This makes me so sad. I remember catching frogs in the slough on my cousin's farm when I was young. We had such joyous times there. Sad to think these places of nature are being destroyed.
First I cry then wipe my tears. Thank you Wendy for sharing your story. I give thanks to hear your voice call out the pillagers of the earth. The minsdset that allows the rape of our lands did not happen overnight so it can take awhile to reverse the destruction. Be kind and gentle to ourselves and each other when it seems we aren't moving fast enough. Sharing our pain and fears will help others remember all our original roles and rules to care and protect our Mother. Thank you again for everyone's stories and comments, and to Vera, Sue and Wendy for the space.
Thank you for your tears, Arlo, and for your words of wisdom that remind us of time immemorial and the importance of being kind and gentle to ourselves and each other. For your words about caring for our mother. Thank you for all the many ways you join us at the kitchen table - seen and unseen. - Sue
This has happened near our farm in SE Sakatchewan as well - a local farmer drained and pushed and burned trees and willows on some of his land, which happens to be part of the Wascana Watershed. I thought creeks were Federally owned? It's so sad, as I watched the flames and smoke, thinking of all the wetland wildlife that was now either dead or displaced. It used to be a migration stop for Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Pelicans and so many waterfowl - now, nothing. And after that, on a dry year, he got a seeder and sprayer in there - just to have it flood the next year (because it's a flowing creek....). I guess he probably collected crop insurance... It's just so discouraging to see Saskatchewan destroyed by greed and no foresight. I'm glad I don't have children, because the future doesn't look good with so much wildlife habitat destruction, all for another seeded acre.
Good morning Ivy, thank you for joining us at the kitchen table to share your stories. As I work on this project with Sue I spend a lot of time thinking of how we as humans see ourselves separate from and above everything else. I've been thinking not only about farming but development too. I look at the yard around our home and think about what has been changed. Last year I started to plant some native prairie plants around us. It's a small think in the grand scheme of things but I must admit that it feels a little hopefully doing it. It is very discouraging to see what is happening in Saskatchewan. The more one notices, the more one notices too. Thank you again Ivy.
Great post, lots of emotion! I don't think farmers should be paid to keep land healthy though. It shouldn't be an option to destroy anything more, money or not. Beyond enough has been taken. I like what Sharon had to say about the wetlands policy (hopefully) coming fall 2023. Sad though because she is more than likely correct that a lot of farmers will push like crazy until then. Probably even after then. Who will report it, who will enforce it? Interested to learn more about that. My heart ached too when I saw the new destruction near home. Definitely made me want to go with the sugar in the gas tank option. Lots of anger but what to do with it? Glad you are writing, interviewing and creating space and dialogue 💛
Thanks Marina, for reading this and sharing your thoughts. In regards to compensating farmers for land not farmed, farmers pay taxes on all their land, whether cultivated or not. Their rent or sale price is also dependent on the number of cultivated acres. Compensating farmers would send a strong message that society at large wants to see these small remnants remain. This can be done through our taxes, or as is often done in England, through land trusts and other charitable organisations. I agree with your question about who will report it? who will enforce it? as the Water Security Agency does not currently have enough staff to do this work currently - hence 95% of drainage projects are unapproved. We appreciate your presence at the virtual kitchen table....leave your sugar at home!!
This is the most powerful and heartbreaking of your posts -- my heart aches for what is transpiring to the land and its flora and fauna. How short sighted can we be to allow for this destruction?
Thanks Ruth for your comment and joining our conversation. And thank you for drawing my attention to the "Listening to the Land" course which is so timely for me right now. xov
Oh, I know that feeling too well. After our farm was sold in the 80s, I'd return to the land every now and then for a visit, noting the changes. The house moved into town, foundation a garbage dump for pesticide pails. The machine shed gone. The bush pushed. And then, the last time I visited, the barn was gone and the entire farmyard had been plowed. I cried so hard. My childhood, running on the pasture, building forts in the bushes, wandering deer trails -- all erased. I still grieve those losses. I haven't returned.
