Encounter: Scientist Comes Full Circle

What is an encounter?  Scientist Dr. Stephan Harding answers, "encountering means really meeting something that goes beyond one's intellectual process."  Watch this charming 4 minute video to see science come full circle from the parts back to the whole.

We Matter Campaign

Kelvin and Tunchai Redvers are brother and sister.  They are Metis and Dene.  Like so many Indigenous youth, they were overwhelmed by the high number of suicides and other issues that Indigenous youth face.  

But here is where the story takes a big turn.  In 2016, they decided to create a digital space where Indigenous youth from across the country can connect to give and receive support and love through an “interactive, multi-media format.”  And this space, they called We Matter.  Listen to them explain it for themselves:

The We Matter Campaign wants youth to know:

They aren’t alone.  They carry their own strengths.  They have the capacity to make change.  There are coping skills they can use during difficult times.  Being Indigenous is awesome and something to be proud of. Taking action can improve their communities and selves.  And they have skills and knowledge that can help others.

You can check out the inspiring short videos, artwork and writing on the We Matter website.  The voices of the young people are important to listen to and their messages are powerful.

This week, in Ottawa  We Matter held the first ever 2018 We Matter Hope Forum National Indigenous Youth Roundtable. Too often people talk for the youth and about them.  This forum gave the youth a chance to have their voices heard.  You can watch some of the proceedings on a 360 camera on the We Matter facebook page.  

Facebook has partnered with We Matter to offer assistance to youth who are considering suicide.  Their friends and loved ones can alert facebook if they see signs of this on the youth's posts.  Facebook can send a message offering support and resources to that youth. You can hear more about that on a CBC interview on The Current.

Hope Forum at the Wabano Centre, Ottawa   photo: CBC

As Tunchai says, there is space for all of us at We Matter.  People can create videos, submit writing, songs, artwork and they also need financial donations to help create tool kits to send to communities that need them.  Some northern communities don't have internet so they will send the messages on USB sticks.  This is another new story that is coming from the grassroots and young people who are tired of the old story.  And we can be a part of it.

A Voice for the Voiceless

The International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers  began in 2005.  It is a global alliance of Indigenous Grandmothers who are leaders in their own communities for prayer, education and healing Mother Earth.  The thirteen grandmothers come from all over the world.  On their website you can read about each one of them but I would like to introduce you to one grandmother.

Agnes Baker-Pilgrim  photo: Marisol Villeneuve

Agnes Baker-Pilgrim,Takelma Siletz, is from Grants Pass, Oregon. She is the oldest member of her tribe and is highly revered as an elder.  She brought back the traditional Salmon ceremony and other traditions.   She has been an outspoken “voice for the voiceless” speaking out for animals, trees, the water and all beings.  A mountain in Oregon was just named for her to honour her work.

You can hear her speak here in this ten minute clip.  She speaks very clearly about our relationship to water and how that affects us and our world.  If the world doesn't seem to make sense, then listen to a wise grandmother.  Have a listen!

The World Pulses on the Web

Jensine Larsen grew up on a farm in Wisconsin.  As a young woman she travelled the world meeting and working with people in developing countries.  Over and over again, women asked her to take their story and share it with others.  Eventually, the idea of World Pulse came to Jensine.  

She developed a website that is a platform for woman around the world to share their stories, resources and encouragement. 

This growing social network connects over 53,000 people from 190 countries who are estimated to be impacting the lives of 3.1 million people.  Studies have shown that when women who post their stories on-line are responded to positively, then they can go about creating social change more effectively. World Pulse is a way that we can listen to voices that are used to being silenced.

In an interview, Larsen described how World Pulse is unlocking the great potential of women.  She talked about an energetic connected pulse across the planet. On the World Pulse website the questions Why? Is asked.  The answer: “Because change isn’t happening fast enough. For decades, countless individuals and organizations have worked tirelessly for women’s equality, but the worldwide suppression of women continues. We need a global solution. That solution is digital technology with soul. Through World Pulse, the stories and connections we share are our most powerful catalysts for change—uniting millions to create a grassroots movement with global impact.”

