Seeds of Green: My Own Arctic Copper/Mine

Abstract

In this narrative essay, I explore some fundamental assumptions in my understanding of environmental education. Questions are raised concerning the nature of perception, experience, and the interplay between the world and ourselves. The narrative is based on a recent trip down the Coppermine River in the Barrenlands of Canada's Arctic. The discussion is built around metaphors of burgeoning life, the discovery of copper, the different meanings of the word "mine," and the challenges these pose to our perception. I reflect on the implications of my experience for the teaching/learning process. The hope is that this paper opens a space for discussion within the field, asks some questions, and offers some answers to questions that we did not know we were asking.