Good morning Folks,
You have to check this powerful song out! It was written by Dave Gunning and Jamie Robinson. While your at it have a look at this supporting information to the song lyrics:
https://www.thegoldmineconversation.com/for-all-the-gold
St. Mary’s River Association press release:
Sherbrooke (Nova Scotia) – Nova Scotia singer -songwriter Dave Gunning has written and recorded a powerful new song, “For All The Gold”, with an accompanying video, in support of conservation efforts to protect the St. Mary’s River. A proposed open pit gold mine at Cochrane Hill near the river threatens the pristine ecology of Nova Scotia’s longest river.
Gunning has long been an advocate for environmental responsibility, lending his voice to bring awareness to the Boat Harbour pollution issue near his home in Pictou County. Many of the issues around the Boat Harbour campaign echo the challenges to save the St Mary’s River. Now Gunning has teamed with videographer Tim Myers and the St. Mary’s River Association to bring awareness of the beauty, ecological value, and recreation potential of the 250 km-long river,
“This has been an easy issue for me to become interested in,” says Gunning, who co-wrote the song with Jamie Robinson for the St. Mary’s River Association. “I have so much respect for the work they’re doing. We were up against similar issues in Pictou County with the pulp mill effluent.
“It’s quick and easy to put a hole in the ground right now and make some money. It takes a lot more effort to consider the coming generations who will have to pay for the damage we’ve done.”
The four-minute video opens with a sweeping overhead drone shot of kayakers pushing off the shore to paddle down the St. Mary’s River in early autumn. The gorgeous video is intercut with old black and white photos of earlier mining exploits along the river, as well as contemporary footage of endangered native Wood Turtles and spawning Atlantic Salmon.
Scott Beaver, president of the St. Mary’s River Association, says Gunning’s song and Myers’ video will help increase awareness of the fragile eco-system of the St. Mary’s River valley, just a few kilometres from the proposed open pit mine site.
“The St. Mary’s River is certainly one of the provinces most ecologically prized and intact systems,” says Beaver. “Places like this are not appropriate locations for massive, destructive open pit gold mines. Dave’s artistic contribution to this battle is truly heart-warming and sends a powerful message.”
The NOPE campaign (No Open Pit Excavation), a local coalition of residents, environmental groups and angling organizations, is concerned the proposed short-term gold mine operation could have long-term environmental impacts on the St. Mary’s River and the surrounding community.
As Gunning sings in his new song: “Five years’ worth of pay cheques never cover up the cost of forever gone.”