The Truth About Piki

I have to start this blog by coming clean about Piki. I have such an intelligent readership I am sure you have already guessed that Piki didn’t go native on me, although it is true that she was last seen at the Badlands, South Dakota. I hear she’s been adopted by a family of prairie dogs, so I’m confident she’s fine. And the interesting thing (or coincidental thing) is that I got Hiki before I lost Piki, so it’s not like I did a deliberate replacement thing. I was going to buy a new Piki when I got back to Auckland, but I’ve been talked out of that plan – too dishonest and all that. I’m just glad I haven’t been reported to the authorities for being an unfit mother, doesn’t bode well, does it?

Hiki has been out and about with us since the conference finished. And she’s so lucky to have some new aunties to watch over her (or watch over me). They have already raised a number of welfare concerns with me like: locking her in the car in the heat when we stopped for gas north of Toronto; leaving her on the car roof where she took a tumble when we were on the island: and the general practice of putting her in my handbag which is why she is now suffering from handbag hair. We reckon we should do an Indigenous Planet travel guide series with Hiki as the tour guide – ‘Hiki gives it two thumbs up’, redneck businesses to avoid, etc.


Thursday was practically a perfect day all round. Susan, Mary Jane, Sabrina and I went to Vancouver Island for the night, so it was full on food and laughter again, and not enough sleep. We drove through Stanley Park, where these totems are (above), and then – ooh – we got some relief from the rain by shopping for silver jewellery at a native arts store on one of the Vancouver reservations that specialises in West Coast and Inuit art.


I think I liked everything about the island, even though it was rainy. It reminded me of home – the way the cloud sits low and it drizzles non-stop and the mist comes up through the trees. It’s definitely rain forest territory. I got to see a loon (had no idea there was such a bird) diving for fish. And my sense of direction was temporarily restored while I was on the island. It made me wonder if there’s something about the space of the continent that disorients me. I got two really special treats – or extra-special given how privileged I feel to be hanging out with these women and to be so well-looked after – out of the trip to Vancouver Island. The first was that I tasted strawberry and rhubarb. Mmm. A taste too perfect to be described and I don’t know why I haven’t tasted it before given both foods are so readily available in NZ. The second thing was the pod of orca that we saw on the return ferry ride, including one orca that came so close it was literally right below where we were standing watching. Amazing.


Flew to Ottawa on Friday, and climbed straight into Danielle's car and she drove us for six hours to Susan’s house on the Rez. Despite a big fat sleep-on on Saturday, I still suffered with a mushy, over-stimulated, over-tired, post-conference brain. I went and veged out at a yard-sale, fundraising for the Long House. Got a taste of corn soup, which uses white corn. Mmm. One of the biggest sellers at the yard sale I think.