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Mount Polley Details Radio-BED - Ear To The Ground: Jacinda Mack

Jacinda Mack, a local Xatsull woman with extensive, on the ground knowledge of the mining industry and it's unsavoury and irresponsible practices, talks to Radio-BED from the site of the catastrophic Imperial Metals Mount Polley tailings spill where the Secwepemc have started an encampment and sacred fire to gather all people in defense of the land and the water.

 Subscribe at https://soundcloud.com/radio-bed


CAROL LINNITT

Carol Linnitt's picture

Photos: I Went to the Mount Polley Mine Spill Site

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imperial metals mount polley mine tailings pond breach in BC

It’s Monday, August 11th, and both my gumboots are dangerously sinking into the muck I’m trying to cross.

I took far too bold a step towards a sturdy log ahead as I’m trying to cross a sludge river left behind in the wake of the Mount Polly mine tailings pond breach.

Now I’m balanced precariously, one boot in front, one behind, and trying not to topple into the muck beneath that could contain high levels of arsenic, mercury, zinc, lead and selenium – all toxins and heavy metals stored in the breached tailings pond fed by the Imperial Metals gold and copper mine near Likely B.C.

It has been one week since the waste pond wall breached, sending an estimated 10 million cubic metres (or 10 billion litres) of waste water and 4.5 million cubic metres of sandy sludge into the Hazeltine Creek that feeds Quesnel Lake. (For comparison, the Kalamazoo oil spill in Michigan totaled an estimated 3.3 million litres).

A field of debris and dried sediment from the Imperial Metals tailings pond can be seen pouring out of what once was Hazeltine Creek into Quesnel Lake. Photo by Farhan Umedaly, Vovo Productions

It’s at the convergence of the Hazeltine and Quesnel Lake that I now find myself, arms outstretched to maintain my balance, and sinking.

I finally manage to rock myself back far enough to regain balance on my back foot. I gently maneuver my front foot back and forth to relieve the suction around my boot. If I topple over I will plunge my bare hand into the sludge which, at this stage, contains an unknown mixture of chemical compounds known to cause cancer and birth defects. I didn’t know this until later, but even short-term exposure to selenium can cause respiratory problems like pulmonary edema or bronchial pneumonia.

A mud boulder sits in the deep sludge from the Mount Polley mine tailings pond. Photo by Carol Linnitt.

Like everyone else around here, I have imperfect knowledge of just what health effects to fear in the wake of the spill.

Maybe I should have worn that damn mask.

But that might have rubbed my guide, local carpenter Tate Patton, the wrong way.

Read more: Mount Polley Details Radio-BED - Ear To The Ground: Jacinda Mack

Protest Saturday, Aug. 30

STOP ISRAELI ATROCITIES AGAINST PALESTINIANS

END THE BLOCKADE OF GAZA - END THE OCCUPATION

PROTEST

12NOON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 30

AT THE LEGISLATURE GROUNDS

(Corner of Government & Belleville)


Organized by the Victoria Friends of Cuba & Coalition Against Israeli Apartheid

Want to be ACTIVE ?

"STRATEGY MEETING FOR PALESTINE, WHAT CAN WE ALL DO TOGETHER TO END APARTHEID AND OCCUPATION?"

There will be a general meeting Sept. 1, Monday, at 7 pm for those who wish to become actively involved in the ongoing campaigns of CAIA such as BDS signage, banner hangings, advertisement creation, information table manning, etc.

If you are interested, email this address and ask to be told where the meeting is being held.

--
CAIA Active Members Committee

IMPORTANT protest Aug. 30

At a meeting last night it was said, we only had 25 supporters at our protests against the Violence in Gaza. Lets prove them wrong again this Saturday as we rap up our protests while the present Ceasefire holds. Come rain or shine do join us.

PROTEST THE VIOLENCE IN GAZA
and THE BLOCKADE

NOON
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
AT THE BC LEGISLATURE GROUNDS


Show your support for a lasting peace and learn about BOYCOTT.




--
CAIA Active Members Committee

Evangeline Lilly: It

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Major development

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upcoming events and request for volunteers

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Dear Friends of SJS,
Below are some upcoming events which may be of interest to you,



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Community and Parents in Support of BC Teachers!

~Victoria~


It's time to show our support for BC Teachers and public education!


