Hi everyone,
A friend just stopped by to pick up a hastily assembled collection of towels, clothes, shoes, and kids' activities. Hundreds of evacuees from Sandy Lake First Nation have arrived here and are being hosted by the First Peoples House of Learning at Trent. I was about to send this email when I heard that they are now overwhelmed with donations and are requesting for people to pause until they have time to sort through everything. This instant and abundant response from our community tells me how hungry we are for concrete action - an opportunity to reduce someone's suffering. I am so curious about how we can continue and deepen this practice - how to harness our collective longing for resource sharing and community well-being to the point that it is more powerful than the greed and tyranny of our leaders.
The launch in Tkaronto on Monday was magical. Thank you to everyone who created that space together, including those of you who joined us in spirit - we felt it!
Nogojiwanong launches are coming right up this Friday and Saturday. Please join us at one or both. Same time and place (7pm at Take Cover Books), but fresh sets and surprises. If you're a Friday night enthusiast, be sure to book a ticket as it's due to sell out. If you prefer a more spacious and intimate gathering, Saturday's your night! Please share the details with folks in the area, I'd really appreciate it.
Thank you to Megan Gallant at Kawartha Now for this lovely article about the book and the collaboration with Nathanael.
I'm heading out shortly to cheer my kid on at the ultimate tournament, then to pick up Nathanael at the bus station, rent some gear for the launches, and set him up for his feature at the "Remember Why You Wrote It" open mic series, Thursday 7pm at Dreams of Beans. I'm grateful that while you'll get to experience his musical genius at the launch, you also have a chance to enjoy his spoken word tonight!
I know I've been emailing a lot more than usual. We shall now return to the usual month-plus procrastination schedule. ;)
Much love and see you soon,
Ziysah
PS Please sign this petition to stop the local cuts to the library. Artists are also asked to sign this open letter, now signed by the likes of Margaret Atwood and Neil Young.
PPS Upcoming: ReFrame Film Festival presents Queer Cinema for Palestine. June 25, 6:30pm, Peterborough Public Library.
PPPS Thank you to the superteam that organized Monday's launch: Hannah, Sree, Maddie, and Sandra. Thank you, Mutamba, for the timeless collaboration. And thank you, Micah, for the photos!
