A big force in my life...

You know the critical people you meet in your life? Well, I’m gonna miss Fred Kirby - he was a mentor to me…

In 2005, I was living a contradiction. I was an environmentalist working for a nuclear company and Fred was more than happy to point that out. He challenged me, asked me how much I needed materially and philosophized about priorities. He got through… I was off to Manitoba for a new life.

In my first summer back from Manitoba, again Fred challenged me… this time with a massive woodpile. I don’t know if any of you have been chastised by a man in his late seventies while stacking wood, but some familiar phrases were, “I could have done that in half the time as you when I was your age” or “If I was a younger man, you would be embarrassed”. Obi Wan Kenobi would have taken notes.

Some of the most formative social, political and justice-oriented discussions I have had in this life took place while breaking my back stacking wood for Fred. We talked about theory, places and people. Indeed, Fred loved people and foremost, his community. He catalyzed me, taught me the importance of keeping power honest and of putting others first. Most significantly, he taught me to challenge injustice when I saw it.

My first columns were written with heavy guidance from Fred. They came back full of red ink and nasty comments… but always tempered with a pat on the back. He felt I had something to say… and I did. But without Fred’s guidance, I might not have found that voice.

I wasn’t the only one. Fred loved youth and inspired countless young people in his time to work for justice and think beyond themselves. To be cliché, if there were more people like Fred, we would have justice in this world. I will miss him - mentors come into our lives, but it is up to us to keep learning after they are gone.

A quote for you my friend, I will miss you very much. Love you Fred.

“The world is too dangerous for anything but truth and too small for anything but love”, William Sloane Coffin, Jr.

Community and the Collapse... thoughts from Edmonton

Went and watched Michael Moore’s ‘Capitalism: A Love Story’ the other day with some Edmonton folks. Once we navigated the irony of IMAX and saturated our senses with fake butter and popcorn, I gotta say, the film was pretty good (minus the Catholic/Obama worship stuff). Moore manages to breech ‘isms’, highlights the power of resistance and cultivates an appeal for action that both resonates and empowers. However, Moore’s empowerment is rooted in disempowerment by the state, and while socialism certainly appeals to the alternative, Moore misses a critical element of resistance: the culture of resistance itself.

Narratives of collapsing ‘civilizations’ dominate environmental and social justice discourse today and are strange paradoxes given we implicitly mourn our ‘fall from grace’ while criticizing corporate statism. Indeed, Moore prefaces his film with Roman collapse… I think we need to look bigger: the collapse has already happened – we have one billion hungry and can light water on fire from pollution – it’s been happening for a while. Moreover, narrative of collapse disempowers individuals and small communities, allowing the commodification of ‘green’ and ‘justice’ to gain popular support.

I think it is important to celebrate who we are. Many folks working on social movements are actively decolonizing, learing skills of community and have picked up some legitimate earth skills. Seriously, many folks can plant and maintain a garden, some can hunt, fish or keep livestock and most importantly: many have a deep appreciation for our place with nature (not to get too new age-ish). If we acknowledge the voices saying a collapse is coming, then arguably, we have been preparing some. I am not downplaying the severity of a collapse, nor suggesting we start a new cult in Texas or something… but having awareness of how ‘things’ operate has given us all something unique.

Three Canadian cities have shown me how vibrant and healing these communities are. But there are important movements going on in rural places as well. Please take the time to watch this clip and see one community, Clearwater, Manitoba that still has my heart. This is what community can look like ☺.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaPJSXMM7B4

First night in Edmonton

And we know that our eyes are
not windows,
that indeed we do not
“see” the world at a distance,
that our “seeing” is within
our heads, within our minds.
~ Jack. D. Forbes

Had a great discussion last night about Jack Forbes ‘Columbus and Other Cannibals’ with a couple fine folks from e-town. Was nice to reflect on the book as it was indeed formative (published 1978) written by a founder of the Native American Movement (later AIM). Forbes identifies that Western culture operates as a Wiendigo; it consumes without thought and through colonialism ‘cannibalizes’ both itself and others. Forbes highlights how greed, indoctrination and sedation allow atrocities to manifest, all characterized by a religious belief in the superiority of Western thought. But Forbes also provides spaces of hope. His writing itself is decolonial as he illustrates optimism and frustration through the narratives of others. Through sharing stories, Forbes weaves academia with oral tradition to produce a text both accessible and critical. Moreover, Forbes last chapter is a rich summary/analysis of previous chapters presented as a poem. As Zinn notes, “A poem can inspire a movement. A pamphlet can spark a revolution…when we stand up and speak out together, we can create a power no government can suppress.”

