Climate Justice Laurier

Climate change is a global crisis, impacting all life on earth. However, those who suffer the most are those who have contributed the least to our climate crisis. That is an injustice. We work toward a safe and just climate future for all, standing in solidarity with Indigenous communities who have always been the stewards of the land and protectors of the water. We aspire to be active in allyship with Haudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Attawandaron Peoples, here on unceded land at Wilfrid Laurier University. 

Our work includes:

• Acting as allies in solidarity with Indigenous communities working for justice, as represented in Laurier’s Climate is Life mural (described below)

• Regular student-led strikes for climate justice through action that both climate science and human compassion demands at this critical moment in time

• A divestment campaign pressuring Laurier to divest its financial holdings from climate-destructive fossil fuels that are undermining its students’ futures

• Passing department-wide resolutions for bold climate action and justice

• Starting a Food Justice Garden on campus to transform Laurier’s decorative raised beds into edible gardens where all produce grown go to Indigenous students and community members

• Hosting and supporting climate education and awareness-raising events

• Relationship-building and working with other groups at Laurier and across our communities to advance climate justice

The Climate is Life mural : CJL’s visual emblem is a cropped selection from the beautiful Climate is Life mural, painted at the centre of Laurier’s Waterloo campus by local artist Pamela Rojas, with contributions from hundreds of others. This image is of the Anishnaabe Grand River Water Walk, led by the Anishnaabe Peoples who have been honouring and working for water, land and earth protection since time immemorial. Many thanks to knowledge keeper Mary Anne Caibaiosai for her guidance and permission to use this guiding image in our work. Photos of the mural opening ceremony here.

Contact: climatejusticelaurier@gmail.com

Food Not Bombs

Food Not Bombs cooks and serves meals for free (with donations from Central Fresh Market, Full Circle Foods and Grainharvest Breadhouse). Why? Because food is a right, not a privilege. Because the food we access would otherwise be thrown out and wasted. Because when we are hungry, we have the right to get what we need. Because poverty is a form of violence neither necessary nor natural. Because capitalism makes food a source of profit, not a source of nutrition. Because food does grow on trees. Because we need community, not control. Because we need homes, not jails. Because we need FOOD NOT BOMBS!

The free community meal serving happens at 1:30PM every Saturday in front of Kitchener City Hall (200 King St W.). Before that, we cook our soup at the Working Centre, which is located at 58 Queen St S. (just a few blocks away). Our leftover produce and soup is then driven to the House of Friendship in downtown Kitchener. We are always in need of volunteers to help cook, transport, and serve food!  For information contact fnb.kitchener@gmail.com

KW Urban Harvester

KW Urban Harvester’s initiative is to transform urban green spaces in the Kitchener/Waterloo Ontario area into anything sustainably edible. We seek to educate ourselves and others on how to grow food in urban settings, preserve the harvest, and save the seeds.

Our primary focus for the season is planting, maintaining, and harvesting the Northdale plot on the WLU campus. We also welcome the opportunity to work with community members who have yard space to share and transform into edible landscapes. Other initiatives within our group include forest gardening, urban foraging, and fruit tree harvesting as well as any other interests in urban agriculture that members would like to explore. If you are interested in getting involved, email us at kwurbanharvester@gmail.com.

ShamRose for Syrian Culture

ShamRose is a non-for-profit active in building the Syrian and Arabic speaking communities since 2012. In recent years, we have focused on responding to the Syrian Refugee Crisis, on a local level. Our main venues of work include: assisting refugee sponsors during pre-arrival period, share knowledge with individuals and groups interested in sponsoring refugees, Arabic School, fundraising, and community events. 

ShamRose Refugee Support Center opened its doors in January 2016, to assist in resettlement and integration of Arab-speaking refugees and newcomers. Find out more information here! http://shamrose.ca/
Contact at: shamrosesyria@gmail.com

Brantford Food Forest Naturally Connected

Brantford Food Forest Naturally Connected aims to strengthen Brantford's food security through the planting of barrier-free, accessible food forests throughout the city. A food forest can be any size and essentially is an orchard planted to mimic a natural forest environment. Follow Brantford Food Forest on Facebook or reach out to brantfordfoodforest@gmail.com to stay connected and get involved!

Revitalizing Our Sustenance Project

Revitalizing Our Sustenance Project was created in Summer 2020 to help educate and learn sustainable food systems and practices. ROSP is youth-led and driven to build a positive community surrounding the Six Nations Reserve. The main objective of the program is to create educational opportunities and on-the-land learning for Haudenosaunee & non-Indigenous youth. We aim to create an inclusive positive space in learning & revitalizing our relationship with food and Haudenosaunee agricultural systems.

If you would like to get involved or volunteer some time at the garden please email revitalizingoursustenance@gmail.com for future opportunities & information! Follow us on Instagram and our Facebook Page & via website

Publications: https://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/six-nations-garden-project-miller-1.5745018