A guy that lives down the street drives a nice new BMW. I have a 2001 Chev; it's no BMW. I'm thinking about selling it, giving the cash to the Beamer guy and have him drive me to work. Sure I'll be without a car, and I'll be inconvenienced, and sure I may be stuck from time to time, and hopefully there will be no emergencies... but when I do get a ride I'll be in a Beamer! I haven’t really thought it out, but it could be good.
For the communities of Lewisporte and Flower's Cove who are seeing an erosion of their health care with the promise of better services in Grand Falls, Gander , or St. Anthony this sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul may sound a little familiar. As a matter of fact for anyone who lived through the years leading up to and following, confederation this may bring flashbacks of another time. Words like “Resettlement” and “Decentralization” making them sit upright in a cold sweat from a late summer slumber. Wasn't that the same logic they spoke of then? We'll move you to a nice place where your kids will go to a bigger school and you'll be on a main road. Sure you won't be near the water but who wants that anyway?
Sad thing is that the communities of Flower's Cove and Lewisporte are themselves hubs for other communities. So not only are we seeing a lose of services from smaller communities we are now seeing larger rural hubs lose the attention of the powers that be.
Why stop there? My neighbour has better books, Internet, they even eat more expensive food, nice packaged food from the mainland. Perhaps we should send our children there. Perhaps to some kind of residential school. Let's bypass Newfoundland and Labrador altogether and give our kids the true benefit of a quality upbringing in Halifax or Toronto.
It's only lab and X-Ray services. Sure who uses that anyway? Only people who are injured or sick. Just stay healthy and everything will be fine, but just in case better stay away from Lewisporte and Flower's Cove. Just to be safe let's all move to St. John 's.
Just remember years from now when people talk of the death of rural Newfoundland and Labrador that it didn't die of old age, but passed away in agony when a faceless bureaucrat yanked the plug. Is rural Newfoundland and Labrador dead? Not yet but I think someone is helping the Grime Reaper sharpen his scythe.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Lanier Phillips: Discovery in St. Lawrence
There are Newfoundlanders and Labradorians born and bred, and then there are those who have found meaning here entirely by accident.
Lanier Phillips was one of 46 men who survived the Truxtun disaster. His story is not a simple story of survival but a story of the power of humanity. In a world of segregation and racism Mr. Phillips credits the simple generousity of the people of St. Lawrence, NL, not only with saving his life, but with their compassion - changing it forever. As a black man in the segregated south of the 50's he has said: "To experience instantly love and humanity that I didn't think existed between the races — it just changed everything for me."
This is a story that begs to be told and has had some great interest in the Newfoundland and Labrador film industry. Now the story has caught the attention of the American film industry. It has even caught the attention of Bill Cosby who invited Mr. Phillips on stage and told his story. A full length feature film is finally in the works.
The story is remniscent of a film called "Amazing Grace" that Ray Johnson likes to quote when we meet with Community Linkages. Mr. Phillips story, like Amazing Grace tells of the power of the individual, when love and compassion are the motivating factors for change. The upcoming film will perhaps offer a rare glimpse of the true virtue of rural Newfoundland and Labrador and why we so passionately love this place.
CBC interviews Lanier Phillips:
http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/internationalus/the_ambassador_or_st_lawrence.html
Lanier Phillips was one of 46 men who survived the Truxtun disaster. His story is not a simple story of survival but a story of the power of humanity. In a world of segregation and racism Mr. Phillips credits the simple generousity of the people of St. Lawrence, NL, not only with saving his life, but with their compassion - changing it forever. As a black man in the segregated south of the 50's he has said: "To experience instantly love and humanity that I didn't think existed between the races — it just changed everything for me."
This is a story that begs to be told and has had some great interest in the Newfoundland and Labrador film industry. Now the story has caught the attention of the American film industry. It has even caught the attention of Bill Cosby who invited Mr. Phillips on stage and told his story. A full length feature film is finally in the works.
The story is remniscent of a film called "Amazing Grace" that Ray Johnson likes to quote when we meet with Community Linkages. Mr. Phillips story, like Amazing Grace tells of the power of the individual, when love and compassion are the motivating factors for change. The upcoming film will perhaps offer a rare glimpse of the true virtue of rural Newfoundland and Labrador and why we so passionately love this place.
CBC interviews Lanier Phillips:
http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/internationalus/the_ambassador_or_st_lawrence.html
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
A Grand Spot
http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=8257817
Imagine a place where you can see puffins and get up close with a whale. Sounds like a nice spot for a vacation.
Imagine a place where you can see puffins and get up close with a whale. Sounds like a nice spot for a vacation.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Are We History?