Our conversation then switched to the role of community in struggle. How can organizations receive better direction from affected peoples? In the spirit of Zinn, a quick glance at Canadian history informs us that indeed, much community organizing has happened here on the prairies. Figures like Big Bear, Louis Reil and Tommy Douglas show how a strong sense of community can ultimately remapped how Canadian culture exists and that while the victories have come with pain, struggle has a strong tradition in Canada. I suggest that spirit is still strong in rural spaces all over Canada. Indigenous peoples and rural Canadians have increasingly recognized commonality, as witnessed by important victories at Akwasasne and Dump Site 41 this summer – moreover, these spaces are becoming the decolonization we have been seeking. Urban folks (which, alas I am coming to accept as a part of my identity) can provide resources/skills to these struggles, but we should let the rural spirit inspire us. It is not to say that urban places have no spirit, but to highlight there are important differences in how community develops in rural places, thus differential spirits. When I heard 200 farmers on their feet shouting for treaty rights this summer, I know that spirit is strong in rural spaces.

We also flushed out some of the problems of academia. I am in a weird space here. I represent a colonial capitalist patriarchal institution and define myself personally as opposed to that construct. I have tried to use the privilege of academia to facilitate my greater participation in social movements, but it remains: what I am doing is extremely colonial. Personally, I view social movements as part of my decolonization, yet have become increasingly cognizant that these movements themselves can be colonial. However, rather than being lost in a panopticon of colonialism, I suggest colonial paradoxes can be mitigated with intent and spirit. As Forbes notes, we need the Wiendigo to teach us, but lets not have it consume us.

On a personal note: First night in Edmonton was a bit overwhelming as I realized how ‘teedot’ I have become. Before leaving, I did not bother to check the weather as I felt that surely Edmonton was an extension of the southern Ontario clime. But there was snow on the ground and all… (addable sigh from the Winnipegers). As such, I was freezing. Luckily Edmonton people have a soft spot for stupidity and drove me to a Sally Anne where I got a nice warm jacket. Love and miss you all. d

Afghanistan and Canada's Occupation

Hello all,

I have started posting the column i have been writing for the Kincardine Independent over the last 3 years in blog form. I am new to the whole blog thing, so please be patient with me. This blog has been set up to email some listserves that i have been a part of in the past, so if it is inappropriate to email them - let me know and i will remove them. However, traffic will be low and i will only be posting about once a week.

Hope you enjoy and please, provide feedback so that i can grow as a writer! (column below).

Thanks and take care,
Dave

After eight years of occupation, Afghanistan remains in shambles. Little progress has been brought to rural areas and no eradication of so called ‘terrorist’ organizations achieved. The Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission reports only 3% of girls are enrolled in education; most not allowed to progress past the sixth grade. Researchers report ‘development’ money is being funneled to rich Canadians and Afghans, while the poor starve outside of embassy doors. Further, just 29% of people have access to safe drinking water. Nonetheless, after nearly a decade, Canada has maintained a military presence in Afghanistan. But, if humanitarian aid is not working, why are our soldiers sacrificing themselves?

An important factor is Afghanistan’s resources. The World Bank estimates undeveloped mineral deposits could profit over $250 million annually, up from the current $60 million – high-grade iron deposits alone are estimated to be 1.8 billion tones. In addition, rare metals such as tantalum, lithium and cesium, used to manufacture electronics, abound. Canada, the largest global mining economy with over 60% of the world’s mining companies, has major interest in exploiting these resources. Further, recent reports place Afghanistan’s natural gas reserves at 15.7 trillion cubic feet and oil reserves at 1.6 billion barrels – three times Alaska’s reserves.

Transports of gas reserves between central Asia and Pakistan through the proposed Trans-Afghan pipeline project stands to directly benefit Canadian politicians economically. Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, advisor to Bennett Jones, a Calgary-based energy law firm, has advocated for construction of the 1500 km pipeline to facilitate gas transfers from Turkmenistan. In addition, Harper’s first Defense Minister, Gordon O’Connor, was a lobbyist for military contractors until his election in 2006. Canada is now the sixth largest arms manufacturer in the world. Clearly, Afghanistan represents big money to Canadian interests.

These development projects proceed at great cost to Afghan’s people and environment. Most mining projects will occur in fragile ecosystems, disrupting the sustainable agriculture practiced there for countless generations. In addition, lax environmental regulations will allow mine tailings to contaminate water sources in already arid ecosystems. The Trans-Afghan pipeline will disrupt a huge amount of natural habitat and disturb ecosystem processes.

Most Canadians have questioned our military involvement with little information about Canada’s economic gain from the mission. If more people knew of Canada’s obvious exploitation of a vulnerable country, there would be even less support. Let’s bring our troops home.

Gaza and water rights

Written - 4 January, 2009

The conflict in Gaza is not only about social justice, but also environmental justice. Democratically elected leaders in Palestine have continually been portrayed as ‘extremist’ or blatantly ‘terrorist’ with little attention given to the massive disparities in access to natural resources that exist between Israeli and Palestinian people.

