4 posts tagged “uranium protest”

The last day of my first (I say that hoping there won’t be a second) full month on site proved to be a lively one.  First off, I was able to get on the net, al-be-it briefly.  There are still some kinks, but it is looking very possible to get hooked up, via dial-up, to the world.

About 50 interested supporters showed up for the community meeting, which will continue every Sunday at 1 p.m.  An agreement is in place and the monitoring team will begin work tomorrow.  They will be doing a baseline survey to record where the exploration company is currently, so that they can come in two or three times a week and check the progress.  No date has been set for the mediation with the province and the feds, but the mediator has been agreed upon.  It is unclear whether the twelve-week period before drilling will begin starts tomorrow, or on the date of the first meeting.

I’m very pleased with Janice Kennedy’s column in today’s Ottawa Citizen.  Not only is it well written, but it also very well researched.   As to, “She gets under the skin of people put off by the implied arrogance of her action, by the suggestion that one ordinary person should make a difference,” the way I see it, everything starts with one person, but never in isolation.  For example, Ryan’s Wells Foundation www.ryanswell.ca is a huge and growing organization that has built 319 wells in fourteen countries because one six-year-old saw a need.  It’s ever been thus.  I’m a firm believer that changing the world happens one person at a time and somebody, ordinary or extraordinary, whatever that means, has to start.  In fact, in this situation it was Frank and Gloria Morrison, local landowners who were not willing to sit by and let the status quo reign supreme.  My action is one more cog in a wheel that they set in motion well over a year ago.

Donna and Frank Morrison

put it in your window, in your car, on your lawn

New numbers to report:  BP 109/66; Pulse 77; Weight loss 15 lbs.  (I continue to feel blessed that I had an extra layer to work with there.)  I’m still feeling very positive about achieving our goal and grateful for a good night’s sleep.
Love
Donna

Lots of visitors, on an otherwise uneventful day. With the weather so cool and wet, it was good to be able to gather around the woodstove in the HTHB (house that Harold built).

A couple from Sharbot Lake stopped in for the first time and I was offered (and gratefully accepted) a mini Reiki treatment.  I’d been feeling drained again today and it really picked me up.  Thanks.  Scales arrived today, so I’ll be able to give an accurate account of weight loss from here on.

As I write this I find myself curious as to what is being shown on News World and The National, so do please bring me reports and call or write to other programs/newspapers/magazines to encourage them to cover our story.

People are curious as to how it is for me not having eaten for 16 days.  I continue to feel peaceful and grounded most of the time, and I’ve been a bit fatigued in the last three days, as you know.  When I get up or turn too quickly, I feel lightheaded and that will worsen over time.  As long as I sip my hot drinks pretty continuously, I’m not experiencing hunger pangs and I can keep my body temperature up.  A mild headache will develop when I go too long without the maple syrup concoction that remains the mainstay.

People are also curious in regard to what I am thinking about during all of these hours at the roadside.  I’m thinking that I thought that I’d have had lots of time to catch up on my reading.  I’d packed a box of books for that purpose and have since sent most of them back home, as there, so far at least, has been very little desire to be reading.  When the desire is present, it is too dark to struggle to see with my aging gramma eyes and hopelessly inadequate lighting. With so many visitors arriving throughout the days, I find myself much more interested in their stories and in catching them up on what is happening here.  As well, I think a lot about how to reach the masses and what would help them understand that this is one of those issues that could result in turning the direction in which society is headed and that once our goal is changed, getting there will be easy. There are so many fronts that could be acted on.  No precedents will have to be set.  There are examples all over the world of various components of what needs doing.  One day soon, I’ll write my list of what I believe those things to be.

Be well, please come visit to show your support, or do one other thing today to further our efforts.
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. 

At the protest site

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

I’ve been asked why I am doing this many times over the last few days. It’s an easy question to answer.

Having been part of the generation responsible for bringing about so much havoc to the planet in the way of resource drawdown, toxic waste and pollution, I feel I owe it to my grandchildren, and yours, to step up to the plate and say ‘enough.’

Going on a hunger strike is my attempt at stopping the insanity; hopefully, of getting others to step outside their comfortable lives, and of showing the politicians that the status quo is no longer ok. As I’ve said, I cannot do this in isolation and every voice counts. Our grandchildren and theirs will not thank us for continuing on the current path.

That the two first nations have undertaken severe hardships in their commitment to keep the water clean and the air safe, upriver of the capital city of Canada, is no small feat and they deserve our gratitude as they move into negotiations with the governments of Ontario and Canada. It is our turn to show our appreciation by solid action in support of the mediation process in order to achieve a moratorium on uranium exploration and mining in Eastern Ontario. This hunger strike is just one of many possible actions.

Day 2 was a cool damp day and, without food in my system, I got quite chilled internally. Constant sipping of hot drinks helped, as did multiple layers of coats. Thanks to the folks who’ve brought a heater for the camper; those who donated a vehicle in case of emergency; to those who are supplying me with drinks to keep me going; and to all those who stopped by with words of encouragement and support.

Day 3 had me feeling a little warmer. Several well-wishers stopped for a visit, including a young couple from Guelph, who wanted an interview for their university newspaper. We can win this, one person speaking to another as the message spreads around the province and beyond.

The only safe place for uranium is in the ground, undisturbed. Ideas to create an up swelling of support around the issue are welcome. Please do one action today to move us toward a saner, healthier world, seven generations hence.

Blessings & Love
Donna