2nd Important Update (posted February 27)
Hi folks,
Unfortunately Uncle Mike is not able to join us tomorrow after all as he’s been called elsewhere. We’ll certainly be in conversation with him and Michelle about having him back soon as we can.
We’re still going to move ahead with the conversation tomorrow centering consent, reciprocity, and solidarity with Indigenous Sovereignty, land, water, and food defense tomorrow. This is conversation and responsibility for us as a majority non-Indigenous CoP to still be with and so we look forward to a shift in plans and still being in learning with folks tomorrow.
We lifted up the gatherings last week in so-called Kamloops and so-called Vancouver in the last update. We invite you to witness the livestreams, which include words from Uncle Mike (the wind in the background invites us to witness/listen extra hard),
Important Update (posted February 20)
Warning: The message below includes reference to Residential “Schools”.
February’s CoP session has been moved to a new date and time Tuesday, February 28 from 1 – 2:30 pm PST. We don’t often shift our standing gathering day or time but there were a few circumstances that made this the right choice for this month.
We are anticipating Uncle Mike joining us February 28 with thanks to Michelle Tsutsumi for her facilitation and support of his presence with us. They will be at the Kamloops Court Support action tomorrow at 9 AM PST.
We invite you to participate in the action a few ways tomorrow as well as an announcement from c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht) First Nation also happening tomorrow, more information below.
We can’t know where the conversation with Uncle Mike will go on February 28, and, honouring tomorrow’s events as well as some of the reflections from our last circle with Uncle Mike and the Secwépemc Free and Informed Prior Consent Protocol, ahead of next week will support us to gather and be in our CoP conversation well.
📣 We’re inviting the CoP to witness the livestream of the action on We, the Secwepemc: Virtual Unity Camp to Stop the Transmountain Pipeline Facebook from 🕘 9 – 9:45 am PST.
📣 For those in the so-called Vancouver area on stolen occupied shared xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territory there is a solidarity rally also at 9 am
👥 If you would like to watch the livestream of the Court Support and Vancouver rally with others, we’ll be opening up a Zoom for folks to do so together.
📧 Email us for the Zoom link to watch the actions together
We would also like to acknowledge that tomorrow at 1 pm PST c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht) First Nation will be publicly releasing the Phase 1 findings from research and scanning through the ʔuuʔatumin yaqckwiimitqin (Doing It for Our Ancestors) Alberni Indian Residential School project.
c̓išaaʔatḥ (Tseshaht) First Nation has put out a release for the announcement on their Facebook where they will also be offering a livestream of the announcement.
👥 We will again open up a Zoom room for anyone wishing to witness the announcement with others at 1 pm
Thanks to CoP member Jen Cody for letting us know this announcement is happening and inviting us to be present for and take good care around it.
We look forward to being honoured with Uncle Mike’s presence and knowledge next week and gathering with many of you.
Original Invitation (posted February 17)
Hello good folks of the CoP,
Looking forward to gathering with folks acknowledging that this invitation is arriving at the end of the week, with a long weekend ahead for some. Part of our team had the privilege of doing some work on Katzie territory this week, arriving back at the computer today to share the details below. Deep thanks to Keira and Michelle for collaborating towards this invitation and conversation.
We have invited Secwepemc Elder Mike Arnouse (aka Uncle Mike) to join us again for our February CoP gathering. This would be our third time hosting Uncle Mike in the CoP.
On the same day, there will be gatherings at the courthouse in so-called Kamloops and at Robson square in so-called Vancouver in support of the water and land protectors from the Secwépemc resistance to the transmountain pipeline who will be sentenced that day in Kamloops.
Nlaka’pamux land protector Billie Pierre, one of those found guilty and arrested, speaks in this video on the impacts of the pipeline. Video by Donna Clark.
My people are fishing people and we don’t get much salmon anymore…our traditional sustenance is our way of life. Anything impacting our food is an act of genocide.
Uncle Mike may well need to be at the solidarity action in Kamloops. Perhaps some of you will choose to be at these gatherings as well? If you’d be willing to call in to offer your experience of witnessing and/or share them in some way with the CoP we’d welcome that. Do be in touch if so.
Whether Uncle Mike is able to join us or not, we invite the CoP to join us in solidarity, so that we can build on our conversations with Uncle Mike from past years. These conversations have centered on him sharing the traditional knowledge of his community and stories of his many years of activism and teaching. He’s an Elder at Thompson Rivers University and for the Wild Salmon Caravan and Indigenous Food and Freedom School.
Photo credit: Ananda Lee Tan | Image Source
We invite you to sit with some of the reflections from our last circle with Uncle Mike where he shared his thinking around LandBack movements and work, taking care of the water and land, and what gets in the way of just and compassionate action. We also invite you to read and reflect on the Secwépemc Free and Informed Prior Consent Protocol, which we will discuss in relation to our work in food.
Some of the initial curiosities we’re holding going into this next circle pull on threads around consent, solidarity, and reciprocity both broadly, in relation to food and land justice, and our collective work and practice.
As a CoP, we’re invited to be present, witness, and reciprocate by taking time to share reflections, questions, and insights with Uncle Mike during and after our time together. We’ll have time in small breakout groups to support this. Whether or not Uncle Mike is able to join us for this next CoP, we will continue to offer back our learnings to him and welcome him again soon.
**Especially in the case Uncle Mike is able to join us, we ask that folks plan to arrive on time (Zoom will open 15 mins early) and stay for the duration of the session (*new time this month* 1 – 2:30 PST).**
February Gateway Community of Practice
🔥Consent, Reciprocity and Solidarity in Food Work
📅 *NEW Date/Time* February 28, 1 – 2:30 PST PM PST (Zoom opens at 12:45)
Interested in joining the CoP?
📧 Already a member? Check your e-mail for the registration link
Friendly reminders
👥 This is not a webinar, you will be invited to have your camera on where possible, accessible, and supportive of your presence and wellbeing. You’ll also be invited to participate in breakout rooms as well as use the Zoom chat and/or Google Jamboard if it’s available to you. It is always helpful to update your Zoom.
📱 We can support folks calling in If it is more accessible for you. Let us know and we’ll gladly work with you on making sure you have what you need to participate.
⌨️ A live auto-generated transcript, closed captioning, and facilitator self-description will be available. We expect there are access needs not met by this container and invite you to let us know how the CoP sessions could be more accessible as we work our access, inclusion, and disability justice practices.