Our Circle of Change
by Tammy Mudge
Why a “Circle of Change”?
The Every One Every Day Kjipuktuk-Halifax Circle of Change demonstrates the pathways identified to achieve the shared goals of EOED and provides a high-level description of the interventions that will be used to create an ecosystem of inclusive participation. The circle represents a cycle that flows continuously and reminds us that if we put out good energy, it will come back to us. Nukumi, the grandmother of Kluscap (a cultural hero of the Mi’kmaq), is placed at the centre of the circle, signifying the Indigenous knowledge and wisdom needed to surface truth and centre our work in the process of reconciliation and healing.
Impact
Every One Every Day is rooted in the idea that building an ecosystem of inclusive and meaningful participation in and among neighbourhoods will support co-created, cooperative communities. Everyday practical participation projects that allow opportunities for residents to benefit from and contribute to spaces and projects in their community will build social cohesion, and support inclusive circular economies.
When people see themselves reflected in the spaces and activities happening in their community, they feel welcome, comfortable, and included. When people have access to support and resources in their community, they feel a sense of safety and confidence. When people see value in, and positive outcomes from, co-created community initiatives, they feel motivated to participate.
These qualities are at the heart of meaningful and inclusive participation, which nourishes the Every One Every Day Circle of Change, and renews community spirit.
Every One Every Day builds co-create systems that strengthen support and structures for community-led decision making, and encourages residents to share knowledge, skills, and talents with others in their community through informal opportunities to learn, grow, and evolve over a lifetime.
These co-created systems establish trusting relationships among contributors and create the conditions to achieve our shared goals, together, in a good way.
The Mi’kmaw teaching of Netukulimk, asks us, as individuals and as community members, to protect our shared resources and advocate for a prosperous community life that is sustainable for the next seven generations.
This teaching guides our interventions within the circle of change and reminds us to be cognizant of our actions and the impact they will have on Sitqamu’k, “Mother Earth”, and on one another. In Mi’kmaw culture, sweetgrass, the hair of Mother Earth, is a sacred medicine. When used in ceremony, sweetgrass is burned to cleanse one’s spirit and attract positive energy. The sweetgrass braid brings positive energy to the circle of change.
Every One Every Day is committed to centering truth and reconciliation in our work by creating opportunities for shared learning around the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples, and adopting decolonized learning and practice, and participating in reconciliatory action.
In Mi’kmaw culture, Nukumi, Kluscap’s grandmother, shares her wisdom around the great Spirit Fire. Being created from ancient rock, she provides Kluscap with infinite knowledge that will sustain life and all the gifts provided by Sitqamu’k (Mother Earth). Centering truth and reconciliation in EOED supports healing and balance across communities and within the circle of change.
Goal
As people and communities, we are faced with a variety of challenges at any given time, many of which are unpredictable; In co-creating cohesive and resilient communities, we become prepared to weather the storm.
When unexpected bad weather hits, and a community is faced with troubled waters, there must be a collective commitment to work and learn together to keep the community boat from capsizing and continue rowing in the direction of our shared goals.
Every One Every Day creates welcoming and inviting spaces for neighbours to gather, take part, and contribute with others in their neighbourhood. As a result, new and strengthened networks of relationship and friendships are created, increasing a sense of trust, belonging, and togetherness among neighbours.
Every One Every Day generates opportunities for residents to learn new skills that support “Do-It-Yourself” culture and help to save money and resources, build confidence and agency, and increase overall capacity for self-sustaining families and communities.
Every One Every Day activities and projects that enable physical activity with others, opportunities to connect with nature, and emphasize the importance of taking care of Spirit, help to promote physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional wellbeing for individuals and their families, and the overall community.
Every One Every Day is building a support platform that can nurture cross-cultural connections and create opportunities for cultural knowledge to be shared and celebrated through culturally infused participation projects. These projects also create space for learning and sharing among families and across generations.
Goal
Every One Every Day explores opportunities to build collaborative business programs that offer supporting infrastructures (workspaces, equipment, technical expertise, training & supplies) to enable as many residents as possible to collectively design, make, and test products or services in the community.
The community, and its individual members and families, are central to the success and growth of local economic activities, and distribute the strength and stamina needed to keep the gears turning in the circle of change.
Every One Every Day opportunities to increase community members contributing to, and benefiting from informal economic activities, and promote a new narrative that highlights the value of social, informal economies.
Every One Every Day connects residents, who are interested in producing and marketing local goods and services, to established networks of peer mentorship and learning, and provides many and varied entry points to participate in collaborative business and marketing activities.
Every One Every Day promotes skills and resource sharing within the community by creating opportunities for accessible skills training, by and for residents, and offering low to no cost equipment, tools, and expertise.
Every One Every Day provides low risk opportunities for residents to develop and test products and services through many and varied invitations to explore collaborative business ideas.
