Writer, Creative Consultant, Relational Policy Advisor
You can be a part of this in more ways than one
Support The Book
We are seeking support by way of donations, words of encouragement, and by sharing the news with your networks. Financial contributions will go directly to the diverse folks helping me with the manuscript, editing, and publishing process, including honorariums for those involved in sharing circles and check-ins to guide this work.
**A portion of any and all proceeds of the book will be shared equitably among several BIPOC and Ecological Justice causes that will be determined by consensus with the Anishinaabekweg of “Nibi Emosaawdamajig – Those Who Walk for the Water” and the Sacred Water Circle.
In 2016, in partnership with Indigenous Elders, knowledge holders, and friends, I embarked on an intricate learning journey to find out what might happen if settlers such as myself began to
"Remember our Original Instructions"
What has emerged is a weaving of poetry, story-sharing, and diverse cultural narratives into a landscape of questions concerning our sense of identity and belonging and our responsibilities to our relationships with Self, Others, and Land.
This work has been my prayerful offering and my embodied spiritual practice.
It is a basket of stories, reflections, continuing spirals of conversations, and deep engagement with several fields of thought including settler colonialism, Indigenous resurgence, critical whiteness, sustainability studies, trauma psychology, transformational education, and Celtic studies.
The response to this work has been truly incredible. I am humbled and profoundly grateful to everyone who has supported this ongoing learning journey and to all of you who have so enthusiastically encouraged me to turn this writing into a book for wider audiences.
Embodied Learning in Community
Deep Listening. Critical Self-Reflection. Collective Action.
Beginning decolonial work and becoming more accountable in our relationships with Self, Others, and Land takes an enduring commitment to do what Georgie Horton Baptiste calls the hard heart work. Transforming our consciousness involves deep inner work as well as a consistent willingness to keep showing up to the collective work of dismantling systems of oppression. For white people like myself, this also involves uncovering what we may feel entitled to while giving up the unearned power and privilege we unconsciously wield in this - to quote bell hooks - imperialist, white supremacist, capitalist patriarchy.
What I have been discovering is that this process also bears gifts; profound gifts that we may not have even been aware of that we are starving for. Along the way, helping me to illuminate these gifts and to check and guide my thinking are Anishinaabekweg who have welcomed me, taught me, and supported me, and who have generously consented to be named here in this sharing space. I continue to work in collaboration with these women for the water and in the creation of this book for all of you.
For the members of Nibi Emosaawdamajig and the Sacred Water Circle, especially to Dr. Elder Shirley Williams (‘da boss / Auntie), Elder Dorothy Taylor, Liz Osawamick, Georgie Horton-Baptiste, Marjolaine LaPointe, and Grandmother Josephine Mandamin-ba, for your continued example making waves and transforming hearts and minds. Gchi-miigwech. Miigwech. Miigwech. Miigwech. I love you.
