July 2021 Update

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Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00

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July 2021 Update r1 SOVI July 2021: Prioritizing intersectionality in climate activism ...

July @ SOVI

"Environmental Justice" by artist Ricardo Levins Morales. Image shows an illustration of a large wave, with garbage and toxins in it approaching a group of people. One man holds out his hand in a 'stop' gesture to the wave. The illustration text reads 'Environmental justice is our cry of defiance against the onslaught of oppressive toxins and toxic oppressions that threaten to submerge our homes.' FEATURE INTERVIEW

This summer, the climate crisis has been at the forefront of our team’s minds. As we witness raging fires, record breaking heat, and continued protests against old-growth logging, one thing is clear: the fight for climate justice must be intersectional, and inclusive. This month, Communications Coordinator Julie Tierney spoke with Maya Mersereau-Liem, a youth climate activist and student, who is currently studying Indigenous and Environmental Studies at the University of Victoria. Maya’s involvement in the environmental movement began as a child, and in their teens they helped create Sustainabiliteens, a youth-led climate movement based in Vancouver.

Can you tell me about your history of climate activism?

I started the life of an activist as a kid, because my parents would take me to protests with them. They really taught me to stand up for what I believe in, and that’s something I’ve brought throughout my life. In grade 10, a group of my friends and I started Sustainabiliteens because we saw Greta Thunberg getting a lot of momentum, and we knew the climate crisis needed to be addressed. That was my integration into the climate scene. From there, I went on to be part of many Indigenous land and water defence actions, and now I'm double majoring in Indigenous and Environmental Studies. Currently, I’m also working for a nonprofit supporting justice actions in Latin America, called Café ético. It supports fair trade with farmers and advocates for sustainability.

In your experience, what does intersectional climate justice look like?

I think as a mixed race, queer, and genderqueer person, I’ve had to think a lot about how I navigate myself in climate justice movements. I distanced myself from Sustainabiliteens, because I didn’t see myself fully represented there. Environmental movements can often be taken over by white, middle-class people, and those movements then lack diversity and fail to include voices of the most marginalized people. So, I think the best way to ensure intersectional climate justice is with inclusion and uplifting the voices often shut out of these discussions. Marginalized voices are commonly pushed aside, yet they’re the ones most impacted by the climate crisis, so they must be centred.

In your opinion, how does intersectionality improve environmental activism?

Accessibility allows people to feel included in a movement. When a person feels included, they're more likely to contribute. It’s the power of the people that pushes effective change- the more voices you have demanding something, the more likely they are to be heard. Also, smaller groups lack the broad knowledge of a group with intersectional knowledge. With intersectionality, you can put everyone’s issues to the forefront, and see how something impacts people in inequitable ways. Most of the time, marginalized people understand environmental impacts more than those still living comfortably right now.

Many past mainstream environmental movements have also been palatable to the larger society. Things like electric cars, recycling and veganism are individualistic changes that a middle-class white person may easily do. But, it’s not detrimental to their style of living. That’s different from effective, aggressive mitigation and change, specifically to look out for future generations- something very common in Indigenous cultures. It’s a cultural act of thinking about your practices and sustainability, not just for the span of your life, but for generations. That contradicts the capitalistic, short-term ideals of our society right now.

The impact on future generations is prevalent in most environmentalist speech. The question: “Will you be able to look at your grandchildren, and say you knowingly contributed to negatively impacting the environment?” It’s a strong tactic, but I don’t know if it’s on the same level as traditional ideologies in Indigenous cultures. It’s used as a tactic, which is different than as a way of living. I don’t think it’s settled in our hearts and brains, yet. It’s so important to include Indigenous, BIPOC, and queer folk to embed new ideologies that are different from those of the dominant society, currently, which clearly aren’t working. You must uplift intersectional identities because they can already see that there are other ways of living, since they have the unique experience and perspective of being on the societal margins.

How do you think people can ensure their environmentalism, and the movements they support, are not simply adhering to the status quo?

I’ve reflected on my experience within justice movements, and realized it’s always about seeking education. In learning, you form your own well-rounded, informed opinion. Currently, with social media, we’re blasted with so much information that we don’t know what to do, or think. But, by digging deeper, you can at least post with an educated point of view.

Another thing is to always check yourself. I’ve recently learned about self-locating. This is an Indigenous research method of situating yourself within context in everything you’re doing. A form of self-location for me is to ask “Why do I need to be in this movement?” Who am I, why should I be doing this work? Will this action benefit the most people, and especially the most marginalized? It’s also about knowing your place, and your influence. Currently, we’re so disconnected. This is a form of reclaiming community and connections, being mindful, and asking if you’re effectively using your time. In scientific fields, avoiding bias is very important. But Indigenous Studies focuses on reshaping that, and acknowledging that your bias is inherent and it will be brought into the work you do. So, you may as well situate it and address it, rather than pretending it’s not there.

What is a lesson you’ve learned as you grow as a climate activist that you won’t forget?

I’ve learned if you’re part of a movement that is advocating for sustainability, personal sustainability is inherently part of that. You can pace yourself and practice self-care. That is an embodiment of sustainability. Part of all justice movements is a focus on ‘right now,’ but systemic change takes a long time. This work is important, but so are you. You need to find a balance, and find a way to be sustainable to yourself.

CHAPTER NEWS

SOVI is hiring! We are looking for two Community Programmers for the fall to help our team create accessible, engaging, community building events. You can learn more about this role, here. Additionally, SOVI is seeking an Operations and Administrative Assistant for the fall season to support the effective organization and accessibility of our internal communications, policies, resources, and research. If you're an organized, thoughtful person with a strong understanding of accessibility, please apply! Details, here. All applicants must qualify for funding under WorkBC eligibility. The application deadline is August 17th.

