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公益组织如何助力侗族文化传承

作者:吴谦鸿,吴致远、徐榕蔓、李倩怡、张峥妍 “一开始我可能想法比较简单,说虚一点就是情怀和热爱。如今,因为自己不知不觉返乡来做非遗传承已经有七年了,慢慢地这已经变成了一种责任和使命,也承载了很多绣娘对机构或是对我个人的期待。在这过程中,我会遇到很多的困难,但是我觉得最大的困难就是自己去面对这些困难的时候,怎么样去做以及如何去调整自己的状态。”从江生态文化文化社的创始人杨老师说道。 侗族作为中国第十二大少数民族,约有两百多万人口。「1」 侗族是一个爱美、善于创造美、富有浪漫诗情的民族。虽然侗家人没有文字记载的习惯,但他们把历史、传说、崇拜等民族文化织进纷繁的织物里,定格在窗帘、床单、背带和服饰中。 侗族特色刺绣服饰 来源:百度百科 同时,侗族文化多种多样。侗族文化大体包括音乐、舞蹈、戏曲、建筑、工艺、服饰和节日等。其中,建筑中的鼓楼和花桥,再加上音乐中的大歌是侗族的三大“国宝“。「2」 侗族特色节日芦笙节 来源:侗族自治县政府 虽然侗族文化丰富多彩,但随着现代化的冲击,侗族的文化受到许多影响。 绣娘专心刺绣 来源:从江生态文化社 现代化对侗族文化的影响 首先,在穿衣方面,侗族穿传统服饰的频率和人数有所减少。 侗族服装体系是在农耕文化氛围发展而来的。侗族服装经过历史的沉淀变得越来越丰富,由树叶树皮逐渐演变成织棉银饰类的盛装。 然而,随着农耕文化走向现代化,整个社会变得越来越开放,许多属于农耕文化的服饰不仅在慢慢消亡,也逐渐不能被大众普遍接受。与此同时,越来越多的外来文化通过互联网传入并影响了侗族,最终年轻人选择跟上时代的潮流,青壮年劳动力也开始选择外出打工。因此,许多人只在节日或重大活动中穿着侗族服饰。 除此之外,高门槛、高要求以及过高的成本致使越来越少的年轻人愿意去学习和传承这门技艺。最终,侗族服饰慢慢淡出了人们的视野。 同样,在房子建造方面,传统侗族建筑正在慢慢消失。侗寨工匠包括木匠、画匠、雕刻匠等。这些工匠都是从七八岁开始学的,技术代代相传。侗族建筑技艺难度大,要求高,需要数年才能培养出精湛的匠师。 相比之下,受到外来思想的青年更愿意去做难度低,收入高的工作。这也导致技术慢慢流失。同时,由于现代建筑材料迅速发展,越来越多的新型材料涌入侗寨。简单、结实、容易保存的建筑材料迅速取代了纯木在部分侗族人心中的地位。最终,侗族特色建筑也逐渐减少。 侗族特色建筑鼓楼 来源:百度百科 在语言方面,越来越少的人会讲侗语。虽然经济发展与文化簇拥使民族语言走向了一体化,但是许多方言也逐渐消失。四十及以下的人对侗语的掌握程度越来越低,原因之一是年轻人每年大量外出打工,受外界影响较大。这导致侗语使用几率下降,以致人们也慢慢淡忘侗族语言。 助力文化传承 针对这些挑战,从江生态文化社积极助力侗族文化传承。从江生态文化社是由一群热爱家园的侗族青年人自发组织的本土公益团队。该组织通过如创立火塘教室,萤火之裳等公益项目,帮助侗族非遗文化的传承。 “对我来说,在从江文化生态社工作并非只是一份养家糊口的职业,它更是一种使命。” 杨老师说道。 从江文化生态社助力非遗传承的方式很多。其主要推动侗族文化输出的主要是三种方式:民族文化教育、推广文化深度体验游以及侗族文化交流空间。 民族文化教育的代表性活动便是火塘教室和萤火之裳。火塘教室从本土文化出发,在民族学校开设民艺课程,提供基础设施建设、音乐器材、日常管理维护等一系列支持和陪伴成长服务,邀请当地非遗传承人走进校园传授侗族大歌、民族乐器等传统民艺,给少数民族村寨的儿童带来更新奇的本土化教育体验。 “建立民族教室,支持孩子们在学校里也可以传写自己民族的记忆。通过这个项目,孩子们还可以有机会去国家大剧院参加联合国的音乐会,去央视,去上海音乐厅等等,到更大的世界展现自己的民族文化,建立文化自信。