Question C

[Jonetta]

Tensions rise as Karl Lindstrom plans to clear great pines on sacred land called Our Grandfathers. How well were both sides of the issue presented? Normally, would activists from outside the area be helpful? Did Joan Hamilton advance the tribe's interest or create more obstacles?

[Angela]

I thought both sides were well shown in the book. I think activists from outside an area can escalate a problem, but they can also aid a situation with fresh ideas and volume of numbers to try to get people in authority to listen.

It felt like she created more obstacles, which ultimately lead to the moment she will never recover from. I didn't feel like she advanced the tribes interests. I felt sorry for her though, in the end.

[Jonetta]

I too thought both sides of the issue were outlined well. There's the ecological consideration and then the reality about the economic health of the community as a whole. They seemed to find a happy medium but then Karl was manipulating the whole thing so I'm not sure about the resolution. And then much of it burned down.

Joan was too invested in her own point of view and agenda and didn't really help the community as much as she could have. It blew up in her face and she lost her son. There's a lesson in there somewhere.

Good activist help the community mobilize and lead the efforts themselves.

[Veronica]

I agree. I think the issues and concerns for both sides were presented well. That said, overly militant approaches are not necessarily the best way to get people to listen. I find that a hostile approach tends to just make people defensive.

[Jonetta]

Yes, those approaches tend to be polarizing.