Author Archives: Peter Smith

23 Mar

RURAL ARTS – check this out

HEY RURALISTS. The CCRC has been approached by some folks from University of Calgary. They are doing a survey on the arts and wanted to be sure to include the work going on in RURAL COMMUNITIES. Take a moment and lend them a hand. THANKS.
Professional Development Survey- Visual Arts
This survey by the University of Calgary involves questions about professional development opportunities and course-based MFA (visual arts) programs. In order to engage the Canadian arts community better, we are seeking information to understand your interests and experiences in these kinds of activities. The 10 question visual arts based survey is open to adults over 18 including, but not limited to, artists, fine craft practitioners, curators, arts administrators etc. across Canada. Thank you for participating!
Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6Y93RVK
For more information please feel free to contact Dr. Leblanc at the University of Calgary: jrleblan@ucalgary.ca

06 Dec

R2R20 – it’s a wrap

R2R20 CLOSING REMARKS
Pete Smith
Meghan Hellstern during the media panel at R2R20 offered this to all of us when we consider what we consider:
Is it necessary?
Is it true?
Is it kind?

Walter Lapore during the Wicked Problems panel said this about working alongside community – that it is important to…
Listen
Unlearn to learn again
And remain vulnerable

Dr. Leroy Little Bear reminds us that, regardless of the path we take, when we get to the top of the mountain – we share the same vision. Justice Murray Sinclair asks us to ‘remember, reconciliation is ours to achieve. We owe it to each other to build a Canada based on our shared future, a future of healing and trust. Achieving reconciliation is like climbing a mountain, he said — we must proceed a step at a time. It will not always be easy. There will be storms, there will be obstacles, but we cannot allow ourselves to be daunted by the task because our goal is Just – and it is also necessary.

I want to thank everybody, you the audience, and the more than100 presenters, who took time to offer insights from around the corner and from around the world – and who made civil discourse the pathway for R2R20.

Thank you to our co-producer the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail, our wonderful Lead Partner LIBRO CREDIT UNION, our sponsors, Cowbell Brewery through their Greener Pastures Fund, Canada Futures Huron, and Huron Commodities. Thank you to the associate organizations, the University of Guelph, Gateway, Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation, the Rural Ontario Institute, Community Climate Council, Ukai, the RTO4, Fair Finance Fund, and Farmworks.

So. Where are we? and… Where are we going? R2R20 asked both questions of our many guests and each, in their own way, worked toward an answer. Leroy Little Bear talks about how the world is in constant motion – in a perpetual state of flux, that everything is animate, that rather than waking up with the thought what am I going to do, maybe it’s time to take a little time to reflect on the world we inhabit. And as the questions ‘Where are We?’ and ‘Where are we going?’ are always in a state of flux too – it’s tricky to set a single compass point and figure all will be OK with the direction chosen.

We are striving at the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity, and by extension R2R, to build a gathering place: a place where people assemble and meet others they mightn’t otherwise meet had they not come to the gathering. It is an All Thingy, an opportunity to share ideas, and wisdom collected via experience, and to laugh, and talk about family, and love, and home. It is a place to disagree, but to remember in disagreement we don’t have to be disagreeable.

As we bring the lights down on R2R20 we are launching the CCRC RADIO in order to continue the dialogue that started here – that brought people together that mightn’t have otherwise met – in order to work toward a stronger unified rural voice, leading to a democratic citizen assembly, and positive collective action for a healthier, more sustainable planet.

On behalf of the organizing producers, and all who made this possible, we offer you our gratitude.

Now. Stay safe, stay tuned, we’ll be talking to you all again soon.

(image is The Train by Arthur Dove)

19 Nov

Ready for Shindig Friday?

Friday, November 27th at 6:30 pm is Virtual Shindig Friday! Delegates can mingle and share thoughts online while enjoying a beverage. The best part? Cowbell Brewing Co. has graciously offered a 10% discount for Ontario-based R2R delegates to order Cowbell beverages for Shindig Friday. Due to Ontario Government Regulations, craft beer can only be shipped within the province. Place your order by Sunday, November 22nd at noon to ensure delivery in time for the Shindig.

1. Visit The Cowbell Online Store at https://store.cowbellbrewing.com
2. Place your order by 12-noon, November 22, to ensure delivery in time for the Virtual Shindig
3. Use promo code R2R10 at checkout

Cowbell Shindig
14 Nov

A Tale of Two Conferences

Huron County’s a Tale of Two Conferences

Huron County, The Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC) and OMAFRA will be digging deep into topics centered on timely agriculture and rural issues throughout the month of November. 

The 2020 Rural Talks to Rural (R2R) conference will offer lunch hour and evening sessions engaging thought leaders from Huron County and around the globe to discuss topics, both practical and visionary.  Sessions run daily from November 16th – November 28th. 

The Annual Municipal Economic Development and Planning Forum (Agri-Food Forum) offers 2, ½ day sessions for municipal councilors, economic development and planning practitioners and agri-food stakeholders to explore opportunities for growth in the ag sector along the value chain.  Sessions on November 18th and 19th will explore best practices, offer tools and resources and invite participants to discuss ways to inspire innovation and growth in the Ag sector while supporting vibrant rural communities. 

Attending both R2R and the Agri-Food Forum offers participants an opportunity to look locally and explore visionary global topics centered on the Ag sector and rural community sustainability and growth.  Participants will enjoy extending these important conversations throughout the month of November and beyond. 

Join us.

