Have you ever wondered why and how the pitcher plant became a symbol of Newfoundland and Labrador, and of our collective identity?

“The pitcher plant is unique, creative and resilient. It is beautiful and tenacious, tough and adaptable. It has thrived throughout all regions of our province for centuries, just as our people have done," Premier Danny Williams said in 2006 at a launch for the province's new "brand" signature. “It is an important part of our history and a true symbol of who we are and what we’re made of. It is the symbol by which the world will know us.”

Sarracenia purpurea "really is resilient and creative," Sara Swain writes in her new essay for The Independent, Lessons from the Pitcher Plant. "But the source of its celebrated qualities is not its carnivory; it is its mutual hospitality, collaboration, and cooperation. This living reality makes it an auspicious symbol for Newfoundland and Labrador after all, just not for the reasons we’ve come to expect."

In Ep. 14, Swain reads her full essay for our listeners. And she tells host Justin Brake about how reflections on her own identity as a Newfoundlander, and a chance encounter with a pitcher plant near her favourite St. John's swimming hole, led her to writing the essay.

Lessons from the Pitcher Plant was originally published Jan. 24, 2024 at TheIndependent.ca. Click here to read the full essay.

Very special thanks to All The Wiles (Katie Baggs, Jared Klok, Ben Rigby, Billy Nicol and Jake Nicol) for their song "Handful of Sand".

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berrygrounds is a proud member of the Harbinger Media Network and Unrigged.ca.

Did we learn anything from Muskrat Falls and the public inquiry that followed? Surely, a multi-billion dollar project with significant resistance from locals wouldn't be pushed through without a social license...again?

That's exactly what residents of the West Coast say is happening with World Energy GH2's Project Nujio'qonik, a proposed wind-to-hydrogen megaproject that would see hundreds of windmills scattered across the Port au Port Peninsula and the Codroy Valley.

Residents are watching in horror as the company and the province appear to be rushing the project through the approvals process in order to be first to market.

In this episode, we speak with Port au Port resident Duran Felix, a retired analyst who spent his career reviewing documents for Canada's military and has reviewed World Energy GH2's 4,000-plus page environmental impact statement. We also speak with Camille Ouellette-Dallaire, an assistant professor of environmental science at Memorial University's Grenfell campus in Corner Brook who once worked for the federal government reviewing environmental impact statements.

For some backstory, listen to berrygrounds Episode 2: Port au Port and the Wind Industry Acid Test.

If you like our show and would like to support berrygrounds' coverage of the province's emerging wind-to-hydrogen industry, please consider becoming a monthly subscriber.

The songs "Depth of Focus" and "Fearful New World" are courtesy Shane Ivers of Silverman Sound Studios.

Innu children have been taken from their families, communities and culture for decades. But now, after a years-long fight for change, Innu are sharing their stories and truths through the Inquiry Respecting the Treatment, Experiences and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System.

On this National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we speak with Simeon Tshakapesh and Anastasia Qupee, two of the Innu leaders who fought for the inquiry.

For more information on the inquiry, visit www.inniuna.ca.

If you like our show and would like to support berrygrounds' coverage of the climate crisis and other important stories, please consider becoming a monthly subscriber.

The songs "Snowdrops" and "Spark of Inspiration" are courtesy Shane Ivers of Silverman Sound Studios. "Oh Canada" was performed by Jully Black at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game.