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PRESS RELEASES: 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — November 25, 2003 Island Studies Press will launch its latest book, Letters from the Manse, by Hampton, NB, author Joan Archibald Colborne, Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, in Hampton, and Saturday, Dec. 6, in O'Leary, Prince Edward Island. In early January 1949, Joan Archibald Colborne joined her new husband Blair on his first United Church pastoral charge: Springfield West in Prince County, Prince Edward Island. Seven miles by unpaved road from O'Leary. Two miles from the nearest power line. Little did they know what lay in store. Letters from the Manse begins January 12, 1949, as Joan sits down to write letters by lamplight on an old portable typewriter. "It made a great excuse to not have to hear the same sermon three times," she says. Years later she found the letters, and made copies for her children and grandchildren. Her children thought they were worth sharing. "Well-written, superbly detailed, and delightfully witty," they cover 16 months in the life of a United Church Minister's wife, chronicling her difficulties in learning to cook, clean, entertain, and care for her husband and baby in a house that seems constantly in need of repair — all in a winter climate that challenges the plumbing and the car. At the same time, her letters reveal the goodness in Island community. Writes Prince Edward Island's pre-eminent folklorist and storyteller John Cousins in his Introduction, "This was PEI writ large, and rural Canada writ small—a place of no paved roads or electricity, where snowploughs and bathrooms were a rarity, but weeklong blizzards were not. Islanders and, indeed, all people who remember their roots in rural Canada will recognize Joan's story. Joan and Blair Colborne spent three years in the community, and even though it is more than half a century ago, they are still remembered by the older people." Joan Archibald Colborne was born in Halifax, and she and Blair lived in the Bethel manse in Springfield West until 1952, when they were transferred to Halifax. They went on to raise five children, and lived in various communities in Nova Scotia before settling in Hampton, New Brunswick, in 1976. Blair died in 1980, while Joan continued to teach and participate in United Church women's issues until she retired in 1985. She remains actively involved with friends, church, and family, which has now grown to include eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. The Hampton launch will be part of the Annual UCW Holly Fair and luncheon, Saturday, Nov. 29, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hampton United Church Hall, 24 Robb Court, in Hampton, NB. Island Studies Press will co-host the O'Leary launch with the O'Leary-West Cape Pastoral Charge, the United Church of Canada, at the O'Leary Christian Education Centre, 5 Barclay Road, O'Leary, PEI, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003, from 2 to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome. For further information, please call 566-0956. - 30 - Island Studies Press PEI bookstores can order through Tangle Layne Distribution in Charlottetown (902-566-0504); bookstores and libraries in Atlantic Canada can order through Goose Lane Editions in Fredericton (1-888-926-8377); gift shops can order through Nimbus in Halifax (902-455-5304); and bookstores and libraries in the rest of Canada can order through University of Toronto Press Distribution (1-800-565-9523). PUBLIC FORUM ON ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY In the lead-up to the September 29 election, a coalition of Prince Edward Island environmental groups has invited the Island’s three primary political parties to debate their parties’ environmental policies in a public forum. The Environmental Policy Forum will take place on Monday, September 22, 2003, at the Duffy Amphitheatre on the UPEI Campus. “It’s too easy for political parties to compartmentalize environmental issues,” says Jane Ledwell of the Institute of Island Studies, who are hosting the forum. “In reality, environmental issues cut across many issues -- from transportation and public works, to agriculture, to community development, to intergovernmental affairs. For that reason, we want the political parties to focus on their cross-cutting environmental policy, in a public forum.” Liberal candidate Richard Brown, Progressive Conservative Environment Minister Chester Gillan, and NDP leader Gary Robichaud will debate questions on waste reduction, chemical contamination and ecosystem health, and sustainable agriculture legislation in one hour of structured debate. The panel will then address questions from the floor. Ann Sherman will serve as forum moderator. “We want this forum to be very focussed on the future of Prince Edward Island’s environment,” says Bruce Smith of the Island Nature Trust, an event co-sponsor. “We want to know exactly what each of the parties plans to do to improve PEI’s environment if they are elected to government.” The Environmental Policy Forum is co-sponsored by the Island Nature Trust, ECO-PEI, the PEI Wildlife Federation, the PEI Council of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, and the UPEI Environmental Studies Program. All are welcome to attend. For more information on this forum, please call the Institute of Island Studies at 902-566-0386. - 30 - UPEI Celebrates World’s First Research Chair in Island Studies September
