February at Occupy Ottawa saw artistic events celebrating local Ottawa artists, rallies against the Bill C-10 Crime Bill, support for the Families of Sisters in Spirit 2nd annual day of Justice and Occupy Winterlude. Discussion at Occupy Ottawa revolved around the banking system, the South March highlands, the Northern Gateway pipeline, Bill C-10 , Monsanto, the Federal Court of Appeal challenge on the constitutionality of Security Certificates, concern over the talk of military action on Iran, the planned clearcutting of 200-300 year old trees in Gatineau park for the highway 5 expansion, the strike by support workers at the Ottawa Salvation Army, continued discussion on Vic Toews and Bill C-30 and the Harper Government’s Robo-call scandal.
trees
Eating Dirt: A tree-planting tale
Eating Dirt: Deep Forests, Big Timber, and Life with the Tree-Planting Tribe
Tree planting is so much more than just a profession. It is an identity, a lifestyle and a responsibility. A select few people are built for tree planting life, which requires the physical and mental stamina to endure the elements, work long hours of monotonous labour, face insects and wildlife of all sizes and numbers, leave home for long periods of time and live with the bare necessities. Perceived as a bad dream to many, it is the unique and coveted life of tree planters, of which author Charlotte Gill is one.
Eating Dirt is the veteran tree planter's homage to not only planting life, but to the larger context in which deforestation and reforestation take place. It is also a journey through her planting career as it comes near to its bitter-sweet end.
