Grant Hadwin
Encyclopedia
Thomas Grant Hadwin was a Canadian forest engineer. In January 1997, he cut down Kiidk'yaas
(The Golden Spruce), a landmark tree in British Columbia
's Queen Charlotte Islands
, as a protest against the logging industry. While facing criminal charges, he disappeared en route to his trial.
Hadwin was born in West Vancouver, British Columbia
. His family was active in the logging industry. Hadwin himself became a logger and later became a logging engineer. However, he became increasingly upset with the logging industry's methods and exhibited signs of mental instability. In January 1997, Hadwin went to the Queen Charlotte Islands and purchased a chainsaw
. Early on the morning of January 20, 1997, Hadwin made a series of deep cuts in the Golden Spruce. The tree fell two days later.
After cutting down the tree, Hadwin left the islands. He sent a fax to the media and the Haida nation claiming responsibility for the act, saying that he was motivated by "rage and hatred towards university trained professionals and their extremist supporters...." The act outraged people throughout Canada and received extensive media coverage. Hadwin was arrested, ordered to return to the islands to stand trial, and released on bail.
. Numerous people speculated that Hadwin would be killed before he could stand trial. Hadwin said that he feared for his safety if he were to travel by ferry or plane; he decided to make the trip across Hecate Strait
by kayak
. On February 11, Hadwin set out from Prince Rupert, British Columbia
, but turned back a day later after being caught in a storm. On February 13, Hadwin set out again. The next day, he was spotted 25 miles (40.2 km) north of Prince Rupert, but he failed to appear in court as scheduled. There have been no confirmed sightings of Hadwin since then.
In June 1997, the wreckage of Hadwin's kayak was found on uninhabited Mary Island, 70 miles (112.7 km) northwest of Prince Rupert. Because Hadwin was known to be an expert in wilderness survival, some believe that he faked his own death
and vanished into the wilderness. His ultimate fate is unknown.
Kiidk'yaas
Kiidk'yaas, also known as the Golden Spruce, was a Sitka Spruce tree, Picea sitchensis 'Aurea', that grew on the banks of the Yakoun River in Haida Gwaii archipelago, British Columbia...
(The Golden Spruce), a landmark tree in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
's Queen Charlotte Islands
Queen Charlotte Islands
Haida Gwaii , formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Haida Gwaii consists of two main islands: Graham Island in the north, and Moresby Island in the south, along with approximately 150 smaller islands with a total landmass of...
, as a protest against the logging industry. While facing criminal charges, he disappeared en route to his trial.
Hadwin was born in West Vancouver, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. His family was active in the logging industry. Hadwin himself became a logger and later became a logging engineer. However, he became increasingly upset with the logging industry's methods and exhibited signs of mental instability. In January 1997, Hadwin went to the Queen Charlotte Islands and purchased a chainsaw
Chainsaw
A chainsaw is a portable mechanical saw, powered by electricity, compressed air, hydraulic power, or most commonly a two-stroke engine...
. Early on the morning of January 20, 1997, Hadwin made a series of deep cuts in the Golden Spruce. The tree fell two days later.
After cutting down the tree, Hadwin left the islands. He sent a fax to the media and the Haida nation claiming responsibility for the act, saying that he was motivated by "rage and hatred towards university trained professionals and their extremist supporters...." The act outraged people throughout Canada and received extensive media coverage. Hadwin was arrested, ordered to return to the islands to stand trial, and released on bail.
Disappearance
Hadwin's court appearance was scheduled for February 18, 1997, in Masset, British ColumbiaMasset, British Columbia
Masset , formerly Massett, is a village in Haida Gwaii in British Columbia, Canada. It is located on the northern coast of Graham Island, the largest island in the archipelago, and is approximately west of mainland British Columbia. It is the western terminus of the Yellowhead Highway...
. Numerous people speculated that Hadwin would be killed before he could stand trial. Hadwin said that he feared for his safety if he were to travel by ferry or plane; he decided to make the trip across Hecate Strait
Hecate Strait
Hecate Strait is a wide but shallow strait between the Haida Gwaii and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It merges with Queen Charlotte Sound to the south and Dixon Entrance to the north...
by kayak
Kayak
A kayak is a small, relatively narrow, human-powered boat primarily designed to be manually propelled by means of a double blade paddle.The traditional kayak has a covered deck and one or more cockpits, each seating one paddler...
. On February 11, Hadwin set out from Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Prince Rupert is a port city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is the land, air, and water transportation hub of British Columbia's North Coast, and home to some 12,815 people .-History:...
, but turned back a day later after being caught in a storm. On February 13, Hadwin set out again. The next day, he was spotted 25 miles (40.2 km) north of Prince Rupert, but he failed to appear in court as scheduled. There have been no confirmed sightings of Hadwin since then.
In June 1997, the wreckage of Hadwin's kayak was found on uninhabited Mary Island, 70 miles (112.7 km) northwest of Prince Rupert. Because Hadwin was known to be an expert in wilderness survival, some believe that he faked his own death
Pseudocide
A faked death occurs when an individual leaves evidence to suggest that he or she is dead in order to mislead others. This may be done for a variety of reasons, such as to fraudulently collect insurance money or avoid capture by law enforcement for some other crime.People who fake their own deaths...
and vanished into the wilderness. His ultimate fate is unknown.