Giving Back

I believe when we have more capacity in our nervous systems and live more embodied lives, we can show up more fully in matters of social change, equity, and human dignity. Healing, however, cannot be limited to the individual’s sole responsibility, as trauma, chronic stress, and mental health issues are also influenced and perpetuated by the systems and society that we live in. When the nervous system has been compromised by adverse experiences, systems of oppression, racism, and the effects of colonialism, its ability to function optimally is disrupted. Intergenerational trauma and disconnection from land and culture further hinder the human capacity to access physiological and psychological states of safety, healing, and restoration on both a micro and macro level.

Society in North America is founded on colonial, capitalistic, ableist, patriarchal, White supremacist systems that can thwart true healing for many bodies, but primarily those who have been marginalized and oppressed. One way to help create an environment for true healing includes supporting initiatives that are changing and challenging these systems. To support co-liberation and intersectional support and healing, portions of my revenue are dedicated to contributing to organizations that support social justice, equity, human dignity, safe(r) spaces, land defenders and Indigenous rights.

RAVEN Trust

Raises legal defense funds for Indigenous Peoples in Canada to defend their rights and the integrity of the lands and culture. Learn more about them and how you can support: https://raventrust.com

Pivot Legal Society

Pivot's mandate is to use the law to address the root causes of poverty and social exclusion and support the fight for dignity, justice, and human rights of people experiencing homelessness, people who use drugs, and sex workers. Learn more about them and how you can support them: https://www.pivotlegal.org

Downtown Eastside Women’s Center

Provide a safe, non-judgmental environment for those who identify as women from all walks of life, who live and/or work in the Downtown Eastside.  The Centre provides supportive surroundings with meals, counseling, advocacy, and programs that nurture and empower members. Learn more about the center and how you can support: https://dewc.ca 

PearlSpace

PearlSpace is dedicated to preventing violence against women, Two Spirit, gender-diverse, non-binary, trans people, and children/youth by providing inclusive, supportive services to individuals and communities within the Sea to Sky corridor and Stl’atl’imx regions. Learn more here: https://pearlspace.ca

Indigenous Climate Action

ICA believes that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and knowledge systems are critical to developing solutions to the climate crisis and achieving climate justice. They work on connecting and supporting Indigenous communities to reinforce their place as leaders driving climate change solutions for today and tomorrow. Learn how you can support: https://www.indigenousclimateaction.com

Crackdown Podcast

Crackdown Podcast is produced by a team activist, award-winning investigative journalists and documentary radio producers from Vancouver. They believe that narrative form and nonfiction storytelling is a powerful medium for building connections, demystifying esoteric concepts, and seeking social change. Their work seeks to make research knowledge about the war on drugs more accessible to drug users, students and the general public. Learn more here: https://www.crackdownpod.com

The Tyee

Independent, not-for-profit, online news magazine devoted to fact-driven stories, reporting and analysis that informs and enlivens our democratic conversation. Their reporting has changed laws, started movements and garnered numerous awards. They pledge to produce journalism reflecting the values we share — a deep concern for truth-telling, justice, the environment and holding power accountable. Learn more here: https://thetyee.ca

Showing Up

I encourage folks that have access to extra funds to consider allocating them to matters of social and systemic change. And, donating is not enough. There is personal and societal deconditioning and dismantling required to create a more equitable and just world. It is important that the work of learning, unlearning, unpacking inerternal biases and questioning the systems we live in is embodied and integrated. Part of the work of building capacity in the body and the nervous system is to not just feel relaxed, comfortable, and calm all the time, but to cultivate the resilience to be in discomfort in a responsive and curious way, versus reactive and defensive.

A healthy nervous system allows for the ability to express righteous anger, to listen and reflect, to have difficult conversations in service of deeper connection and understanding, and to show up and create change in service of human dignity and solidarity.

As a white, cis-gendered, heterosexual, able-bodied woman and settler, I am still learning and unlearning. Below are some resources I’ve turned to, learned from, and recommend exploring and practicing and bringing into conversations with family, friends, colleagues and into decision making (such as voting.) This by no means is an exhaustive list and I encourage you to find additional resources that are shared, written, and taught by those made marginalized. Thank you for taking embodied action and showing up to create change.