Petition for the GIFN UYSSP

Hi everyone, this is just a follow up in regards to my latest Instagram announcement. You can also find this information through the recent update on my change.org petition (http://chng.it/fL6pjXqd).
I'm sure as most of you know I have been working in solidarity with the Georgina Island First Nations community to raise awareness of the Upper York Sewage Solutions project. The online petition run by the community is no longer active, but they are continuing to collect paper copy signatures. I have attached a document briefly explaining the situation and declaration of the Chippewas of Georgina Island, along with the petition. I would appreciate if everyone who sees this takes a minute to review the document and sign the petition; feel free to mail your hard copy personally, forward it to me electronically, or post the signed document in the comments section of this post, and I will submit them to the environmental coordinator. Thank you for taking the time to read this!! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions too.

Update on the Upper York Sewage Solutions Project

Recently affecting the Chippewas of Georgina Island is the Upper York Sewage Solutions Project, which has been in limbo for over a year now; UYSSP would contribute to the disposal of "more than 40 million litres of treated wastewater per day into the Lake Simcoe Watershed". From the most recent updates, the government and decision makers have failed to include the community in any aspects of the project proposal, as well as ignoring critical concerns for health and the environment  - threatening the Lake Simcoe watershed, drinking water quality, along with the rights and livelihood of the Chippewas of Georgina Island residing in the area.

News article link: https://www.yorkregion.com/news-story/9208677-chippewas-chief-presses-georgina-for-stance-on-upper-york-sewage-solution/

Recapping Indigenous Learning Circles at UTSC

Calls to Action: Indigenous Learning Circles at UTSC

Pictured: ceremonial mat and talking stick used during the learning circles

During the second term of my first year, I started attending Calls to Action Indigenous Learning Circles; they were organized by Indigenous members/faculty at the school, along with allies among the community, led by Elder Wendy. Generally we met once a week to discuss different weekly topics concerning the journey to truth, reconciliation, and justice. A few key topics/terms included Gladue hearings (legal/court proceedings specifically for Indigenous individuals; emphasis on restorative justice), the burden of truth, diversity within, and 'kiyam' (Cree for "let it be").

I was unfortunately one of the only consistent student attendees at this program throughout the semester; I try to raise awareness about the importance of taking part in community and self education on Indigenous justice - it is the responsibility of every settler residing and thriving on the land we call Canada. I truly hope that the school is able to organize this program again in 2020 as it was a truly wonderful and memorable experience for me; I believe that anyone else who chooses to attend would also feel the same.

The people that I met at the Learning Circles brought something new and exciting to discuss each and every session; I found myself always learning more and leaving with new considerations for working towards Indigenous justice and reconciliation.

At first, I found myself discouraged at the inability to engage people with this issue as I had originally anticipated. Since starting my petition and social media accounts in grade 12, I struggled to get the support from even my classmates at the time. Outreach on social media has been slow, and sometimes discouraging, because I've felt like what I feel so passionate about doesn't gain traction among the larger public. A member of the Rotary HIP (Honoring Indigenous Peoples) who participated in the Learning Circles, John Curry, explained to me the 40/40/20 rule. Also a method for marketing, he used the analogy for getting your message to reach other people - even though there is a 40% that is in opposition & unlikely to change, there is a 40% that is accepting of your attitude, and there is the 20% still open to persuasion, unlearning, and change in perspective. Overall, the message to keep trying and never stop putting your voice out there for things that you feel passionate about. As much as advocacy and education over social media may feel unproductive, the little things do make a difference.

By the final gathering, we described reconciliation as encompassing understanding, acknowledgement, and moving forward. Reconciliation is a national project, and a shared project; reconciliation begins with everyone.

I believe that it is every settlers' duty (like myself) to take an active role in practicing unlearning and decolonization in efforts to shift towards the process of reconciliation. This will be impossible to achieve without fully recognizing and accepting the past, while working in solidarity and out of respect for the rights and freedom of Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read this post, I'm excited to finally have written this article and share it with the online community. I'd also like to acknowledge my privilege for being able to live and thrive in this space with my family, where I have the opportunity to feel safe, secure, and prosperous. Stay tuned for more posts in the upcoming weeks!

Wishing everybody a very happy and safe holiday season.
- eco feminist ally 🌎💚

Do You Know Your Place?

A fundamental aspect to truth and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada is the acknowledgement that we are settlers privileged to use resources and work on the rightful land of Indigenous communities.
This leads me to ask, do you know what territories and spaces we now occupy? If not, it is important to actively work to further educate yourself on land you and so many others call home. Go to www.native-land.ca to explore the territories, treaties, and languages of Indigenous communities in what is now what we call Canada!
My family and I currently reside on the land of Anishinabewaki ᐊᓂᔑᓈᐯᐗᑭ, Huron-Wendat , and Haudenosaunee peoples. I am grateful to have the privilege and opportunity to live and thrive in these spaces, where I accept the responsibility to acknowledging my settlement, encouraging and educating others to do the same.
I'd like to acknowledge that I found this exercise in the textbook Women and Gendered Violence in Canada: an intersectional approach, by Chris Bruckert and Tuulia Law, which I am using for the course Women, Violence, and Resistance. Taking an active educative stance and spreading awareness is a part of my action plan in response to Calls to Action for All Canadians.
After completing the exercise, please share this site with at least one other friend and encourage them to do the same! In order to be an active ally and build solidarity with Indigenous peoples in Canada, it is every settler's duty to educate themselves and continue the process of unlearning and decolonization.

Welcome to Justice for GLB!

Welcome to Justice for the Great Lakes Basin! For those who have been following my account since the very beginning of it's appearance on social media, thank you for following along with my journey and continuing to support my project; to my new followers, I'm glad to have you here, thank you for taking the time to support my initiative and expand your own knowledge!

I originally started this account as "Justice for First Nations - GLB" to bring attention to the discrimination and injustice towards Indigenous communities in Ontario; the initial purpose was for a grade 12 independent final project but my passion for the environment and equality has led me to continue my presence on social media to this day. Over the past year, I ran a blog page concerning numerous issues with the York Region Sewage Treatment Plant, and the quality of water that is maintained among our Great Lakes - a major source of water supply for Indigenous communities in Ontario. Unfortunately, the blog page was terminated along with my high school student account, so this is to act as a replacement...that I'm planning to keep permanently! Around the same time, I also created social media platforms on change,org, Instagram, and Twitter -- which I have been active on throughout the whole year.

Having begun university this past year, my hopes to establish a new blogging page was put on the back burner, but my passions for Indigenous rights, water, and our environment has done nothing but grow. Over the course of both semesters I was actively participating in environmental science labs [including water quality testing in the Rouge!] and attending Indigenous learning circles/Calls to Action. By participating in an array of activities during my first year of university I was able to brainstorm many points of interest that I'm ecstatic to begin blogging about for my followers on this page!!

I hope you all look forward to the rebirth of my blogging account, I'm super excited to be back and writing! To continue your support, if not done so already, please take a minute to sign my change.org petition { http://chng.it/Z5PY6VdP } and check out my Instagram { @eco.feminist.ally) and Twitter {@ForGlb}.

💚 Eco Feminist Ally