Dear Haida Gwaii News,
First, thank you for providing an offline outlet to read about events, issues, and conversations grounded in our communities. As someone who recently said goodbye to social media, I appreciate this paper tremendously. Hearing and participating in discourse face to face has been richer and more nuanced than watching comment sections. And no longer lining the pockets of those who profit off our attention and negative emotions has felt good in my bones. Haawa for this space.
Stepping off that soapbox and onto another: I am concerned about the material effects that escalating geopolitical conflicts could have on our communities. If they are not already happening, I would like to encourage conversations about how we can support one another through hard times, should they reach our shores. If supply chains fray, let’s strategize to ensure everyone has the food and medicine they need. Let’s plan sooner rather than later to avoid the rash decisions, words, and actions that can arise in times of unrest. Let’s think through how we will mediate local conflicts in times that could bring relative scarcity (my suggestion there is to start by reminding ourselves just how rich we already are).
There are strong foundations and many examples—both recent and ancient—that we can lean on and learn from.
Maybe these conversations happen at the neighbourhood level, maybe at the village level, perhaps at the level of the Haida Nation. Hopefully all of the above. In person would be ideal, but organizing online can be effective too—whatever it takes to build strength together.
And if the hard times do not come, well, we will be well stoked in supplies and strengthened relationships.
With love,
Long-time reader, first-time writer,
New-ish resident, long-time neighbour
Kim-Ly Thompson
