investigation | oil sands by lisa hirmer
mobi l ity invention people settlement independence
“I could live in one of those new condominiums going up” says a man of retired years while adding to the shed he has attached to an RV that is only partially discernable under a heavy wrapping of insulation. “But then I wouldn’t have this space” he adds, sweeping an arm around himself to indicate that he means the land around his deftly collaged home and the pine trees rising up behind his lot. “And, it would cost three times as much. “Of course, they say that when you sell those condominiums you get that money back, because the market here will always go up, but I don’t know about all that; I’ve
heard stories about plans going wrong for people. You just never know how well those condominiums were built. “Like this I am happy. My wife is happy. And I can have my dog here” he explains, referring to a large woolly dog lounging happily in the snow next to us. “And, who knows how long I will stay? When I’m ready to go I’ll give the extra pieces to the neighbours and drive away in the RV. That’s what I did last year and when I decided to come back after all, the neighbours gave back the addition I had given them. That’s how people are here” .
margin notes
from Fort McMurray
45
lisa hirmer
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