September will be a time to stand up and be counted for our children and for the value of a publicly funded school system that respects the rights of unionized workers.


We will be organizing picket support to show the Liberal government that parents and community members stand beside the Greater Victoria Teachers' Association and the British Columbia Teachers Association.



Read more: upcoming events and request for volunteers

We still protest Aug. 30

If the following proves to be true, that there is a ceasefire yet again, we will still protest for a lasting true peace and actually open borders for Gaza.

Experience has taught us to be skeptical and work for all Palestinians, not just those in Gaza.

http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/exclusive-gaza-ceasefire-terms-revealed-1064073378

--
CAIA Active Members Committee

Protest Aug 30

PROTEST THE VIOLENCE IN GAZA
and THE BLOCKADE

NOON
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
AT THE BC LEGISLATURE GROUNDS


Show your support for a lasting peace and learn about BOYCOTT.


--
CAIA Active Members Committee

[Uvic-sustainability] News and Events for week of Aug 25th

NEWS

The new expanded UVic Transit Exchange is scheduled to open on time next Tuesday, just in time for back to school. Watch for signs redirecting riders to new stops for buses – the downtown buses will be located in the new exchange (#4, 7, 11, 14, & 15x) and all other buses in the old exchange (#12, 13, 16x, 39, 26, 51 & 76x). Services levels are improving on some routes as well, including increased late night service and trips for the Number 4. See Sustainability News for more info. The grand-opening event will be held on Thursday, Sept 4th at 10 am.

UVic’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) and the university president got a chance to meet with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen this weekend in Cambridge Bay, Nunavat. The group toured ONC’s community-based Arctic ocean observatory and viewed the latest instrumentation...

Read more: [Uvic-sustainability] News and Events for week of Aug 25th

Holocaust survivors condemn Israel


Haaretz | Aug. 23, 2014

Holocaust survivors condemn Israel for 'Gaza massacre,' call for boycott


In response to Elie Wiesel advertisement comparing Hamas to Nazis, 327 Jewish Holocaust survivors and descendants publish New York Times ad accusing Israel of 'ongoing massacre of the Palestinian people.'

Hundreds of Holocaust survivors and descendants of survivors have signed a letter, published as an advertisement in Saturday's New York Times, condemning "the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza" and calling for a complete boycott of Israel.

According to the letter, the condemnation was prompted by an advertisement written by Elie Wiesel and published in major news outlets worldwide, accusing Hamas of "child sacrifice" and comparing the group to the Nazis.

The letter, signed by 327 Jewish Holocaust survivors and descendants of survivors and sponsored by the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, accuses Wiesel of "abuse of history" in order to justify Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip:

"Šwe are...

Read more: Holocaust survivors condemn Israel

August 30 protest

PROTEST THE VIOLENCE IN GAZA
and THE BLOCKADE

NOON
SATURDAY, AUGUST 30
AT THE BC LEGISLATURE GROUNDS


Show your support for a lasting peace and learn about BOYCOTT.




--
CAIA Active Members Committee

Alison Weir on Shaw Cable Saturday Aug 23 and Sunday Aug 24

also note below the protest notice

AGAIN WE WILL BE PROTESTING THE VIOLENCE IN GAZA
and THE BLOCKADE.

NOON
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
AT THE BC LEGISLATURE GROUNDS

_______________________________________________________________________________

When Alison Weir spoke in Victoria on July 29 about Israel/Palestine, a film of her presentation was made by Paul Stein. Thanks to the editing work of Paul and the advocacy of Jack Etkin, Shaw Cable has been convinced to show the film.

Sorry about the short notice, but the show will air on Shaw Cable in Victoria on Saturday, August 23 at 9:00am and Sunday August 24 at 9:00am and 7:00pm.

Please spread the word through your networks.

I think you’ll be impressed with both the message and the professional qualify of the film.

To congratulate Shaw for broadcasting this important presentation, and to urge Shaw to broadcast the program again, several times, please contact...

