Taking Direct Action - Camp Pekiwewin
These days “how are you doing” feels like a loaded question.
What does it even mean anymore? Am I being asked about my day-to-day life? Is it about how I’m coping during this global pandemic? Or do they want to know how I’m doing in this turbulent social and political storm?
There are multiple factors right now that make the world an especially strange place.
It’s messy, confusing, and awkward as hell. Although it can be scary to look at, these are the ingredients of change. No change has ever developed through pristine and seamless events. We’re all in this chaotic time together and we can come through it stronger than ever.
“What are you doing” is the question I would rather be asked.
Let’s be real, we can’t push forward and DO ALL THE THINGS like freakin’ warriors 24/7. Sometimes the best thing to do is slow the fuck down and do some serious self-care. Self-care is important work and it’s necessary for our own wellbeing. When we care for ourselves then it’s easier to care for others.
I’ve seen many inspiring badasses STEPPING UP in global platforms and in their local communities. They’re taking direct action to lift up others, protect those who are vulnerable, and to advocate for change. It’s amazing.
"Pekiwewin" translates from Cree as "the act of coming home" according to Cree speakers posting about the camp on social media.
In Edmonton, Alberta, there is a beautiful example of this.
It’s called Camp Pekiwewin.
I stopped in recently to drop off supplies after hearing about its mission. Seeing a group of people come together to protect the vulnerable (who are especially at risk in these wild times) and taking direct action to create change was… incredible.
Here is Phoenix Rodnunsky to tell you more about Camp Pekiwewin:
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THE EXISTENCE OF THE CAMP IS VITALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE CITY OF COLONIALLY TITLED “EDMONTON."
Aside from the fact that the city has long had problems with sheltering the most vulnerable in our city, and that institutions have documented history of abuse, lifting Covid-19 restrictions in the province means that many of the city's recreation centres (which had been temporarily used to give those without a permanent shelter a place to shelter-in-place) are opening back up without an alternative means of shelter. This despite the fact that members of that community receive less and worse medical care, leaving them incredibly vulnerable to illness.
They are simultaneously using police forces to destroy tent encampments, and with that, property and community built by those living rough, in addition to the well known issues of police violence and over policing of marginalized community members. The city also has resumed collecting bus fare, leaving those without means to scrape together cash in order to travel or walk long distances.
Those involved with the camp have retaken sacred lands (currently a large empty lot), and set up an amazing place where houseless folks can safely shelter, receive medical goods, food and water. They have been there starting from 8AM on July 24th. The camp plans on occupying this land on an ongoing basis, until the following demands are met (taken from their instagram):
"DEMANDS:
-Divest $39 Million from Edmonton Area Law Enforcement
-An end to Racialized Cop Violence against people with lived experiences of homelessness. An end to tent slashing, pepper spraying, destruction and theft of people's property and only dwellings.
-The City of Edmonton and Edmonton Area Law Enforcement to follow the recommendations of the CDC frontline workers, and those with lived experience of homelessness to desist from the forcible displacement and removal of people from encampments or their only dwellings
-Accessible Emergency Response Fund for frontline workers and communities with lived experiences of homelessness
-Free Transit. People have a right to move between spaces
-Dismantling of the racist bylaws that erode the security, safety, and dignity of people with no fixed address and communities with lived experiences of homelessness (trespass fines issued for breaching a ban, loitering on transit property or in transit vehicles, fare evasion, intoxication, public urination)
-Recognize the legal protections against unreasonable search and seizure by the state for "houseless" people and their encampments under Sect 8. of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. We demand that encampments be legally recognized as property and protected as homes. Additionally, we demand an honouring of inherent "Aboriginal Title" and Treaty Rights for many unhoused Indigenous peoples to occupy their territories with the urban center
-More traditional supports such as readily available harm reduction sites and resources around the city, accessible 24/7"
Anyone can step in and volunteer their time, money, or items at will. It is organized purely by volunteers and spread by word of mouth and luckily in 2020, that goes a lot further with social media.
We find ourselves at a new turning point in civil rights, and we can't let the energy die out! However, it can be overwhelming to feel like we need to fix all of society's evils all at once, especially if we are also in the middle of learning a lot of new information.
Additionally, not everyone is comfortable with all forms of action, or finds them accessible. Direct action can look like a lot of things, including the simple act of making sure that those in your greater community have food in their belly and a safe place to sleep. I hope that this gave you time to reflect on what you have to give and the ways that you can share that.
What amazing skills and resources do you possess that you can share with those around you?
It's a great time to celebrate them. Thank you for taking the time to learn and do some introspection as to how you can put all that learning into actions!
***If you want to get involved with this work***
If you are local to the Edmonton area (and even if you're not), please check out the camp's instagram @pekiwewin. They don't have an official Facebook page, but you can search pekiwewin camp to see updates as well. They have multiple volunteers collecting funds, but (if you are Canadian) you can also send an e-transfer to blmyeg@gmail.com with the note "Pekiwewin", so they know where to allocate the funds.
-Phoenix Rodnunsky