THUNDER BAY – Over 100 people attended the 2nd annual Northwest Climate Gathering on Saturday at Lakehead University.
This year’s theme was ‘You are not alone.’
Heather McLeod, steering committee member for the Northwest Climate Gathering, said it stared on Friday night when they had a book chat.
“(It was) about books that spark hope and some guidance as to how to get from here to where we want to be,” she said.
They continued on Saturday with the Northwest Climate Gathering where people were brought together to talk and listen.
“There's so much potential for us to be leaders and to inspire more people to be a little more brave and a little more vocal and a little more easy to notice in what they want to see happen.
“We made it conversational because we found there was a bit of a barrier when it's a presentation, the person listening might not feel equal to the presenter.
“When there's a conversation, everybody grows to realize how much they have to bring to change and improvement. Every single one of us, even if you're very young or have been at this so long, we can bring so much to one another when we come together in conversation,” McLeod said.
McLeod said last year they had a great age range, but the young people didn’t stay as long.
“We missed them. This time, we really tried to find ways to make sure that everyone who came wanted to stay as long as they could.
“We're seeing that, from the young children that had a whole activity led by teenagers during the day and are staying for the afternoon, to the Elders that have been supported in what they need to be a part of this,” she said.
McLeod said there was so many great activities on Saturday.
“We spent the morning getting oriented and then having conversations with one another and harvesting the themes and the feelings.
“Then this afternoon we're getting up and out. We're having an EV (electric vehicle) show of people that drove here in EV cars and are willing to talk about what it's like having that here in Northwest Ontario. Share their stories and answer curious people's questions.
“Similarly, people who bike are getting together to talk about active transit in the city. We have forest therapy, we have a labyrinth walk, really quiet ways to reconnect with the earth. There's a game to learn apps to identify plants.
“There's walk and talks about growing things and being in a relationship with land as stewards that are either restoring native ecosystems or growing more food here,” she said.
McLoud said after the first gathering there was a ‘loud call’ for them to do it again.
“We spent, as a small group, a whole year of trying to figure out how do it again.
“We're hoping this year that there'll be more people doing more things and this can be a hub where we come together once a year and say what happened, where are we at and celebrate all that we have accomplished, and invite more people in to enjoy that connection and energy,” she said.
McLeod said it’s global, and we’re all in it together.
“Everybody has a stake in these conversations. Some are not ready to be here yet, and that's ok.
“But if you have a little burning need to find your people and to see where you can do more, you want to be here.”
Kiera Essex, steering committee member for the Northwest Climate Gathering, said her hope is that everything is conversation based.
“Last year we had two great days of presentations and workshops and one of the things we kept hearing was that we wish we had more time to talk and connect with each other.
“Those moments when we get to really brainstorm and get those ideas are so impactful for our community. Just looking for more of those spaces to make those connections, to see what other people are doing and feel that you're not alone.
“There's so much in Thunder Bay and in Northwestern Ontario that's already happening,” she said.
Essex said there were two day-long things happening.
“We have a sacred fire that's been running all day. We were able to start the morning off in a good way with that.
“This afternoon, we're transforming this space into a climate action hub. A place where people can come and maybe take a break, talk and have more of those moments of connection, one on one, if that's what they need.”
Essex said this is something everyone and anyone can be involved in.
“Anybody that is remotely interested in learning about climate and meeting other people that care about climate should come out. Folks who maybe don't think climate is their main interest, but maybe climate will affect something that they care about.
“Maybe that's Indigenous rights, maybe that's housing, maybe that's health care. Climate change is going to affect everything and really this is a space for anybody, all ages, all backgrounds.
“You are so welcome here. We would love to hear your perspective and what you think,” she said.
You can find more information at northwestclimategathering.ca and on social media at NWClimateGathering.
“We would love to hear from you. We'll be recruiting for our steering committee again just to make sure that whoever wants a part in planning the next gathering and our interim actions, whether that be more potlucks or more youth initiatives or really whatever people find best.”
