Climate Change Retreat September 2019: Indigenous and Faith Leaders
at Thinkers Lodge, Pugwash, Nova Scotia
Collaboration of Centre for Local Prosperity and Pugwash Park Commission
Indigenous and Faith Leaders: A Pugwash Declaration
Earth and all of Creation is Sacred and at risk.
We are all children of the Earth – made of Earth, Water and Air.
Our very existence is in question.
We live, grow, play, work, wash, cook, drink, rest, pray and celebrate with Earth, Water and Air.
What we do to the Earth, Water and Air
we do to ourselves.
Earth, Water and Air are vulnerable and need to be protected, and shared freely and fairly. Earth, Water and Air are not commodities or merely resources. They are not owned by anyone. They are unique conditions, life givers and dynamic beings with creative and healing powers unlike any other powers in the world, and the human family. While we differ in the names we give to the Sacred, and in the symbols and ceremonies that we use to ground us and give us life, we the Indigenous and Faith Thinkers are united in this view.
Humanity has lost its spiritual roots in the Earth and its connection to the original teachings of living in balance with all of Creation. The Earth is calling us to awaken to who we really are, to live lives shaped by reflection, intention, compassion, respect and humbleness. Just as a healthy forest is a diverse ecosystem, we as humans can create a healthy society by embracing the diverse gifts and talents of all of humanity.
We are all children of the Earth – made of Earth, Water and Air.
Our very existence is in question.
We live, grow, play, work, wash, cook, drink, rest, pray and celebrate with Earth, Water and Air.
What we do to the Earth, Water and Air
we do to ourselves.
Earth, Water and Air are vulnerable and need to be protected, and shared freely and fairly. Earth, Water and Air are not commodities or merely resources. They are not owned by anyone. They are unique conditions, life givers and dynamic beings with creative and healing powers unlike any other powers in the world, and the human family. While we differ in the names we give to the Sacred, and in the symbols and ceremonies that we use to ground us and give us life, we the Indigenous and Faith Thinkers are united in this view.
Humanity has lost its spiritual roots in the Earth and its connection to the original teachings of living in balance with all of Creation. The Earth is calling us to awaken to who we really are, to live lives shaped by reflection, intention, compassion, respect and humbleness. Just as a healthy forest is a diverse ecosystem, we as humans can create a healthy society by embracing the diverse gifts and talents of all of humanity.
The Indigenous-Faith Leaders Retreat Thinkers included:Russell Daye, St Andrews United Church, Halifax
Christine Heming, Annapolis Shambhala Meditation Centre, NS
Jim Drescher, Shambhala Buddhism Windhorse Farm, NS
Cathy Martin, Facilitator, Millbrook First Nation, NS
Robert Cervelli, Centre for Local Prosperity
Albert Marshall, Elder, Eskasoni First Nation, NS
Elizabeth Bachem-Jennings, St George & St Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal
Ben Grieder, Ecology Action Centre, Faith Communities, Halifax
Dr Joanne Langley, Baha’i Community, Halifax
Joe Michael, Elder ,Indian Brook First Nation, NS
Rev Marian Lucas-Jefferies, Anglican Environmental Network, Diocese of NS-PEI
Ron Tremblay, Elder, Wolastoq Grand Council Chief, NB
Sarah (Sadie) Francis, Elder, Pictou Landing First Nation, NS
Rev Dr George Palamattam ,Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Charlottetown, PEI
Eric Tusz-King ,Diaconal Minister, United Church of Canada, Sackville, NB
Imam Abdallah Yousri, Ummah Mosque, Halifax
Stan Johnson, Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative, Cape Breton
Irene Woodard, GreenFaith Movement Board Member, NYC
Bill Martin, Pastor, retired, Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada
Dayle Eshelby, Centre for Local Prosperity
Ethan Neville, Artist, Filmmaker
Christine Heming, Annapolis Shambhala Meditation Centre, NS
Jim Drescher, Shambhala Buddhism Windhorse Farm, NS
Cathy Martin, Facilitator, Millbrook First Nation, NS
Robert Cervelli, Centre for Local Prosperity
Albert Marshall, Elder, Eskasoni First Nation, NS
Elizabeth Bachem-Jennings, St George & St Andrew United Church, Annapolis Royal
Ben Grieder, Ecology Action Centre, Faith Communities, Halifax
Dr Joanne Langley, Baha’i Community, Halifax
Joe Michael, Elder ,Indian Brook First Nation, NS
Rev Marian Lucas-Jefferies, Anglican Environmental Network, Diocese of NS-PEI
Ron Tremblay, Elder, Wolastoq Grand Council Chief, NB
Sarah (Sadie) Francis, Elder, Pictou Landing First Nation, NS
Rev Dr George Palamattam ,Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Charlottetown, PEI
Eric Tusz-King ,Diaconal Minister, United Church of Canada, Sackville, NB
Imam Abdallah Yousri, Ummah Mosque, Halifax
Stan Johnson, Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative, Cape Breton
Irene Woodard, GreenFaith Movement Board Member, NYC
Bill Martin, Pastor, retired, Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada
Dayle Eshelby, Centre for Local Prosperity
Ethan Neville, Artist, Filmmaker
Climate Change Retreat July 2019: Youth Leaders
at Thinkers Lodge, Pugwash, Nova Scotia
Collaboration of Centre for Local Prosperity and Pugwash Park Commission
Pugwash, Nova Scotia: Sunday, July 28th - Youth climate leaders from across Atlantic Canada emerged today from 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 says, “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.”
Their invitation - Come help us celebrate the work that we are doing, and help us push it forward to ensure the necessary action is taken by all levels of government to protect our future! As Greta Thundberg so appropriately states “I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is”.
One of the youth organizers, Lily Barraclough says, “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.”
Their invitation - Come help us celebrate the work that we are doing, and help us push it forward to ensure the necessary action is taken by all levels of government to protect our future! As Greta Thundberg so appropriately states “I want you to act as if the house is on fire, because it is”.