We are writing to you to seek support for our community initiative called The Rest and Repair Network. Please read on to learn more about what we do. Right now we are especially seeking donations of accommodation.
About the Network
The Rest and Repair Network supports Indigenous land and water defenders engaged in building Indigenous sovereignty by providing them with retreats to Sla-Dai-Aich (the Pentlatch word for what settlers know as Denman Island). Our intention is to provide respite, nourishment, and access to the healers of our community to people working for the sovereignty of their lands and waters. Our program is supported by a broad network of community members, settlers and anarchists most of whom live on Denman Island who we thank deeply for their continued support and collaboration.
The Rest & Repair Network has been successfully operating on the basis of word of mouth and mutual aid since early 2023 and has hosted 18 land defenders and children for 3 – 7 day retreats up to this time. We support Indigenous sovereigntists and their families and loved ones through mutual aid by supporting the people who are doing the work of protecting the land and water for all of us, including the future generations from the devastating effects on the climate and ecology due to resource extraction and profit driven mentality.
Up to this point we have connected land defenders with accommodation, acupuncture, counselling, herbal medicine, massage, reiki, counselling and other treatments. We also provide land defenders with delivered dinners, the opportunity to use a vehicle or be guided on the island and the opportunity to connect with supportive community members.
As a community we can leverage the network of skills and resources we have to offer. We are motivated to provide services which are meaningful and helpful to our various guests and incorporate them in shaping what their retreat looks like within the possibilities we have available.
In keeping with the grassroots and community focus of this project we are asking the broader community to help support this initiative. If you would like to get involved please email us at philippajoly@gmail.com
Ways to help are:
-Offer your cooking skills and be on our list of people who would like to donate a cooked meal when we are hosting guests.
-If you have private accommodation that you would be willing to share either free or at a reduced rate for our guests (3-5 days usually), please let us know. This is one of the most important parts of what we offer and one of the biggest costs. We would add you to our list of supporters who can offer accommodation, so there would be no pressure to offer it at all the time.
-If you are a health practitioner of some kind and would like to offer your skills either free or by donation
-If you or your group would like to do some fundraising
-And please consider signing up for an ongoing monthly donation by clicking here:
https://chuffed.org/project/respite-for-indigenous-land-defenders
Keep you eyes out for some fun fundraising events coming this spring!
Thank you for all the great work you do in this community.
Sincerely,
The Sla-dai-aich Rest and Repair Network