12, 2003 “The creation of this chair in Island Studies marks a significant achievement for UPEI, enhancing our position as a global leader in this field. We are especially pleased to have attracted Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, a top international scholar, who brings to UPEI his experience, reputation, stellar research record, and vision for integrating Island Studies,” said President Wade MacLauchlan. The University will receive $500,000 over five years from the Canada Research Chair program to support Dr. Baldacchino’s interdisciplinary and policy-inspired research. The Honourable Wayne Easter, Solicitor General of Canada was guest speaker at the celebration of Dr. Baldacchino’s appointment. "The Canadian Research Chairs Program is the most ambitious initiative of its kind in the world. It allows universities to attract and retain outstanding researchers," said Minister Easter. "The $900-million program, funded by the Government of Canada, is investing in research excellence, and I am very pleased, indeed, to welcome Dr. Baldacchino to the University of Prince Edward Island and to our island province." Dr. Baldacchino comes to the University of Prince Edward Island from the University of Malta, where he served as Director and Research Officer of the Workers' Development Centre, lecturer in the Department of Sociology, and Board Member of the Islands & Small States Institute at the University of Malta. In addition to having given an impressive array of conference presentations, he has written or edited numerous books and articles and has been recipient of a number of scholarships and fellowships, including the European Union Visitors Program and the Association of Commonwealth Universities. “In a recent talk at UPEI's Founders’ Day, former premier Alex Campbell said that UPEI was conceived as a 'university for all islanders.' I agree – but it should be a university not only for Prince Edward Islanders, but all islanders from islands around the world,” said Dr. Baldacchino. “Thanks to my appointment as a Canada Research Chair, I will have the opportunity to draw research about this island, Prince Edward Island, into the wider context of international comparative studies. This means: looking at islands on their own terms, understanding that they are similar and unique.” The Canada Research Chairs program was established as a means to attract accomplished researchers to Canadian universities, and to retain talented Canadians as well. “The Canada Research Chairs program has provided UPEI with the opportunity to add an outstanding international scholar, and his expertise, excellence and enthusiasm to UPEI. Dr. Baldacchino brings a profound understanding of islands and the issues that confront them throughout the world. This will further strengthen the Institute of Island Studies and our new Master of Arts program. We are very pleased that Dr. Baldacchino has joined the faculty at UPEI,” said Dr. Katherine Schultz, UPEI’s vice-president of research development. “It is my strong belief that research, education, and public policy feed into and support each other,” said Dr. Baldacchino. “Such a trinity is the life blood of a dynamic society which values critical thinking and looks upon that thinking and its contribution to guide public policy and higher education. For PEI, Island Studies is an obvious area of competitive advantage and my appointment is proof that such a niche is recognized and acknowledged, even at a federal level.” In addition to creating the first research chair in Island Studies, UPEI has just introduced the first graduate program devoted to comparative study of the world’s islands. This month, the University welcomed 12 graduate students into its Master of Arts in Island Studies program.
The Institute of Man
and Resources: An Environmental Fable "... a fable about our Western commitment to environmentalism...." In 1975, in the midst of a worldwide oil crisis, Prince Edward Island was facing the highest energy prices in Canada. But Canada's smallest province became the talk of the nation when the government of Alex B. Campbell took a bold step: they proposed to make the Island a veritable laboratory for renewable energy. Thus was born the Institute of Man and Resources, whose mandate was to research, develop, and demonstrate systems for alternative energy and resource self-sufficiency. Most often associated with the Ark, a "bioshelter" experiment in sustainable living, the IMR attracted a mix of back-to-the-landers, committed young engineers, scientists, and ordinary citizens interested in moving the world beyond oil. The IMR also attracted considerable attention in environmental circles, nationally and even internationally. However, within a decade, it was all over, and the Institute of Man and Resources was dead. Why did the collapse occur? How had the Institute made such a name for itself in the first place? What is its legacy? This book chronicles the rise and fall of the Institute of Man and Resources, an important Canadian environmental group of the 1970s, and contributes to the broader literature on the history of environmentalism. Indeed, as the debate over global warming sharpens public awareness once more about the repercussions of fossil fuel use, this balanced and nuanced history seems more timely and relevant than ever. "... a first-rate institutional history, which chronicles
the history of an important conservation/environmental institution....Very little
has been written about the institutional dynamics of the environmental movement
in the 1970s, which makes this work ground-breaking and significant." Alan MacEachern grew up on Prince Edward Island, and now teaches in the Department of History at the University of Western Ontario. He is the author of Natural Selections: National Parks in Atlantic Canada, 1935 1970 (McGill-Queen's University Press, 2001). He is presently at work on an environmental history of the 1825 Miramichi Fire. -- - 30 - Lectures Across the Atlantic On Friday, August 8, 2003, as part of the celebrations of the bicentennial of the arrival of Selkirk Settlers on PEI from Skye, experts from both Skye and PEI will present a day-long symposium, featuring five papers that bridge the historical and present-day situations of two communities profoundly affected by historical migration. The symposium, entitled “Across the Atlantic: The Skye-Raasay Migration to Prince Edward Island, 1803–2003,” will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Croft House Grounds Lecture Tent in Belfast. "Our intention is to examine, through a series of lectures, the context for the immigration of Selkirk settlers in 1803, the expedition itself and its significance, and the subsequent fortunes of two communities: the one left behind in Scotland and the one transplanted on PEI,” says Dr. Ed MacDonald, co-coordinator of the symposium with Dr. Gillian Munro of Skye and Harry Baglole of PEI. The day’s events will commence with
a song by Allan Rankin and will close with readings from the book Belfast People.
