Thurs Oct 19, 2017: Forest Funeral

The Healthy Forest Coalition is sponsoring a “Forest Funeral” on Thursday, October 19th, 2017 – 1:00 pm, meeting at the Grand Parade Square (1770 Barrington Street) for a march to PROVINCE HOUSE.

HFN is member of the Healthy Forest Coalition. We invite all members and friends to join this event.

From the Healthy Forest Coalition:

You are invited to mourn our forest losses with citizens from across the province. Please come to pay your respects to the once great Acadian Forest.

An ‘open casket’ of tiny ‘logs’ will be followed by a procession of wildlife that have died through drastic losses of habitat. Pall bearers and forest mourners will walk from Grand Parade Square to the funeral ceremony at Province House. From there, the bodies will be carried to the very origin of forest mismanagement, the NS DNR office on Hollis Street.

Dress: traditional funeral attire suggested (multi-cultural encouraged).

Schedule of events:
1:00pm: Gather at the Grand Parade Square
Assemble for the funeral procession to Province House.
Music, drumming, and a festive environment as we assemble.with as many people as possible to celebrate the life of the forest and also the great sadness of its passing.

* Bring any wildlife (mounted/stuffed) you may have to demonstrate the loss of wildlife
* Bring pickets
* Bring small trees (optional), and tissues, of course

Funeral procession march to Province House led by bag piper(s)

Funeral ceremony
Eulogy to the forest: Robert Bancroft.
Various spiritual speakers to wildlife and forest losses.
Mi’kmaq ceremonial practice, song/drumming.

March to DNR Office (as time permits)

Why a funeral and why now? The funeral pays homage to the forest resources that Nova Scotia has lost through over-harvesting and rampant clearcutting. An Independent Forest Review presently taking place must hear of our disapproval and concerns over the massive forest destruction incurred through poor forest management and short-sighted political decisions. Come and demonstrate your dismay and anger. The time is now to curb industrial forestry impacts on our lands.