The Inverness Oran

-by Beverley Phillips

The Inverness County Centre for the Arts is pleased to present land remembers us, an ongoing photographic research-creation project by artist Julie Forgues that explores the deep, often inexplicable connections we feel to the landscapes around us.

                Through photography, Forgues traces the ancient Caledonian Mountains, a vast geological formation created millions of years ago through the collision of continents and the closing of ancient oceans. Today, this shared geological structure connects the Canadian Maritimes, Scotland, Ireland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and parts of Scandinavia. Through these interconnected landscapes, Forgues considers the emotional, ancestral, and geological ties that connect us to a place, transforming what might initially be unfamiliar space into something deeply meaningful.

                At the heart of Forgues’ practice is an exploration of the in-between: those transitional landscapes where nature and culture meet, overlap, and exist in a state of transformation. Neither entirely natural nor entirely cultural, these intermediate sites occupy a kind of latent space between what has been and what is yet to come. Through her photographic images, Forgues makes these often-overlooked spaces visible, inviting viewers to reconsider how we understand landscape, belonging, and our relationship to place.

                “Land remembers us” asks us to consider how landscapes hold memory, how our connections to land might extend beyond our own lived experiences, and how a sense of belonging can emerge even in places we have only just discovered.

About the Artist:

                Julie Forgues holds an MFA in Studio Arts (Photography) from Concordia University and a BAV from Université de Moncton, where she has been a professor since 2000. Her extensive international residency experience includes the Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Program in Scotland (2024), the Swatch Art Peace Hotel residency in Shanghai (2017–2018), and two participations in The Arctic Circle residency program (2016 and 2023), alongside residencies in China, Iceland, Ireland, Japan, and Scotland.

                Her work has been exhibited regionally, nationally, and internationally, including at Shanghai PhotoFairs (2018) and Galerie Sans Nom in Moncton, New Brunswick (May 2026).

Exhibition Title: land remembers us: from the Arctic to the Caledonians

Venue: Inverness County Centre for the Arts, 16080 Highway 19, Inverness, NS

Exhibition Dates: November 8^th – December 13^th

Opening Reception: November 8^th, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Artist Talk: November 8^th, 1:00 p.m.

Admission: Admission by donation

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 12 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Contact: [email protected]  

                To learn more, donate, or to become a member, visit www.invernessarts.com or phone (902) 258 2533.

Kukuwes was in Aulds Cove handing out pamphlets on the problems AI data centres cause, including light, air, and noise pollution, high water use, higher electric bills, and that their energy use is creating a new climate pressure point in what is already a crisis. (Photo credit: Jesse Winkiewicz)

-by Beverley Phillips

Traffic was slowed in Aulds Cove as Mi’kmaw land protectors and allies handed out pamphlets highlighting some of the hazards associated with AI data centres.

                On October 16^th, EverWind Fuels announced it was building an $8 billion AI data centre at its Point Tupper location, which would be leased to Anthropic, a United States-based AI company, for 20 years. They said it would be a closed-loop system to minimize the need for water. It will draw 500,000 litres of water a day. It will need to be hooked up to Nova Scotia Power's grid initially, but the company says they plan to install wind turbines and battery storage to reduce grid demand. EverWind and Anthropic have pledged to cover the costs of upgrading the power grid.

                Organizer Kukuwes Wowkis (colonial name Madonna Bernard) of We’koqma’q did some research into these data centres and did not like what she found as she read about the water, land, and noise pollution they generate.“I’m here for my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren,” she said. “I am Mi’kmaw. We are protectors of Mother Earth. And this is what our treaty right states, that we have to do it for our next seven generations. This is why Mi’kmaw always seem to be on the front line. We think about the next seven generations to come.”

                And that’s what Wowkis wants everyone to think about. “If you can’t think about [your children, the future generations to come], then who are you?” she asked. “If we don’t do it for them, what are we going to leave them? Nothing. We're gonna leave them dirty water. Poison air, poison land. We won't have our medicines.”

                She had a message for elected officials at both the provincial and municipal levels. “Please, do your own research into this,” said Wowkis. “Please stop selling out for the big money. Yes, we need jobs. Yes, we need economic development. But we don't need to rush into things, because these AI centres are something new, and we don't need to rush into them. We need to sit down all together and talk. Not have dollar signs in front of your eyes. They have got to think about their children and their future generations.”

                It wasn’t just Mi’kmaw land protectors who were there. A number of allies showed up from Antigonish. “The benefit for Nova Scotians is small, given the cost, environmentally,” said Isabella Lamb. Kate Graves added, “That thing is 24/7. The animals, the birds, they're all just going to scatter. Nothing's going to stay. It's totally disrespectful of the ecosystem. They haven't consulted. They haven't acted with respect for the treaties. They're acting in corporate interests, not people's interest.”

