Robert Reid and National Committee had an update for us on their recent activities;

 

This project has been in the works for a couple of years, the brainchild of Janza Giangrosso. It is an Outdoor teaching circle at Loughborough Public School. Cataraqui Rotary has contributed trees around the circle; will become wonderful shade trees, and has facilitated the putting together of this project. Stones, portraying seven Indigenous values, labelled in Ojibway and English have been placed around the circle. The kids were very, very enthusiastic about the inauguration of the circle. They listened to an elder discuss Indigenous culture and teachings, who got kids to share their thoughts on the meaning of the seven values. This helps develop pride in land and encourages learning of their cultural heritage and language, and to understand more of the history of the land and the territory. Each child was encouraged to bring his or her own stone, to be placed in the circle, giving them a connection to this particular place. It is a beautiful and meaningful space, will be loved and honoured. Our club also has it’s name on a stone because of our sponsorship. The event was covered by local papers including Whig Standard and in the Kingstonist, and was front-page news in Kingston the week.  President Ana was presented with a spirit catcher, made of Sweetgrass strands woven to be strong, symbolizing our being stronger together than individually.

 

We learned about this community again through Janza. Norfolk Sunrise Rotary Club has been doing regular work there. Our International Committee contributed $200 for food for a canoe trip, but it ended up being used for food for the evacuation centre after a forest fire. Once people returned, we contributed $2,000 to employ youth in bike repair workshop, housed in a cleverly repurposed shipping container.  Also part of the project was the construction of a BMX track, trails, and employing youth to fix bikes for the kids. An inspiring video was shown about the project, which can be seen at;

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcGUqecXIJI&t=14s

 

Robert Reid introduced speaker Birket Foster from Chesterville Rotary to speak about the EOT (Emergency Operation Things) Project.  Birket spoke at the District Conference last year and President Ana felt it was important for him to connect with us, because of our involvement in Indigenous projects through our National Committee.

EOT really started from Birket organizing his high school reunions for Beaconsfield High School. A legacy idea emerged that might change people’s lives. Chesterville Rotary Club was already involved with Ryan’s Wells, helping dig wells in Africa, and someone said "why not do the same work here in Canada?"

 

 

The problem in Northern communities isn’t just getting clean water - the need is also for enough pumpable water to put out fires. Last summer, two fire-fighting schools were set up, at two levels. This was the initiative of Connie Delisle, a person with indigenous background and experience with the Privy Council, as well as a public safety background. Jennifer Franssen from Kemptville Rotary got involved, as well as a couple of members from DART (disaster assistance recovery team) with their technology that provides potable water at the site of any disaster as soon as they get there.and a modified Shelter Box with stoves and water kits was created.  All of these Rotary connections are bringing all the assets needed together - water, sewage treatment, power, and communications.

 

The talk was full of examples of key aspects of the project being facilitated by making connections with people with specific expertise and experience; e.g., need for sewage, power, communications. Whenever he talks about the work to Rotarians, some speaks up with expertise and ideas to share.

 

So the Four Avenues of Service of this project are: water, waste water, power, communications

Key features that will guide the project are;

This is summarized in the flowchart below (apologies for any problems viewing the chart)

 

36 of our District 7040 clubs have said they want to help

 

The overall philosophy is: accuracy first, then momentum.  We need to understand community needs to get the ball rolling.  The target is next year to launch.

 

 

Q: What about provision of (electrical) power?

A: Varies according to equipment. Need enough to run whatever equipment you have. In B.C., Jennifer stashed generators throughout province to ensure earthquake readiness.

Example of new company using banks of small generators, serviceable locally, with heat recovery, heat battery, and energy server, etc. This resulted in huge change in Fort Providence, B.C., actually taking the town off the grid. The system stabilizes the community electrical system. A greenhouse is producing fresh vegetables year-round.

 

The model looks like this;

 

see ssie.ca for details (Innovative Energy Solutions for Remote Communities)

 

Questions and Comments

 

Greg Mumford: An observation. Started with a discussion with the community. So much hinges on their wanting it, wanting to drive it. What are the criteria for working with communities?

A: Yes. This is for the north.

 

Onagotay: Nothing for the people without the people. If you don’t gather the people, what they want and need, it won’t work.

 

Ed Thompson: Through my experience working in the 1980's, the big problem is in sustainability. Where does funding for that come?

A: There are funds available for training.

 

John Richards: Cost of assessment

A: $80,000 approximately

 

John Farrow thanked Birket with the traditional loaf of bread.