“ 杨老师说道。 同时,这也激励了更多孩子来传承他们的民族文化。尽管一开始每年参与的学校只有那么几个,参与的学生也不多,但是随着项目影响力扩大,现在项目在常态化运作,并且每个学校都有学生参与,人数至少在60人左右,多的可以达到100多人。 火塘民艺教室 来源:从江生态文化社 萤火之裳民族校服公益计划目的是为孩子们制造校服。 一开始机构会收集到很多城市里淘汰的一些运动校服,然后分发给学校里面的孩子们。 后来,随着项目的不断完善,机构开始邀请国内外的一些设计师为孩子们制作独一无二的、具有民族特色的校服。该项目希望让他们从小怀揣着一颗热爱家乡、关注自己家乡的文化的心,同时对自己的身份有更深刻的认同,也竖立起信心。 萤火之裳项目 来源:从江生态文化社 在深度体验游方面,从江生态文化社一方面跟城市的机构合作,一起探索乡土研学,另一方面以民宿为入口,来推动乡村文旅融合发展。 为了吸引非遗传承人和外部游客前来学习和交流非遗传统文化,从江文化生态社通过开展公益旅行的项目来达成这一目的。不同的手工艺人们在项目中交流心得,坚定自己要传承下去这门手艺的的信念。而外来的游客也通过与手工艺人交流,学习到了他们以前从未接触过的传统文化。 其中,民宿是推广比较有效的方式之一。民宿通过手工艺品和当地美食等展示,帮助游客进一步了解侗族文化。 民宿会让游客们感受到前所未有的侗族文化冲击。游客们不仅可以亲手摸到到侗族绣娘一针一线缝合的手工艺品,也可以通过民宿的入住体验感受到侗族独特的建筑风格。同时,游客们通过社交媒体的传播,可以让更多人了解侗族的文化。 风景如画的梯田 来源:环球网 侗族文化公共空间主要是在侗房里开展相关的文化活动,比如分享沙龙,公益培训,一起传唱侗族大歌等。 “我们会结合机构所开展的公益项目,在侗房里举办民艺体验、音乐会、分享沙龙、公益培训等,为志愿者、旅行者、设计师等不同群体和村民建立情感和价值链接,探索可持续发展的公益模式,同时扩大侗族文化的影响力。” 杨老师说道。 侗族文化公共空间不仅为当地的妇女和儿童提供了平台,推动文化活动交流。同时,该空间也赋予了他们更多的发展机会,帮助其重拾民族技艺,增强文化自信自觉以及归属感。 除上述项目外,从江文化社还建立了其他项目。比如“侗族民艺青年成长支持计划“通过传统技艺传习的应用能力建设培训,以及设计师交流平台搭建等活动,进一步帮助侗族民艺青年提高创新应用与自主设计能力。同时,该项目也帮助他们将自己的文化发扬光大,让更多人去了解侗族文化,助力文化传承。 从江生态文化社的idea行动  来源:百度 此外,还有一些组织也在保留侗族文化。比如,北京文化遗产保护中心(CHP)让当地人参与,自己整理记录自己的文化遗产,最终产出了原生态的《从江档案》。这个项目提升当地居民的民族自豪感的同时,保留了民族文化。「3」 未来的从江生态文化社将继续推动侗族文化,并走向国际化舞台。 “我们也希望能做一些海外输出。虽然因为疫情外国人无法亲身体验我们的中国非遗的传统之美,那我们现在也在积极和海外的机构和设计师联动,希望通过线上新媒体的方式进行文化输出。“ 杨老师提到。 参考资料 「1」https://baike.baidu.com/item/%E4%BB%8E%E6%B1%9F%E7%94%9F%E6%80%81%E6%96%87%E5%8C%96%E7%A4%BE/22333677 https://www.fx361.cc/page/2019/0719/5333853 「2」sohu.com 「3」http://www.bjchp.org/nd.jsp?id=30 Continue reading 公益组织如何助力侗族文化传承

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如何通过经济赋能新疆少数民族女性?

