Jill has been named as the newest honorary Ottawa Riverkeeper, recognizing her work to conserve and protect the waters, and as a citizen scientist educator who shares the wonders of our natural world with unique images, books, and films.
Here’s a short podcast about Jill’s new role:
Speech by Jill Heinerth, FRCGS, D. Lit. h.c.
For the Ottawa Riverkeeper Gala - May 29, 2024
Beneath the vast expanse of sky, we gather to honor the Ottawa River, a meandering lifeline woven into the fabric of our landscape and lives. From Wabi Creek to Temiskaming and Madawaska to Montreal, from the pristine embrace of its glacial origins to its resilience in the face of industrial challenges, the river embodies the spirit of endurance.
Yet, amidst its flowing currents, we confront the spectre of artificial divisions, casting shadows upon its surface. Divided by dams, borders and conflicting interests, our river's path forward seems uncertain. And yet, she persists.
In the relentless dance of light and shadow, her waters whisper secrets of resilience and fortitude, etched into silent depths.
Beneath the landscape, I swim through the veins of Mother Earth, where a hidden symphony of current unfolds, unseen and unsung.
Like whispers from the heavens, raindrops cascade upon the earth, seeping into the waiting embrace of soil and stone.
Descending through the landscape, the rain can revive the watershed or carry a cast of unwelcome forces.
Borders, barriers and boundaries are meaningless. Water knows no bounds. The river flows over land and beneath it. It perfuses the land, our lives and our future. And yet, she persists.
Venturing into the shadowy portals of caves, I discover hidden channels carving clandestine paths through subterranean passages.
Here, unseen volumes of water flow, a testament to the intricate dance between surface and subsurface realms.
In these depths, I find ancient coral fossils, reminders of our connection to the ocean, and witness the collaborative efforts of bivalves and fish in cleansing the watershed and everything downstream.
I find evidence of our Indigenous kin, their wisdom woven into every bend as guardians of the land.
Anishinaabeg Algonquin Nations of Pikwakanagan, Abitibiwinni, Timiskaming, Kebaouek, Wolf Lake, Winneway, Kitcisakik, Lac Simon, Mitcikinabik Inik, and Kitigan Zībī First Nations…they tread with grace.
To navigate the labyrinth of policy and change, we must heed the ancient voices of indigenous wisdom, blending their ancestral knowledge with the empirical truths of modern science. In this fusion, we find the alchemy of progress, forging pathways to harmony between humanity and the river's sacred flow.
And let us not overlook the power of community, woven into the very fabric of the river's essence. From the banks of her shores to the distant horizons, we stand as custodians of her legacy, bound by a common thread of reverence and stewardship. Here, at River House, we can cultivate and renew connections that will amplify our collective voice in solidarity.
In our collaborative efforts, we find solace and strength guided by the enduring spirit of the Kichi Zībī. Though the currents may shift and challenges arise, the river's steadfast presence reminds us that even in adversity, she persists.
My greatest wish is to represent the voice of the river, by listening and collaborating with many of you here today. If the river had a voice what do you think she might say?
“Come to my banks to play. Protect my waters in a way that honors the legacy of its first stewards. Celebrate the seen and unseen and foster connections that transcend borders and remove unnatural divisions.”
In the unity of our purpose, we find the strength to navigate the challenges ahead and ensure that the Ottawa River, with all its stories and secrets, continues to connect and flow gracefully through the landscape of our lives.
Thank you Miigwech for welcoming me. For entrusting me and helping to amplify the voice of our great river. We shall persist.
Here’s a description of the induction:
Later that evening, underwater cave diver and explorer Jill Heinerth delivered a very poetic speech after taking to the stage as this year’s Honorary Riverkeeper. She was recognized for her passion, life’s work and ongoing commitment to supporting the Ottawa River. The Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and recipient of the Governor General’s Polar Medal was gifted a special canoe paddle by the organization’s inaugural Honorary Riverkeeper, Mark Carney, former governor of the Bank of Canada.
Carney welcomed Heinerth into a community of stewardship that’s about “leaving a legacy that is greater than what we found.” Carney encouraged the crowd to read the new comprehensive watershed report card for the Ottawa River, recently released by Ottawa Riverkeeper. Its results reveal a watershed that’s under threat from recent human activity. It cites development, land use and climate change as factors that are reshaping Canada’s capital river system.
Learn more about Ottawa Riverkeeper here.
Robert’s Canadian Jukebox
In our last newsletter, I introduced you to The Jerrycans and the way they integrate Inuit throat singing into their pop/rock sound. I’m sticking with the Indigenous Canadian theme and sharing one of Jill’s favourite Canadians: THE IRREPLACEABLE TANYA TAGAQ.
Tanya Tagaq performs as a solo musical artist with several groups, including the Jerry Cans. She brings traditional throat singing to more mainstream musical genres. Throat singing is a distinct type of vocalization uniquely practiced among the Inuit. It is a form of musical performance and a breathing game, traditionally consisting of two women who join in a close face-to-face position. The pair create a soundscape of rhythmic and harmonious panting noises that imitate the audio of the natural world — wind, water, and animals. The woman who lasts the longest without laughing or quitting wins. Inuit practice many different endurance games that closely resemble skills needed in their culture. Strength, balance and skills useful for hunting help them endure the rigours of their lifestyle. In the photo below, two Inuit men participate in a “Lip Pulling” contest. Each player pulls until the loser yields to the other.
Tanya Tagak’s Book - Split Tooth
This highly acclaimed book about a girl growing up in Nunavut in the 1970s has won numerous international awards. Fierce, tender and heartbreaking, the narrative fiction/memoir takes you into a world where the guiding power of love still rules. Get a copy here.
It has been an interesting week to be a former American citizen. - Robert
Wisdom from one of my favourite writers and all-around good humans:
"Go into the arts. I'm not kidding. The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. Sing in the shower. Dance to the radio. Tell stories. Write a poem to a friend, even a lousy poem. Do it as well as you possibly can. You will get an enormous reward. You will have created something."
~Kurt Vonnegut
Some of Vonnegut’s books are banned or restricted in some parts of the world. Do your teenage children a favour and buy them a copy of Slaughterhouse Five. My father gave me a copy for my 16th birthday and it changed my life. - Robert