For my photo voice project I chose to visit the Great Lakes Aquarium along Duluth’s harbor front. I have long noticed the building and wondered what the facility was like on the inside. I have a fascination with Lake Superior and its inhabitants and this seemed like a wonderful chance to explore a place that was dedicated to the survival of this ecosystem through education.
It seemed like a good day to visit the aquarium. There was only one bus and several dozen small vehicles parked outside. As I approached the door I was struck by the tasteful architecture. I was already snapping photos. As I entered the building, I was further impressed by the surroundings. A beautiful water wall inscribed with petroglyphs/ symbols from cultures all over the world is absolutely breathtaking. I stood for a few moments admiring the symbols – many of which were similar to Anishinaabe rock writing although these particular forms had been found in parts of Asia and Europe. I recognized these forms as relating to water, but also more than that. In my own culture, these symbols also described patterns of Spirit energy and life, and the boat – at least the one I know from the 10’000 year old Teaching Rocks site near my home community – was one that travelled on time. Not water. So I found myself in a grounded and inspired mindset for all that was to come.
As I was taking a photo of a wall picture I realized I was inadvertently taking pictures of a group of middle school age children. They seemed oblivious to what I was doing but I was worried a parent or teacher might not be. I suddenly began to worry about IRB, and what right I had to take pictures of people without their consent. Even though I didn’t want to capture the people, it was a rainy day and the building was busy. I knew this was going to be tricky.
The building has a few different levels and many displays. One could spend a week reading all there is read. And while I am ordinarily fascinated with archeology and history, it was a cardboard figure that somehow spoke most poignantly to me. Aside from a slight resemblance to my grandfather – who was a fisherman and guide – this figure stood against a staged backdrop that could have been my grandparent’s home. As I stood in front of him – in all his cardboard silence – a voice began to speak from a hidden microphone. It started in Ojibwe – for perhaps only 15 seconds – before fading into an English narration. But for those 15 seconds – which blissfully felt longer –it was as through I was hearing my grandfather’s voice speak to me through this paper figure.
The many aquariums of gar pike and several other species of smaller fish were pleasant and calming to watch. I found the large tank in the center of the building, one which spans two floors and has even 4 foot long sturgeon was one of the most beautiful things I have seen in some time. I like to fish, and have seen pictures of all of these kinds of fish. And I know they lurk beneath me when I am swimming across a bay. But it was incredible to stand against the concave glass and see all the layers of different kinds of fish spiraling and swimming in some slow graceful effortless dance. I imagined this to be a cross section of superior, somehow lifted out of the lake and placed here. It was a vantage point I could have in no other way (I don’t like scuba diving).
I have never had any significant “issue” with the keeping of fish – providing they are fed and given clean water. While I know many of these fish were likely bred from restoration projects, their artificial home did not seem offensive to me in any way. I suppose for some millisecond here and there I captured their interest, but never in a way that seemed offensive to them (I hope). It is an interesting encounter that glass permits.
There were many small displays throughout the facility of fish and other wildlife. I have always enjoyed watching turtles in nature and realized – as I watched a young snapping turtle make his way through his territory – that I have never watched a turtle swim up or down from the side vantage point– as if I was underwater with him. It was a beautiful fluidic motion he had, one that I had not appreciated in my previous experiences with his kind. Still, this did not take away from my nature-based experience. It added to it.
I was quite taken by the White sturgeon I happened to see in one of the mixed displays of turtles and birds and fish. I used to hear stories about white animals – and an old white sturgeon would most certainly have been the leader of all the fish in whatever water body he or she resided. I have never seen such a fish but this one was beautiful and I felt privileged to see a creature I had only heard of in legend.
There are a number of shore birds that live in the various displays in the aquarium. They seemed more troubled by the presence of humans than any of the other animals there. The ducks seemed to care less – I spent quite a bit of time trying to photograph their underwater swimming (it was beautiful) but the water was too dark and people are asked not to use their camera flash in these display areas (I was happy to honor this request but the result is that only duck feet show in those pictures!). The other smaller shore birds seemed content but a little nervous.
So I kept my distance. I was fascinated watching them. I rarely get to see them and never so close up. I read on the wall they had been injured and rehabilitated but could not return to the wild. They looked so helpless but yet I knew this was the best place for them. They were safe. And I truly believe they are helping teach people about their kind and to have a greater sense of respect for the fragile habitats they need to survive.
A favorite part of the experience was visiting the otter waterfall. I love otters and I appreciated they had Ojibwe names even (Anang – which means Star, and Zhooshk – which I am guessing is from Zhooshkwajiwe “s/he slides”). They were incredibly busy and seemed to love the attention of the humans around them. It was nice to have a good laugh at the end of a wonderful visit. In the old Ojibwe stories, there is a legend about the otter returning laughter and life to the people. I sense these two are helping continue to do that work.
The last stop that tour was at the cage of a Bald Eagle from Alaska. She was beautiful – an outstandingly beautiful eagle. I read that she had been injured, and could no longer properly fly. I kept a respectful distance from her cage so as not to scare her and I noticed others doing the same. There seemed to be a great reverance for her.
It seemed a magnificent conclusion to a fine day. I truly enjoyed my visit, and the time I got to spend with real creatures – learning about them and from them. I would highly recommend this place to anyone seeking to learn more about the world (nature) that surrounds us but often times seems so mysterious without such wonderful guides ☺.
