Melanistic Magazine Vol. 15

MELANISTIC

2023

GLOBAL TRAVEL GUIDE TASTE OF THE SOFT LIFE

GLAMPING

MELANISTIC ADVENTURES IN PRINCE GEORGE NORTH DUE

Lands occupied, travelled, and cared for by many Indigenous peoples.

This place, amiskwacîwâskahikan, Edmonton is a traditional meeting ground, gathering place, and travelling route of the Nêhiyawak (Cree), Anishinaabe (Saulteaux), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Dene, and Nakota Sioux.

We thank the creator for providing to us this place upon which to share our experiences, languages, culture, heritage and stories.

-All my relations.

FOR US, BY US: ALBERTA FAMILY-YOUTH ALLIANCE

MELANISTIC SIPS

GLOBAL TRAVEL GUIDE

GLOBAL TRAVEL GUIDE

Publisher Greg Davis

Editor Taneya Rogers

Media/Sales Director Nigel Williams

Artistic Director JoAnne Pearce

Graphic Design Tinu Olabimtan

Marketing Director NiLo

CONTRIBUTORS

Merlin Uwalaka, Josiah Aaron

NiLo, Kyle Smith, Nigel Williams

Special Thanks to Prince George

Tourism Cover photo: NiLo

melanisticmagazine@gmail.com www.melanisticmagazine.com

PRINCE GEORGE: CONNECTING NATURE, CULTURE AND COMMUNITY

GLAMPING: THE SOFT LIFE

REIKI REMINDER

Vibes are REAL Intuition is REAL

Book your healing session

EDITOR’S WELCOME

Taneya Rogers

I feel most alive during the summer months. Summer 2023 however, has also been one of losses for some of our Melanistic team. Saying farewell to loved ones gives reason to pause and reflect. In the midst of the hurt is a gentle reminder that our tomorrows are not promised. We owe it to ourselves and to our loved ones to liberally fill our time with joy and memories that are worth clinging to.

Melanistic Adventures is about expanding our community and forging new connections with others, with our history, and even with ourselves. Through each experience we honour those who have transitioned. Discovering the rich history hidden at our glamping location and connecting with the land, roaming through Prince George are just some of the ways we have filled our cups and made lasting memories.Our Melanistic Global Travel guide also provides colourful options to break the monotony of work life. Take That Vacation!

N J Williams

Nigeljosephwilliams@gmail.com

The Emcee A dynamic host for all of your events, Live & Digital

In the Know 2k23 BE

IN THE KNOW

Spring has sprung! And as the weather gets hotter, so does the tea! Here’s what you should know, to be in the know:

5

Bubba Wallace became the first Black man to win a Nascar cup since 1963.

4 Venus and Serena Williams became the first minority owners of a sports team in 2009 for 1 billion dollars. That stake is now worth 4.6 million dollars.

3

Anthea-Grace Patricia Dennis from Ottawa, has become the youngest Canadian person to graduate college at 12 years old.

2 Raptors president Masai Nujiri is now a member of the Order of Canada, one of Canada’s highest honors for a civilian.

1 Legacy Awards, created by Black canadian actor Shamier Anderson (John Wick 4) returns with Stephan James to bring The Legacy Awards, hosted by Keisha Chant.

Bubba Wallace, NASCAR Racer

5novelsgraphic

reading,Summerisagreattimefor novelshereareTop5graphic byBlackcreatorsfor yourbeachbag!

CHILDRENOFREBELGODS

gentrification,theprisonsystem, onlinedating,grosspunks,bad streetart,andkungfumovie references.

5 4

TheAntagonists(Tyler Martin):Supervillians DestructusandUltima areforcedoutof retirement when sinister forcesthreaten theirfamily.

2 1

KimiKosmic(A.J.Ampadu):Kimiisa spacepiratelivinghappilyina collectionofasteroidsattheedge ofhergalaxy,untilamysterious strangerunveilsthemysteryof herhalfhumanheritage,plunging herandhergangintoadventures withmonstersandspacecreatures whiletheytrytosavethegalaxy.

Childrenof Rebel Gods(Kyle Smith):A comingofageaboutaDemiGodstrugglingwithlifeina largefamilyofdemigods andfindingoutaconspiracymightactuallybetrue!

