We are proud that the 2008 events were filled with the solid, fun and educational activities that brought us success in the previous years. Despite significant setbacks following an untimely death in our circle, we managed to deliver on our commitment to host four full years of bringing our approach to a good and sustainable life for all people to all participants.
Our Ecoforestry workshops were modified and refined; we are ready to combine sections of the curriculum and complete the design of an accredited course. New teachings in GPS technology allowed us to mark lines and trails on the property and we continued identification of forest species for research and harvesting. We were able to identify several rare species as well as resources for food and medicinal use and building projects. The structural integrity of our Youth Lodge was improved, and we all enjoyed taking part in workshops, storytelling and ceremonies around its fire pit.
Educational workshops included much discussion that related biblical and native prophecies to what we are witnessing in our world. Concern for environmental degradation, crumbling infrastructures and the breakdown of families and communities dominated the discussions. Within these deliberations, solid information and advice for personal, national and planetary survival were shared. It was obvious to everyone that opportunities offered at the Good Life Gathering to become familiar with sociological and environmental health education while sharing the gifts of the natural environment were very important tools for direction and survival in these difficult times.
Workshop discussions focused on awareness building. While keeping our consistent focus on spiritual and social connections with the natural world, we explored the ways that politics and the media can influence our thoughts and actions. The importance and roles of Elders were considered, most especially the need to pass on their wisdom, history and culture to younger people and communities to help them to be strong in life.
Careful attention was paid to our use of terminology. There was general consensus that people committed to positive social change need to regain control of the use of language related to social, economic and environmental sustainability. We discussed the new “green” trend in global markets and educated each other on subjects such as ‘green-washing’ and the ‘corporatizing’ of the concept of sustainability. For example, Irving pulp and paper division now claims that they use ‘ecoforestry’ practices in their operations, while consumers can no longer rely on the words ‘green’ and ‘organic’ on product labels to assure them of safety and health benefits.
Now that our four-year commitment to host and sponsor the ceremony of the Good Life Gathering is complete, much attention was paid to next steps. Our College of Sustainability project is an obvious focus for our transition to community delivery of the gifts, knowledge and network that we have generated. Our young people are still asking for education that will prepare them for career and business development, as well as projects that will heal the environment and social fabric in their countries and communities.
A number of us have agreed to continue to develop the curriculum base for the College; ongoing support for the youth that we serve will be maintained. Toronto’s Banyan Tree Community Initiatives has asked that we keep developing our collaborative proposal developed with a view to bringing GLG/IICPH involvement in their projects for youth. The new Elsipogtog Youth Council continues to rely on our resources as they serve the youth of their community. The Otesha Project has already booked time on the land during their fall 2008 “social justice” theatre tour. Regarding a month long Gathering in 2009, we have initiated discussions with individuals and organizations to take responsibility for coordinating this event; so far, attendees from Grassy Narrows have committed to fundraising to bring young people to prepare and host next year’s GLG. We thank IICPH for its encouragement and support.
- All My Relations, Willi Nolan, host.
Why We Oppose Uranium Exploration
Excerpts from a letter sent by Willi Nolan to environmentalists in New Brunswick concerned about mining exploration in the province:
March 2008.
IICPH is firmly against even drilling for uranium because of the release of radioactivity into the biosphere. This is a matter of serious concern for the health of people and other living creatures. Every increase in the amount of nuclear radiation available to our biosphere carries risks to health and future generations. There is no safe level of ionizing radiation; the more we add to it the more the risks.
Even careful plugging of drill holes from uranium exploration or mining with Bentonite (Fuller’s Earth) cannot guarantee that there will be no leakage of radioactivity into air, soil and water. The absorption capacity of this substance is limited. Supervision, if carried out at all, is not likely to be comprehensive enough or will not continue for any appreciable period let alone for the period of radioactivity related to the decay of uranium.
Our founder, Dr. Rosalie Bertell, offers this opinion regarding your concerns about drilling:“Clearly capping is better than non-capping of the holes. However, there is no way to prevent layers of water and soil (plus all sorts of contaminants) from mixing once you puncture the bore hole. Chemicals and radioactive chemicals can move down the hole into the water supply or up the hole into the air. I know of no sure way to restore the integrity of the land for hundreds of thousands of years. This is all about money, not health or human security on a fragile planet.”
To read the whole letter visit our website for “New Brunswick Uranium Drilling and Mining”.