By Dave Lemkay
On a warm sunny day, May 28th, conference members of the Ontario Woodlot Association (OWA) and delegates from over 30 countries to the International Model Forest Global Forum enjoyed a boat cruise on the Gatineau and Ottawa Rivers. One of many events in the week-long agenda, the afternoon river cruise followed a morning tour to the Dominion Arboretum at the Central Experimental Farm.
Passengers were initially greeted at the Gatineau wharf by Town Crier, Daniel Richer, with an official welcome and a proclamation of the group’s presence on traditional, unceded territory of the Anishinaabe (Algonquin) people. It was explained that the Ottawa River, also known as the La Grande Rivière in the time of French explorer Samuel de Champlain, and the Kichi-sibi to the Algonquins, was the historic transportation route for the voyageur fur trade and the rafting of massive, squared timber destined for Britain.
Ottawa area forester Mike Rosen resourcefully addressed the visitors as the boat navigated up-stream on the Ottawa. He outlined the significance of the Ottawa River and its many tributaries during two centuries of transporting massive timber harvested from the Algonquin and Laurentian highlands. He identified landmarks on the Ontario and Quebec shore, including Rideau Falls, the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canadian Parliament and other significant government buildings and foreign embassies.
Another element of forest heritage was delivered by way of music and song of the timber shanty and riverdrive life by Ottawa Valley master fiddler Dean Lapierre, storyteller/guitarist Gillan Rutz and songstress Gail Gavan. This trio, whose repertoire is deeply rooted in forest lore, livened up the crowd with vibrant renderings of traditional and contemporary music. Gail Gavan’s exuberant presence was a big hit with the predominately Spanish-speaking crowd, with a spirited version of ”La Bamba” that had everyone enthusiastically swaying and dancing on the deck. Gail recruited a tall lad from Bogota, Colombia, Pablo, to play the bongo drums. To quote Gail, “ As a teacher, I like including as many people as possible during an event because those are the little things they may never forget!”
She went on to say “of course, Pablo, on the bongos was a star!” He said, ‘You gave me confidence to play. I may take up drumming when I go home.’ She added, “That is what makes life special.”
Pieter Lienhoots, organizer of the river cruise segment of the program, thanked the foursome, Town Crier, Daniel Richer, Mike Rosen, Gillan Rutz, Dean Lapierre and Gail Gavan and this writer. Dorothy Hamilton of the OWA presented each with a special gift, precipitating a boisterous round of applause.
Forest History Ontario (FHO) was delighted to accept a generous invitation to attend the Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) annual Convention in Toronto and was well represented by Chair, Jim Farrell, Vice-Chair Faye Johnson and Director Mike Willick. This 82nd Annual Convention was by any measure an outstanding success in terms of attendance (well over 200 for the April 29th Reception and the April 30th convention. On top of that, the Ontario legislature was very well represented by Premier Ford, six cabinet Ministers ( I hope my count is right on this) and a number of MPPs and Parliamentary Assistants. Premier Ford worked the room shaking hands with all attendees and some of the serving staff as well. The Reception was held at Limberlost Place, a spectacular mass timber building at the George Brown College Waterfront Campus, which the Premier was shown as a very attractive design and building option.
The following day was hosted at 1 King West (corner of King and Younge Streets) which is now hotel and residential space but has deep historic roots going back to 1879 when the Dominion Bank bought the property and established its Head Office. In 1914 a major expansion was built to create a 12-story bank tower that was referred to as a skyscraper at the time. Through various mergers the bank became the Toronto-Dominion Bank, and the property was redeveloped again in 2006 but carefully preserved and restored much of the original 12 story building. The "Banking Hall" pictured above, was a perfect place for the Convention with massive marble arches, soring ceiling and a palpable sense of history.
I was particularly delighted to see that their latest magazine, Field Notes, includes an article I wrote for them last fall that provided an overview of FHO activities in 2024. OFIA is a generous supporter of FHO and their contribution to our work is most appreciated.
See more on the Convention Program in the attached
Jim Farrell, Chair
OFIA Annual Convention Program - OFIA
Read Field Notes, the OFIA Magazine which includes an FHO Update
ForestsCanada hosted their first forest conference under their new name and mandate suitably titled The Forestry Conference on February 19th-20th, 2025 in Toronto. It was a very jam-packed day, with a full room of as many as 400 attendees, and the Forest History Ontario moderated session was held just after lunch and started and ended on time. The armchair chat was moderated by FHO Chair Jim Farrell and included 2 panelists Caroline Mach, recently retired Dufferin County Forester and Lacey Rose, Renfrew County Forester (both dedicated FHO members). The theme was celebrating 10 years of Women in Wood a grass root s network of women supporting women who work in, with and for the woods. It is hugely successful, and credit needs to be given to Lacey Rose and Jess Kaknevicius (CEO ForestsCanada) for getting it stated 10 years ago. The format was a brief introduction by Jim and then questions posed to each of the panelists on their experiences of being a woman in forestry ...'then and now' with a rolling presentation of pictures of women working in the woods. The first few questions were prepared but with the benefit of a Q&A app called Slido the audience was able to post questions that I, remarkably, picked up on my phone and posed to the speakers. It worked out very well with far more questions than time to answer them. After the session I presented each speaker with a copy of 'A History of Forestry in Canada' by Gilbert Paille.
FHO was also well represented by Terry Schwan who organized, managed and staffed a very popular used 'book store' selling a range of forest and environmental related books with the proceeds going to the Frank MacDougall Memorial Fund. Terry was well 'backed' with the coming out party for our new banner and was able to distribute copies of our new pamphlet. Thank you, Terry.
It was a very successful session, and I am personally very grateful to Jess and ForestsCanada Team for inviting us and supporting us so consistently and graciously.
Congratulations Women in Wood on your first 10 years of history.
Terry Schwan at booth (above)
Forest History Panel (above)
Caroline Mach, Jim Farrell, and Lacey Rose (above)
Conference crowd