Cristina Venturin, a long-time SOVI volunteer and contractor, has moved into the role of our SDG Coordinator. We’re so excited to have Cristina’s knowledge on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, which are a crucial part of SOVI’s raison d'être. In this new position, Cristina will help our team ensure our programming, processes, and communications consider, and positively support the SDGs.

This summer, the SOVI team has continued to discuss and envision what we would like to see for the future of our chapter, both within our internal processes and external events and programming. The team is eager to collaborate with our community and to develop fresh connections as we launch new programming and community-centric opportunities in the late summer and early fall. Stay tuned! Per usual, you can keep up with us by following our Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn pages.

RECENTLY

On July 29th, folks across Canada joined together in a National Action to demand emergency level response to the climate crisis. #CanadaOnFire helped encourage people to visit MP offices across the country, and urged them to commit to ending fossil fuel expansion and adopting the Just Transition legislation. On Vancouver Island, environmental activists and supporters gathered at the offices of local MPs Laurel Collins, Randall Garrison, Alistair MacGregor, and Rachel Blaney to ask them to take a stand against fracking, LNG, the Coastal Gaslink pipeline, and more. Just Transition strategies originated from labour unions and environmental justice groups rooted in low-income communities of color, who aimed to stop industries that were harming workers, community health and the planet. The environmental justice movement recognizes the disproportionate impact of climate change and pollution on communities of colour and low-income communities, and seeks to address environmental racism. Learn more about the principles of Just Transition strategies, and how they seek to decolonize environmental activism, here.

The specific way in which climate change impacts First Nation communities is evident in the recent closures of commercial salmon fisheries. In June, Canada’s fisheries minister announced large-scale closures of salmon fisheries due to population decline- a result of climate change and oil and gas development. In BC, about 40 per cent of commercial salmon fisheries are delivered by First Nations communities. The closures do not only have vast economic impacts, but cultural ones too. Indigenous people in BC have fished salmon for thousands of years, and they are symbols of life and tradition in many communities. This deep connection to living off the land results in a “greater impact on First Nations Peoples than on those less connected with their environment.” Globally, Indigenous people are among the first to be directly impacted by the effects of climate change, because of these close ties to nature, along with the consequences of continued colonization and marginalization.

WHAT'S NEXT...

• Community Information Session: Partnership Program | August 25th | SOVI BCCIC

  • Are you an aspiring or experienced non-profit practitioner interested in forming a partnership to exchange knowledge on your professional, organizing, and academic experiences? This information session will provide details about the program, and allow folks to decide if they would like to apply to join.

  • Details and registration, here: here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/164512871427
• Social Impact Show & Share Series I August 12th I theDock Victoria

  • Join our bi-monthly lunchtime session to share the incredible work that our community is doing to make the world a better place. Connect with like-minded others, have a chance encounter, and hear stories from practitioners making an impact in an informal and low-stress environment. Bring your lunch, or just pop in to say hello!

  • Find details at https://www.thedockvictoria.com/events-at-the-dock
• Gender and the Environment: Transformative Change for the Climate Crisis I August 13th I Equal Futures Network Incubator

  • Climate change has been identified as the defining human development issue of our time. But what about its effects beyond the environment? How does climate change impact populations, communities and individuals who live in areas affected by climate change? Join us to connect and build relationships with organizations across Canada doing important work in this area.

  • Details and registration, here: https://equalfuturesnetwork.ca/events/gender-and-the-environment-transformative-change-for-the-climate-crisis/

• How to Participate in Meaningful Allyship: SOCC Info Session I August 23rd I The Students of Colour Collective

  • Join the folks at the Students of Colour Collective to learn about allyship in a community setting! This event will take place over Zoom.

  • For further information, stay updated on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soccollective/

• Cultural Perspectives Training I September 1st I Indigenous Perspectives Society

  • Cultural Perspectives Training (CPT) helps governments, organizations, businesses and individuals deepen their understanding, increase cultural competence, and develop actionable ideas to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.

    Join this blended learning model that balances in-class sharing, learning, and collaboration with self-guiding online resources, research and off-site action taking.

  • Register for this workshop, here:
    https://ipsociety.ca/training/cultural-perspectives/cultural-perspectives-training/-

• #UprootTheSystem Global Climate Strike I September 24th I Fridays for Future
  • Socio-economic crises such as racism, sexism, ableism, class inequality, and more amplify the climate crisis, and vice versa. We are united in our fight for climate justice, but we must also acknowledge that we do not experience the same problems; nor do we experience them to the same extent. Strike to demand intersectional climate justice!
  • For more information, visit: https://fridaysforfuture.org/September24/

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• WATCH | The Intersectional History of Environmentalism
• LEARN | Accountable to Who? ICA’s perspective on the Canadian Net Zero Emissions Accountability Act
• READ | Sharing the Benefits of Green Space
• PARTICIPATE | Support Indigenous Experiences
• LISTEN | 'Green is not white’: Racial justice and the climate fight
• RESOURCES | Pacific Resource Centre // The Future Ancestors Collective

“To white people who care about maintaining a habitable planet—I need you to become actively anti-racist. I need you to understand that our racial inequality crisis is intertwined with our climate crisis. If we don’t work on both, we will succeed at neither.”

-Ayana Elizabeth Johnson Copyright © 2021 BC Council for International Cooperation - South Van Isle Chapter, All rights reserved.
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SOVI c/o BCCIC
Unit 322 – 268 Keefer St, Vancouver,
BC, Canada V6A 1X5

SOVI is based on the stolen lands of the Lək̓ʷəŋən Peoples (known by the colonial name of Victoria, BC). To contact us directly, please write us at r34.

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