Good morning Benadette, thank you for sharing your grief. It made me think of a line from a book I'm reading called Field Notes on Listening by Kit Dobson. He writes, "I look for the beauty and resilience in the injured land." I find some comfort in this line...somethng hopefully. Just thought it was worth sharing. Thank you so much for joining our conversation. Vera
This is heart breaking, and my heart cries each time I am out driving and I see this same sort of utter destruction...
I feel impelled to send my condolences to all of you who are moved by this action, to all who have eyes that can see what this has done to destroy so much life and so much potential for joy.
Growing up on the farm, beside the grid road passing our farm, was quite a large bush patch that I would often explore. I loved that place, it was a part of me. Years ago (when I was young) I would come back from university to the farm to visit and early each morning I would head down the road for my walk. This particular visit when I went out walking, the bush was gone...simply vanished...I felt like a piece of my childhood had been stolen!
If I felt that way, imagine how the thousands of creatures large and small felt when their home was taken from them! No questions asked, no permission given, no sharing, just taken. That walk was never the same.
Is this reality not mirrored in the way we treat one another and all creation in so many ways and places in our world? I feel like we need to understand this link before we will ever see true peace. When will we ever see the truth that all is gift and possession is only an illussion...I am grateful for Sue Vera, Wendy who have eyes that can actually see, who have ears that can hear, and who have mouths to speak for those who cannot be heard by so many. I want to say I am with you holding this grief. May the creation you love so deeply send you a sign of its persevering presence into your hearts this day.
Thanks Chantelle. I am particularly struck by this sentence: "If I felt that way, imagine how the thousands of creatures large and small felt when their home was taken from them!" Thank you so much for sharing with us around our imagined kitchen table. - Sue
Chantelle, thank you so much for sharing with us. When I read your comments I feel hopefully. Isn't that strange? But I think there are many people out there who feel this way and by your sharing your stories and thoughts perhaps more people will begin to listen and share. Thank you so much for reading, writing and caring. xov
I didn’t want to read this because of the title, going, going, gone. I didn’t want to learn about one more place-being destroyed. But I read, and I cried, and I grieve what is lost. I grieve where our lack of political and social will to care for the common wealth - the true common wealth- has and is taking us. In times of death people bring food and condolences and memories, it doesn’t bring our loved one back, but it does give witness to our grief. In this grief many don’t even see the death and all that is lost. My deepest condolences to Wendy and Keith and their family and neighbours, human neighbours, winged neighbours, rooted neighbours, four footed neighbours, all the neighbours who are now gone.
Thank you, Brenda, for sharing your words and grief with us. The land is our "common wealth" indeed. I keep rereading your sentence "In this grief many don't even see the death and all that is lost." One aspect of this is that for many the sight of puiles of unearthed brush have become normalized and that they don't see it, really see it. Thank you for being a part of this kitchen table conversation.
Wendy’s news is sad indeed. Saskatchewan won’t have a wetlands policy until the fall of 2023. So we have been promised. I am on the board of a volunteer group Calling Lakes Eco Museum who work to conserve all wetlands though primarily in the Lower Qu’Appelle watershed. We are an advocacy group and have met with the City of Regina, Sask Water Authority, representatives from the Co op Upgrader to question and express concerns. It is helping as we now get regular water inspection reports and they know that we are watching and reporting concerns to the press. We write our MLAs and the Premier asking questions needing a response. I suspect there will be a frenzy of slough clearing before the protection policy is passed this year.
Sharron, we hoped that some of our readers who are involved in environmental and advocacy groups as you are would write and share what they are doing. Thank you so much for doing that and for drawing attention to the good work the Calling Lakes Eco Museum continues to do. It is great to have your voice and your committment at our virtual kitchen table. - Sue
This makes me so sad. I remember catching frogs in the slough on my cousin's farm when I was young. We had such joyous times there. Sad to think these places of nature are being destroyed.
