Presentations:
Heather Meader-McCausland, the eldest daughter of Elaine and Fred Meader, has followed in her family’s footsteps in at least two ways: her love for photography and her continued life on the land. She has differed from her parents in that she also continues a life in California. This dual lifestyle gives her a unique perspective on many issues regarding wilderness and ‘civilization’. Heather’s experience working with kids also gives her a special joy in sharing and discussing arctic life with young children as well as adults. She has found that children respond to her stories and photographs of wildlife and the adventures of wilderness living with excitement and curiosity. Her stories weave together lessons about environmental stewardship, cultural understanding, setting and achieving goals, problem solving, resourcefulness and resilience. Students walk away not only with fascinating stories but with lessons in life skills that can be carried on into their own lives.
Heather is trained in group facilitation and is available to help facilitate classroom and community discussions. She is experienced in leading workshops, working with children and presenting in a lecture format.
During the past eight years Heather Meader-McCausland has shown her wilderness photographs throughout California and in Alaska and has delivered dozens of presentations to nonprofit, community, and student audiences ranging from 10 to several hundred. Using her parents film, her own photographs, and stories from her parent's and her own experiences, she engages and challenges audience of all ages.
Heather graduated from Humboldt State with a degree in Women Studies, focusing her studies on the intersection of multiple forms of oppression and methods of community resistance. Heather has also worked as an organizer in labor, housing, economic and environmental issues and has traveled and lived throughout the United States as well as South America and the former Soviet Union.
“Through living in the dual world of civilization and wilderness, Heather has gathered a wealth of unique experiences and profound insights, which she brings to her lectures and discussions. Her stories, lessons, and penetrating analysis help excite, challenge and inspire her audiences – both young and old, across the nation."
-Jesse Urban, Professor of Women’s Studies, Humboldt State University.
Some of the topics Heather is available to present on include:
Wilderness Photography
- Photographing in extreme conditions
- Landscape and Northern Light photo techniques
Meader Family: Then and Now
- Year of the Caribou film and her parents ideals and way of life
- The second generation Meaders and their lifestyle choices
- Stories, past and present about wilderness living and survival
Wilderness Living
- Living vs. visiting the wilderness
- Wilderness living and gender stereotypes
- Culture shock: personal experiences and reflections
Environmental
- Environmental changes in the Arctic and their effect on wildlife and people
- The differences and controversies behind: Hunting, Trophy Hunting, Fair Chase Hunting and Subsistence Hunting
- Arctic wilderness survival techniques in wilderness living
- Balancing wilderness & ‘civilization’
Film Showing and Slide Shows:
Heather is available for showings of her parents film, Year of the Caribou, as well as slideshow presentations for private groups, schools and organizations:
Year of the Caribou is a feature-length film that captures the magnificent beauty of the arctic wilderness and documents the Alaska Brooks Range wilderness in a way few films can - through the eyes of a family immersed in wilderness isolation for nearly two decades. An earlier edition of Year of the Caribou was shown by the Meaders throughout the country in the late '60's and early '70's, inspiring a generation in search of an alternative way of life. In the '80's the film was distributed by the Cannon Corporation, both nationally and internationally, under the title, The Alaska Wilderness Adventure. In 2001 the Meader family regained the rights to the film once again, they worked with Monaco Labs in San Fransisco to digitalize the film and rerelease it. In 2009, a Special Features sections was added to the film, updating the Meader family's story to the present time and including a photo journal by Heather.
to see a preview of Year of the Caribou follow this link
“I feel this film is meaningful at this time because it is a simple -and beautiful- attempt to live in harmony with wilderness. Now, 50 years later, with many challenges on the horizon, it is up to each of us to develop the respect, the knowledge and the love that will recreate our world, in harmony with the Great Spirit of Life.”
-Elaine Meader (McCausland) Co-Director
"Watching Year of the Caribou... gave me hope that if one family can dedicate themselves to surviving – or rather thriving-in such an environment that we can all find ways to recall inside ourselves the essence of what this family put into practice…to start to heal through balance rather than destroy this earth.”
-Lori Sismondo, Rural California Residen
"Your photographs are powerful. They make me feel like crying. In our cities, our gorgeous earth is so often concealed or damaged by human trappings. Your photos transport me back to essentials and make me hopeful, even while they stir up my fear at the same time - that we could lose what's left. That duality about your work is very moving."
- Margarite Reynolds, San Francisco Graphic Designer
Current Events:
Photo Displays:
Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Through the Lens Photographic Exhibit, Feb. 11th - March 21st - www.sebarts.org 6780 Depot Street, Sebastopol CA
Sonoma County YMCA - www.scfymca.org, 1207 College Avenue, Santa Rosa. CA (707) 545-9622
1207 College Avenue
Ya Ya’s Fine Arts Gallery - 1339 Kalakaket Street Fairbanks, AK
A to Z Eye Care - 851 Bayside Road Arcata, Ca
Annie’s Mexican Grill - 101 Park Place, Pt. Richmond CA
Talks and Slideshows:
None Scheduled at this time.
Film Showings:
None Scheduled at this time.