Dr. Earley’s presentation, “Resource Geographies in the Canadian North”, on October the fifth highlighted me one of the Canada History from the Colonial Era. Colonial Era? If I will compare the time to the geological era, the time for the pipeline construction and the operation time frame were not be considerable. To me, it seems like that was happened before yesterday, because I think, I am seeing all remnants of those events in one time and in one place. For an environmental engineering student, it made me feel unpleasant by seeing careless colonial activities on the other people landscape, that will impact to today of our livings and our environment. During the presentation, I was wondering to know more about what Dr. Earley’s group will be documenting and to what extent their works will be supporting for the community and the environment. Some facts she talked about the amount of financial investment (30million US$), man power (U.S. and its alliance soldiers); politically correct word?) put on 800km, 4 inches crude oil pipeline construction in about three years (1942-1945), and sudden stop of production (only fifteen months production) amazed me on sudden decision changes in World War II. I also wonder how they managed to produce 3000 barrel per day production rate that drew my thoughts to the flow. Moreover, telegraph lines, repeater stations, appropriate numbers of pump stations, emergency shelters, etc,. also gave me somewhat to understand the level of  operational practices in colonial time.

It was very appealing to see that a group of five women; their motivation, energy, activities and cooperation within the group to complete the journey, the resistance on harshness and the courage to overcome the challenges that they believed they can proof it. Not only for a physical journey; biking along the dart road, other important components of consultation with First Nations to enter with the project into their traditional territories in two regions (Yukon and NWT) was not an easy piece to support their journey. The way of her presentation style was slightly different from other academic researchers in particular, materials placed on the slides and their flows, but, she kept on track to the content and brought audience attention to the point that the way she liked to share. As she presented thoroughly, she answered the questions well as a professional.

Although the component on her presentation was not directly supporting to my research, receiving the thoughts and brainstorming ideas on the core aspect of public safety and environmental awareness on remediation process of this project. I am curious to know about if there is any impact assessment study for the recovery of the project? I enjoy to learn week after week because knowledge is golden.