WE ARE OF THE LAND

New Stories and Stories of Our Ancestors

We live in a time of unprecedented assaults on our beautiful fragile planet.

For some it can feel easier to ignore the reality of climate degradation and carry on ‘as usual’.

But there are many of us who live in hope that we can, if not repair, then at least attend to the wounds ; that we can relearn to live together with each other and with all living things in more life-affirming and harmonious ways.

Some would say that ‘hope is a moral imperative’. And indeed, there are many stories out there about individuals and communities who are involved in the regeneration of the earth and in reclaiming ways of being together in community that support the healing and well-being of ourselves, the earth, the water, and air and all our fellow creatures.

How do we continue on this path with hope? How do we quiet the voices in our heads that say ‘ It’s too late. There’s nothing to be done’ .How do we change the hearts and minds of people who care deeply but feel powerless to engage in change-making?

The story circle is a good place to begin - again and again and again. A place where we can share:

Stories of Gratitude for the gifts of the natural world
Stories that Honour our Pain and Fear
Stories about Seeing with both New and Ancient Eyes
Stories about Going Forth with Determination and at Times Joy

These words (Gratitude, Honouring our Pain, Seeing with New Eyes and Going Forth) are the four States of Being that ecologist and activist Joanna Macy used in her Spiral workshops: states through which we move back and forth repeatedly.

This 2-day workshop is structured around these four states of being.

There will be some teachings. But mostly this workshop is about turning to our own stories to keep hope and joy alive and to guide us in our efforts to heal the earth and all its inhabitants.

Participants will be invited to share their own movement through these states in the story circle through oral and written stories and through stories told through visual art.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Youth, adults, and elders
Folks from the North and from the South
Workers and community volunteers
Teachers and students
Artists and storytellers

... in other words, everyone who is deeply concerned about the destruction of our precious earth, who treasures their connection to the natural world, and who partakes in its bounty.