla@leg.bc.ca
(250) 479-4154

Fin Donnelly, MLA Coquitlam-Burke Mountain
fin.donnelly.MLA@leg.bc.ca
1-604-642-5020

Hon. Seamus O’Regan, Minister of Natural Resources
seamus.oregan@parl.gc.ca
1-613-992-0927

Premier John Horgan
premier@gov.bc.ca
1-250-387-1715

Hon. Nathan Cullen, Minister of State for Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Stikine
nathan.cullen.MLA@leg.bc.ca
1-250-842-6338

Hon. George Heyman, Environment and Climate Change Strategy
ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca
1-250-387-1187

Hon. Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development
FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
1-250-387-6240

Hon. Ravi Kohlon, Minster for Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation
JTT.Minister@gov.bc.ca
1-250-356-2771

Hon. Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
IRR.Minister@gov.bc.ca
1-250-953-4844

Mountain Road Forest Success!!!

Thank YOU to all the supporters of the Mountain Road Forest campaign for stepping up to save this precious jewel of undeveloped forest land and rich biodiverse ecosystem.

Located in the Interurban/Quayle Road area of Saanich, Mountain Road Forest features 49-acres of magnificent mature second growth Douglas Fir forests, Garry Oak meadows, rare Arbutus groves and a fresh water stream that forms part of the headwaters of the salmon-bearing Colquitz Creek.

Thanks to the property owners' stewardship, dedication and perseverance for more than 10 years in seeking and enabling a conservation-based outcome, the CRD's pledge of $2 million and more than $1.1 million donated by individuals, businesses and organizations. The owners of the Mountain Road Forest property have agreed to work with CRD and others to bring the final resources to bear to save this special place for generations to come. A big shout out to the Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT) for spearheading this campaign.

Creatively United produced this video in partnership with Ballet Victoria, Canada's multi award-winning musical legend, Ann Mortifee, famed guitarist Ed Henderson, and cellist Finn Manniche to help raise awareness of the importance of urban forests like Mountain Road.