Connections

Today is January 21, 2012... one day after the supposed "launch" of the first village.

Where are we?

We are biding our time.  We are building our support.  Support precedes movement, and we go slow to go deep.  We go deep to move far. 

I am aware that some people may have driven past the site and seen "No Trespassing" signs from MNDOT newly decorating the fence.  That the state is pushing back at us isn't surprising.  I am aware that some people may wonder why we aren't pushing back. 

We have postponed the official launch of this project because it is not ready.  We have just begun the necessary conversations between Occupy and members of the American Indian community and the neighborhood.  To have set up anything now would have damaged our relationship and caused great harm to all involved.  It is not yet time.

We are very fortunate to have received guidance from many respected elders in the community, telling us to wait.  The support is here, it is growing, but to move too quickly and assume too much will undermine a fragile trust that, speaking frankly with an understanding of our history, we have no right to expect.  We are in a process of learning: there are appropriate channels to follow, and certain ways to ask. 

Question: Where do we go from here?  What is happening?

Answer:  So many directions! We continue to have an Elder's Council every Sunday at 2-4pm at the American Indian Center.  This is a place for visioning and understanding this project in the context of the work that's already been done, and asking for guidance in our next steps moving forward.  On Wednesdays 5-8pm is an all-committee meeting at Walker Church in South Minneapolis.  From 5-6 is a social hour, 6-7 are announcements from all committees, and 7-9 we will meet to discuss the village.  This meeting is focused more on logistics and coordination.

Some beginning ideas are:
To have more than one village, so that each village can serve the needs of its community in its own way.  I am interested in talking with my neighbors in Powderhorn about a village in our neighborhood, and am in conversation with organizers in other parts of the city, who may be interested in hosting one near them.  The different villages could share resources and host different events.  We are investigating connections to some of the community-garden projects, and may inquire about setting up in different parks on a rotating basis.  We may begin to circulate petitions of support, and find other ways to outreach into the communities where we would like to set up.  Who do we reach out to?  What organizations may be interested in partnering with us?

The core idea remains the same.  Inspired by the Occupy movement and its reclamation of a "commons" where we could meet and gather 24/7, we are interested in setting up a space where people can gather around earth-based issues, and experience living closer to the earth in the middle of the city.  We are interested in co-creating a new culture through our practice of it, as a community of people assembled as a "village".  We are interested in serving the communities we become a part of, by hosting a space for ongoing dialogue, teach-ins, healing arts, healthy food, youth-activities, and more.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our opening ceremony.  It was a beautiful, many-layered, many-cultures-offering of intention and prayer, planting seeds for this project in the hearts of those attending.

Posted by Malia
 
(Fundraising poster now available for $10-$20 sliding scale)

2012 A New Beginning

This is the beautiful space where our new human culture will begin.

In South Minneapolis, near the American Indian Center, is a small grassy triangle of land.  It's owned by the state, and is surrounded by a chain-link fence on three sides.  There is a wonderful mural right next to it, on the retaining wall for the ramp onto Highway 55.  

 This is the logo I designed for the WHealthy Human Village*

The turtle is Mother Earth.

At the center of her shell is a Medicine Wheel, representing the teachings of the four directions and the four colors of humankind.  It is placed in the center of our village, representing coming together as one human family, and living in balance with the elements of earth, air, fire, and water.

Surrounding the center are three dwelling-structures.  A Ger (or "Yurt"), a Tipi, and a Hoop-house.
These are the three structures we will be living inside, beginning January 20, 2012.
The Ger will be a space for a community library, teach-ins, meetings and discussions.
The Tipi will have fire, food, tea, crafts, company, and conversation.
The Hoop-house will be a place for movement, healing-arts, and, in the spring, growing seedlings.
The Red Archway represents a welcome to all our relations, to the community, and to new connections.

The turtle is moving.  This "Village" is intentionally nomadic.  If we are asked to leave one location by "authorities", we will first ask the community for support in allowing us to stay.  If our structures are threatened with removal, we will choose a new location for our Village, and resume our practice in community life.  We believe this will help us reach new communities and grow our movement.  Perhaps more Villages will emerge in other parts of the city.  Or in the suburbs.  Or in the country.  
Across Turtle Island to our brothers and sisters in other lands.  


The way we have been living is insane.  It is time to begin again.


We are here to reclaim our right to shelter and warmth.
We are here to rescue the traditional knowledge that has been stolen and lost.
We are here to remember how to live in balance with the earth.

We are here to be of service to one another, and learn how to work together as one people, living in one place.  We are here to remember how to be family.

  

Posted by

Malia