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

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 16^th – November 28^th. 

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 18^th and 19^th 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

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.

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.  

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’

The image for the virtual Rural Talks to Rural conference this year is a photograph taken by Kelly Rebar in the late summer of 2020. The image is of rural British Columbia, in the interior of the Province, near Nelson. She didn’t know at the time that the sun would be distorted like it is. The distortion is caused by the smoke in the air from the California, Oregon and Washington wildfires – a thousand miles away.

We are connected and we share this place with a whole jumble of others, and many others that are to come – our next steps need to be taken with great care and consideration.

(Kelly’s fabulous photography can be found at: kellyrebar.wordpress.com)