World Water Day and Earth Hour
Hey there,
As I write this blog there is a flurry of things going on both inside and outside of the union. Mostly though, there is a flurry of snow that has taken over Saskatoon. I’m not sure if winter got the message, but it had its chance and spring ought to do its thing.
This semester has been shaping up nicely. I have been quite busy the past little while spearheading a successful We Are All Treaty People Week. I am glad that many undergraduate students were able to make it and could be a part of such an informative event. The diverse range of presenters with their important insights into treaties and aboriginal issues made me quite proud to be involved. I learned four important lessons from this week. Firstly, if were are going to move forward and bring about effective change in regards to first nations issues there must be education about treaties at a young age. It has never rung so true as to say that: “Everything I know I learned in kindergarten”. Gord Martel was quite eloquent in approaching education in regards to treaties. I hope this change comes swiftly to our elementary curriculum in Saskatchewan. Secondly, there is a problem that aboriginal culture faces when perceived today. The culture of poverty and first nations culture have been intertwined for so many years that the two have become hard to distinguish at times. Gary Maresty made this point quite convincingly during his presentation. Thirdly, I learned that treaties as we know them today are one of many different phases of treaty making that have come before. Jim Miller a distinguished historian offered an incredibly informative discussion on the history of treaty making. Finally, I learned that the architecture and space in which one lives greatly affects one’s future and place in a social structure. Omeasoo Butt offered this insight quite persuasively in her presentation. I am very happy I was able to be a part of a quite necessary piece of an imperative discussion for Canadians and Aboriginals today.
In regards to sustainability, I am currently in the midst of planning three different and equally sweet initiatives. Firstly, World Water Day is near and there will be some sweet events going on in the tunnel on March 22nd. Secondly, a sustainability learning community I am a part of is in the midst of collecting hundreds of disposable cups (don’t worry we’ve washed them all) and will be hanging them in the tunnel this month to bring about awareness to the needless waste that takes place on our campus each and every day. Finally, I am in the midst of planning an event on March 31st during Earth Hour. A candle lit Carbonless Community Concert will be taking place at Browser’s on this date and should be quite a carbonless ton of fun. I am quite glad I can continue the discussion that was started during last semester’s Green Yourself Week. Keep a look out for these neat things coming this month!
This year has gone by so quickly, but I am glad that I have been able to be involved in so many important initiatives and events. I look forward to my final two months of the job.
Keep your head up and carry on,
--Alex Ferwerda
