Suokojaminworldtour: June 2009

Monday, June 29, 2009

Yep, Still Writing

Several exciting things:

1) My new website is finally live! Take a look at http://www.chrisbenjaminwriting.com/ and let me know what you think. Especially if you find any troubles navigating, errors or uglies. [For those who saw an earlier version, it's worth another look - big changes.]

2) I received this message from Lesley Choyce at Pottersfield Press: "At long last, Nova Scotia: Visions of the Future is about to be released. I’m thrilled with the result. We are launching the book Thursday, July 9, 6-8 pm at Stayner’s Wharf 1781 Upper Water Street, Halifax." This excites me because I have a chapter in this anthology, the result of Lesley's invitation to "some of the best minds (and hearts) around the province to present their vision of this possible province of the future." The unfortunate thing is, I won't be able to make the launch. But, you fair reader may still pre-order your copy online at http://www.amazon.ca/Nova-Scotia-Visions-Lesley-Choyce/dp/1897426070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237333996&sr=8-1.

3) My latest column is up at The Coast. I don't like the title they gave it, or the stereotypical drawing they used. But the article itself is about a heroic woman named Cheryl Maloney, who is doing everything in her power to call attention to something no one seems to be thinking about: the fact that First Nations Reserves are extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Yet aboriginal people in this country have not been consulted in climate change adaptation planning - which itself is very limited and narrow to date. See the column at http://www.thecoast.ca/halifax/include-us-in-climate-change-adaptation-plans-say-natives/Content?oid=1150888, and apologies for the picture and title. (My problem with the title is the "say natives" part, which assumes that if one aboriginal person says it, all aboriginal people say it.)