                Sean MacGillivray came down from Sydney to support the action. He volunteers for rallies and protests all over Nova Scotia, providing audio support and safety equipment, like high-visibility vests. He is looking at the proposed data centre from both the local and the broader scope of issues associated with AI. “First of all, the data centre needs somewhere in the ballpark of half a million litres of water per day,” he said. “Additionally, it's being built under the pretense that it's going to give us some sort of data sovereignty, when that's not the case. It's Anthropic. Not only is it immensely environmentally bad- the facility itself- but it's part of the larger problem of AI and its global effects, not just on the environment, but on the labour market as well. AI is a proven job killer. And I think there are all kinds of good reasons to oppose AI on principle, but in addition, the province has waived all of the environmental safeguards around putting this facility in place. It seems that this government has no idea about how to grow Nova Scotia's economy without doing that at the expense of its environment, which is incredibly important, because some of the things that already propel our economy, like tourism, depend on our environment remaining unspoiled. And, of course, there are major ramifications for Indigenous land sovereignty issues. And that's also a great reason to come out and support this cause.”

                The group handed out 300 pamphlets from the middle of the highway. “Most were very positive and supportive,” said Wowkis. “There was only one incident that a man threw the pamphlet back at one of our guys. No big deal. Most were honking and waving.”

                On November 7^th, there will be rallies across the province from 12 noon to 2 p.m., including in Port Hawkesbury at the Provincial Building at 218 MacSween Street.

Back on June 21, Sea Laird (No.3) and Zach Mullins got the feature win that day with Shir Gain (No. 5) and Rodney Gillis settled for third. Both horses will be on the starting gate this Saturday at Northside Downs in the $5,000 Governor’s Cup final.

-by Bill Dunphy

Inverness Raceway may be closed for the season, but two Inverness County horses are still making noise at Northside Downs.

                Shir Gain, owned and trained by Port Hood’s D.F. Beaton, and Sea Laird, owned by Doug Lowthers and trainer Zach Mullins, of Inverness, both secured spots in the $5,000 Governor’s Cup final next Saturday in North Sydney.

                 Shir Gain and driver Rodney Gillis sprang an 8-1 upset in the first $1,600 division with a season’s best 1:58.2 effort.

                Defending Governor’s Cup Series champion No Red Rum She Wrote (Martin Bates) led the boys through fractions of :28.3, :59 and 1:28.2 while early trailer Hugh Huff (Randy Getto), the 2024 series champion, marched forward to challenge after the first quarter.

                Away fourth, Gillis moved Shir Gain second-over to follow the 3-2 favourite’s cover and pounced on the dueling leaders with a three-wide move heading for the stretch, prevailing by three-quarters of a length over Hugh Heff while Pay Line (Ryan Campbell) edged out Red Rum She Wrote for third.

                Shir Gain, who finished fourth in the opening leg of the series, recorded his seventh victory in 25 starts during his eight-year-old campaign.

                In the second split, 6-5 favourite Sea Laird, with Ryan Campbell catch-driving for Mullins, turned in a season’s best 1:56 victory after out-maneuvering a game rival.

                Leaving from the inside post, Sea Laird stretched out 8-5 second choice Aragonite (Rodney Gillis) to a :27.4 quarter before playing a game of ‘follow the leader’ through middle splits of :57.1 and 1:26.2.

                Aragonite turned for home with a two-length lead but Sea Laird reeled him in down the stretch and reached up just in time to snatch the victory by half a length. Ranked Contender (Ardon Mofford), also 8-5 on the tote board, tried it first-up from third in the middle stages of the race but finished 10 lengths behind the top pair, holding on for the show spot over Thunder Alley (Mark Pezzarello).

                A runner-up to Thunder Alley in round one, it was Sea Laird’s eighth win in 24 starts this year.

                The $5,000 final will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, including series point-leader Sea Laird, along with Shir Gain and Thunder Alley, who tied for second place. There was a three-way tie in the point standings between the other opening leg winner Alritealritealrite along with Hugh Huff and Ranked Contender, requiring a draw to determine the remaining two finalists. That draw was held after Sunday’s 11^th  race, with Alritealritealrite and Hugh Heff advancing to the final. A $3,000 consolation will also be held next Saturday. Post time is 12 p.m.

• Inverness stock car enthusiast David Timmons keeps on drivin’ ‘er
• Philthy Phil closes out Inverness Raceway’s amazing 100th season
• D.J. MacLean & Sons Carpentry Ltd. wins Economic Impact Award
• Ice problem forces early end to Sr. A Knights game in Inverness
• Macs end U18 Major Islanders six-game win streak with 4-1 win
• No deal reached between government and CUPE school support workers
• The Data Centre debate
• U15 A Islanders start the season undefeated with a pair of draws
• Rehabilitated eagles come home to the Highlands
• Seeking support for the Mabou waterfront development project
• Blood and coal by Alex Phillips
• Government of Canada supports Theatre Baddeck Society’s project to strengthen new permanent home
• Pius MacIsaac Memorial Music Fund Celebrates Third Annual Fundraiser at Glenora Inn and Distillery
• Holding Up the Sky Thunder Bay exhibit is homecoming for artist Virginia McCoy
• Tom Ryan Book Launch