Dear friends far and near,
As we welcome the return of the light on today’s winter solstice, we are sending this first letter with an intention to build deeper connections across distance, and throughout these times of collective unrest and heartache.
Although the days are short and the shadows of grief that cast around us seem to stretch on endlessly, we are rooting into our relationships with our surroundings and each other. As we commit to anchor further into care and deepen our connections, we resolve to stay open to the complex tapestry of our experiences; noticing the pockets of light amid ongoing crises.
Uli and carla took time off from digital creations to work on an analog zine this fall called, Remembering Care. This wonderful carezine came about because one, they wanted to make things with their hands, and two, they had been talking about their first memories of giving care and they were curious about hearing from others about this, too. So, they brought both of these desires together and reached out to a few friends to ponder their first memories of giving care, and if it inspired them, to send in some art or words for the carezine. Remembering Care is filled with poetry, short stories, essays, and art all about remembering care. You can order a copy here!
The funds help support the various platforms at Grounded Futures!
As an act of solidarity with Palestine, we are amplifying the BDS movement with colourful boycott stickers. We have found that they can help embolden your shopping experience, or brighten up your streets. Perhaps more than that, you get to engage in some concrete solidarity! If you want a little bundle of them, let us know by responding to this email or via DM on social media, and we’ll arrange either to mail you some if you’re in canada, or send you the digital version for you to print yourself!
Today marks the launch of the first five stories of a special limited series, On Belonging! This passion project has been many years and iterations in the making, and we are thrilled to finally share some of it with you all.
Part conversation and part storytelling, hosts carla joy bergman and Jamie-Leigh Gonzales ask their guests to explore why so many of us are feeling called to find a deeper sense of belonging, whether with our ancestors or to the land where we live, and beyond. In the many landscapes across the world, each of us walk pathways that take us to the edges of possibility, finding belonging and collective thriving along the way.
Exploring belonging with our wonderful guests has brought to the fore how deeply fractured the ideas and practices of belonging can be for many of us. While, at the same time, recognizing how finding belonging and connection with each other and more-than-human kin is profoundly crucial for untangling from the violence and ongoing harms of colonialism, white supremacy, ageism, capitalism, ableism, and empire as a whole.
The stories are a mix of narrations and conversations, infused with soundscapes and music.
Listen to the first five stories here, from the voices of Coulee Ross, Dani Burlison, April Lin, Sophie Macklin, and Klee Benally.
Joey Ayoub (whose story for On Belonging will be released early in the New Year) is a podcaster and storyteller. Take a listen to this recent episode, Understanding Seen and Unseen Violence in Israel-Palestine
The Unist’ot’en Camp fundraiser, offering totes, hoodies, and more. Find the details here.
If you want to support what we do at Grounded Futures, consider “buying us a coffee” here (you’ll actually be helping us pay for our platform and software fees!)
In trust, solidarity, and much love,
Jamie-Leigh, carla, & Melissa