 作者:费馨月

过去,由于新疆地处偏远,整体人口文化素质偏低,许多少数民族妇女缺乏必要的生产技能。因此,不少妇女工作机会局限,需要依靠丈夫的收入维持开支,家庭地位较低。

为了提高女性地位,让其更加独立自信,新疆维吾尔自治区各地政府和组织都在积极给予她们帮助和支持。其中,经济是一种重要的赋能手段。当女性能够创造经济价值时,她们在生活和家庭中能够获得更多的话语权,从而实现家庭和社会地位的提升。

在各种经济赋能的手段中,促进妇女就业是一项有效措施。与此同时,畜牧业和旅游业的发展也能够带动妇女实现就业和增收。

Continue reading “如何通过经济赋能新疆少数民族女性?”
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The current situation and challenges of China’s tableware industry

From Cynthia Wang

“One of the challenges that the tableware industry faces right now is innovation. Exploring creativity requires money, time, and some luck, and this is far less stable than the revenue brought by continuing to do the original style,” said Mr. Chen, who is working for a tableware foreign trade company.

Continue reading The current situation and challenges of China’s tableware industry
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贵阳陇脚村经济发展对当地水环境的影响

作者:吕林泽 王立洋 王兴扬 徐俊阳 徐思琨 (排名不分先后)

陇脚村位于贵阳市东北部乌当新区新堡布依族乡境内,属香纸沟省级风景名区白水河片区。全村面积约20平方公里,由上陇脚、下陇脚、香纸沟、白水河、葫芦冲五个村民组组成,共有农户约300户1000余人。

陇脚村是一个适合居住的地方。这里气候宜人,冬无严寒,夏无酷热,阳光充足,雨水充沛,空气湿润。除此之外,陇脚村也有着丰富的自然资源。山,水,石洞,瀑布,峡谷,熔岩景观应有尽有且都具有较高的价值。其中,最为突出便是其高达60%覆盖率的天然林和丰富的水资源。

Continue reading “贵阳陇脚村经济发展对当地水环境的影响”
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公益组织在帮扶尘肺农民过程中的宣传困境和潜在解决方法

作者:张厚丰 郑大潜(排名不分先后)

在江西萍乡的乡村中,一座座房屋点缀着美丽的山区。其中一些房屋外观都颇为精致,但若走入这些房屋,映入眼帘的是较为简陋的内饰。有些甚至没有粉刷过,只是简单的毛坯房。这样的房子有相当一部分是属于当地一群特殊的群体——尘肺农民。

尘肺病,就是患者由于职业问题在工作环境中长期将大量的粉尘吸入肺部,从而导致肺部纤维化的一种疾病。这种疾病会使患者呼吸困难,并容易引发气胸、肺结核等一系列并发症。

Continue reading 公益组织在帮扶尘肺农民过程中的宣传困境和潜在解决方法
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在大树脚村,通过发展生态旅游来缓解人象冲突可行吗?

作者:汤栋骞 陶星吉 孔维家 王凯莉(排名不分先后)

“一开头是十几头(大象),然后二十头,到现在的话多的大大小小四十几头。你说,四十几头大象在我们这个村,它一天都要很多很多粮食了。”谈到常在村子里出没的野象,在大树脚村经营农家乐的杨姐感慨道。

Continue reading “在大树脚村,通过发展生态旅游来缓解人象冲突可行吗?”
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义乌服装行状和挑

作者:Daniel Li, 杨云诺, 杨皓宁, 朱宇轩, 陈威达

中国是世界上最大的服装生产和消费大国。

根据国家统计局数据显示,2019年1-12月,我国服装行业企业累计完成服装产量244.72亿件,同比增长3.28%;2019年全年中国服装商品零售额达到9778.1亿元。

不仅如此,我国同时也是出口大国。

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如何通过监测预警系统缓解云南人象冲突?

