Funeral for the Future action at the Legislature, November 20 (photo: Colin Smith)
Callout – Nov 23
Dear Elders
This past week seems to have catapulted us into a futurist landscape. Suddenly, we’re not just thinking about what could happen in the future; our world is literally collapsing around us. Climate change, yes. But increasingly BC is waking up to the fact that the recent landslides are not just about climate change; they’re also the result of the disastrous policy of clear-cutting that has dominated our forest industry for decades. The question now is whether the NDP government will keep on doing more-of-the-same, or whether they can actually do what they’ve repeatedly talked about – move to a new paradigm.
On Saturday, those who attended Extinction Rebellion’s Funeral for the Future stood around the burning model of a baby pram as it flared up, then subsided into ashes: the future of our children and grandchildren. Before the ceremonial burning, David Suzuki – who was there with his daughter and grandchildren – spoke of the hubris of the human race, driven by resourcism that now infuses all our systems: legal, economic, political. “We are using up the inheritance of our grandchildren to feed our grasping economic system.”
Kate Lawes, speaking for Parents 4 Climate, outlined the new role of parents as they struggle to secure a future for their children: “It’s a new job, as a parent, to be a climate activist. Every day I do something: write or phone someone in power.” It occurred to me that this isn’t just the job of parents; it’s the job of all of us to do something every day.
Our court hearing on the appeal to the injunction is complete; we’re waiting for the decision of the judges that, in part, relates to the behaviour of the RCMP. And meanwhile, the militarized wings of the RCMP continue their violence against Indigenous land defenders with the blessing of the provincial government. (As I write this, two journalists — documentary film-maker Michael Toledano and Narwhal photo-journalist Amber Bracken — sit in a Prince George jail cell, arrested as they reported from Wet’suwet’en territory. One wonders just how far the RCMP will go before they are reined in.)
And as well, we continue to organize. Wednesday is the last day the Legislature is in session; Rainforest Flying Squad is planning a powerful march and action, and the Elders for Ancient Trees will be there. On Saturday, there’s a Day of Sorrow, an event to mourn all the ancient forests, the species that are being destroyed in the Fairy Creek logging and the lost and threatened species throughout the world. These actions, along with online offerings described below, help us stay connected, keep strong, and keep heightening the pressure on our government.
Hoping to see you this week,
Susan & Jackie
Action of the Week
** Turn up! (see Upcoming Events)
** Write & phone your MP, the BC cabinet ministers, and your MLA!
** Try to do at least one thing each day.
Upcoming Events
Nov 24, Wednesday, 3 pm, Rise Up for the Fallen – Meet at the Central Library courtyard for a walk to the Legislature to remember, honour and express our deep emotions for the Fallen, and to insist that the government keep its promise to protect old-growth forests and deliver financial support to First Nations for real choices that might allow transitioning away from old-growth logging. This action will feature moving a very large and heavy ‘cookie’ (cut from an ancient tree felled by Teal-Jones) through the streets to the Legislature.
We’re hoping for a strong Elders for Ancient Trees turnout. A contingent of our elders will carry signs of remembrance for the Fallen, speaking their names in call-and-response during the action, which will be led by Indigenous elders and leaders.
Please arrive at the Central Library courtyard a little before 3 pm so we can get organized! There will be stump signs to carry and other help needed. Wear your yellow circles; some will be available. Tuesday, at 4 pm, join the Elders organizing meeting for this event on Zoom.
NOTE: The regular Wednesday Rally for the Forests at the Cenotaph is joining with this event. Tasha will be at the Cenotaph from 3 pm on. You’re welcome to join her and wait for the march from the Central Library courtyard to arrive.
Nov 26, Forest Friday, 3-5 pm at RCMP admin building, Blanshard & Topaz. Signs will be available.
Nov 27, Saturday, 1-3 pm, Legislature lawn, A Day of Sorrow for Loss of Species. Mourn and celebrate Earth’s Threatened and Lost Species. A family-friendly day of mourning & celebration for Earth’s beautiful, precious, threatened and lost species.
Speakers include: Tiffany Joseph, of W̱SÁNEĆ, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and Quw’utsun Nations and the Indigenous-led Planning Consultant at Habitat Acquisition Trust, talking about the affect of colonization on local people and native species; Chiyokten, of W̱SÁNEĆ Nation, who has been defending the earth and her creatures at ‘Ada’itsx/Fairy Creek for months. Two songs will be offered, one by a group of children.
