“In order for the earth to heal, we women must heal and return to taking from the earth only what is needed and crucial. In this way we will step forward on new paths as leaders.” — Christine Jack
WASI Delegate: Canada
Christine Jack is a Nlaka’pamux First Nations leader who now resides in St’atimc Territory near Lillooet, BC. As a survivor of the residential school experience, Christine has dedicated much of her life path to healing through traditional knowledge and proudly carries forward the roles of Sweatlodge keeper, hunter, fisher woman and a gatherer of traditional medicines and foods from Mother Earth. She is a Victims Assistance Support Worker, involved in the Stop the Violence Against Women movement and facilitates workshops for women to start or continue their healing journey through earth based spiritual ceremony. Christine is known throughout many native communities in BC for her strong voice to protect mother earth, threatened by modern conditions of lives out of balance and ecological destruction. She is a member of Lillooet Food Matters, a local food security advocacy group that creates opportunities for community collective organic growing, revitalization of trade economies and cooperative planning for indigenous food sovereignty. She is also a member of Salmon Talks, a group which creates actions locally and educates provincial governance to take notice and create viable solutions to revitalize one of the primary traditional foods of First Nations people in the region. Christine is known for her strong voice and leadership role and is dedicated to empowering other women to speak their truth and step forward as sacred earth keepers.
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WASI Delegate: Canada
Laurie McEwen is passionate about building structures that fit into the environment and make use of recycled and local materials as much as possible. With the help of her community, family and friends, she has been building her own home for over a decade. It was originally inspired by the “Earthship” design, which has a foundation/retaining walls of recycled tires, and locally made materials. This is a solar advantage design, using tires as a heat sink. Laurie’s home site has also incorporated her skills and vision as an organic gardener and permaculture design student. The principles of a sustainable and healthy life path are present in other dynamics of her life as well. Laurie has been a registered massage therapist for 20 years and owns and operates the multi-disciplinary Wellness Centre in the small town of Lillooet, B.C. By providing alternative healthcare, long- lasting healing changes have been impactful in the community. Creating sustainable businesses in a rural setting has been and continues to be important. She has also studied conflict negotiation and mediation, and likes to solve conflict in a positive way that helps to promote healing. Laurie has a degree in Art and Design from Ontario College of Art and has worked with photography, though, is presently focused on painting. Creativity and expression are an important part of her healing process.
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What do you and your community plan to build?
We are planning the building of a women’s healing shelter. There is a need for a space for women in our community that are in violent domestic situations to have a safe place to go where they can revive themselves and strengthen their foundation and find a sense of hope, and connection to the rebirth of their whole spirit.
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Why is women’s leadership important to you, your community and in today’s world?
As it is said, ‘the women’s bones are holding up the earth’, and so in order for the earth to heal, we women must heal and return to taking from the earth only what is needed and crucial. In this way we will step forward on new paths as leaders. We are willing and ready to carry forward, with honor on this path.
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Why is ecological building important to you, your community and in today’s world?
We see how natural resources are being exploited in today’s world, and think it is horrifying. The concept to build from the raw material of mother earth is important to reconnect with a simpler and healthier way of living and to learn to balance our needs with the health of the natural world.
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Support
To support Christine and Alicia’s fundraising efforts to get to Patagonia and back, please click here.