作者:杜依凡 林楷 孟子涵(排名不分先后)

“自从那次被大象吓到,她整个人都软绵绵的,感觉(像)丢了魂。”某个晚上,大象来到了云南大树脚村村民王阿姨家中。它把鼻子伸进窗户,向住在王阿姨家的客人“打招呼”,吓得这位客人头疼了几天。

Continue reading “如何通过监测预警系统缓解云南人象冲突?”
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跨境电商的现状与挑战——以速卖通、Tiktok和Jumia为例

作者:黎思慧,徐晨轩,严哲文,沈泽函

“快速的发展让跨境电商在全球逐渐占据重要地位,加快了数字化进程。” 在中国做过跨境电商的留学生米莱说。

跨境电商是指通过电子商务平台达成交易、进行电子支付结算,并通过跨境电商物流及异地仓储送达商品,从而完成交易的一种国际商业活动。

Continue reading 跨境电商的现状与挑战——以速卖通、Tiktok和Jumia为例
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甘肃省暖水村化肥使用现状

方祈安、姜日星、金成易、陈佳合(排名不分先后)

暖水村,坐落于甘肃省武山县西南部。这里水源充沛,茂林成荫,牛羊成群。全村共有219户,合1032人,其中有70余户家庭为种植户。当地村民多为妇女和老人,以种植为生,青壮年多选择外出务工,获得经济收入。由于地处山顶,海拔较高,当地种植作物的种类受到限制,主要种有油菜700余亩、小麦600余亩、苦荞约180亩,人们日出而作,日落而息。

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Supreme Court overturns Roe, upends 50 years of abortion rights: 5 essential reads on what happens next

Supreme Court decides to upend 50 years of abortion rights. Stefani Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images) Matt Williams, The Conversation The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the constitutional right to abortion had been indicated via a leaked draft opinion some weeks ago, but that doesn’t diminish the impact it will have. The ruling handed down by the Supreme Court on June 24, 2022, upends 50 years … Continue reading Supreme Court overturns Roe, upends 50 years of abortion rights: 5 essential reads on what happens next

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Managing fish stocks shared by nations must focus on the impacts of climate change

The exploitation of marine species worsens when the fish stock is shared by countries as opposed to when it is contained within a single exclusive economic zone. (Shutterstock) Juliano Palacios Abrantes, University of British Columbia Shared fish stocks of hundreds of marine species have been historically exploited by many countries across the world. As oceans get warmer and marine species move across international borders toward … Continue reading Managing fish stocks shared by nations must focus on the impacts of climate change

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When is a species really extinct?

Dodos have been extinct for centuries, but it’s not a simple matter to definitively designate a species as extinct. (Shutterstock) Arne Mooers, Simon Fraser University https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/when-is-a-species-really-extinct As the saying goes: “extinction is forever.” The list of extinct animals, like Steller’s sea cow, the Tasmanian wolf and the dodo, is depressing. And despite various efforts, extinction seems final. But when does extinction start? That would seem … Continue reading When is a species really extinct?

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The Amazon rainforest is disappearing quickly — and threatening Indigenous people who live there

A child from the Mayuruna ethnic group stands on a pier on the banks of the Atalaia do Norte River in Amazonas state, Brazil, on June 12, 2022. Federal police and military forces are searching and investigating the disappearance of British journalist Dom Phillips and Indigenous affairs expert Bruno Araujo Pereira. (AP Photo/Edmar Barros) Félix Bhérer-Magnan, Université Laval Forests throughout the world are shrinking year … Continue reading The Amazon rainforest is disappearing quickly — and threatening Indigenous people who live there

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The Hate Groups Behind the Think Tanks

REECE JONES Imagine you are reading a news story about race relations in the United States, and the reporter interviews the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan to get his opinion on Black people. Sounds outrageous, right? Reporters would never do this, because the KKK is designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the opinion of the Grand Dragon … Continue reading The Hate Groups Behind the Think Tanks

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Restoring the Great Lakes: After 50 years of US-Canada joint efforts, some success and lots of unfinished business

