5 posts tagged “uranium news”

With a full month behind me, the pressure is mounting to have me end my protest and go home to my family. I wish I could comply with those folks who have my well-being in mind and at heart. But, as Mike wrote to an associate today, this effort has had more attention in one month, than his 35 years of education on the bigger picture of why this sort of thing is permitted to happen. While that is a sad commentary, it speaks to the kind of action that gets attention. All to say that I am not quitting. No one knows what the next weeks will bring, how my health will hold up, but please know that I feel strongly that what I am doing is 'right' for right now.

I had information today that the response to "The National" report has been huge. What people are commenting on is that they did not realize that uranium mining was taking place in areas outside of the north. This is great. People need to know this. Please keep the letters going to the Premier, the Prime Minister and the 'responsible' Ministers. As well, whatever encouragement is being given the media, keep it on. Keep on doing everything that you are doing because it is working.

I had the pleasure of being interviewed on Radio-ecoshock this a.m. The interview may run on Nov. 9th, as a teaser for a program scheduled for Nov 30th, which will also feature Jim Harding, author of "Uranium - Canada's Dirty Secret," and author of a great letter in Nov. 6th Uranium News. It will also go out to 13 community college and university radio stations and will be streamed on Youtube. Once the program has aired, a link will be provided for those with high speed.

More questions: Having said that I was taking in about 600 calories, am I a nutritionist?

I am not. I got that information from the label on a maple syrup bottle, (based on how many tablespoons I use). The juice is a guestimate. I'm assuming no calories in herbal teas, since I don't add sweetener. How can I have only lost 15 lbs. over a month-long period?

When first denied sufficient calories the body goes into starvation mode, where it holds on to weight temporarily. I suspect that this has happened and, while I've lost 15 lbs. (for an average of ½ lb. per day) to date, I cannot be sure that that 'schedule' will continue, but I do promise to keep you up-to-date. What do I say to people who may be wondering whether my hunger strike is 'legit' and that "I should be in the hospital after a month without food?"

There will always be naysayers, in this case, those who do not believe me truthful. I cannot change that. In regard to why I am not in the hospital, all I can say is that I am as surprised as anyone as to how well I am feeling. It may be that my strength is holding as well as it is because there is a higher power at work, or just that I have a strong constitution. I do know that our fight is a good fight, worth the struggle, sacrifice and conflict that inevitably results. In any case, keep the prayers coming. I'd be pleased to welcome any skeptics to my humble abode. They are welcome to come spend 24 hours, or 72 for that matter, to see for themselves whether my actions here stand up to scrutiny. What can we do for others in similar situations, but without the settler support that this effort is blessed to be making history with?

If you have the time and energy for one more letter, please consider supporting the efforts of the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) of Big Trout Lake, in their effort to hold off the presence of Platinex. There too, the Native population was not consulted before exploration began and, after spending 600,000 to 700,000 dollars, they have been forced to declare bankruptcy. For more info please see: www.kitchenuhmaykoosib.com and www.kitelecom.myknet.org

Tomorrow is my youngest daughter's 18th birthday. Happy Birthday Elisha. I will catch a visit with her (and a shower) before heading over to the Gordon Edwards talk in Carleton Place.

Blessings,

Donna

With the report by the OPP of the potential for FV to arrive at the site at 10 a.m., and with the announcement that a press conference would take place here, we had an exciting morning with over 100 people on site by mid-morning. The mood was jubilant as people greeted each other and asked for updates. (To be part of the quick action list, send a note to Lynn.) The day started out overcast and the sky opened up just as the media were ready to start taping.

Bob Lovelace, our Uranium News lady and moi; among others, were captured on film. I’m not sure if the story about the large number of non-natives that are involved in this protest has been told yet. Anyone want to write a few newspapers about this story or make a comment to CBC? Everyone should know about the large number of community members, native and non, who are involved in this protest.

