“Fractured Homelands” author featured in Sharbot Lake Symposium

Jeff Green | Oct 18, 2012

On Saturday, October 27, Bonita Lawrence, whose research into Algonquin communities led her to the publication of “Fractured Homelands”, the most comprehensive account of contemporary Algonquin communities in Frontenac County and the surrounding region, will deliver the keynote address at a free, all-day symposium being hosted by the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation at St. James Catholic Church in Sharbot Lake.

Bob Lovelace, one of the organizers of the symposium, said that bringing acadamic researchers and thinkers to a public forum to talk about topical Algonquin issues that are of interest to the entire community is something he has wanted to do for a while.

“Ardoch has always been involved with university and college people who have worked with us to do research. Way back in the early ’80s, during the Rice Wars, we asked researchers from Carleton in Ottawa and Queens in Kingston to help us with biology, sociology, and legal issues. Over the years we have been studied and we have conducted our own studies. Most of this has been directed at helping us preserve Algonquin jurisdiction. Recently we decided that it was time to make this a community discussion, to bring it into our community and share the experience of knowledge gathering with our neighbors and friends,” said Lovelace.

A couple of months ago, the Ardoch Algonquins put a call out for presenters, both from the academic and local communities. What has resulted is a mixed program that will begin with a panel discussion at 9:30 am featuring Marci Webster, Susan Delisle and Regina Hartwick, all of whom have local connections. The discussion they will contribute to will deal with community well-being and education.

After a break, writer Tom Pawlick will talk about food security and modern rural life, the subject matter of his most recent book: "The War in the Country – How the Fight to Save Rural Life Will Shape our Future".

After lunch, Bonita Lawrence will deliver her address, followed by a discussion. The final panel of the day is called Certain Futures. It includes David Welch from the University of Ottawa, who will talk about uranium exploration in Frontenac County; Paul McCarney from Trent who will talk about another topical subject, resource management decisions on indigenous territories as an issue of original jurisdiction; and Bob Lovelace from Canoe Lake and Queen’s, whose subject is re-indigenizing the Commons.

Mireille Lapointe, who teaches the Aboriginal studies course at St. John’s High School in Perth, will moderate the event.

Bob Lovelace has some specific goals for the symposium.

“I am hoping that we foster a better understanding between people. In the community, I am hoping that Algonquin and Settler folks will get to know each other better. I am hoping that the academic folks get to know us rural and indigenous people better. I really hope that when people from here walk on a university campus they don’t feel strange or out-of-place. I am hoping that young people in the community come to the symposium to learn what people are doing at university and decide they might want to join the action. I guess I just want to have a really good day,” he said.

There is no fee for the symposium. The doors of St. James Church Hall will open at 9 am on October 27, and the symposiums runs until 4 pm.