Children participate in a water fight in Lake Ontario in Mississauga, Ontario, during a heat wave on June 5, 2021. Zou Zheng/Xinhua via Getty Images Daniel Macfarlane, Western Michigan University The Great Lakes cover nearly 95,000 square miles (250,000 square kilometers) and hold over 20% of Earth’s surface fresh water. More than 30 million people in the U.S. and Canada rely on them for drinking … Continue reading Restoring the Great Lakes: After 50 years of US-Canada joint efforts, some success and lots of unfinished business

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Prairie songbirds are affected by unpredictable noise produced by oil drilling

Patricia Rosa, St. George’s University Grassland songbirds have been steadily decreasing for decades in Canada. In addition to having to endure strenuous migration every year, they are confronted with the symphonies of oil extraction and drilling once they finally reach their prairie breeding grounds. This noise pollution may increase risks to species that are already experiencing significant population declines by further reducing their abundance, interfering … Continue reading Prairie songbirds are affected by unpredictable noise produced by oil drilling

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Challenging the whiteness of queer organizations

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walks in Toronto’s Pride parade in June, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Cameron Greensmith, Kennesaw State University Pride parades were established to commemorate the strife experienced by gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and trans people at the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York City’s West Village. Parades worked their way into Canada to help celebrate queer life across two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, … Continue reading Challenging the whiteness of queer organizations

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Black Joy in Pursuit of Racial Justice

BY TRACEY MICHAE’L LEWIS-GIGGETTS I have decided that 2020 was a great year for me. It was filled with so many tremendous professional and personal wins. Wait… scratch that. Actually, 2020 was a horrible year. It was filled with tragic losses and enormous amounts of rage and grief. I have to choose one or the other, right? Surely our capacity for joy and pleasure is contingent … Continue reading Black Joy in Pursuit of Racial Justice

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How Indigenous Land Rights Halted Amazon’s South Africa HQ

Protestors during the Liesbeek Action Campaign against Amazon River Club Development on November 12, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa. PHOTO BY BRENTON GEACH/GALLO IMAGES VIA GETTY IMAGES RAY MWAREYA & ASHLEY SIMANGO In March, South Africa’s High Court blocked U.S. tech giant Amazon from erecting its Africa headquarters on the land of the local Goringhaicona Khoi Khoin First Nation.  “This matter ultimately concerns the rights of … Continue reading How Indigenous Land Rights Halted Amazon’s South Africa HQ

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Long-standing systems for sustainable farming could feed people and the planet — if industry is willing to step back

The Burren, in western Ireland, is home to a traditional regenerative system of cattle management known as winterage. (Philip Loring), CC BY-NC-SA Philip A Loring, University of Guelph Global food systems are at a breaking point. Not only are they responsible for roughly a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, they are also the top contributors to water pollution and biodiversity collapse. On top of … Continue reading Long-standing systems for sustainable farming could feed people and the planet — if industry is willing to step back

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Most companies buying renewable energy certificates aren’t actually reducing emissions

A new study finds that companies’ emissions reductions may not be what they seem. (Shutterstock) Anders Bjørn, Concordia University; H. Damon Matthews, Concordia University; Matthew Brander, University of Edinburgh, and Shannon M Lloyd, Concordia University Big companies are increasingly setting voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets that are derived from the 1.5 C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement. As part of these science-based targets … Continue reading Most companies buying renewable energy certificates aren’t actually reducing emissions

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Living water: Northern Indigenous communities’ use and perceptions of drinking water

Midnight sun over Great Bear Lake, after feeding the lake, a way to honour the water. (Mylène Ratelle), Author provided Mylène Ratelle, University of Waterloo and Jessie Yakeleya In Indigenous communities that have lacked access to safe water for years, getting access to a safe water supply is crucial. However, perceptions of the water supply — not just how it tastes and smells, but also … Continue reading Living water: Northern Indigenous communities’ use and perceptions of drinking water

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Large trees are essential for healthy cities

