"Cascadia" Buzzword of the Month in British Columbia

In a recent article, the BC Business magazine has labeled 'Cascadia' as the buzzword of the month. Coming on the heels of multiple trademarking disputes, it notes that the idea has now moved from social, cultural, environmental and political movement into an increasingly mature role as cultural icon, with a powerful 'brand image' of its own - one that is increasingly having to fight to remain open, public and free:

‘The Pacific Northwest’ is so passé. There’s a fresh way to display regional affiliation - one that’s causing a brand war in B.C. and down the rest of the West Coast'

The article then goes on to state that "The oft-proposed, very conceptual unified nation of Oregon, Washington, B.C. and, occasionally, Montana and Idaho, is having a hell of a year—at least as an increasingly mined brand. Maybe it’s because of growing validation. Time magazine included the region in a piece called “Top 10 Aspiring Nations” in 2011 and commentators from biologists to tourism operators are calling it a “bioregion,” if not a sovereign state. It all started in the ’70s (of course), when an Oregon-based sociologist named David McCloskey coined the term and a sci-fi novel called Ecotopia set in the region hammered its attributes home. Twenty years later another Oregon local created the Doug flag—tri-colour with a black Douglas fir at its centre—and the concept had a visual identity... one that’s never been hotter than it is today. Especially if you’re on the wrong side of a trademark infringement."

The article then goes on to list the recent controversies that have embroiled the term Cascadia, from it's use in a Adidas commercial featuring the Timber Army, in which it declares that "Revolutions are born from simple ideas" to trademark disputes with Steamworks brewery and finally the MLS attempting to copyright the Cascadia Cup, in both instances prompting massive, grassroots resistance. In the case of the MLS dispute, resulting in supporter groups forming the Cascadia Council to help to dispute the MLS legally.

The full article can be read: http://www.bcbusiness.ca/marketing-media/buzzword-of-the-month-cascadia

Portland and Seattle potlucks confirmed for this weekend! A Cascadia Party and Caravan to the Peace Arch!

A Cascadia gathering in every city June 29th and 30th, and our first 2012 regional convergence on the Peace Arch on July 1st. Details for the weekend have been confirmed:

Friday Portland Potluck, June 29th: Foster Eco-Village beginning at 5pm 4709 SE 64th Ave, Portland, OR 97206 Everyone is welcome and can RSVP via Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/events/344041932336285/  

Saturday Seattle Barbeque, June 30th: Golden Gardens Beach beginning at 2pm 8498 Seaview Place Northwest, Seattle, WA Everyone is welcome and can RSVP via Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/events/356209281113637/ 

Finally, on Sunday we will be converging with people from around British Columbia, Washington and Oregon at the Peace Arch State/Provincial Park for a one day gathering and celebration starting 2pm and going all day. RSVP here: http://www.facebook.com/events/394256853949269/

Even if you don't think you can make it, help us broadcast this event far and wide!

Music, food, speak outs, T-shirt, bandana, patch and flag making! Many other events (maybe a game of ‘Capture the Doug’?). We’ll also have a series of collaborative art projects that everyone will be encouraged to help us create as we travel.

The Peace Arch remains the last place in the Northwest where citizens of any country can come together without any identity papers and affirm their love of place, not as merely Canadian or US, but as Cascadian.

July 1st is Canada Day, July 4th US Independence Day, and so we have chosen this weekend and the symbolically important Peace Arch to celebrate the things that make the Pacific Northwest unique. An inter-dependence that transcends national and state boundaries and unites us together.

We look forward to seeing everyone there!