It was good to sit in circle with the Ardoch First Nations and to hear the latest in regard to negotiations. As the blockade comes to an end, settlers and First Nations will continue with a presence outside the gate, 24/7. Please come add to our numbers – for a few minutes or a few days. For my part, I am grateful for the company (as I’m here almost 24/7) and the ongoing support that the hunger strike is receiving.

If you have not already done so, please print out the petition on CCAMU’s website and circulate it widely. Take it to your class, your club, your gym, your work, and to any gathering you attend. Help us educate the population. Filled-in petitions can be scanned and sent to the Uranium News, or mailed to the address at the bottom of the page.

Thanks to those responsible for the loan of a cell phone for this week, for the lemons, tea and hugs.

Love,

Donna

Last night gave us a bit of a weather reprieve and between that, Mike’s presence beside me, a couple of heated rocks and my mohair socks, I experienced my first warm night since arriving here on Oct. 8th. 

The new day started out rainy, but soon turned to glorious sunshine. All kinds of activity is happening at the site this a.m. The hut accommodation is all but finished, thanks to a dedicated crew plus additional folks stopping by to help. People continue to stop to chat, cheer us on, deliver supplies and to check out the goings-ons.

As has been pointed out, “There is no I in team.” This “I” could not/would not be here on the side of a desolate rural road, trying to effect change without the support of so many; too many to list, and many whose names I’ll never know. While I am without phone or internet contact here, from the reports I am receiving the “Bring Gramma Home” campaign is gaining momentum. Thanks to all who are working to make that happen.

According to Nurse Sheila, I’m doing well; blood pressure is good (in the range of 113 over 76, for those who understand what that means) and pulse is steady at around 66. I remain positive about achieving the outcome we are all looking for.

If you have some expertise in propane furnace repairs, please reply to the Uranium News or contact Lynn at greenlynndaniluk@yahoo.ca, as that is the biggest need currently.

In solidarity and with love

Donna

A special thanks to those who have already signed up for an overnight stay at the protest site. It is such an essential piece to having this campaign work.  It won’t make a difference to my commitment, but being here alone on this side of the fence overnight, doesn’t have much appeal to me, so please add your name for a night or two by hitting reply or emailing greenlynndaniluk@yahoo.ca. Know that you will be helping to make history.

Yesterday, I was finally warm, partly due to the weather – a truly lovely day - and partly due to the winter cover-alls that Mike (my husband) dropped off. These were way more ‘becoming’ than my attire of the last few days, which made me look and feel like a pseudo sumo wrestler.  Mike joked that every time he visited me that I had gotten 2 inches wider – not the usual effect of a hunger strike.  I’ll add more layers on top of the overalls as the temperature drops.

Reports on yesterday’s concert were that the music was fabulous and that it was a great moral booster.  Apparently Zephyr was very vocal in singing along with Frank (until she was relocated to the great outdoors by her Daddy).

Going into week #2, I’m looking forward to moving into a camper that can be heated.  Thanks again to the folks who have donated the bowler/boller (sp?) for the duration and to those who’ve donated the tent camper.  I’ve awakened well before dawn, cold, with a mild headache a couple of mornings and experienced some pain from my lower back down through both legs for three days now.  Nothing to write home about, but for the record, I’ve committed to telling all of you how it actually is, here at the camp.  Blood pressure and pulse remains steady.

Late this a.m., I was honoured to have four Raging Grannies and a Grannie-in-training (a student doing her thesis on the Grannies) for tea.  Having traveled from Ottawa with a few songs that they’d written especially for the occasion, they performed for us at the camp.  Some of us were pleased when we were invited to sing along.  One of the Grannies worked with Mike about 30 years ago and had a connection with his Mom, Betty Nickerson.

The wood hut took shape today, thanks to the volunteers who took part.  I’m looking forward to sitting inside with the woodstove crackling.

Thank you to those friends new and old who have gifted me with so much, including: teas; juices; maple syrup; cozy warm socks; hot rocks; a water bottle; tears; cheers and prayers.  Also thanks to those who are taking time out of their lives, off site, to support the effort to make a difference in the lives of those not yet born.

