Some of Canada's most outstanding thinkers and writers have been invited to take part in Speak to the Wild – a Wells Gray World Heritage Year event.
Organizers hope that local businesses, groups and individuals will step forward to help sponsor and billet them.
“It will be a four-day event with an internationally renowned set of authors,” Thompson Rivers University dean of science Tom Dickinson told a gathering of Clearwater Rotary Club members on Tuesday, July 30.
“Anyone who is interested in helping out should contact Shelley Sim (250-674-3291).”
Cost of sponsoring an individual author could range up to $1,500, Dickinson said, but any assistance, financial or otherwise, would be appreciated.
The idea of Speak to the Wild appears to be to collect together a critical mass of talent, expose them collectively to the wonders of Wells Gray Park, and then stand back while they collaborate to produce a book together.
There will be some opportunities for the visitors to interact with the general public but most of their time will be spent with each other inside the Upper Clearwater Hall or on trips in or near the park.
Names on the list include ethnobotanist Nancy Turner, natural historians Syd and Dick Cannings, poet David Abrams, wildlife author Candace Savage, poet, typographer and author Robert Bringhurst, and writer Kem Luther.
The event will begin on Wednesday evening, Sept. 4, with wine, cheese and light music (provided by Upper Clearwater's Sandy Crane) at Upper Clearwater Hall.
Thursday morning Nancy Turner will talk about Kincentricity, Ray Grigg will speak on the topic of Wild Thinking, and David Abram will talk on the topic of the Sensual Wild.
A forum titled Connecting with the Wild will follow. After lunch the group will travel to Spahats Creek for three concurrent sessions to be led by Kem Luther, Trevor Herriott and Lyn Baldwin.
Thursday evening there will be a dedication titled Story Island with Ted Chamberlin. This will be followed by campfire poetry readings by Patrick Lane, Emily McGiffin, Jane Munro and George Sipos.
Similar mixes of presentations, forums and field trips are planned for the Friday and Saturday. Sunday morning, Sept. 8, the group will travel to Green Mountain for a Summit Meeting led by philosopher and cultural ecologist David Abram prior to disbanding that afternoon.