An under-discussed result of the 1967 Arab-Israel war is the disproportionate control of water that Israel gained by occupying (illegally) the West Bank, Gaza Strip, East Jerusalem and Golan Heights. Much of the rich agricultural land that kibbutz (Israeli) settlements have developed with pride depends on Israeli military and political control of water resources within occupied territory. The West Bank has been identified as the primary source of water for consumption in the Israeli cities of Beersheba, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. At the border of the West Bank, Israeli pumps operate 18 hours a day, depleting underground reservoirs in the region. Israel consumes 85% of Palestine’s water supply each year, representing 25% of Israel’s total water use. Individual water consumption is also extremely disproportionate: the average Israeli consumes 8 times the amount of water of an average Palestinian.

With the election of Hamas in 2007, Israel exacerbated tensions in the region by creating embargoes that blocked water treatment equipment and agents from entering the Gaza region. In February 2008, the Israeli blockade resulted in a shortage of hypochlorite, a chemical used to disinfect drinking water, causing 52 of 140 wells to be shut down due to bacterial contamination. These wells were so contaminated that the water was unfit for human consumption even after boiling.

While there is no excuse for the loss of life from Hamas’ rocket fire into Israel, it is important to note that rather than being ‘extremists’ or ‘terrorists’, Hamas is responding to the resource injustices that Israel has perpetuated. I imagine that if we were forced to be thirsty while a rich neighbor, through military control, was consuming our water, we might also be upset. The Canadian government maintains that Hamas’ rockets instigated the current conflict, but this statement reflects either an absence of memory or of critical thought. It is important to recognize that more than just rockets can create terrorism.

Christmas 2008

Written - 15 December, 2008

The holiday season is a time for reflection, as well as celebration. This year has witness the beginning of major changes to economics worldwide, leaving some in Canada without the means to have a holiday such as they may have enjoyed in the past. However, times of change are also times for reimagining our greater community, as well as ourselves and the collapse of the automotive industry creates interesting opportunities, should we change the frame of the how the industry, government and economy operate.

Today, rich executives make millions for themselves by engineering the collapse of companies through mergers and creating vast monopolies. These monopolies in turn impoverish rich countries by removing manufacturing jobs and replacing them with part-time service jobs, which cannot unionize due to high turn over and fragrant anti-union campaigns by management. The manufacturing jobs exported to poor countries have followed a policy of paying workers the minimum amount possible and creating extreme working conditions, often for women and children. In addition, the communities where these plants open often become dangerously polluted as companies select locations with minimum environmental standards to cut costs for production.

This system works to benefit only rich executives, corrupt governments in poor countries and shareholders in rich ones. But these people are not the majority of the population. During this time of change, we need to seriously look at redistributing wealth and rethinking democracy. Instead of trusting the big three automotive executives at the cost of $3.3 billion to not sell out Canada when the US offers its bailout packages, why not buy out the Canadian assets and change it to green manufacturing? While nationalizing operations is not in itself an end, surely it is better than executives walking away with millions while thousands face unemployment. At least with government control there is some accountability to the Canadian population.

Further, there is a need to reframe what we manufacture in this country. Canada has been embarrassed on the international scene by inaction over climate change and the sell off of most of our companies/resources. By switching automotive manufacturing to wind or solar generation, southern Ontario could supply the US mid-west with much needed green technology during a presidency that promises new strategies.

These ideas are not the whole answer, but they might be a start and new answers are needed now more than ever.

Declining Economy

Written - November 10, 2008

The past few weeks have seen major changes in world politics, the dust of which has yet to settle. The election of President Obama has captured the collective imagination as new period of change, social justice and American moral revitalization. However, Obama has inherited the crumbling structure of a global economic system, driven into the ground through exploitation and environmental degradation. For environmentalists, this economic collapse represents both the best and the worst of times.

One of the benefits of the economic decline is the halt to industrial projects that have been deemed destructive to environment. In Alberta, the lower price of oil has forced the tar sands industry to slow down expansion, a position environmentalists have been lobbying for years. While the halt will undoubtedly be temporary, there have been other parallels in extraction slow downs in environmentally destructive industries such as mining. Obviously the loss of these sectors is detrimental to the regional economies where they operate, however, a decline allows for community innovation and small business re-imagination… unfortunately, this in not where government bailouts are directed.

So far, there has been over a trillion dollars collectively shelled out by governments to protect the economy during its period of decline. Governments that have slashed social programs, ignored environmental protection as to expensive and allowed agriculture to approach crisis are able to gather billions to bail out banks. Consider this: with that amount of money, we could have provided education to every person in the world, ended world hunger, cleaned up ecological disasters and given clean drinking water to all peoples. In fact, each of these projects individually would have cost just a fraction of the money that has been undemocratically handed over in the name of the economy.

It is important to note that banks are not Crown institutions and do not provide meaningful service to most people globally. While they provide some wealth to people in rich countries, but they also impoverish the majority of global peoples through overcharging and exploitive procedures. However, giving money for education, food and water would actually alleviate and directly save peoples lives – something that the world has been calling on the rich countries to mobilize on for decades. While it is important to not have an unmediated economic collapse, so are social and environmental issues – seems that governments have shown where their loyalties lie. Lets hope Obama becomes the change that everyone imagines.