Yes, me, too Kathy. Sloughs and wetlands are such vitally alive places. Thank you for sharing your thoughts at our virtual kitchen table.- Sue
Arlo Yuzicapi
1 hr ago
First I cry then wipe my tears. Thank you Wendy for sharing your story. I give thanks to hear your voice call out the pillagers of the earth. The minsdset that allows the rape of our lands did not happen overnight so it can take awhile to reverse the destruction. Be kind and gentle to ourselves and each other when it seems we aren't moving fast enough. Sharing our pain and fears will help others remember all our original roles and rules to care and protect our Mother. Thank you again for everyone's stories and comments, and to Vera, Sue and Wendy for the space.
Thank you for your tears, Arlo, and for your words of wisdom that remind us of time immemorial and the importance of being kind and gentle to ourselves and each other. For your words about caring for our mother. Thank you for all the many ways you join us at the kitchen table - seen and unseen. - Sue
This has happened near our farm in SE Sakatchewan as well - a local farmer drained and pushed and burned trees and willows on some of his land, which happens to be part of the Wascana Watershed. I thought creeks were Federally owned? It's so sad, as I watched the flames and smoke, thinking of all the wetland wildlife that was now either dead or displaced. It used to be a migration stop for Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Pelicans and so many waterfowl - now, nothing. And after that, on a dry year, he got a seeder and sprayer in there - just to have it flood the next year (because it's a flowing creek....). I guess he probably collected crop insurance... It's just so discouraging to see Saskatchewan destroyed by greed and no foresight. I'm glad I don't have children, because the future doesn't look good with so much wildlife habitat destruction, all for another seeded acre.
Good morning Ivy, thank you for joining us at the kitchen table to share your stories. As I work on this project with Sue I spend a lot of time thinking of how we as humans see ourselves separate from and above everything else. I've been thinking not only about farming but development too. I look at the yard around our home and think about what has been changed. Last year I started to plant some native prairie plants around us. It's a small think in the grand scheme of things but I must admit that it feels a little hopefully doing it. It is very discouraging to see what is happening in Saskatchewan. The more one notices, the more one notices too. Thank you again Ivy.
Great post, lots of emotion! I don't think farmers should be paid to keep land healthy though. It shouldn't be an option to destroy anything more, money or not. Beyond enough has been taken. I like what Sharon had to say about the wetlands policy (hopefully) coming fall 2023. Sad though because she is more than likely correct that a lot of farmers will push like crazy until then. Probably even after then. Who will report it, who will enforce it? Interested to learn more about that. My heart ached too when I saw the new destruction near home. Definitely made me want to go with the sugar in the gas tank option. Lots of anger but what to do with it? Glad you are writing, interviewing and creating space and dialogue 💛
Thanks Marina, for reading this and sharing your thoughts. In regards to compensating farmers for land not farmed, farmers pay taxes on all their land, whether cultivated or not. Their rent or sale price is also dependent on the number of cultivated acres. Compensating farmers would send a strong message that society at large wants to see these small remnants remain. This can be done through our taxes, or as is often done in England, through land trusts and other charitable organisations. I agree with your question about who will report it? who will enforce it? as the Water Security Agency does not currently have enough staff to do this work currently - hence 95% of drainage projects are unapproved. We appreciate your presence at the virtual kitchen table....leave your sugar at home!!
This is the most powerful and heartbreaking of your posts -- my heart aches for what is transpiring to the land and its flora and fauna. How short sighted can we be to allow for this destruction?
Thanks Ruth for your comment and joining our conversation. And thank you for drawing my attention to the "Listening to the Land" course which is so timely for me right now. xov
Oh, I know that feeling too well. After our farm was sold in the 80s, I'd return to the land every now and then for a visit, noting the changes. The house moved into town, foundation a garbage dump for pesticide pails. The machine shed gone. The bush pushed. And then, the last time I visited, the barn was gone and the entire farmyard had been plowed. I cried so hard. My childhood, running on the pasture, building forts in the bushes, wandering deer trails -- all erased. I still grieve those losses. I haven't returned.
