Speaker to talk public ownership of natural resources
The Cowichan Jacobin Reading Group in cooperation with The Joseph Mairs Memorial Committee is inviting everyone to attend a public event entitled Our Wood Our Oil: The Case For Public Democratic Ownership on Saturday, May 23.
Starting at 1 p.m. at the Mercury Theatre, 331 Brae Rd. in Duncan Mitchell Anderson, an author and journalist, will take a look at how we manage our natural resources.
Anderson is a Vancouver-based freelance writer and frequent contributor to the Tyee. In 2002, the newspaper sent him on assignment to Norway to learn more about their oil fund which currently has more than $900 billion in assets. He wrote a 10-part series comparing petroleum policy in Norway and Canada which shed light on the question of why Canada, with our vast natural resources, has adopted an austerity stance and failed to sustain services for all Canadians.
In addition to his expertise in the realm of oil, he has also cultivated a knowledge and point of view on the question of forestry practices in B.C. which will also be addressed in his presentation.
"As long as we are cleverly diverted from talking about Canada’s vast wealth and who gets to keep it, we will remain the second richest country in the world that for some reason cannot afford postal delivery," he wrote recently.
After Anderson speaks there will be a discussion and question period.
Yoga teachers band together for Nepal aid fundraiser
A group of yoga teachers in the Cowichan Valley have teamed up for a fundraiser for Nepal, which recently suffered its second devastating earthquake in as many months.
The fundraiser will take the form of a morning of gentle yoga hosted by the Forest Yogini Collective on Sunday, May 24 starting at 10 a.m. at the Hub at Cowichan Station.
Donations will go to Glasswaters (www.glasswatersnepal.ca). You can donate on the website if you can’t attend the fundraiser.
Attendees are asked to bring a yoga mat and water and to dress in layers. A suggested donation is $20.
There will also be a raffle for two woven willow chairs, and four wellness packages. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. The draw date is May 24.
May 27 Bike Expo new draw for Bike to Work Week
Cycle Cowichan is adding a new event to Bike To Work Week this year with Bike Expo, on May 27 at the Aquatic
Centre on James Street in Duncan.
Along with Celebration Stations throughout the week, Bike Expo will feature numerous exhibitors including bike shops, bicycle manufacturers, cycling clubs, the RCMP Bike Patrol and other groups that promote cycling in the Valley.
"Cycle Cowichan is excited to promote what the Valley has to offer," said Alex Haddad from Cycle Cowichan. "Whether it’s commuting, mountain biking, road racing or recreational riding, Cowichan has it all."
Prizes, mechanical support and refreshments will be available for all who come by. Plus Cycle Cowichan members will be ready to answer any questions or direct visitors who are interested in more cycling opportunities.
Bike To Work Week takes place from May 25-29 at numerous locations. Events include the always-popular morning Celebration Stations where riders can enter their names for prizes and catch a snack before heading off to work. Also back by popular demand will be the team competition.
For cycling safety tips and general cycling information: Bike Sense Manual: (www.bikesense.bc.ca/Bike_Sense-Nov 05.pdf ) Bike BC: www.th.gov.bc.ca/BikeBC/links Event information can be found at: www.cycle cowichan.ca
Youth Connection evening to honour ‘journey to reconciliation’
The Cowichan Regional Anglican Youth Connection will be planting gardens at churches in the Cowichan Valley as a legacy to the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
Such gardens are being planted across the country by former students of Indian Residential schools and their families, the TRC, the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society, KAIROS and Project of Heart.
"To prepare their hearts and minds the youth are hosting an evening where we can honour the journey to reconciliation and symbolize that children will lead us towards a future of reconciliation," said Alison Stephen in a press release. The evening event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26 at 6 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Anglican Church in Duncan.
On Feb. 18 the Namgis First Nation band council hosted an event that acknowledged the planned demolition of St. Michael’s Residential School in Alert Bay. This was a gathering of chiefs, residential school survivors, and invited guests. The Duncan evening will feature speakers who were at that event who will share their reflections and experiences.
They include Reverend Lincoln McKeon from Alert Bay, Tanya McKeon from Alert Bay and Terry Shepherd from Nanoose Bay.
Cowichan Tribes members and elders have also been invited to attend.
The event is free, but reserve as seat by calling the St. John’s Church office at 250-748-9712 or email stjohnschurch@shaw.ca
Compiled by Andrea Rondeau, Citizen
