Post 52

Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Brainerd/Pine River MN 8/21/14

Greetings! Last night, Honor the Earth held their Pine River event at the Commons, Pine River-Backus school. After a very successful meeting in Brainerd on Tuesday at the Arboretum, the Horse Ride traveled here to meet with supporters of the Pipeline Protests, share a potluck supper, and talk about the current state of affairs at the PUC, still in process of approving or modifying routes for the pipelines to cross Minnesota. It is clear Enbridge is going full steam ahead "as if" it is all done in their favor. However, according to Winona LaDuke, in her presentation, protests have made significant impacts, in that the whole process has been delayed, giving an opportunity to develop opposition and encourage a moratorium movement. If you go to Honor Earth's webpage, there is a petition you can sign to support this effort.....NUUF's part in all this was to find a location for the speakers and for the horses to pasture overnight. Barb Kaufman was the point person, and worked many hours to bring it about. We also set up the supper table, provided drinks and utensils, etc. Little enough, considering the issues at stake. We were entertained by Annie Humphrey, native singer, and young men performing some native songs. I did not catch their names, but obviously very talented. Many of the riders joined us later in the evening...and we were happy to see formerly active UUs, Union Church people, Grand Rapids UUs, and lots of others in the audience. Preaching to the choir, actually, but that is good and sustaining and heartening.

The September newsletter will be out shortly, looking ahead to a great fall.

Respectfully submitted, Mary DeYoung, News Director 218-587-2543