Submitted by Moira Parker,
Sources of Knowledge
The 13th annual Sources of Knowledge Forum, Biodiversity on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula & Beyond, is scheduled for the weekend of April 28th-30th in Tobermory. Registration for the forum opens on February 17th via the Sources of Knowledge Website, www.sourcesofknowledge.ca. As mentioned in the last edition of the press, expect sneak peaks into the forum’s program and speakers as we approach those dates. From film directors to local ecologists, there are several unforgettable presentations that you won’t want to miss.
To kick off the forum on the evening of April 28th, the film “The Issue with Tissue, a Boreal Love Story” by Canadian filmmaker Michael Zelniker will be shown at the Parks Canada Visitor Centre. “The Issue with Tissue” highlights the destruction of the boreal forest, which is home to Indigenous First Nations communities and serves as a critical source of carbon storage, fresh water, and biodiversity. The film is told through the voices of First Nations elders, leaders, scientists, and activists, who share their stories of the impact of clearcutting to produce toilet paper and the importance of preserving the boreal. They argue that protecting the boreal is essential for our survival and that Indigenous knowledge and stewardship should be valued and supported. The film features prominent figures such as Senator Michèle Audette, Dr. Suzanne Simard, and Dr. Nigel Roulet, who advocate for the conservation of the boreal. The trailer for the film is on the Sources of Knowledge website, www.sourcesofknowledge.ca. We are excited to announce that the director Michael Zelniker will be joining us for the screening and will participate in a Q&A.
As well, the final day of the forum, April 30th, is free for community members to attend. On Sunday talks are oriented around local projects and action and we invite you to come be a part of that discussion. This year we have invited Jarmo Jalava, Ecologist with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Environment Office and avid birder, to discuss his work and protecting biodiversity on the Saugeen Peninsula.
Expect more tidbits and details in articles to come! Visit the SOK website for registration and more information.