Although it is important to have a diversity of tree species in urban landscapes, planting and protecting taller species should be strongly encouraged. (Shutterstock) Alison Munson, Université Laval and Anaïs Paré, Université Laval Trees are important elements of our urban landscape. With more than 50 per cent of the world’s population living in cities, it is impossible to imagine cities without the many services and … Continue reading Large trees are essential for healthy cities

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Calls for ‘ethical oil’ are pushing Canada to become a petro-state

Pumpjacks draw oil in a canola field near Olds, Alta. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh Sibo Chen, Toronto Metropolitan University https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/calls-for–ethical-oil–are-pushing-canada-to-become-a-petro-state Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine has brought fossil fuels and geopolitics to the forefront of public discussion. In an effort to evade economic sanctions, Russia has weaponized its energy exports. In March, President Vladimir Putin said he expects “unfriendly” countries — those that have imposed … Continue reading Calls for ‘ethical oil’ are pushing Canada to become a petro-state

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Artists organize to offer new visions for tackling climate change

A piece called ‘The Last Stand’ by David Ellingsen. (David Ellingsen), Author provided Melanie Kloetzel, University of Calgary In April 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued another report on the dire situation of the planet. The climate crisis is becoming hard to ignore as extreme weather events become commonplace across the globe. Recently, the Pew Research Center found that over 66 per cent … Continue reading Artists organize to offer new visions for tackling climate change

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Indigenous-led conservation aims to rekindle caribou abundance and traditions

Once described by West Moberly Elders as being as abundant as “bugs on the landscape,” caribou populations are now rapidly disappearing. (Giguere/Wildlife Infometrics), Author provided Clayton Lamb, University of British Columbia It’s been many years since community members from West Moberly First Nations last ate caribou meat from their traditional territory. Southern Mountain Caribou haven’t been hunted by this community in central British Columbia since … Continue reading Indigenous-led conservation aims to rekindle caribou abundance and traditions

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Call out anti-Black racism every day, not as a campaign tactic

Stephen Lecce, minister of education for Ontario, was challenged for his anti-Black behaviour in college. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Warren Clarke, University of Manitoba When Ontario Education Minister Steven Lecce was blasted for having participated in an anti-Black slave auction as a university student, he became the second politician in recent history to be called out for a past act connected to anti-Black racism. Once … Continue reading Call out anti-Black racism every day, not as a campaign tactic

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The future of fishing and fish — and the health of the ocean — hinges on economics and the idea of ‘infinity fish’

Fish stocks are in decline around the world, in part because of the way we value nature and fail to account for their long-term benefits. (Shutterstock) Rashid Sumaila, University of British Columbia Editor’s note: This story is part of a series that also includes live interviews with some of Canada’s top social sciences and humanities academics. Click here to register for this free event, on … Continue reading The future of fishing and fish — and the health of the ocean — hinges on economics and the idea of ‘infinity fish’

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‘Every child matters’: One year after the unmarked graves of 215 Indigenous children were found in Kamloops

People march in Ottawa during a rally to demand an independent investigation into Canada’s crimes against Indigenous Peoples, including those at Indian Residential Schools on July 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang Kisha Supernant, University of Alberta Editor’s note: This article contains details that some readers may find distressing “Every child matters” has become a rallying cry, adorning banners, orange shirts, decals and memorials to … Continue reading ‘Every child matters’: One year after the unmarked graves of 215 Indigenous children were found in Kamloops

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The Politics of Rage

Black and Brown rage is often dehumanized, while White rage is protected and coddled. But it takes courage to transmute rage and anger into collective and lasting transformation. ILLUSTRATION BY MOREMAR/ADOBE STOCK do you thinkcalling me ‘angry’is an insult.every time you call me ‘angry’i hear your voice salt with guilt andi laugh.look how easy it is to reveal you.—anger is a healthy and natural response … Continue reading The Politics of Rage

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How Artists are Transforming Climate-Related Storytelling

BY BREANNA DRAXLER & KATE SCHIMEL Silhouetted human and animal figures cross a burning, orange screen, as a narrator repeats the Bible’s exhortation to “be fruitful and multiply … to fill the earth and subdue it.”  “So why would the industries stop exploiting the Earth if it is our divine right to do so?” the narrator asks, as black talons reach for the viewer.  Part of the Climate … Continue reading How Artists are Transforming Climate-Related Storytelling

