What I have learned (unlearned, or may still be learning) from the month of May...
No matter the seeming strength of my voice, when it is coming from a place of lived/living experience, it will always be at risk of being discounted as the ramblings of a mad person. It will take time for the world to catch up to and understanding that lived - but particularly living - experience is still valuable, regardless of imposed qualifiers. This does not mean my own - or anyone else's voice - is not worth sharing.
Being "recovery-oriented" is not something I believe can be solely defined by anyone except the person whom is living their journey, though I understand others may have to shape firmer boundaries in order to operate in the current systemic limitations.
Some days hope looks like a family of owls in the forest.
Re-shaping anger into a productive form can be powerful, though it can be also be exhausting. Some days I just don’t have the energy to make advocacy efforts and the needs behind them any more watered-down and palatable for others. Collaboration is key, but sometimes one needs a break from softening the harsh realities of the most marginalized for those in positions of power to consider.
Some days appreciation of humanity can be found in another person helping you on the small mission of saving a ladybug lost on the bus.
I am still capable of things (like returning to work) I had learned to doubt over the past few years.
Wandering the city with an audiobook in hand, is delightful.
Garry oak ecosystems are not endangered in the ways we most typically think of as they are not naturally created landscapes. These precious ecosystems are endangered because they are traditionally managed environments - colonization was and remains, their biggest threat. Environmentalism and efforts towards this are inherently connected to returning taken land to the indigenous communities who have long lived upon it.
- S.
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