Reclaiming Sustainability
Hosted by: ESSA
Date: March 19-20th
Where: UVic – Social Sciences and Mathematics Building
DETAILS:
Friday, March 19
Keynote Address: Professor James K. Rowe – University of Victoria
“The End of Sustainability (A Good News Story)”
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – SSM A120
What are the root causes of environmental degradation? How can we most effectively address these root causes and achieve a future of flourishing? These are the central questions that will be explored in this presentation on the past, present, and future of sustainability.
Dr. James Rowe is a senior instructor in the School of Environmental Studies. He received his MA and PhD in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He is the recent recipient of the Andy Farquharson Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Teaching. As one of his students explains: “His tireless enthusiasm and relentless hopefulness create a classroom environment that is inspired and inspiring, where students can believe in the possibility of a more socially and ecologically just world.”
Saturday, March 20
9:00 am – 11:00 am:
SSM A102
Redefining Sustainability Through Technology:
Moderator – Adam Podolec
Karis Fisher – University of Victoria
“Eco-CAR UVic: Driving the Way to a Greener Future”
Elke Cole – O.U.R Ecovillage
“Building as if People Matter”
Jesse Margolus – University of Victoria
“Appropriate Technology: Learning from One Another”
SSM A104
The Role of Activism in Sustainability:
Moderator – Michael Pickering
Mark is a fourth year Political Science and Environmental Studies student, with experience in activism and social change in a number of Canadian Cities. He is a long standing Greenpeace activist, grassroots organizer, ecology writer, wilderness enthusiast, pre-figurative politician, and editor with the Martlet Publishing Society.
Celine Trojand – University of Victoria
“Dogwood Initiative: No Tankers”
Lunch Break and Workshops – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
11:00 am – 12:00 pm – SSMA102
“O.U.R. Ecovillage: Sustainability Theory in Practice”
Brandy Gallagher, Elke Cole, Javan Kerby Bernakevitch
So many of us spend our academic lives intertwined in community based research and project development. Historically this has often meant double tracking time and resources to keep a foot within our University and within various community learning projects that we have become so passionate about. In an attempt to deal with this issue and provide accessibility to undergrad and graduate students – O.U.R. ECOVILLAGE has opened itself as a “Community Based Research Site” and is utilized by 11 Universities and Colleges. By dovetailing the valued requirements of academic rigor with integrated and experiential learning elements onsite at O.U.R. 25 acre sustainable Village Demonstration Site and Education Centre…opportunities abound. Individual or group projects for credit courses and even whole class curriculum partnering ( not to mention Continuing Studies workshops as well) is individually negotiated. We welcome you to come out and share ideas about your specific interests and how this might fit within this project or even other related projects.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – SSM A104
“The Spirit of Community in a Sacred World”
Scott Sheerin
The great wisdom traditions and the indigenous peoples of the world have always known the profound importance of accessing the wisdom of the heart, in addition to that of the mind, to have the ability to sustain life. They know that the heart is the seat of our wisdom in life, and the source of guidance about how to respond appropriately to what life presents. Their traditions reflect the fact that true sustainability comes from honoring our connections and relationships with each other and with the natural world.
His early explorations of healing include a diploma of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 1989, graduation from Eliot Cowan’s Plant Spirit Medicine program in 1990, and the completion of a two-year professional program in the Hakomi Method of Body-Centered Psychotherapy. From 1990 to 1998 he worked in a holistic medicine practice combining elements of those three disciplines.
Experiencing a life crisis he was drawn to Mexico to meet a uniquely gifted shamanic teacher, David Wiley. Through his work Scott was introduced to Tatewari, or Grandfather Fire, a great teacher for the human people. By the sacred fire, Scott was initiated to the mysteries of music as prayer. He was called to begin a cycle of pilgrimages to sacred sites with the blessings and guidance of the Huichol ancestors and their patron Gods. Scott’s guide was Eliot Cowan, a Tsauririkame or elder shaman, who himself was taught and initiated by the elder Huichol shaman Don Guadalupe Rios. From here, Scott began a 12-year shamanic apprenticeship. After 7 years of pilgrimage and other ritual work, Scott was initiated in a ritual ceremony presided over by the venerable Don Jose Sandoval de la Cruz.
Scott’s current work includes providing shamanic healing consultations around the US and Canada, ritual prayer music at the Blue Deer Center in the Catskills of New York, and Music as Medicine gatherings in Victoria, BC and other locals. He and his wife Prema have offered Sky of the Heart Recovery from Addictions at Seasons, Malibu.
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm:
SSM A102
The Political Ecology of Sustainability:
Moderator – Courtney McIver
Paola Qualliza – Simon Fraser University
“Bringing Economics Down to Earth: Ecological Economics and Sustainable Community Development”
Jeremy Janz – Simon Fraser University
“Eco-Communism: Undermining the Monstrosity of Capitalism”
SSM A104
Toward Cultures of Sustainability:
Moderator – Sara Fralin
Sustainability is relationship. Today, the majority of Western people live in isolation, which leads to dislocation. One area of deep concern as an Artist and Environmental Designer is our relationship to materials. The ways in which we build our cities and towns promote isolation and disconnection to the natural world. Through my experience in natural building and art processes, I have come to realize that the things we commonly discard are available for more sustainable purposes. I envision a future where we face our consumerism, which means taking responsibility for the so-called wastes, and seeing the seas of garbage not as a useless problem, but as rich compost full of nutrients ready to help us grow into a more natural and balanced existence.
Emilio walks in many different shoes. He has studied fine arts, architecture, and natural building. Currently, he is a Masters student in the Department of Visual Arts, at the University of Victoria. In addition, he operates a small business in sustainable art, design and building.
Jenny Berg – University of Victoria
“Health and Heart: A Matter for Healthcare Reform”
3:30 pm – 5:30 pm:
SSM A102
The Ethnoecology of Sustainability:
Moderator – Heike Lettrari
Meg Loop – University of Victoria
“Seed Saving: Sustaining Our Past and Our Future”
Javan Kerby Bernakevitch – O.U.R. Ecovillage
“Permaculture”
SSM A104
Sustainability and Social Justice:
Moderator – Nathalie Down
Jessica Dalderis and Georgia Brander – University of Victoria
“Social Justice and Animal Rights”
Emily Anderson – University of Victoria
“The Collective and the Self: Who Precedes Whom?”
Suggested Donation of 5$.
Proceeds will go toward covering the cost of the conference. The remainder will go toward ESSA’s student award for The Redfish School of Change.
One Comment
Wow, this looks like a really great conference!! Looking forward to many of the talks. (Especially the Social Justice and Animal Rights one