Chamberlin Disappoints at Grand River Book Forum

BRANTFORD, ON—October 19, marked the first annual Laurier Brantford Grand River Book Forum.  Organized by a number of faculty members, the Grand River Forum is meant to be a community builder, bringing students and faculty together outside of the classroom in a creative, cultural and intellectual way. But how much did it really bring them together?

Students, faculty and community members filed into the Sanderson Center to listen to a lecture given by J. Edward Chamberlin, author of “If This is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories? Finding Common Ground.” Laurier Brantford student, Taylor Rutherford says, “Besides being in the same room, I wouldn't necessarily say that the first day of the forum brought students and faculty together.”

Chamberlin’s book, “If This is Your Land, Where Are Your Stories? Finding Common Ground” was the main focus of the lecture. The book is said, “to take you on a journey through the tales of different people from North America to Africa to Jamaica.” Many were familiar with the book, many were not. This left some with unanswered questions and puzzled expressions. “Chamberlin just read excerpts from his book and expected that everyone who was coming had read his book. He probably expected everyone to understand, which they didn’t,” stated Rutherford.

            Audience member, Danielle Hyde, who is familiar with Chamberlin’s work, went to the forum in hopes to find answers to some of her questions. “If I had not read his book I don’t think I would have followed as well. Some of his chapters I found to be incredibly unclear, even after listening to his speech,” Hyde stated.

            Chamberlin, who worked on native land claims for over 30 years, is familiar with aboriginal culture and stories. Believing that they should be of inspiration to us, he says, “We need to understand our stories, because our lives depend on it.” Rutherford disagrees, “I do not think that our lives depend on stories. I think that stories are important to understand culture, but I do not think that I will die if I do not understand what a particular story means.”

            Due to these negative outlooks, was Chamberlin's book the best choice for the first annual Grand River Book Forum? “It was a good book, but I think for the first annual forum they could have chosen a more interesting book, or a book with more depth and relevance to everyday life,” believes Hyde.

Another lingering question remains—whether or not there should be a second annual forum. Rutherford feels, “That the forum is an interesting idea. It is a good idea if both the students and faculty had read the book. Otherwise, the forum doesn't really bring students and faculty together.” Hopefully the forum comes back with a stronger and more appealing approach to captivate faculty, students and community members, bringing them together more effectively.