A Message From Bella Lyne, SCF Partner
Next month is National Indigenous History Month, a month dedicated to learning about and honouring the cultures, histories and ongoing resistance of Indigenous peoples. As new partners of Small Change Fund, myself and my co-organizers are excited to work alongside you all to continue to bring Indigenous fights for land, justice, and sovereignty to the doorstep of the financial decision makers behind oil and gas projects.
As traditional stewards of lands and waters, Indigenous nations have long been on the frontlines of environmental destruction and resistance. Destruction of the land, water, plants, and animals has always been part of the colonial assault on Indigenous peoples – denying them access to critical food sources, preventing their cultural practices, and undermining their independence. Despite this brutal history, Indigenous nations from Grassy Narrows to Wet’suwet’en and beyond have built the power necessary, including marshalling support from non-Indigenous allies, to protect their lands and waters, and the diversity of life and lifeways that depend on them.
This is a struggle that requires all of us. As environmental protections are rolled back across the country and public funds are promised for oil and gas, mines, and data centres, you’ll once again see Indigenous peoples at the forefront of the resistance, including Indigenous-led projects like the Lax’yip Firekeepers and the Okiniwak youth-led movement. We can all learn more and show up in support of their efforts.
This Indigenous History month, I encourage you to not only learn more about the long history of Indigenous resistance, but also to reflect on how you can actively support Indigenous peoples as they determine the course of their futures on their own territories.
– Bella Lyne, Building Power for a Just Transition
We are pleased to work with Bella on the Building Power for a Just Transition project.
Welcome, Nikki!
We are pleased to welcome Nikki Nguyen to the Small Change Fund team as Director of Finance and Operations. Nikki brings expertise in financial planning and analysis, budgeting, cash flow management, compliance, internal controls and risk management, and enjoys translating complex information into practical decisions that support leadership, project partners and communities.
Born in Vietnam and now based in Ottawa, Nikki enjoys travelling and spending time outdoors with her family.
Building Liveable Communities
Hey Ontario! With elections coming this fall, are you wondering what actions municipal leaders can take to build more affordable, sustainable communities? If so, the Building a Liveable Ontario Podcast is for you. Created by our partner the Alliance for a Liveable Ontario (ALO), this new series focusses on the Building a Liveable Ontario Roadmap for Municipalities.
“We created this podcast to help Ontarians start conversations in their communities,” says ALO Coordinator Franz Hartmann. “It’s about getting people talking so we can create change.” Each episode focusses on a few actions and features a prominent expert – from urbanists to environmentalists to developers – who provides valuable background and context.
Look out for a new episode every Sunday through June, along with additional content on social media and deep dives into key actions and issues next month. Visit the ALO YouTube Channel to watch the podcast episodes and promotional shorts.
Photo by Victor Gutierrez
Run Like A Girl
On May 2, our partners Climate Momentum hosted Catherine McKenna for a public lecture at City Hall in Stratford, ON. As former Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Catherine shared her experiences piloting Canada’s climate plan, along with her personal journey in politics and climate action. Ahead of the talk, Catherine spoke to a group of students drawn from local high schools, each of whom received a copy of her new memoir, Run Like A Girl.
Saving Lanark Highlands
Last week, VP, Development Kim Bilous visited our partners Friends of Lanark Highlands to see the beautiful area they are working tirelessly to protect. Kim was joined by Victoria Gibb-Carsley of Perth and District Community Foundation, one of the funders for our project to protect Lanark Highlands from irresponsible aggregate development (thank you, PDCF!).
The community is opposing a below water table gravel pit – the first pit application ever challenged by their Township. Friends of Lanark Highlands and Chief Doreen Davis of Shabot Obaadjiwan were granted Party Status at the upcoming Ontario Land Tribunal hearing about this gravel mine. You can read more about the case and this incredible region here.
Breaking Through the Climate Silence
Our partners Seniors for Climate are organizing events across Canada during this year’s national Environment Week (June 1 – June 7) as part of a growing movement to break through the climate silence. With 36 events confirmed so far there is something for everyone!
This June marks five years since the British Columbia heat dome killed 619 people, mostly seniors, and incinerated the town of Lytton. This week of events is part of the Break Through the Climate Silence campaign, calling on the federal government to end its silence and act on the urgency and severity of the climate crisis.
Partner Post: Green Infrastructure Network Association of BC (GRIN)
On June 6, World Green Roof Day celebrates the benefits of green roofs for people and nature in cities and towns globally. It unites the world in celebration of modern green infrastructure by creating a “social media wave” that starts in the southern hemisphere and ends in the Pacific Northwest. To take part, share a photo or video of your favourite green roof on social media, tag GRIN.BC and use the hashtag #WGRD!
Vancouver’s green roof community was an early adopter when WGRD launched in 2020 and GRIN has organized many green roof events over the years. Learn more about our project here.
New Projects
We are pleased to welcome the following new projects to our roster!
- Building Student Power for Climate Justice revitalizes student organizing on campuses across the country to build a youth-led movement for sustainable and just “nation building”.
- Empowering Transit Riders In Edmonton advocates for reliable, efficient and affordable public transit by connecting riders across the city and amplifying their voices.
- Healing Justice Care Network supports the mental health needs of communities and movements on the frontlines of the fight for climate and environmental justice.
- Help Protect Puslinch: Stop The Estill Development opposes a proposed 1,000,000 sq. ft. warehouse on farmland not designated for industrial use.
Small News Bites
- Were you inspired by the recent victory for Opinicon Lake? You can read more about this fabulous success story here!
- Sadly, the coming summer months bring with them a “new normal” for many Canadians: an increased risk of climate emergencies including wildfires, extreme heat and flooding. Being prepared is an important way to safeguard yourself and your loved ones. Check out these 6 Steps to Climate Emergency Readiness from our partners My Climate Plan to learn more.
- Are you local to the Puslinch, ON area? Our partners Help Protect Puslinch are hosting a community meeting at the Puslinch Community Centre at 7pm on June 3. Our own Mike Balkwill will be speaking!
We hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful blooms of spring.
Warmly,
The Small Change Fund team
P.S. Your donation directly to Small Change Fund allows us to keep improving services and supports to help more grassroots projects succeed nationwide. Thank you for helping make change!