Do we as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians learn enough about NL in our K-12 curriculum? Do we as Newfoundlanders and Labradorians in Canada know enough about the country we joined in 1949?
The Dominion Institute gives us a big fat "F" on the later question. The department of Education gives an enthusiastic "Yea!" to the first question.
It is interesting to hear of the new "Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205." A previous encarnation of NL studies "Newfoundland and Labrador Cultural Heritage" was piloted back in the 80s. Does it take twenty years to form curriculum?!
So what do you think? Has the department of education struck the right balance in our knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador in general as well as the country that has been our address for the past 60years?
A response to the "F" is for History article of June 15:
"Content related to Newfoundland and Labrador is addressed in several places in the K-12 social studies program.
This September a new course, Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205, is being implemented. This course enables students to examine the culture, heritage and history of the province, as well as creating opportunity to explore topics of local interest.
Other courses that address Newfoundland and Labrador social studies content specifically include:
Grade 3, Newfoundland and Labrador communities
Grade 5, Newfoundland and Labrador early history as well as economic, political and social infrastructures is addressed.
Grade 8 Newfoundland and Labrador History was implemented in 2005, examining Newfoundland and Labrador history from 1800 to present.
Additional there are other courses which include some content related to Newfoundland and Labrador :
Grade 7 Social Studies – examine Canadian History from 1800 to 1920, including some topics which are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador during this time period, such as the First World War.
Canadian History 1201 – this course includes examination of Newfoundland ’s and Labrador’s contribution to the First and Second World Wars, as well consider confederation with Canada
Canadian Geography 1202 and World Geography 3202 examine (i) the physical geography of the province and (ii) consider the issue of resource management, allowing opportunity for discussion that connects those ideas to the context of our province
As well, the Cultural Connections Strategy (a program designed to expand NL and Lab culture and heritage throughout K-12 schooling) is providing additional supports and resources which relate to the teaching of Newfoundland and Labrador culture and heritage at all grade levels, when appropriate. The Department also is a primary supporter of the provincial annual Heritage Fairs program, which in recent years has involved over 8000 Elementary and Intermediate students annually."
The Dominion Institute gives us a big fat "F" on the later question. The department of Education gives an enthusiastic "Yea!" to the first question.
It is interesting to hear of the new "Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205." A previous encarnation of NL studies "Newfoundland and Labrador Cultural Heritage" was piloted back in the 80s. Does it take twenty years to form curriculum?!
So what do you think? Has the department of education struck the right balance in our knowledge of Newfoundland and Labrador in general as well as the country that has been our address for the past 60years?
A response to the "F" is for History article of June 15:
"Content related to Newfoundland and Labrador is addressed in several places in the K-12 social studies program.
This September a new course, Newfoundland and Labrador Studies 2205, is being implemented. This course enables students to examine the culture, heritage and history of the province, as well as creating opportunity to explore topics of local interest.
Other courses that address Newfoundland and Labrador social studies content specifically include:
Grade 3, Newfoundland and Labrador communities
Grade 5, Newfoundland and Labrador early history as well as economic, political and social infrastructures is addressed.
Grade 8 Newfoundland and Labrador History was implemented in 2005, examining Newfoundland and Labrador history from 1800 to present.
Additional there are other courses which include some content related to Newfoundland and Labrador :
Grade 7 Social Studies – examine Canadian History from 1800 to 1920, including some topics which are relevant to Newfoundland and Labrador during this time period, such as the First World War.
Canadian History 1201 – this course includes examination of Newfoundland ’s and Labrador’s contribution to the First and Second World Wars, as well consider confederation with Canada
Canadian Geography 1202 and World Geography 3202 examine (i) the physical geography of the province and (ii) consider the issue of resource management, allowing opportunity for discussion that connects those ideas to the context of our province
As well, the Cultural Connections Strategy (a program designed to expand NL and Lab culture and heritage throughout K-12 schooling) is providing additional supports and resources which relate to the teaching of Newfoundland and Labrador culture and heritage at all grade levels, when appropriate. The Department also is a primary supporter of the provincial annual Heritage Fairs program, which in recent years has involved over 8000 Elementary and Intermediate students annually."
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Asphalt Barrens
There's nothing at the end but ahhh the going is good. Lots of pavement being laid these days in many areas of the province (with the notable exception of Labrador). Is this "infrastructure" spending to revitalize rural Newfoundland and Labrador or just election asphalt?
An interesting article by the Telegram's Russel Wangersky and response by Community Linkages member D. Penton.
(click to read the full articles)
Telegram:
..You can argue until you're blue in the face about whether a government actually can do anything to mitigate the virtual collapse of fisheries markets, but the simple fact is, whether something can or can't be done, very little is being done...