Kwezi(LoysioMkize):Thisisacomingofagestory ofayoungmanoutofGold City(Johannesburg)dealing withhisown insecuritiesashediscovershispower.YourBlackFriendand OtherStrangers(Ben Passmore): Inaseriesof shortcomicsBenPassmorelightensheavytopicslikerace,

3

KWEZIWritten&IllustratedbyLoyisoMkize

IllustratedbyTylerF.Martin byKelechi Nwaogwugwu

KIMI WrittenKOSMIC IllustratedbyA.J.Ampadu byEmma Galloway

YOUR BLACK FRIENDS AND OTHER STRANGERS

Written& IllustratedbyBen Passmore

Artist Profile

Mouraine

by Merlin Uwalaka

Mouraine is a local music artist whose music tells authentic stories of finding genuine happiness. He is inspired by artists like Akin and 50cents, and his experience as a first generation Canadian of Sudanese descent.

His creativity is driven by a passion for entertaining and sharing. For him, nothing beats the feeling of connecting to an audience; transforming their energy, seeing them dance and smile.

His music reminds the audience that working and getting caught up in the grind is not healthy. True wealth is not just material success. The ‘gold’ is in living a healthy life with loved ones, pursuing your purpose and living out your dreams.

His intention is to create music that supports listeners in their journey of self-discovery. As he continues to share and grow, he hopes that the “quality of [his] music continues to improve.” His album “ In Search of Gold ” is available on all streaming platforms.

US FOR BY

ALBERTA FAMILY-YOUTH ALLIANCE JOSIAH AARON

TheAlberta Family-Youth Alliance (AJFAS), founded on December 22

1999, is a non-profit organization that provides support and resources to families and youth in Alberta. Their mission is to help families and youth build strong relationships and navigate any challenges they might face, by offering a wide range of programs and services, including counseling, education, and advocacy.

AJFAS is dedicated to helping people in the community. They pride themselves on inclusion, harmony and building a connection between young Francophone families and ethnocultural backgrounds.

One of their most popular programs is the Family Support Network, which is a network of families who have experienced similar challenges and want to support each other. They have regular meetings and events where families can connect and share resources and advice. They have a team of trained professionals who collaborate with government, volunteers and community stakeholders of the Francophone, and international organizations. They offer a safe and supportive environment where families and youth can get the help they need to thrive.

Whether you are dealing with a difficult situation or just need someone to talk to, the Alberta Family-Youth Alliance is there to help. Be sure to check them out at https://ajfas.ca/en/

GLOBAL

TRAVEL GUIDE

Flight routes are increasing, trip bookings and hotel stays are on the rise, and the globe is once again becoming accessible for exploration. Yes, travel is back! But which of the multitude of destinations should you take advantage of? Selecting an adventure travel tour can be exhausting if you are not familiar with the destinations, so we have put together some trip ideas either offered by Black owned agents and operators or to Melanistic destinations.

BY: GREG DAVIS

MYSTICAL EGYPT

This magical tour will guide you through the ancient temples and World Wonders of Egypt. Embark on a relaxing four-night cruise up the Nile River. You will discover the ancient temples of Luxor and Karnak,. Uncover the fascinating historical sights of Kom Ombo, The Temple of Edfu Travel to Aswan and admire the Phile Temple, Cairo, where you will admire the magnificence of the Great Pyramids of Egypt and Sphinx.

Operator: Indus Travel -c/o Real Canadian Travel

Duration: 7 nights

Cost: $2,621.00 CAD pp

Activities: History / Culture

Contact: thalia@rctravelstore.com

12-DAY THRILLING ADVENTURE IN

NAMIBIA 2024

This 12-day breathtaking adventure takes you to Namibia’s mustsee places. You will witness the sun kissing the dunes, painting colors across the landscape as it opens up new spectrums of beauty in the sand. Highlights of this Namibian-guided adventure include exploring the world-famous sand dunes in the Namib Desert, the oldest desert in the world. You will alsosearch for desert-dwelling Elephants in Damaraland, and getting up close and personal with big cats in the Etosha and other parks.Each destination has something unique to offer from wide open plains with untamed wildlife to Africa’s Big 5 and stunning vistas. An affordable and fun journey through a truly magnificent region of the world! On this trip, you will spot over 700 animal species and various bird species.

Operator: Hidden Continent

Duration: 12 days

Cost: $4090 USD excluding international flights

Activities: Hiking / Trek, Beach, History / Culture, Wildlife, Eco-adventures

Contact: zoe@hiddencontinent.ca

5-DAY KAIETEUR OVERLAND HIKE

This 5-Day exploration of Guyana takes you from Georgetown and into the wildlife of the country. Rainforest treks, overnight jungle camping, waterfalls and unique wildlife viewing all await you on this tour. Package includes accommodation, transfers, and flights within Guyana.