Good morning Benadette, thank you for sharing your grief. It made me think of a line from a book I'm reading called Field Notes on Listening by Kit Dobson. He writes, "I look for the beauty and resilience in the injured land." I find some comfort in this line...somethng hopefully. Just thought it was worth sharing. Thank you so much for joining our conversation. Vera
This is heart breaking, and my heart cries each time I am out driving and I see this same sort of utter destruction...
I feel impelled to send my condolences to all of you who are moved by this action, to all who have eyes that can see what this has done to destroy so much life and so much potential for joy.
Growing up on the farm, beside the grid road passing our farm, was quite a large bush patch that I would often explore. I loved that place, it was a part of me. Years ago (when I was young) I would come back from university to the farm to visit and early each morning I would head down the road for my walk. This particular visit when I went out walking, the bush was gone...simply vanished...I felt like a piece of my childhood had been stolen!
If I felt that way, imagine how the thousands of creatures large and small felt when their home was taken from them! No questions asked, no permission given, no sharing, just taken. That walk was never the same.
Is this reality not mirrored in the way we treat one another and all creation in so many ways and places in our world? I feel like we need to understand this link before we will ever see true peace. When will we ever see the truth that all is gift and possession is only an illussion...I am grateful for Sue Vera, Wendy who have eyes that can actually see, who have ears that can hear, and who have mouths to speak for those who cannot be heard by so many. I want to say I am with you holding this grief. May the creation you love so deeply send you a sign of its persevering presence into your hearts this day.
Thanks Chantelle. I am particularly struck by this sentence: "If I felt that way, imagine how the thousands of creatures large and small felt when their home was taken from them!" Thank you so much for sharing with us around our imagined kitchen table. - Sue
Chantelle, thank you so much for sharing with us. When I read your comments I feel hopefully. Isn't that strange? But I think there are many people out there who feel this way and by your sharing your stories and thoughts perhaps more people will begin to listen and share. Thank you so much for reading, writing and caring. xov
I didn’t want to read this because of the title, going, going, gone. I didn’t want to learn about one more place-being destroyed. But I read, and I cried, and I grieve what is lost. I grieve where our lack of political and social will to care for the common wealth - the true common wealth- has and is taking us. In times of death people bring food and condolences and memories, it doesn’t bring our loved one back, but it does give witness to our grief. In this grief many don’t even see the death and all that is lost. My deepest condolences to Wendy and Keith and their family and neighbours, human neighbours, winged neighbours, rooted neighbours, four footed neighbours, all the neighbours who are now gone.
Thank you, Brenda, for sharing your words and grief with us. The land is our "common wealth" indeed. I keep rereading your sentence "In this grief many don't even see the death and all that is lost." One aspect of this is that for many the sight of puiles of unearthed brush have become normalized and that they don't see it, really see it. Thank you for being a part of this kitchen table conversation.
Wendy’s news is sad indeed. Saskatchewan won’t have a wetlands policy until the fall of 2023. So we have been promised. I am on the board of a volunteer group Calling Lakes Eco Museum who work to conserve all wetlands though primarily in the Lower Qu’Appelle watershed. We are an advocacy group and have met with the City of Regina, Sask Water Authority, representatives from the Co op Upgrader to question and express concerns. It is helping as we now get regular water inspection reports and they know that we are watching and reporting concerns to the press. We write our MLAs and the Premier asking questions needing a response. I suspect there will be a frenzy of slough clearing before the protection policy is passed this year.
Sharron, we hoped that some of our readers who are involved in environmental and advocacy groups as you are would write and share what they are doing. Thank you so much for doing that and for drawing attention to the good work the Calling Lakes Eco Museum continues to do. It is great to have your voice and your committment at our virtual kitchen table. - Sue