Around 2 pm we will go in procession to Beacon Hill Park where Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler will lead us in a ceremony of grieving. You may wish to bring a stone or small object to place in a cairn to symbolize our grief. We respect and honour the people of the Lekwungen Territory where we will gather.
Nov 28, Sunday, 3-4:30 pm, Factors contributing to climate change, via Zoom. Join longtime climate activist Laura Sacks from Nelson BC for this free online workshop hosted by the Greater Victoria chapter of the BC Climate Alliance. Participants will work together to create their own solutions to keep global heating to the goals of the Paris and Glasgow Agreements, using the cutting-edge simulation model En-Roads, created by Climate Interactive and M.I.T. Sloan.. Please pre-register here to get the Zoom meeting link. Share widely!
Dec 1, Wednesday, 6-9 pm on Zoom, Grieving in Community, a free on-line gathering for Fairy Creek Land Defenders, frontline or otherwise, facilitated by Trina Woods and James Pratt. This is an opportunity to grieve what has been lost, and to witness each other, in community. Please email james@prattconsulting.ca for more info and to register. Space is limited.
Dec 3, Friday, Ecologyst Films premieres Before They Fall at the Whistler Film Festival, featuring Ma’amtagila Hereditary Chief Rande Cook, Suzanne Simard, environmental groups, Indigenous voices, and scientists who are coming together to protect endangered old-growth forests in B.C. See the trailer here. In-person only, so pass on to contacts in Vancouver/Whistler area. Tickets here.
Frontline Update
from Joshua Wright
BREAKING: Teal-Jones has begun building a three-km road that will access a cut block on the ridge line between Granite Creek and Fairy Creek. This is really bad. It looks like they are hoping to get as many trees on the ground as possible so they can start blasting in the spring. The road-building is at 48.6357296, -124.317050.
Granite Creek logging (photo: Ancient Forest Alliance)
No updates on arrests this week.
Supplies needed at ‘Ada’itsx/Fairy Creek
Jan Marshall reports that supplies are once more needed on the front lines, especially small, easy-to-eat items like energy bars, chocolate, baked goodies. If you have supplies to donate, contact her at janandbill.victoria@gmail.com.
Timely resource to note
This video from Dan Pierce, director of the Heartwood documentary series, shows Google Earth images of the acceleration of deforestation over time (1984 – 2020) in areas of BC that have experienced the flooding. Not just rain to blame.
In the News
Nov 23, The Tyee, Slew of Journalists and Land Defenders Released After Three Days in Custody
Nov 21, CBC News, Advocates call for release of journalist, filmmaker arrested at pipeline protest in B.C.
Nov 20, The Tyee, ‘We Want Her Out of Jail Today.’ RCMP Slammed for Arresting Journalists
Nov 20, Toronto Star, RCMP arrest journalists, matriarchs and land defenders following Gidimt’en eviction of Coastal GasLink
Nov 19, The Tyee, RCMP Arrest 14, Clear Blockade of Pipeline Work Camps
Nov 18, Focus on Victoria, Over-exploitation of BC forests is flooding the province with physical chaos and human misery
Nov 18, Campbell River Mirror, Pro-forestry rally postponed due to province-wide flooding
Nov 17, The Narwhal, Connecting the dots between B.C.’s floods, landslides and the clearcut logging of old forests (Highlights the power of forests to reduce fires and floods, as well as critiquing the arrests of Wet’suwet’en land defenders opposing Coastal GasLink.)
Nov. 17, Capital Daily, The RCMP spent $3.75 million in five months of enforcement at Fairy Creek
Nov 17, The Tyee, The Power and Peril of Injunctions
Nov 16, Canadian Press (Times Colonist), Appeal Court reserves injunction decision in Fairy Creek old-growth logging protests
Nov 15, Focus on Victoria, Fairy Creek, here be dragonflies
Nov. 15, Lake Cowichan Gazette, B.C. forest company says rule of law must apply to ongoing protests at Fairy Creek
Nov 9, Washington Post, Indigenous and faith leaders urge Procter & Gamble to end logging of old-growth forests
Nov 1, Huu-ay-aht First Nation, Huu-ay-aht First Nations announces Anacla Old-Growth Summit
(NOTE: Nov 23 Summit is postponed to 2022 due to travel restrictions during state of emergency for flooding.)
Inspiration!
The first dugout canoe built in 50 years by Pacheedaht Nation members: video screening event Nov. 24 from 1:30-3 pm at UVic’s First Peoples House (in-person or on-line) to learn how this research study reclaimed old teachings to empower youth.
Copyright © 2021 Old Folks for Old Growth, All rights reserved