My appreciation, too, to the members of the First Nations who make being here so much easier than it would otherwise have been; and for the biggie - holding off exploration and for getting us to the point of negotiations with the government.

As well, thanks to the local newspapers and Perth Radio, Lake 88.1 for doing their job and reporting the news.  To my knowledge, none of the national media, with the exception of Global have aired the report.  Perhaps this week - and with your input - they might rethink that.

Lastly, thanks to the OPP for their handling of this situation.  They have indeed taken the high road and should be commended for their actions and, when appropriate, inactions.  I commend them.

As we, hopefully, move into the negotiation stage this week, let us not forget that each of us has a worldview born out of our personal past and that no two are exactly alike.  The legacy we wish to leave in our passing differs based on that worldview. While we are here, we can continue to educate and persuade.  Please consider “Bring Gramma Home” window and lawn signs, bumper stickers, signatures on emails, buttons – use your imagination - and when people ask you what “Bring Gramma Home” is about, you will have an opportunity to both educate and persuade.  Thank you.

Blessings and love
Donna

When we were in Elliot Lake last month both our hostess and our tour guide/sponsor were contending with lung problems. I could not help wondering whether uranium mining had played a part. That area has a 24% higher rate of cancer (I’m not sure if that was than the rest of Ontario or Canada).

As well as increased cancer rates, including among miners themselves, there are so many other levels at which it just makes sense to say ‘no’ to uranium (and to, instead, bring Gramma home J). There’s the question of what the uranium is ultimately used for. Of course, at the top of that list is bombs. We do use it for medical purposes, but medical use is miniscule, when in the big picture, it causes more cancer than it cures. While Nuclear Power plants are toted as green energy, when the whole picture is looked at, it just ain’t so. Drilling holes to explore, or doing it from the air, takes fossil fuels; as does the extraction process; as does the trucking to get it to the plant. Building the plants uses huge amounts of fossil fuels. Energy is then needed to run the plants – when they are up and running - and it’s my understanding that, as a rule, they are down more than they are up. Indeed the energy that is the end result has lower emissions than coal and oil, but not of solar, wind, etc. And then comes the clincher. We still have the problem of storage to deal with. What happens after we enjoy the use of this nice clean energy (she said tongue in cheek), after a few get rich in the process and a few more enjoy some short-term benefit. Even if we overlook the reality that our kids are going to have to deal with the contamination, along with their kids and theirs, and, instead, we looked at future economic development in contaminated areas we will note that real estate prices are down, as is tourism. On the up-side, (again tongue in cheek) I heard yesterday that the municipality does not charge property taxes in Elliot Lake, since the land is of no value (or perhaps of negative value) and it is well known that accommodation is ‘dirt’ cheap.

I don’t write all of this for the good and aware people who subscribe to the Uranium News, so much as for the people who, I am hoping, receive it from you.

At the site: Word was that it was an extremely well attended info session in Almonte on Friday night. My grandkids were there with their beautiful momma and Mike. John Kittle gave another great presentation and reports are that the audience seemed to understand that uranium exploration and mining at the mouth of their water source was not such a good plan. If other such info sessions could be set up (this one was with a panel for and against) that would help to spread awareness. (Note from Lynn: We have since had an offer to set one up in Carlton Place sometime in the next month. Stay tuned for more info.)

Mike visited last night and stayed over to help keep me warm on the coldest night yet. As I write this, I can hear the sounds of the beginning stages of the building of a wood hut to get us out of the weather and people are talking about today’s concert in Sharbot Lake.

Question for today is:

What do you miss about being away from home?

Snuggling with my husband and helping him with his sustainability education work. I take comfort in thinking that what is happening here is an ’on the ground’ example of what needs to happen to wake people up; hot showers; the chitter-chatter of my teenage daughter Elisha, and hot showers.