Penton:
Large longliners are all that is left and the ocean highway will soon be gone if Ottawa allows a change within NAFO ... It's not the pavement that we need to worry about, it's the complete collapse of rural Newfoundland and Labrador ... Do we want our children to live a rural Newfoundland and Labradorian life out of The Rooms museum?
An interesting article by the Telegram's Russel Wangersky and response by Community Linkages member D. Penton.
(click to read the full articles)
Telegram:
..You can argue until you're blue in the face about whether a government actually can do anything to mitigate the virtual collapse of fisheries markets, but the simple fact is, whether something can or can't be done, very little is being done...
Penton:
Large longliners are all that is left and the ocean highway will soon be gone if Ottawa allows a change within NAFO ... It's not the pavement that we need to worry about, it's the complete collapse of rural Newfoundland and Labrador ... Do we want our children to live a rural Newfoundland and Labradorian life out of The Rooms museum?
Monday, June 15, 2009
"F" is for History
Your history is history, did we even stop to wave good-bye?
One of the nagging concerns of Community Linkages has always been the next generation of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Our wish for them to be proud and knowledgeable of their cultural history. Armed with that knowledge we wish for them to be innovative just as the mariners of the past became the steelworkers of New York.
With that believe Community Linkages has always stressed the importance of history as a part of our educational curriculum. Recently a couple members of Community Linkages attended a conference at Memorial University examining Newfoundland and Labrador's place in Canada on the 60th anniversary of Confederation with Canada. There was one valuable piece of take away information from that conference: We as Canadians need to know more about each other. We don't know about ourselves, we don't know about Canada, we don't teach our relationship in joining Canada and Canada knows next to nothing about us.
The Dominion Institute investigated each province's study of Canadian History. The highest grade for their study of history? Yes, of course it is Quebec. The poorest grade was given to - sadly you probably guessed that too: Newfoundland and Labrador. For me the biggest crime is in scoring of educating our youth as to the regional history of our overall place in Canada.
The only conclusion that can be drawn is one that validates the conclusion of the Memorial University converence on 60 years in Canada and the perpetual concerns of the CLCC: We don't know about ourselves, we don't teach our relationship in joining Canada and Canada knows next to nothing about us.
Is this good enough? Is the curriculum of Canadian and especially Newfoundland and Labrador history and culture adequate? Once again we are failing our children, once again Newfoundland and Labrador is an embarrassment in a national study, in the very subject we claim to wear most honourably.
What is our history and culture worth? Apparently very little.
Quebec's report card and detailed report.
Newfoundland and Labrador's report card and detailed report.
One of the nagging concerns of Community Linkages has always been the next generation of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. Our wish for them to be proud and knowledgeable of their cultural history. Armed with that knowledge we wish for them to be innovative just as the mariners of the past became the steelworkers of New York.
With that believe Community Linkages has always stressed the importance of history as a part of our educational curriculum. Recently a couple members of Community Linkages attended a conference at Memorial University examining Newfoundland and Labrador's place in Canada on the 60th anniversary of Confederation with Canada. There was one valuable piece of take away information from that conference: We as Canadians need to know more about each other. We don't know about ourselves, we don't know about Canada, we don't teach our relationship in joining Canada and Canada knows next to nothing about us.
The Dominion Institute investigated each province's study of Canadian History. The highest grade for their study of history? Yes, of course it is Quebec. The poorest grade was given to - sadly you probably guessed that too: Newfoundland and Labrador. For me the biggest crime is in scoring of educating our youth as to the regional history of our overall place in Canada.
The only conclusion that can be drawn is one that validates the conclusion of the Memorial University converence on 60 years in Canada and the perpetual concerns of the CLCC: We don't know about ourselves, we don't teach our relationship in joining Canada and Canada knows next to nothing about us.
Is this good enough? Is the curriculum of Canadian and especially Newfoundland and Labrador history and culture adequate? Once again we are failing our children, once again Newfoundland and Labrador is an embarrassment in a national study, in the very subject we claim to wear most honourably.
What is our history and culture worth? Apparently very little.
Quebec's report card and detailed report.
Newfoundland and Labrador's report card and detailed report.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
One Man's Crusade II (a follow up)
In April Community Linkages Blog reprinted an article from a lone crusader Gerry Higgins who is battling to inform people about the dangers of EMI from powerlines. Mr. Higgins sent us the following documentary clip from the folks of Tsawwassen BC:
http://www.saveourrivers.ca/video-library-mainmenu-29/tsawwassen-mothers
http://www.saveourrivers.ca/video-library-mainmenu-29/tsawwassen-mothers
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