Grassy Narrows Delegation Trip

I was recently given an opportunity to visit Grassy Narrows to participate in a delegation that educates those seeking to do peacemaking work and non-violent direct action, on what is happening on the ground with land defence in the face of logging and mining company proposals to clearcut forests. This is important to me as an educator as I seek to learn more and commit myself to reconciliatory efforts. I hope to continue supporting projects like this in tangible ways, and do self-education so that I can do better in my own solidarity efforts within and outside of my teaching practice.

In order to attend and afford the cost of the trip however, I am looking to raise around $1000 prior to my departure. The money would go directly to Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) as well as Grassy narrows, and my own air-fair. Any additional money raised will go towards CPT and Grassy narrows as an additional donation.

I am reaching out through a fundraising campaign because I am hoping for support from my community. Many of my community members and organizations that I am involved with such as If Not Now, the Climate Anxiety Collective, Jews Say No to Genocide, and my Teacher's Union, hopefully are aligned in the value of working towards decolonization on Turtle Island, in the spirit of our shared collective interests in land protection and anti-colonialism across all nations. Additionally, I am so lucky to be in community with so many friends and family who have shared values and who I would hope an initiative like this could be worth prioritizing/ supporting each other in pursuing.

I would also not want my efforts to stop at this delegation. I hope that by going on this trip, I could apply some of my learning to community- education both through my work with youth as an educator, and through a direct follow-up in the form of a participatory educational experience/ presentation for people within different community organizations I am involved in to learn more about the issues surrounding Grassy Narrows, so that we can continue moving forward in our larger solidarity work. I'm also open to doing other labour/ movement work upon my return and open to ideas around this!

Thank you in advance for your consideration in donating, and I'm always around to have open conversations!

Iris