OUR CONNECTION TO MOTHER EARTH
DURING THIS TIME OF CLIMATE CRISIS
A 2-Day Story Exchange Workshop
WE LIVE IN A TIME of unprecedented assault on our beautiful fragile planet earth.
Sometimes this reality is too much for us to bear. So we ignore it and carry on
‘as usual’.
Sometimes we live in the hope that we can repair the earth, or at least
heal some of her wounds; that we can relearn to live together with each
other and with all living things in more life-affirming and harmonious ways.
Many of us move back and forth between these two states of being.
Some say that we need to fully feel both our gratitude for the bounty we receive from Mother Earth and our pain in the face of its destruction in order to address the climate crisis.
Some say that hope and action (both small and large) are what we need to hold us steady.
And indeed, there are many stories about individuals and communities who are involved in the regeneration of the earth, and in the healing and well-being of the earth, the water, the air, our fellow creatures, and ourselves.
What are your stories? What are your ancestors’ stories?
Come join us in the story circle and share stories of your own experiences
in the natural world, using oral storytelling, writing, and different forms
of visual art.
You don’t have to be a writer or an artist to join the story circle.
You only have to trust that your creative spirit and open heart will lead you
towards the stories that matter to you and to others in the circle.
WORKSHOP CONTENT:
Over the course of this 2-day workshop participants will be invited to explore stories relevant to our connection to the earth:
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Stories of Gratitude for all the gifts we receive from the natural world
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Stories that Honour our Pain and Fear
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Stories about Seeing with both New and Ancient Eyes
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Stories about Going Forth with Determination and at Times Joy
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
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Folks from the Northern and Southern Turtle Island/Canada
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Youth, adults, and elders,
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Workers and community volunteers
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Teachers and students
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Artists and storytellers
In other words, anyone and everyone who treasures their connection to the natural world and is deeply concerned about its destruction.
Dates and times: August 11-12, 2026 9:00am to 4:00pm
Location: Mediation Services
1200 Portage Ave/ #302, Winnipeg, MB
Cost
Regular rate: $390
Early bird rate: $350 (Pay by July 28)
for 2 days including lunches
NOTE: The development of this workshop was guided by the wisdom of two beloved ecology activists and teachers:
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Robin Wall Kimmerer, an Indigenous botanist, author, educator, and former director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment from the Citizen Potawatomi Nation; and
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Joanna Macy, an ecological philosopher, activist and educator from the United States whose life work was shaped by Buddhist spirituality.
Section of Earth Quilt created by participants in 'Earthsong' workshop, United Church in Meadowood (2025)
TESTIMONIALS from past workshops: