Introspection: Looking Back, Looking Forward to 2014
- Winona Wheeler | February 05, 2014
2013 is a year to remember. It began with Idle No More and ended in the worse cold snap I have experienced here in Saskatchewan.
I have no doubt that the crazy weather we are having is a result of climate change which is the result of pollution and all the damage being done to the earth and waters on this planet. Unless we take action against industrial polluters and be more pro-active in our daily lives to reduce our energy use and waste, it will only get worse. My 2014 pledges include being more creative about conserving my gas and oil use, and be more vigilant with recycling.
The freezing temperatures have been harsh this winter. Many people lost power and struggled to keep their families warm which is a strong reminder of how dependent we are on electricity for our survival. 30 or more years ago power outages didnt have such a big impact on our communities because many still had wood stoves, coal oil lamps and out houses. Now that we are all modern we have left ourselves vulnerable and dependent on a corporation that makes huge profits while destroying the natural environment in our own traditional territories. Kudos to the T'Sou-ke First Nation for setting up the largest solar energy producing community in BC and to Alderville First Nation in Ontario for building a solar farm large enough that it provides power to neighboring farms and homes. Many tribes in the USA are also now producing solar power to support their communities and as successful economic development ventures, like the Moapa Puites in Nevada and the Navajo Nation.
In Saskatchewan we get plenty of sun light throughout the year and I truly hope our communities and off reserve members see the potential of solar power and move in this direction. We have the opportunity to not only ensure our people keep warm in the winter but to also become independent of the power companies, reduce pollution and the destruction of our traditional lands, and create new economic opportunities for our people.
The winter has been very harsh and it is heartbreaking to hear news of the number of homeless people in the cities who suffer frost bite, or even worse, death from exposure. Last October it was reported that there were just under 400 people in shelters or sleeping on the streets in Saskatoon. As individuals we often think that the problem is too big to tackle and that there is nothing we can do to help. But that's just an excuse. There are handfuls of people working tirelessly to help the homeless, not just by creating more shelters but to create permanent housing opportunities. The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness reports that it costs about $130,000 per year per person to keep people in shelters, compared to $18,000 to provide them with a home of their own with supports.
The United Way report called 'A Plan to End Homelessness'resulted in the creation of A Housing First Program this past year that will help meet some of the needs if they can get enough support for it. The newly established Leadership Committee includes our own John Lagimodiere and Chief Felix Thomas of Saskatoon Tribal Council.
There are many opportunities to support initiatives like this. We can help with fundraising and we can make our voices heard which is a powerful way to raise public consciousness and urge action. For example, community actions like the Occupy Saskatoon march and camp against homelessness (November of 2011) successfully brought this issue to the forefront and resulted in the studies that are now moving towards reducing homelessness. People do not realize the power they have in numbers and every voice counts. Collectively we can make change happen.
2014 is going to be a year of great opportunities. But opportunities don't just come along and land in our laps, we make them happen. As we continue to break free from colonial dependency and move towards self-determination we will become more socially and economically pro-active and self supporting, our traditional values will increasingly replace unhealthy ones that we have internalized, and we will grow in strength and pride. Building solar and other green power alternatives and creating safe homes for our more vulnerable relatives are just a few of the positive steps we can take in Saskatchewan.
Please remember to check on your old people to make sure they are safe and warm. And please also remember to provide your pets with safe warm places to escape this brutal cold. Many pets and livestock die slow painful deaths because of neglect in the winter months.