Curious to know more, I signed onto the website and began to read stories of women all around the world.  I responded to one young woman who had escaped an abusive relationship with words of encouragement.  As I toured the website led by the prompts, I was invited to post a story.  So I posted the poem that I posted on my own blog for the Winter Solstice since it is about letting my light shine.

The next morning, there was a response waiting for me in my email list from a woman in Nigeria and another from a woman in the Philippines with beautiful words of encouragement.  I was so touched that I burst into tears  and I understood the power of positive words even from people I have never met.

Here is someone I would like you to meet.  Her name is Edinah and she is from Zimbabwe.  She is a journalist, women’s rights advocate and founding CEO of Women's Empowerment Foundation for Southern Africa .  Her vision is to amplify women's voices by opening communication channels for marginalized women and empowering them to gain their voices.

I read more stories about African women teaching girls how to use digital technology and how to have healthy images of themselves as girls.  Another story was by a courageous woman who told the truth about being HIV positive.  I read the encouraging words that other women wrote to them.  And I decided to read at least one story every week and send encouragement to at least one woman.  That is easily achieved and it allows me to play my part in this opportunity that has never existed before.

In Jensine Larsen’s travels she repeatedly heard “connect the women” and so she is doing her part.  When people on the radio and TV talk about the dire future, they never factor in that if women were connected and found their voices, the future could look very different than if their voices are ignored.

World Pulse says, “Welcome to our digital uprising.”  I know I want to be a part of that uprising, that rising up of women around the world who are connected by this web.  We can all do our part.

Check it out here!

If We Had a Million Dollars This is What We'd Do

RAVEN (Respecting Aboriginal Values and Environmental Needs) raises legal defence funds for Indigenous Peoples to defend their constitutional rights.  In an email they wrote, "Our strategic approach is working: we’re riding wave after wave of victories in the courts. We’re part of a groundbreaking movement that is putting a stop to unsustainable industrial development, and putting reconciliation into action."

Here is their list of successes for 2017:

One Million Dollars has been raised from 8293 donations from 14 nations to fund the legal costs of 7 cases.

Victory in the Peel!

75% of the Yukon’s vast Peel Watershed is now protected from mining, oil and gas.  Tr’ondek Hwech’in, Vuntut Gwitchin and Na-cho Nyak Dun First Nations achieve a unanimous Supreme Court Victory thanks to donations to RAVEN in the amount of $120,000.

Tar Sands on Trial!

We’re supporting the Beaver Lake Cree as they stand up to tar sands giants based on infringement of their Indigenous treaty rights.  A win would seriously curtail tar sands extraction, overturning business as usual to secure a liveable climate.  So far $192,551 has been raised.

Taseko Defeated!

In Tsilhqot’in Nation vs. Taseko, the Federal court ruled in favour of Indigenous Peoples against a proposed gold and copper mine underneath Teztan Biny (Fish Lake).  $71,900 was raised.

Pull Together Thrives

Pull Together supports the Tsleil-Waututh, Coldwater, Squamish and Seewepemc Nations’ legal challenges to the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline.  We’re using the power of the crowd to beat Big Oil and stand strong as allies with Indigenous Peoples.  $625,000 raised.

Wild for Salmon

We’re standing with Nations along the Skeena River in their efforts to protect Lelu Island and the mighty Skeena salmon.  $191,700 raised.

Heiltsuk Case Launched

After a historic win against Enbridge in 2016, the Heiltsu Nation are gathering force to take on the federal government and Kirby Corp. over the devastating Nathan E. Stewart spill in the Great Bear Rainforest.  RAVEN is behind them every step of the way.   $97,500 raised.

Circle of Allies Grows

A circle of 300+ people keep RAVEN’s heart beating strong with monthly donations so we can uphold long term commitments to our Indigenous partners.

After all the bad news this year, I was so happy to receive this email and know that my monthly donation, joined with others who are fighting in the courts has made a difference in protecting our Mother Earth. 

You can check it all out yourself here.