April 6, 2005

Br JAMIE FLYNN
PG PIRG, BoArD OF DIRECTORS

The Prince George Public Interest
Reseanh (PGPI.R.G.) group has
remained socially, environmentally
~ and politically active this 2004-2005
academic year, through the volition
and dedication of numerous volun-
teers who have worked tirelessly
-towards positive change.

Over the next five years, Prince
George will be experiencing major
changes, as Canada ‘and British
Columbia prepare for the 2010 Winter
Games As in most economically-
charged acts of globalization, there
are people and communities through-
out Canada, bearing the. brunt of
oppression, exploitation, and destruc-
tion of feasible and _ sustainable
lifestyles, and receiving the impact of
global hegemony, mystification, and
exploitation. Popular culture, con-
tributing power, and wealth to a few,
and suffering and despair to many is
becoming a more and more blatant
ambition among utterly ignorant
world leaders and corporate execu-
tives, in bombarding advertisements,
and in mainstream consumerism.

“Activism can be as
easy as a positive
intention to do some-
thing morally and eth- .
ically just, towards
making this world a
better place.”

‘ Meanwhile, at the local level,
urbanization has advanced the
A.I.D.S. epidemic in our small north-
ern community; its everincreasing
numbers of victims suffering from the
effects of social and environmental
devastation and disrespect through
colonization and urbanization. ‘To see
all of these things happening so quick-
ly, seemingly without forgiveness, how
can we, as individuals, effect change?

In these turbulent times, PG
PLR.G. can offer innovative alterna-
tives to dominant life-ways and world-
views, as well as give support to people
dealing with the effects of this ever-
changing world. PG PIR.G. is sup-
port, reinforcement, and ‘direction

MILK ALL OVER

towards grassroots activism, communi-
ty campaigns, and community net-
working, Actions through PI.R.G. pro-
vide limitless opportunities to learn
and to view the world in a different
and more positive way, locally and
internationally.

PLR.G.’s working groups include:
the Organic Food Group, the
Recyding Action Committee, the
Styrofoam Eradication Group, the
Transportation Action Group, the
Composting and Organic Gardening
Action Group, the PG PIR.G. spo-
ken-word radio group for “I Want to
Make a New World”, the Goat River
Conservation Group, and the newly
founded, Red Tide Brigade. PI.R.G.
members can also gain access to alter-
native resource library, including file
folders full of alternative literature and
underground magazines.

Traditionally, academic activists
faced a realm of marginalization,
Activism means leaving the réalm of
certainty and comfortability and the
conventional and conservative ways of
our everyday lives.

Activism has moved beyond inspira-
tional sixties movements struggling for
Civil liberties, Women’s Rights and
Anti-War. Nationally, ~students have
protested the overall. homogenization
of the world through visions leading to
new humanitarian actions. National
youth and student activism’ has
defended social ‘and environmental
justice, while creating a new vision of
globalization, about the people and
their crucial environments. Activism
can be as easy as a positive intention to
do something morally and ethically
just, towards making this world a bet-
ter place.

Our volunteers this 2004/2005 year
have done just that, tackling such
issues as racism, poverty, sexism,
homophobia, health maintenance,
labour rights, and dominant con-
sumerism. Among the actions this aca-
demic year -are: B.C. Rivers Day,
International Buy Nothing Day, Car-
Free Day, International Days for

-Action Against War, the promotion of

voter registration, awareness-raising
about tuition issues, support for pover-
ty-stricken communities (in Nunavut),
and anti-discrimination actions.
PI.R.G. volunteers have successfully
educated people about alternatives
that provide healthy environments

such as through bike-riding and walk-
ing, freecycling, clothes-swapping and
reciprocity. Volunteers have promoted
sustainability through mturalization
initiatives, such as providing compost-
ing and residence recycling services,
providing organic food alternatives, as
well as disseminating information
about ‘altemative fuels and rooftop
greening projects. Volunteers have also
supported environmental seminars
addressing sustainability in communi-
ties, resource-based issues, and conser-
vation activism.

PG PLR.G. is dedicated to healing
and growing at many levels, involving
many communities and many net-
works for the goals of social and envi-
ronmental health. PI.R.G, provides
alternatives and opportunities to
understand and appreciate the world
in a different, and more positive way.

Thank you to all of our volunteers
who continue to lend their support to
make the organization possible, and
for instilling their strength and deter-
mination in PG PLR.G.

THAT'S SERIOUS. OBVIOUSLY |
WE NEED To Appeess

If you are ingereated. please
PGPIRG office. Contact Jess fo)
scarletnorth@peacemail.com

GOT

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Mahatma Ghandi

Ends Another Successful Year

PHOTO BY TRAVIS NIELSEN

BACKGROUND ART BY SUSANNE HARE

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By Stephanie
McMillan