In between, the lectures to be presented will include "The Skye Community
on PEI, 1850–2000: Change and Continuity," by Edward MacDonald and Michael
Kennedy, at 9:30 a.m.; "The Ship of the People,"by Cailean MacLean,
at 10:35 a.m.; "Skye Today: Migration and Local Development," by Gillian
Munro, at 11:15 a.m.; "The Emigration of the Islanders: From the Poetic to
the "The lectures we have planned are intended as our contribution to the Bicentennial," says MacDonald. "And we hope the lectures will one day be gathered together to form the basis of a book, to create a permanent legacy." The lectures in the "Across the Atlantic" symposium are the second phase of reflections on the migration theme, following from a similar well-received symposium staged this past June at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, University of the Highlands and Islands, in Skye. The "Across the Atlantic" symposium is co-sponsored by the Institute of Island Studies at UPEI, the Belfast Historical Society, and Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye. For more information, please visit the Institute of Island Studies Web page at http://www.upei.ca/islandstudies/. Jane Ledwell New Director of Institute of Island Studies July 22, 2003 UPEI is pleased to announce that Jane Ledwell has been appointed as the new Director of the Institute of Island Studies (IIS). “We’re proud to have hired a director whose passion for Prince Edward Island is indisputable, and whose insights into international islands are strong,” says Dr. Richard Kurial, Dean of Arts. Ledwell takes over the reins of the Institute from its founding director, Harry Baglole, who has left the directorship to pursue new initiatives. A native Islander, Jane Ledwell has worked on special projects at the Institute for the past six years, notably coordinating three international conferences and coordinating development of a proposal for a Master of Arts in comparative international Island Studies. That program was approved in March and is still accepting applications for its first intake of students in September. “The Master of Arts in Island Studies is an example of how the Institute can contribute to the study of islands both local and global at UPEI and can establish the University’s leadership in an innovative, international field,” Ledwell says. “With the establishment of the MA, the Institute will further contribute to PEI’s self-understanding, and continue the tradition of creating forums for well-informed public debate on important policy issues.” “It’s an exciting time of transition and opportunity for Island Studies at UPEI,” says Richard Kurial. He sees an important role for the IIS supporting the international islands-based research that will be led by Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, Canada Research Chair in Island Studies, who this month takes up the world’s first research chair in Island Studies. Says Kurial: “The Institute has achieved a staggering
amount under Harry Baglole’s leadership, and we anticipate that Jane Ledwell
will build on the Institute’s reputation for excellence, putting her own
stamp on the work of the IIS. In its collaborative work with MA faculty and students
and with the Canada Research Chair, we anticipate a glowing future for the Institute
in all that it does.” Canada's First Graduate Program in Island Studies Offered at UPEI Writer David Quammen has said, in his book, Song of the Dodo, "We're headed toward understanding the whole planet as a world of islands." The University of Prince Edward Island, nested in Canada's island province, plans to contribute significantly to that emerging understanding. UPEI has received approval to offer the
first graduate program in Canada devoted to comparative study of the world's islands.