Operator: Dragon Tours

Duration: 5 days

Cost: From $950

Activities: Hiking, Camping, Wildlife, Falls

Contact: reservations@dagron-tours.com

ETHIOPIA – OMO VALLEY CULTURAL SAFARI

This itinerary gets travelers off the beaten path with an opportunity to learn about and interact with some of Ethiopia’s most unique cultural groups. The itinerary covers many of the tribes in the Omo valley including the Hamer people (known for their bull jumping ceremony), Mursi people (known for their lip plates), Karo (known for their body paintings), Dassenech, Ari, Dorze, Tsemai, etc. In addition to the visit to their respective villages, the itinerary is also scheduled to meet the weekly markets at Key Afer, Dimeka and Turmi. This tour is ideal for photographers and culture lovers.

Operator: Civilized Adventures

Duration: 11 days

Cost: From $3,051 per person

Activities: Safari, History / Culture, Wildlife, Eco-adventures

Contact: info@civilizedadv.com

Gear Up & Get Out

Here's what you can expect by coming into one of our 3 Breathe Outdoors stores in Edmonton & Calgary.

Our Store Guides understand each adventurer is different. They have the knowledge required to find you the right gear for your individual needs

We carry the best products from all the top outdoor brands

We treat the outdoors like our home We want everyone to feel welcome.

PRI GE N N

RGE CE

Connecting Nature, Culture & Community

In the Fraiser-Nesko Plateau- nestled 8 hours from Edmonton, along the Yellowhead highway lies a small city that provides rest for most, and adventure for many. This year it was the focus of our Melanistic Adventures- and while we were up for an Adventure we never thought we’d learn as much as we did about Nature, Culture, and Community.

By: NiLo

SMALL TOWN FEEL WITH

other local businesses (including the coffee they have at the check in cabin)this would be a theme that ran through our visit.

Because of this it has a large footprint, yet everything is about 20 mins away at its furthest points. The first night had us camping under the stars at the Salmon Valley campground. The campsites had water and electrical hookups, and plenty of space where we set up our tents. Our host Robin was extremely hospitable and displayed an enthusiasm for supporting

The closeness of everything downtown made it a great place to walk and explore the local shops and restaurants. Bikes are available to borrow along with other outdoor equipment, including the fishing poles and tackle boxes we would be using for our first day’s adventure. Contact Tourism Prince George and they can link you with various fishing tours, but as always, we chose the off the beaten path adventure. We called our friend Kyle Sam, who works with Indigenous men’s mental health at the

Prince George is a city that first developed along the Salmon river and later moved when the railroads and the highways were built.

WITH BIG ADVENTURES

DUDE’s Club Society. Kyle took us to the Forests of the World lake where we learned to bait and cast our lines. The fishing was so much fun even though we’re told it’s even more fun when you actually catch something. We took a hike through the forest, casually sharing traditional plant knowledge. Our walk eventually led us to a Lheidli T’enneh pit house which was a traditional home and gathering space for many nations in Northern B.C..

We spent a lot of time “in the bush” with a foraginging trip with Jen Côté, where we learned about multiple flowers that could be battered and fried, stems that could be pickled, and medicines in the

Cut through the noise

with advice that's made for you, with you.

For clear financial advice that meets you where you are and takes you where you’re going, let’s talk. Tell us about your priorities and challenges. Share your vision for the life you want to lead, business you want to build, or future you want to create—and let's bring your possibilities to life.

All the wines produced here have the aroma of the land, the air, and the river it sits beside, which all come together to create the perfect environment.

leaves and roots of many plants we discard as weeds today! We also took a stroll through the legendary cottonwood park where artist Elmer Gunderson has carved numerous portraits in the enormous trunks of the cottonwood trees. We’re told that on a sunny day, if everything is right, you can see the sturgeon jumping in the Nechako river and just across the river at this point is the Northern Lights Winery. This Winery is unique and also very Prince George. They grow most of the berries and fruits they use for their wines on site, they bottle their wines and they also have a superb restaurant, with a wine tour that allows you to taste all of the wines - from sweet and fruity, to strong and dry. All the wines produced here have the aroma of the land, the air, and the river it sits beside, which all come together to create the perfect environment.