Read more: Alison Weir on Shaw Cable Saturday Aug 23 and Sunday Aug 24

Protest Israeli Violence and Occupation

Sorry for such late notice, but we were hoping that the Israeli massacre of Gazans would have stopped by now, but it hasn't.
AGAIN WE WILL BE PROTESTING ISRAELI VIOLENCE, AGGRESSION AND OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE
NOON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 AT THE BC LEGISLATURE GROUNDS(Corner of Government and Belleville)
Please come and show your support for a lasting peace.
Victoria Friends of Cuba

[evoz] Protest Israeli Violence and Occupation

Sorry for such late notice, but we were hoping that the Israeli massacre of Gazans would have stopped by now, but it hasn't.
AGAIN WE WILL BE PROTESTING ISRAELI VIOLENCE, AGGRESSION AND OCCUPATION OF PALESTINE
NOON, SATURDAY, AUGUST 23 AT THE BC LEGISLATURE GROUNDS(Corner of Government and Belleville)
Please come and show your support for a lasting peace.
Victoria Friends of Cuba

Protest Saturday, Aug. 23 noon

Sorry for such late notice but we were hoping without hope that there may be a resolution to the Blockade of Gaza.

AGAIN WE WILL BE PROTESTING THE VIOLENCE IN GAZA
and THE BLOCKADE.

NOON
SATURDAY, AUGUST 23
AT THE BC LEGISLATURE GROUNDS

Please come and show your support for a lasting peace.

--
CAIA Active Members Committee

Join us for the Lummi Totem Pole Journey!

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Job Posting: Organizer - Campaigns and Communications

Job Posting: Organizer - Campaigns and Communications r1 ...

Read more: Job Posting: Organizer - Campaigns and Communications

Fall Learning Opportunities with PeerNetBC



PeerNetBC News

PeerNetBC Fall Workshops

We are very excited to announce our latest series of workshop offerings. Over the fall, we will hosting 10 workshops out of our office at 408 - 602 West Hastings. You can register for the workshops on our site or email Robin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Starting on September 27th and going to November 20th, we have a very wide range of learning opportunities available to members of the community


Exploring Facilitation Skills
Thu, Oct 02 2014 06:00 pm - 09:00 pm
Building on an understanding of the basic qualities and skills of facilitators as explored in the “Foundations of Facilitation” workshop, this 6 hour workshop will delve deeper into specific facilitation skills and techniques that help facilitators to most effectively create safe, supportive and successful peer-led groups. This workshop will also include a component of practising facilitation skills. Prerequisite: “Introduction to Facilitation” or equivalent experience

Facili-nightmares
Tue, Oct 07 2014 06:00 pm - 09:00 pm
Facili-nightmares keep you awake? You are ready to facilitate, you've created a great agenda and prepped your materials. Then you stop and wonder, "What if no one participates?, What if someone creates an unsafe space or says something inappropriate? What if participants starts arguing with each other? What if they ask you something that you don't have an answer to? Challenging certain group behaviours can be well, challenging, but we can overcome our facili-nightmares. In this frequently requested training, we will explore various group dynamics and share strategies and tools to effectively facilitate groups.

Foundations of Facilitation
Sat, Sep 27 2014 10:00 am - 04:00 pm
Understanding the role and responsibilities of a facilitator is an essential component for creating successful peer-led groups. In this 6 hour workshop, participants will be introduced to the principles of peer support, and learn how to create authentic and well-functioning peer support groups based on these principles. Participants will use that model to explore qualities and skills needed to effectively facilitate groups. We will also look into how these skills are valuable for all members of a peer-led group.

Power and Diversity
Wed, Oct 15 2014 06:00 pm - 09:00 pm
There is a systemic imbalance of power in our society and recognizing how it influences group dynamics is an essential skill for group facilitators and group members. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will be introduced to the staircase of oppression for understanding the imbalance of power in our society and how this imbalance manifests itself in groups. Through group discussion and experiential learning, participants will have an opportunity to broaden their perspectives on accessibility, inclusion, power and privilege.

Boundaries and Self Care
Tue, Oct 21 2014 06:00 pm - 09:00 pm
Facilitating peer-led groups can be a very rewarding experience but it can also be very demanding. In order to avoid burnout and to make group facilitation sustainable over the long-run, it is essential for facilitators to have a clear understanding of personal boundaries and to practice self-care. In this 3 hour workshop, participants will explore concepts for understanding personal boundaries and self-care within the context of a peer-led group. The workshop will also offer practical tips and tools to help participants take what they have learned in the workshop and apply it to their real-life situations. Although aimed at facilitators, the materials in this workshop can also be beneficial to other members of peer-led groups.

Read more: Fall Learning Opportunities with PeerNetBC

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