2019 Youth Retreat On Climate Change
From July 25 – 28, 2019, youth climate leaders from across Atlantic Canada engaged in a 3 day retreat at the Thinkers Lodge in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. Three days of brave and deep discussions culminated with statements, poetry and a tree planting ceremony.
One of the youth organizers, Lily Barraclough said, “This weekend has been powerful and transformational. Twenty of us came together from all across Atlantic Canada to learn, to open our hearts and minds, to connect and to build relationships across our generation that will help us solve this crisis that we are in. These Thinkers have been brave, vulnerable, and open with each other. We have people from ages 15 to 29 involved with the student movement, free tuition, migrant rights, fighting for a liveable wage, 2SLGBTQ+ rights, Indigenous sovereignty, science, arts and many others. Everyone has been brave and open.”
In another statement, “The time to change our system, the one that has led to climate destruction, white supremacy, patriarchy, poverty, extraction, genocide of Indigenous people, colonization and multiple other forms of oppression is now. There is no time to wait, and we are here today to share with you our learnings from this weekend and our vision for the future, that leaves no one behind and ensures a liveable climate and society for everyone.”
A red oak tree planting ceremony was lead by Mi’kmaq women Hannah Martin and Paulina Meader, which included a smudge and water offering ceremonies. A Commemorative Plaque has been installed:
A Short Film on the Declaration on the Commemorative Tree Plaque:
WASHED AWAY
My finger traces a finger in the sand
Poem from Megumi
Rocks placed inside to represent bodies of land
Low tide slowly cascading closer and closer up the sea bed
“Climate change isn’t real,” that’s what they said
With 20 minds coming together
There must be something we can do to promise us a
forever
Time is running out
And my mind is gradually filling up with doubt
If action is not taken
Then don’t be mistaken
Soon we’ll all be washed away
This retreat was not what I expected… But in the best way. Although this wasn’t 100% focused on climate justice, it focused on so much more. This retreat took a holistic approach to climate justice, it incorporated Indigenous ways of knowing, anti-oppression frameworks, and truly focused on community and self care. I am so thrilled that this weekend took such an intersectional approach to this seemingly incomprehensible issue that is climate change. I left this weekend with better relationships with others, but also with myself. To me climate justice is directly tied to respecting Indigenous rights- and that is something that was clearly reflected throughout this weekend- thank you, thank you, thank you.
From one of the Youth Thinkers
Media
Visit the Tatamagouche Light for an article about this retreat:
See our Facebook page for some content and photos, including:
