next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
Hi there, the nova scotia public interest research group at Dalhousie University would like to spread the word about a rally organized for Friday July 31, l998 in support of the Nova Nada Monastery and to raise awareness about the plight of Nova Scotia's forests. Speakers will include Sierra Club's Elizabeth May and Fr. William McNamara - the abbot of the Spiritual Life Institute. There will also be music performed by the monks who live at Nova Nada in southwestern Nova Scotia. The rally will be held at St. Patrick's Church, 2267 Brunswick Ave., Halifax public rally: 12 noon to 1pm silent vigil: 1pm to 5:30pm interfaith prayer service: 7:30 pm hope to see you there! In case you aren't familiar with the story, here it is in a nutshell: For 26 years the monks at Nova Nada have lived lives of solitude - much of their lives are lived in silence and in solitude - but not all. They also spend time together and with retreatants who go there. However, there lives have been profoundly affected by the noise coming from nearby logging of the well known Irving company. In l996, Irving purchased land around the monastery's 56 acre sanctuary and began clearcutting 24 hours a day - the monks protested and only after the story made it to the media did Irving agree to meet with the monks. The monks have consistently asked for a 2 mile silent buffer (no logging at all) around the monastery. The Irvings have offered them a one mile buffer with what they call limited logging in th second mile. The monks reject this offer. They can hear logging that takes place even beyond the two mile buffer and say they would be making a compromise to even accept a 2 mile buffer. The experience has transformed their lives and been traumatic for many of the monks - and they have publically stated that they will leave by Christmas 98 if they don't get what they require. This would be a great loss for Nova Scotia - it is an indication of how a way of life is becoming endangered. The issue is also one that highlights the crisis facing Nova Scotia's forests. The need for wood to supply hungry sawmills, the need for contractors to work 24 hours a day just to make ends meet after purchasing millions of dollars worth of equipment (feller bunchers, single grip harvesters etc), and the need to pit environmentalists against loggers are indications that there is something seriously wrong with the way the forest industry works. In the case of Nova Nada, at least half the land in question (in the 2 mile buffer) is crown land - in fact, in the one mile buffer that the Irvings are saying they are offering, one half is crown land they have no right to cut anyway! The government could step in and make a trade with Irving - but they've washed their hands of it. They have once again placed the rights of a corporation above the rights of individuals. They once again have been short sighted and politically expedient not to ruffle Irving's feathers. CU at the rally! Linda Pannozzo nspirg nova scotia public interest research group 6136 university ave halifax, ns b3h 4j2 902-494-6662 nspirg@is2.dal.ca executive director : linda pannozzo MAI info. contact : antoni wysocki, 423-2365
next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects