Truth and Reconciliation

Now arriving @ Procrastination Station

The 100in1day Swap/Drop was such a success that I had requests for another to happen soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
I spoke with so many great people and learned about things like Irwin Allen’s films, perspectives on globalized labor markets and how to make your own scavenger hunt with painted pine cones. It was a special day and I’m so thankful to the volunteers (Phoebe, Quentin, Reuben, Cassaundra) who helped make it happen.

Join the Facebook Group if you’d like to stay updated/volunteer: Swap/Drop

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Reconciliation — Canadian History & Religion

“We are deeply grateful to gather here on unceded, unsurrendered, Algonquin territory. Although divided by political boundaries, this remains Algonquin land.
We come together in this time between truth and the hope of reconciliation, seeking wisdom and accompaniment of one another as we try to find a good way forward.
Believing in the possibilities of a reconciled future, we will not ignore the many injustices that persist and the many inequalities that continue to divide. […] ” Jennifer Henry Executive Director – KAIROS

The moment I stepped in, I could feel an immense energy radiating from the room. I couldn’t immediately understand, but change was happening before my eyes.

Aboriginal Elders spoke about the cultural genocide they experienced while attending residential schools. Issues about the living quality on reserves, unequal treatment towards native women (including 2000+ unsolved murders), environmental law infractions and the government completely disregarding all efforts made by native people to prosper in Canada.

These are some heavy subjects, but it is important to know about the dark, often disregarded part of our history. (more…)

A Message To Canadians

For generations, people living on this land have been silenced.

Bill C-51 is a new form of censorship. It is a violation of human rights resulting from political dominance – but this is not a new thing.

Indigenous people have been physically and mentally hurt since white people got here. They were enslaved, murdered, purposefully infected with small pox blankets and forced out of their homelands.

Years of genocide. Secrecy. Lies in our history books.
Absolute disrespect for the hospitality and knowledge offered to us by the people who lived here first.

Is this a Canada you are proud of?

I am so happy -and privileged- to live on this land.
We have it incredibly good in Canada BUT, it isn’t good enough.

We need to value the land and the peoples who were here before any of us came to colonize, brutalize and economize. When I say this, I am including the water, sky, soil, plants and animals.

I value the belief systems of Indigenous peoples and do not understand how this ignorance is still happening. I want to learn how to honor and learn the ways instead of ignoring and disrespecting their values. I want to be an ally because I know if anyone can help the stupid white people out of the mess we’ve gotten into, it is the people who were here first.

HEY! Step back and breathe air. Hear the crows calling?

I am not proud of the way Canada is run.

Why are we extracting resources with no consideration for the life and land we are impacting?

Why do we care more about dollar$ than community?
How can I live happily knowing my life is run by rich white men who have no consideration for the immeasurable daily struggles people face?

Why are women being silenced everyday by enforced sexual stereotyping, abductions, misogyny? We are healers, warriors and the bringers of LIFE. How are 2000+ (‘unofficial’) deaths of women being ignored?!?

What can WE do to change this?

– BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE –
Think freely, dangerously, critically about everything you experience.

We need the people we hurt to teach us how to love our land again. As “Canadians”, we have forgotten. I can only hope we are forgiven.

We are all indigenous when you consider that we are born on this earth -OF the earth- WE ARE THE EARTH… so why do we dehumanize our sisters and brothers?

I’m asking for help.
Understand one another. Appreciate what you have. Why take more than you need? Consider all aspects of life on this earth when making decisions. This isn’t about you.

Consider my thoughts because I am speaking from the heart.

Right now I am spending a weekend in Ottawa attending Truth and Reconciliation meetings about residential schooling that happened as recently as 18 years ago. It is hard for me to hear what has happened to people like you and me.

I acknowledge that I am on un-surrendered land and I thank you, sisters and brothers for all this land has offered -and will continue to offer- to me.

~ ♥ Sammantha J. M. (Arisetotrash)

I’d like to have some words with you…

I have been in Ottawa since Friday (May 29) and it has been a very incredible journey for me.

Attending various workshops, gatherings and conversations about Indigenous peoples’ efforts to have their voices heard about what really happened in residential schools has taught me a lot. I have new perspectives that I’d like to share with you.

The conversations have been difficult for myself and the people involved. I am going to try to convey them in a way that is not offensive to anybody. So, although I did not attend the Bill C-51 protest, I feel that my time spent in Canada’s capital so far has been time well spent.
I am standing up for another breach in human rights.

I think it is important to share this with anybody who wants to listen. Stay reading within the next few weeks, I hope to share as much information as possible.