Water as a catalyst for radical transformation

Last week  some of us attended a conversation between Leanne Betasamosake Simpson and Uahikea Maile at Haymarket House about decolonial strategies that look to Water as a catalyst for radical transformation.

They reminded us that even though it is difficult, we must pursue the collective practice of dreaming and visioning networks of care where everything is shared. We were invited to consider Water as a mentor that teaches us about persistence and transformation. We were offered to think about the shore as a place that can teach us consent and accountability, a place where we can witness connection and belonging, a network of living things. And we were asked to consider that our role is to weave ourselves into this network, in diverse ways, to bring forth life.

About half of Wonderland is water in the form of ponds and wetlands, including a fen. The water that emanates from our spring fed ponds travels to the Nippersink creek and then all the way to the Mississippi. We have a responsibility to our waterways but also, as our waterways cycle, sinter, revive and provide, they are showing us the way to collectively practice making hope and taking care of each other.

In June we interviewed Jeffrey Boland-Prom from the Illinois Beaver Alliance for our Patreon subscribers, and today we are making that interview available to everyone for free.

Jeff is a Wonderlander at heart and we are honored that he is a part of our community, and much in the spirit of last night’s discussion at Haymarket House, in the interview we discussed Water, small conservation communities, mutual aid, our fen restoration project, his dreams for the land and, of course, beavers. 

In the images below you can read some excerpts from our conversation with him. If you want to read the full interview and other wonderful articles, check out our Patreon.