CONTACT:

Vicki Lass @OMAFRA
vicki.lass@ontario.ca
REGISTER HERE

Peter Smith @ CCRC
peter@ruralcreativity.org
REGISTER HERE

30 Oct

R2R20 schedule at a lingering glance…

RURAL TALKS TO RURAL 2020 – A VIRTUAL CONFERENCE- Co-produced by the CCRC and Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail Inc. runs NOVEMBER 16-28, 2020 – to register and for a more detailed schedule of guests, events go to: r2r2020.eventbrite.ca

R2R began with a conversation wondering what a conference would look like with rural people talking to other rural people about what was going on in their community. From that conversation it has grown from a local event to an international one – with rural people coming in from around the corner and from the world to share ideas and deepen the conversation on and about rural.

What’s happening at R2R20?

‘This Rural Life’ – is a noon hour session – noon-1pm ET (reminiscent of the Farm Radio Forum) and will run weekdays during the conference with folks from across Canada talking arts, local government, entrepreneurship, the future of rural tourism, the necessity of rural broadband, and there will be sessions on agriculture, wellness, and rural media.

The Evening Panels run between 6.30-8.30pm ET and will include workshops, a story circle, rural research from across Canada and the globe, what’s going on with agricultural technology and investment. We will take a look at the challenges and opportunities of the gig economy, explore Food Security, and the impact of COVID on our health care workers. There will also be a discussion following a presentation by the University of Guelph on an extensive Huron/Perth Covid survey. What’s happening with AI and our connection to technology is on the R2R menu in two workshops, and there is a panel looking at wicked problems, and a crowd taking a run at the future of rural.

LIBRO SATURDAY – November 28th – 9am-1.30pm ET is a half-day about community/environment/climate action.

VALUE ADD:+ END OF THE LANE CONVERSATIONS- 2-3 minute videos from Canadians living in this unique time answering the questions: how are you now? And what does the future look like to you? Videos available to delegates for the run of R2R20 leading to the Libro People’s Awards on Nov. 28.

+ TWO COAST TO COAST VIRTUAL ART GALLERIES: ENDS OF THE EARTH from ArtWorks/Mulgrave Road Theatre in Guysborough, Nova Scotia, and I’LL TELL YOU THE REST LATER with images from the interior of BC featuring the work of playwright/photographer Kelly Rebar will also be on display. We are using one of Kelly’s photographs as our R2R20 image.

+ THE FRIDAY SHINDIG – November 27th – hosted by our good friends at Cowbell Brewery is a time to network while enjoying a beverage – maybe listen to some music – and perhaps you might want to step up at the SPEAKER’S CORNER to talk about your experience at R2R20 – what thoughts you have for us moving forward.

+ THE VIRTUAL COMMUNITY LUNCH on November 28th – recipe and how-to video provided by Chef James Eddington of Eddington’s of Exeter will close R2R20.

Lots going on, with plenty of insightful guests and ALL ARE WELCOME. r2r2020.eventbrite.ca

13 Oct

THIS RURAL LIFE @ R2R20

THIS RURAL LIFE – throughout the R2R conference a series of panel discussions will take place. This is an opportunity to listen in/interact with some engaged folks working in rural community – people who are part of the fabric of rural life.

Tune in between noon and 1pm EST – November 17-28. TOPICS INCLUDE- Arts and Culture, Rural Connectivity, Rural Spirituality, Rural Entrepreneurs, Local Government, Rural Tourism, Agriculture, Media

There is an inscription that is etched into metal that reads: The river I step in is not the river I stand in. It is attributed to the Greek philosopher Heracleitus – meaning change is constant in life and experiences. The changes we’ve experienced in our world since the pandemic roared into our lives have been constant. This Rural Life noon hour talks will bring forth ideas on how people have adapted and are adapting in this unique time.

Stay tuned for more information on the virtual Rural Talks to Rural 2020 gathering November 16-28.

10 Oct

R2R20 – OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER – DR. LEROY LITTLE BEAR

Dr. LEROY LITTLE BEAR has himself become an institution. This veteran educator and renowned academic is the founder of the Native American Studies Department at the University of Lethbridge – where he served as Chair for 21 years – also went on to become the founding Director of Harvard University’s Native American Program. He has brought together Elders and Scientists in symposia in order to better connect knowledge and wisdom. He has received numerous awards and recognition for his work, including the Officer Order of Canada, and the Alberta Order of Excellence. He’s co-authored three texts – Pathways to Self-Determination: Native Indian Leaders Perspectives on Self-Government, Quest for Justice: Aboriginal Rights in Canada, and, Governments in Conflict: Provinces and Indian Nations in Canada – and helped write Justice on Trial, the report of Alberta’s Task Force on the Criminal Justice System and Its Impacts on the Indian and Métis Peoples of Alberta. A member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, Little Bear contributed to publications for the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples in the area of criminal justice issues, did the same for the Assembly of First Nations on constitutional issues and has provided legal advice to numerous Aboriginal organizations on land claims, treaties and hunting and fishing rights. He is now recognized as one of the continent’s leaders in the advancement and acceptance of North American Indian philosophy.

We are indeed honoured to have Dr. Little Bear as our opening keynote speaker. In this unique time to have an Elder of his strength, depth of knowledge and good humour, it is a tremendous gift.  

30 Sep

R2R20

R2R20 – working together

In these times there is reason to take heart, I believe. The more chaotic and complicated the world around us appears the clearer our role becomes at the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC). The more challenges we face, the more we find our purpose in our friendships across many divides. R2R20 will bring people together, once again, from across the County, the Country and beyond our borders. The R2R belief remains – that a good idea in King’s County Nova Scotia can be shared and be a good idea in Clinton, Ontario, or in the Qu’appelle Valley in Saskatchewan – or almost anywhere else.

The CCRC is proud to be partnering with the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail Association (G2G) to produce the virtual R2R20. It is an opportunity to share the journey with another rural institution that has proven itself a builder toward a strong and resilient rural community.

AGENDA OUT SOON – STAY TUNED – image by Mary Pym ‘by the south downs’