The Master of Arts in Island Studies will be the University's first graduate program
in Arts and expects to welcome its first intake of students in September. Scholars
from all of UPEI's faculties and schools — including Arts, Science, Business,
Education, Nursing, and Veterinary Medicine — have collaborated in the design
of the program. It is expected to attract students from a wide range of disciplines
and areas of study. With the recent approval by the Maritime Provinces Higher
Education Commission and the arrival at UPEI this summer of the world's first
research chair in Island Studies, Dr. Godfrey Baldacchino, UPEI is demonstrating
world leadership in this growing field. "We welcome the addition of Masters of Island Studies to our growing list of graduate programs at UPEI," says Education Minister Chester Gillan. "The new research and knowledge that results will have great benefit for students and Islanders." "In the emerging world of globalization, an emphasis on the local has never been more pertinent," says Harry Baglole, director of the Institute of Island Studies, a UPEI research centre that will provide support to the MA program. "Much of the power of this initiative due to its close connection with a local, Prince Edward Island, strength. We will strive to make it a program that is thoroughly grounded in the local while thoroughly global in its reach." Indeed, the MA program is supported by partnering professors and universities on islands as far-flung as Malta, Mauritius, Iceland, Tasmania, Skye, and Fiji. Because one of the program's areas of concentration is on public policy, it is expected that students and faculty in the MA program will work on research and projects with real-world applications, for governmental and non-governmental organizations on islands world wide. "Island studies is based on a premise that islands share a good deal in common, and that islands can and should look to other islands — rather than mainlands — for models," explains Dr. Richard Kurial, Dean of Arts at UPEI. "We're excited to think that faculty and students at UPEI will be leading the world in developing innovative, island-based solutions for islands — solutions based on a combination of in-depth research and lived experience." Students in the MA in Island Studies will not be limited to public policy questions. "The benefit to students of an interdisciplinary program is its flexibility," says Dr. Ed MacDonald, chair of the committee that developed the program proposal. "It allows students to chart their own course, in large part, according to their interests." Extending the nautical metaphor, Dr. MacDonald continues, "Explorers have been drawn to islands throughout history. We're inviting students to board ship for an intellectual adventure." The Master of Arts in Island Studies will accept applications from local and international students, from a wide variety of backgrounds. The program will be offered on a full-time or part-time basis on-site at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown, Canada. -30- "Made on PEI": A Handy Lecture Series Nothing–no home or craft or business–can come into existence without an individual's inspiration or innovation. The 21st annual Island Lecture Series, under the theme "Made on PEI," will celebrate the Island's various inspirations and innovations. The series begins in Charlottetown at the Beaconsfield Carriage House on Monday, February 24th, and will also feature lectures at venues in Summerside, Montague, and West Prince in the following weeks. "In this Island Lecture Series, we're celebrating the local genius of Prince Edward Islanders,"says Harry Baglole, Director of the Institute of Island Studies. "We look at various ways in which this creative streak has been expressed, from the making of farm machinery to Island handcrafts to the creation of a Veterinary College to the manufacture of beer and spirits." The eight lecture Charlottetown series opens on Monday, February 24th at the Beaconsfield Carriage House with a talk from well-known local artist Henry Purdy entitled "Whose Art? History of the development of Visual Art/Craft programming in the PEI vocational system and Holland College, and its relevance to the present." On March 3rd, Canon Robert Tuck will speak on the "Homes and Churches of Little Harry Williams," with Marian Bruce following on March 10th with a presentation on "Playing Political Poker: How the Veterinary College came to PEI." March 17th's lecture will feature Dr. Alan MacEachern, historian from University of Western Ontario, who will speak on "OPEC and the Island, Like Oil and Water: Battling the Energy Crisis of the 1970s." Anne Nicholson and Sandy Kowalik join their talents on March 24th to talk about "At Home and In the World: Women's Art from Hooked Rugs to Canvas." Dr. Edward MacDonald will shed a sober light on "Chug-a-lug: A Toast to Brewing and Distilling in 19th-Century Prince Edward Island" on March 31st, while Betty Howatt shares her knowledge on "Plants for Food and Medicine – Then and Now" on April 7th. Dr. Tom Hall concludes the Charlottetown series on April 14th, and will speak on "The Hall Manufacturing Company, Its Creative Founder and Its Impact on Agricultural Practices." All Charlottetown lectures take place at 7:00 pm. The
Summerside mini-series will be held at the Eptek Exhibition Centre on Thursday
evenings at 7:00 pm during the month of March: Laurie Brinklow and Jane Ledwell
on "Book Publishing: The Island's Original Recording Industry" on March
6th, Boyde Beck on "Our Home in the Woods: Creating a Homestead" on
March 13th, Margie Carmichael on "Tripping Over Roots: The Seeds of Songwriting"
on March 20th, and Dr. Ed MacDonald once again chug-a-lugs on March 27th. West Prince is hosting two lectures at the O'Leary Community Centre. On Wednesday, March 5th, Canon Robert Tuck will speak on "Homes and Churches of Little Harry Williams," and on March 12th, John Cousins will speak on "‘I Vowed That I Would Make a Song:' The Art of the Oldtime Folksong Maker." The Island Lecture Series is co-sponsored by the Institute of Island Studies, the University of Prince Edward Island and the PEI Museum and Heritage Foundation, and in co-operation with the PEI Crafts Council, the West Prince Arts Council, and the Garden of the Gulf Museum. For more information, contact the Institute of Island Studies at 566-0611. -30-
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