Today marks the beginning of a new spot on CBC Radio in the afternoon with host Matt Rainnie on Mainstreet. You can hear CBC streamed here
"
We will call the series 'Finding Home'. It will be on air monthly and it will tell the stories of people from "away" who have found "Home" here on Prince Edward Island. I will have a few words with Matt today at about 4.30 introducing the series and then on Monday 31st, David Bergmark will be our first guest.
David came here from Massachusetts in the early 1970's to work on the Ark. This was a milestone in the early development of the ideas of systems' sustainability.
David's arrival coincided with a choice to come and live here that many young Americans made at that time including an important group who are affectionately called "Back to the Landers". PEI was then at the forefront of a movement of people who wanted to find a simpler life. They found the culture and the way of life an ideal fit.
Paradoxically, just as those committed to a more simple life were arriving and finding home in rural PEI, (This included our current premier Pat Binns) the province was being thrust into the industrial era by the "Plan". The intent was to industrialize PEI. Schools were taken out of communities and consolidated. Family farms were converted into mono-crop businesses and those that could not cope discovered EI.
It is wonderful to note that having turned our head away from a leadership role in sustainability, that PEI is putting its best foot forward again. David is also once again playing a lead role in the design of the new Federal Building that will be one of the most advanced of its type. It is my hope that the wheel of time has turned again and that the flame of community renewal is being rekindled - not the least by some of the "elders" like David.
David will tell us how he came to do a project and found his home. Coming up will be some young people who have come here to make a difference. I hope to cover as many points of view as I can. So if you have a story or know someone who does - please comment and I will contact you.
