“Where all care for the environment, all also care for each other.”
Marion Odell, IICPH.

Since last summer’s Good Life Gathering (GLG) ended, Willi Nolan, along with some of the GLG team, became even more inspired to guide the dreams and goals of our youth and Elders into existence. Our inspiration comes from the amazing results from 2005 and 2006. Youth attending these last two years have developed motivation, hope, jobs and are doing better in school; nuclear waste is being diverted from native lands and hazardous sites are being identified. GLG participants are getting the help they need to move their skills and projects forward. We are only beginning to see how much we can accomplish. Our healing community puts good hearts and minds together to practice sustainable living and draws kindred souls to work in harmony. All those who attended, from children to Elders, had their spirits lifted – the healing is continuing.

COLLEGE OF APPLIED SUSTAINABILITY

A major outcome of last year’s GLG, the college teaches practical applications of advanced sustainability. The project has an advisory board of prominent youth, sustainable development, trade and technology professionals, environment and nongovernment leaders and academics. These leaders are committed to helping us to develop this important learning resource. We have set aside time during July for advisors to determine strategic planning for the school.

The College, in consideration of the strong interest from our youth, is offering a week-long course in ECOFORESTRY, held near the beginning of the Gathering. This introductory course, led by

Bob Eichenberger of Ecoforesterie Gaspesienne, teaches alternatives to the serious health and environmental problems such as clear-cutting, toxic spraying and bio-devastation that persist in conventional forestry practices.

Others taking part this year:

Vera Martin, renowned Traditional Grandmother-Elder returns to the Gathering to engage with our young people’s aspirations for a just and sustainable society.

Calvin Sault also returns this year as Traditional Elder providing counsel, ceremonies and cultural teachings such as making hand drums and sustainable lifestyles.

Dr. David Garbary, with a few of his students**,** will explore Ethnobotany, Climate Change and indigenous medicinal plants. Many Elders are interested in this research.

Craig Hubley, returns to teach the Use and Management of Information Technology.

Ila Sisson, Ph.D., Community Health practitioner, will share her skills in Participatory Learning in Personal and Community Development.

D.J. Joseph, Youth Worker from Elsipogtog, along with local youth, returns to meet with social activists interested and engaged in helping Youth and Communities at Risk.

NO STANDARDS FOR SUSTAINABILITY

It is extremely important that standards be developed to protect the public and the environment from fraudulent or environmentally destructive technologies being used. There are already questions that need to be asked e.g. Is it a good idea to use corn to make ethanol when we live in a hungry world and farmland is disappearing? What about hydrogen cars? What are the effects of using ocean wave energy? Geothermal? “High Tech incineration? IICPH is grateful that collaborating on the College of Applied Sustainability will enable us to oversee the standards being set for sustainable technologies.

FRONT PAGE CHALLENGE:$5,000

As interest in the Good Life Gathering grows each year, our costs, especially for transportation are also growing. IICPH is asking our friends to give generously this year so that we can educate and support more young people and communities.

To receive a video of the 2006 Gathering and make a donation, please see the back page of the newsletter.