I must confess- I’ve been putting off posting this blog. Not because I’ve been ignoring Jon’s polite reminders in the chat, but because I’ve been finding it rather difficult to describe who I am, and properly encompass my excitement about LAST 315 in 500 words. Yet, tonight it must be done. Afterall- there will be plenty more time to share over the next 6 weeks.
My name is Grace Baker and I am a fourth year Anthropology and Archeology student. I grew up on an acreage in Elk Island, Alberta. Don’t worry- no one else knows where that is either.
In my three years I’ve lived in Vancouver, I’ve synopsized Elk Island to “about an hour east of Edmonton.” Initially, upon my pursuit to make friends with such well-traveled people at UBC, I was very quick in my attempt to separate myself from where I grew up. My whole youth spent in the middle of nowhere made me feel that there was nothing particularly interesting about myself. However, as I’ve gotten older, I have found my relationship to where I’m from incredibly intertwined with my identity.
The prairies have a way of making you question your place in it all. The land is vast and often can make one feel small. I feel growing up in this environment instilled in me an inherent curiosity about what existed beyond it. Did you know snow absorbs sound? Where I lived, in the middle of our 8 month winter, you could step outside and hear absolute silence. Nothing but the sound of your own heart beat, and perhaps the echo of a coyote howling miles and miles away. I still have not quite adjusted to the noise of the city.
Partaking in our class in Peru has made me reflect on the idea of the embodiment of place- something we discuss a lot in Anthropology. Who defines place? How do we decide where its boundaries lie? How does this reflect in how we view ourselves? I think about this a lot when trying to describe where I’m from- especially when my address consists of a series of coordinates rather than a town name. Technically speaking, I don’t even live inside of Elk Island, but rather the range road just outside it. Given I must watch out for deer whilst I drive nonetheless, I consider this distinction futile.
I am also really looking forward to seeing how a different place expands my understanding of concepts such coloniality and Indigeneity, as these topics were really relevant to my community back home. I’m curious to see how these ideas expand past physical boundaries.
Most of all, I’m looking forward to sharing this experience with all of you.
4 replies on “A Long Overdue “Hello Everyone!””
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Yay! Thanks for your blog post! And I’m thinking that Lima especially must be something like the polar opposite of Elk Island! I’m glad you’re here and bringing your Elk Island vibes to the place! 🙂
Hi Grace!
Thank you for sharing a bit about where you come from! I also grew up in Alberta (albeit an urban part of Calgary) and the snow creating the absolute silence in the dead of winter always allowed for peaceful solitary contemplation. Looking forward to getting to know you better!
Hi Grace, your post really resonated with me! 🙂 From the difficulty of capturing ourselves and our excitement, to how you talk about place and identity. Your words also transported me…I could imagine the snow and silence. I’m looking forward to hearing more of your insights! Lots of love <33333