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Migrant workers are flipping the script and using Photovoice to tell their own stories

Migrant men work in the strawberry fields. (This is Evidence), Author provided Reena Kukreja, Queen’s University, Ontario What happens when undocumented Bangladeshi and Pakistani men in Greece pick up their cell phones to record their lives as migrant agricultural workers? “This will let the people learn how we live our lives here,” said one of the men, referring to the photos and videos they were … Continue reading Migrant workers are flipping the script and using Photovoice to tell their own stories

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Why Canada shuttered some mackerel and spring herring fisheries in Québec and Atlantic Canada

Spring herring and Atlantic mackerel fisheries are among the most lucrative in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and brought in more than $1.3 billion to Québec and Atlantic fishers in 2020. (Shutterstock) Dominique Robert, Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) and Pablo Brosset, Institut Agro Rennes-Angers The announcement by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to suspend fishing for Atlantic mackerel and spring herring in … Continue reading Why Canada shuttered some mackerel and spring herring fisheries in Québec and Atlantic Canada

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To reduce corporate emissions, CEOs need to be bold risk takers

Carbon-emitting companies are significant contributors to the climate crisis. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) Ashrafee Tanvir Hossain, Memorial University of Newfoundland Climate change is widely recognized as one of the most profound challenges ever to face the human race and life on Earth. Among the different factors identified by climate scientists, greenhouse gas emissions — which have doubled since 1990 — are the main contributors to global … Continue reading To reduce corporate emissions, CEOs need to be bold risk takers

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No time to waste: We need to start prioritizing solid waste management in First Nation communities

A garbage dump fire is seen smouldering across the bay from the city of Iqaluit on July 9, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld Anderson Assuah, University College of the North Last year, Harry Towtongie, the mayor of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, bemoaned how toxic substances released from the community’s dumpsite into the nearby ocean have been harming local food sources. He said the dumpsite was full … Continue reading No time to waste: We need to start prioritizing solid waste management in First Nation communities

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The window of opportunity to address increasing drought and expanding drylands is vanishing

Margot Hurlbert, University of Regina Chile, Argentina and the American West are in the midst of a decade-long, megadrought — the driest conditions those regions have seen in a century. And many areas in Western Canada and the United States are experiencing extreme drought — a once in 20-year event. Drought makes agriculture less productive, reduces crop yields and increases heat-related deaths. It adds to … Continue reading The window of opportunity to address increasing drought and expanding drylands is vanishing

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Canada’s marine conservation toolbox needs an overhaul to counter climate change

Andrea Bryndum-Buchholz, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Kristina Boerder, Dalhousie University The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly pervasive, bringing Canada’s lack of preparedness in its marine conservation measures into focus. The North Atlantic right whales — one of the most endangered large whales found off the eastern shores of Canada — are now changing their habits and traditions. Their pursuit of their favourite … Continue reading Canada’s marine conservation toolbox needs an overhaul to counter climate change

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Diamond mines in the Northwest Territories are not a girl’s best friend

A woman examines a diamond she is in the process of cutting and polishing in Yellowknife, N.W.T. in a photo from 2003. (CP PHOTO/Bob Weber) Rebecca Hall, Queen’s University, Ontario Almost three years ago, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) released its final report and among its findings, the report identified resource extraction as a site of gender violence. … Continue reading Diamond mines in the Northwest Territories are not a girl’s best friend

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Weaving is helping strengthen ancestral knowledge among women and children in Ingapirca, Ecuador

Women trace ancestral memories using wool. (Monica Malo), Author provided Cristina Delgado Vintimilla, York University, Canada and Veronica Pacini-Ketchabaw, Western University In the remote Andean community of El Cisne in Ingapirca, Ecuador, one of the first things you’ll notice is children’s laughter. In a courtyard, women gather with their children to trace ancestral knowledge and memories — and they do this using wool. The alpaca … Continue reading Weaving is helping strengthen ancestral knowledge among women and children in Ingapirca, Ecuador