The small town vibes of downtown made it a great place to walk around and visit local shops and stores. We usually ate breakfast at our hotel, however we did make sure we visited the local eateries in town which all had distinct styles. They boasted locally produced beer, used local fruits in their menu items, and many of them are of the BC Ale Trail - a trail of breweries in BC. We also had local ice cream from a place called Frozen Paddleoffering flavors like Haskap and Spruce Tip- yet another business made from the nature around it.

We took a hike through the forest, casually sharing traditional plant knowledge.

We weren’t done with the Haskap love though as we explored Hubble Homestead- a period based homestead that was once the home of Albert Hubble. There in the early 1900’s general store you can find early turn of the century novelties, candies, Hubble Jam made from locally grown fruits, and even the Hubble Diaries. A diary of Alfred Hubble about the movements of the time. Not as juicy as you expect it to be unless you’re really into early century survey and city planning - in that case very sexy.

Prince George was a lesson in community supporting community.

JOURNEYING HOME

Our ride home was not without its own adventure. We stopped in the Ancient Rainforest, the largest inland Rainforest in North America. The hike is an easy 2.5km - but be sure to stay on the promenade, there are 15km and 20km trails up the very same mountain.

With a stop either way in Jasper the 8 hour drive from Edmonton to Prince George was easy to share. Be sure to make the stop in McBride, as it’s the last gas station for a 230km stretch. Pack with a lot of layers, the temperature can be warm but cooler in the woods. Be sure to have Bear spray, and when you’re out make a lot of noise because “bears be out there

out there.” People warn against whistling in the woods and using bear bells, both of which can turn you into bear food. Don’t forget your mosquito repellent, because the mosquitos are definitely out to get you.

Prince George was a lesson in community supporting community. Every business we visited used the traditional knowledge of the Land, the resources from fruits to environment to family- and each other’s products to create a handcrafted experience. The community made it easy to see why they call Prince George Base Camp, and why it attracts so many visitors on their way to places north and south.

GLAMPING The Soft Life

MELANISTIC

Fromchildhood to adulthood, my love for the outdoors has been unwavering. It made no difference to me if that meant chores on my parents’ acreage or recreational activities like hiking, biking, or days at the beach. When I migrated to Canada, it didn’t take much to persuade me to try camping. I have avoided the more rugged tenting in the outbacks but I have enjoyed hitching a tent trailer to my SUV and setting off for a few nights at a lake or river. Being in nature, detached from the daily hustle allows me to relax and refocus. That said, Camping is a lot of work! The preparation and

maintenance of the campsite can be labor intensive.

These days, I’m a champion for the ‘soft life’ which drew me to the ‘Glamping Domes’ popping up throughout Alberta. They appeared to offer the simplicity of camping but with more at-home comforts. Simply Glamping is a newer site only an hour and a half west of Edmonton in Barrhead. Operated by a retired or rather redirected couple, Wayne and Lynn. Here is what I loved about the experience:

• Domes are well spaced so that each campsite has privacy.

• Each dome is heated with comfy queen sized beds and clean linens - scratch the sleeping bags and extra blankets.

• The kitchen area is on the covered deck. It’s stocked with all your basic utensils, cooking equipment, a grill with a single stove top burner and a portable sink. This made for easy outdoor

cooking while remaining fairly sheltered from the elements.

• Our firepit was pre-stacked with wood and kindling. We needed only to strike the lighter to get the fire going.

• Each dome has a private outhouse. If that’s still a cringe, the flushed washroom is a three minute walk. Showers are under construction but will be an added amenity for future campers.

• A play area with trampoline, tetherball and day swing sits at the center of the grounds providing entertainment for both adults and children.

• Walking trails loop through the forested area for safe exploration and stillness.

I fully intend to explore a few more of these glamping domes over the summer. For those curious about camping but not enthused about roughing-it, I highly recommend this experience!

This particular location carries a unique history that Wayne and Lynn hope to preserve. The original owners of this property were one of the first Black settlers from North Carolina, migrating between 1912 -1913. Walker Beaver, the son of the original settlers, bought the property in the 1920s, developed his homestead, and raised his family here. Several old buildings that were originally built by him will be salvaged by the current camp operators. Wayne and Lynn also hope to erect a commemorative plaque on the property along with the artifacts they’ve salvaged from Walker Beaver - weaving this history into the Simply Glamping experience.