Everything runs full circle...

Yesterday I had the opportunity to visit a large Sun Dial just northwest of Iron Springs, Alberta. I spent the beginning of my visit with Narcisse Blood and his students from Red Crow College, then stayed behind afterwards to spend some time with the place itself.

(Pic: Powerlines with Sun Dial rock cairn atop hill in distance)

Believe it or not, there is a feeling to this place.. a feeling a can't quite explain.. a presence. I decided to do as my guide had recommended to take a walk down to the Little Bow River flowing close by. As I walked down through the ravine that led to the river, Moses caught sight of something up ahead, then in a flash he was gone, deaf to my protests. Up ahead an immense buck bounded up the hillside out of view, dog racing afterwards.

Pissed at my pup and his deep-rooted chase instincts I decided to carry on without any effort to bring him back. I let go of my fear of some rancher shooting him, or perhaps the buck turning back and giving him a taste of it's massive antlers.

I traveled down to the river bottom, shot some footage, and still ten minutes later, no sign of Moses. I took my time heading back up the incline to the sun dial and the van. Upon arriving back to the field, I could see and hear off in the distance, at the base of the sun dial hill, a dog pacing, searching, and crying. A good lesson, I thought to myself as I trod along, stay close. Then I saw him.. a large coyote between me and my destination, then... what's this... beyond the coyote, there are two dogs up there circling the van, pacing and searching... shit... what's going on...

A fear of unknowing confusion came over me... is he alright.. did he get attacked by other dogs.. is one of them him...?

The coyote, seeing me, moved off to the right down into a coulee, and then... again there was only one dog. I blinked trying to visually close the distance.

As I got closer, there was only Moses up there, but I could have sworn...

When we had first arrived with Narcisse that morning, he had told us, 'This is Sun Dial, we don't have a name for it, since our people have only recently returned to this site."

Not being from here, and being non-native, I have no claim and only a limited connection to this place of power... but to me.. it will always be known as the Two Dogs Sun Dial...

peace,
d

I've been delayed in my plans to head into the U.S. by an opportunity to have an on-camera dialog with Narcisse Blood. And Narcisse has asked if he may interview me for his research into ideas of Place and Placelessness.