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Women Against the Bomb: Mothers of the Revolution

BY VALERIE SCHLOREDT “Protect and Survive,” an information campaign published by the British government in 1980, informed the public of how “to make your home and your family as safe as possible under nuclear attack.” Part of the plan advised civilians to prop suitcases against the walls, stuffed with clothes and books “to absorb the radiation.” In the event of incoming nuclear missiles, the government would … Continue reading Women Against the Bomb: Mothers of the Revolution

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No time to waste: We need to start prioritizing solid waste management in First Nation communities

Anderson Assuah, University College of the North Last year, Harry Towtongie, the mayor of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, bemoaned how toxic substances released from the community’s dumpsite into the nearby ocean have been harming local food sources. He said the dumpsite was full and overflowing, and must be decommissioned before a new one is built, but financial support is not readily available. Many First Nations, northern … Continue reading No time to waste: We need to start prioritizing solid waste management in First Nation communities

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Native American Storytelling, One Pint at a Time

BY JONATHAN SHIPLEY In the beginning, there was Selu. She was the first woman, made from a corn plant. The Cherokee goddess was killed by her twin sons, who feared her power, but her dying instructions taught her family how to grow corn so they might survive and so her spirit would live on, resurrected with each harvest. This story is told by Morgan Crisp, who … Continue reading Native American Storytelling, One Pint at a Time

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CEOs are hindering LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace

Ashrafee Tanvir Hossain, Memorial University of Newfoundland https://narrations.ad-auris.com/widget/the-conversation-canada/ceos-are-hindering-lgbtq+-equality-in-the-workplace Global acceptance of homosexuality has risen over the past two decades to 72 per cent in 2019 from 51 per cent in 2002. Despite this, a report from last year found that majority of American LGBTQ+ workers have faced job discrimination. This echoes an earlier report, published by the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion in 2015, … Continue reading CEOs are hindering LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace

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How early childhood education is responding to climate change

Veronica Pacini-Ketchabaw, Western University To the untrained eye, the small community garden on Coast and Straits Salish territory — on what passersby commonly know as the University of Victoria campus — might look unruly. Bursting with dandelions, lamb’s ear and grasses, it’s difficult to tell where the garden starts and where it ends. Wondering where those boundaries begin and end has been a fruitful challenge … Continue reading How early childhood education is responding to climate change

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Here’s how food waste can generate clean energy

Salvador Escobedo Salas, Western University Food waste is a growing problem in Canada and many other parts of the world — and it is only expected to get worse in the coming years. The world population is expected to grow to 9.7 billion by 2050, alongside global food demand. Not only will this create large amounts of food and municipal organic waste, but there will … Continue reading Here’s how food waste can generate clean energy

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#ToxicWorkplaces: The future of youth employment in Nigeria

Grace Adeniyi-Ogunyankin, Queen’s University, Ontario Since Nigeria declared its aspiration to be one of the world’s top 20 economies by 2020, I have been doing research on the damaging impact of urban restructuring and economic growth on marginalized urban women in Ibadan, Nigeria. However, in the past four years, my interest has widened to include the impact of the same issues on Nigerian youth. I … Continue reading #ToxicWorkplaces: The future of youth employment in Nigeria

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What Holistic Care for Refugees Looks Like

To view the refugee crisis from an attachment lens is to become aware of how forced migration trauma will shape child refugees’ relationships later as adults—even after rebuilding their lives over time. ILLUSTRATION BY MALTE MUELLER By GABES TORRES Flee tells the story of Amin, a man who fled the war in Afghanistan as a child refugee. The docudrama is mostly an animation, with a conversation … Continue reading What Holistic Care for Refugees Looks Like

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Unlearning Racism As a Non-Black Person of Color

Gabrielle is photographed at Lincoln Park on West Main Street in the St. Charles section of Chicago, Illinois. That park was the location of the BLM protests in her town. The school you can see in the background was her grade school, where she was bullied. PHOTO BY ANJALI PINTO By Gabrielle Ghaderi The first time I learned about the history of race and racism … Continue reading Unlearning Racism As a Non-Black Person of Color