Thank you everyone that came out last night

The future of BC does not include trophy hunting.

People swarmed the Vic Theatre last night to watch Trophy, a beautiful film by Inder Nirwan and Lush Cosmetics. This film explores the trophy hunting of grizzly bears in BC. It’s inspiring. I was struck by the personal journey of Charlie Russel who was a hunting guide who learned to see grizzly bears differently and became very critical of the culture of fear and status that pervades trophy hunting.

“I yearn to tell compelling stories from the real world that can help make a difference for real people.” – Inder Nirwan

I had the honour of meeting many of the scientists, creatives, film-makers and go-getters that made Trophy happen. I also had the honour of meeting Nirwan last night, if only briefly.

For Nirwan, and Lush Cosmetics, documentary film making is part of how they fulfill their responsibility to tell stories that matter.

Inder Nirwan explains why documentary story telling is a responsibility
Inder Nirwan explains why telling stories, like Trophy, is more than a technical exercise.

Eat chocolate, save bears

I was also gratified to meet so many people who are committed to ending the commercial trophy hunt in BC. As it happens, they all enjoy chocolate.

The Vic Theatre is a beautiful venue: Save the Great Bears.
The Vic Theatre, Victoria.
This family cares about stopping the trophy hunt in BC.
Leanne, Guilia and Emilia Giommi.
Conrad Brown Jr. poses with a Save the Great Bears Handbill
Conrad Brown Jr., Vancouver Island University.

 

Who has two thumbs and likes chocolate: Lauren Henson!
Lauren Henson, Jane Woodland, Kalina Hunter.
Ross Dixon gives the representative from Lush Cosmetics a hug.
Ross Dixon, Raincoast, and Carleen Pickard, Lush Cosmetics.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTYFgX_jGf5/?tagged=grizzlybar

 

Watch Trophy online for free

You can help

Raincoast’s in-house scientists, collaborating graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professors make us unique among conservation groups. We work with First Nations, academic institutions, government, and other NGOs to build support and inform decisions that protect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the wildlife that depend on them. We conduct ethically applied, process-oriented, and hypothesis-driven research that has immediate and relevant utility for conservation deliberations and the collective body of scientific knowledge.

We investigate to understand coastal species and processes. We inform by bringing science to decision-makers and communities. We inspire action to protect wildlife and wildlife habitats.

Coastal wolf with a salmon in its month.
Photo by Dene Rossouw.