Eco-Samu
ECOLOGY. EDUCATION. EMPOWERMENT
Ecology; the study of the relationships between living organisms, humans, and their physical environment. Ecology is the branch of knowledge.
HOW CAN YOU START YOUR ECO JOURNEY?
Take the SAMU Pledge:
I will strive to RESIST against our climates impacts
I aim to EDUCATE myself and peers about ecological practices
I am EMPOWERED in my self-efficacy, and sustain environmental resilience in my daily practice
OUR PLEDGE TO SUSTAIN RESILIENCY
Here at SAMU, our ECO Program aims to help create a healthy campus culture that educates, motivates, and empowers students to create community and sustain positive change personally, locally, and globally.
We are shifting our environmental programming focus to support and implement effective practices that foster more ecological awareness and education.
By introducing an Environmental Justice Tool Kit, SAMU will bring focus to the spaces we inhabit here on Amiskwacîwâskahikan Treaty 6 land. This tool kit aims to provide fundamental guidelines for tangible, pragmatic, and realistic environmental goals.
SAMU STEPPING STONES
READY, SET, GROW!
Join ECO SAMU for gardening, socializing and fresh air. Every Saturday! CLICK HERE to register.
Drop-in gardening will be hosted every Saturday at Edmonton Urban Farm to explore the ecosystem through soil education, permaculture, and urban farming.
Location: Edmonton Urban Farm, 11312 79 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5B 2K2
Drop-in Dates: June – October | Saturdays 10 AM – 4 PM
ABOUT THE EDMONTON URBAN FARM
Located just on the bend of the city, The Edmonton Urban Farm is a 2-acre farm in the heart of Alberta’s capital. Established in 2014, the Urban Farm connects people to food and farming within the city limits. Learn more about the urban farm at exploreedmonton.com/industry/edmonton-urban-farm.
Note: Please contact Macey Nortey at norteym@macewan.ca for arrangements if available times are not accessible
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TOOL KIT
The History of Environmental Justice: The Principles of Environmental Justice
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: By 2030, they want to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
Truth and Reconciliation: Calls to Action
Idle No More calls on all people to join in a peaceful revolution that honors and fulfills Indigenous sovereignty and protects the land, the water, and the sky.
“Walking Together: First Nations, Métis and Inuit Perspectives in Curriculum” was designed to help teachers understand the holistic nature of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit ways of knowing.
Four Directions Teachings Home – Fourdirectionsteachings.com An audio narrated resource for learning about Indigenous knowledge and philosophy from five diverse First Nations in Canada
Ecological Grief as a Response to Environmental Change
The chapter in the report, regarded as a “deeper dive” into a particular issue facing Indigenous women and girls, as well as 2SLGBTQQIA people, describes the connection between an influx of transient workers—those who arrive in mostly isolated towns and cities from elsewhere to work in mines or industries like oil, gas or hydro—and higher rates of sexual assault, harassment, STIs and women entering the sex trade. Click to read more.
Want to grow food at home? Check out this great DIY Youtube Channel! Hoochos has lots of ‘how to’ videos that will show you how to build cheap indoor & outdoor growing sets.
Watch Elders from across Alberta offer teachings in these video resources created by Native Counseling Services of Alberta.
Honouring indigenous treaty rights for climate justice
This journal reflects on the expansion of the oil sands industry in Canada, which has caused land destruction and social fraction in the country. They mention that oil sands development is Canada’s fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. They state that by honouring treaty commitments made with indigenous peoples Canada could become a leader in climate governance.
This qualitative case study, situated in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, investigates how citizens within vulnerable and complex neighbourhoods understand resilience and civic engagement, as well as what support might be needed to increase climate change resilience in specific communities.
The film Gathering featured on Netflix, tells stories about Indigenous food systems and resistance on Turtle Island. The film is phenomenal, and the website features useful resources.
“We Are the Land: Exploring Indigenous Land Stewardship”, a decolonization webinar on Indigenous concepts of land and land stewardship in collaboration with Naheyawin, Climate Justice MacEwan, and MacEwan Indigenous Students Club. Click here to watch.
RELATED BOOKS
Happy City: Transforming Our Lives Through Urban Design by Charles Montgomery
21 Thing You Should Know About The Indian Act
Women Who Dig: Farming, Feminism, and the Fight to Feed the World by Trina Moyles
COMMUNITY ECO-PARTNERS
FOOD & AGRICULTURE
Operation Fruit Rescue Edmonton (OFRE): OFRE is a non-profit organization that will mobilize volunteers to harvest, process, preserve and donate local fruit.
Food4Good: Food4Good is the food programming division of the JasperPlace Wellness Centre, a community development organization in Edmonton. Food4Good results from a collaboration between organizations and residents to address food insecurity in Edmonton’s west end. They host low-cost food markets and sell meal prep boxes for a reasonable price.
Camola is a sustainably focused bakery that uses cricket flour for products.
Check out MacEwan’s Urban Beekeeping Project on the roof of building 5!
The Pantry is a SAMU Service in place for those in need of food and goods, but also a space to learn about food security, waste, and consumption.
Dustin Bajer is an educator, master gardener, writer, beekeeper, and ecologically inspired designer. Learn more about Dustin’s beekeeping courses and supplies, propagation courses and the food forest project.
Leftovers is a program that mobilizes the community to rescue and direct food to reduce food waste and increase access.
ECOLOGY/BIODIVERSITY
Edmonton and Area Land Trust is an organization that conserves nature in Edmonton and the area, engaging people in land conservation and stewardship. They sell bee hotels for native species bees, bat boxes, and host tours. Click here for more information
City of Edmonton Interactive Edible Fruit Tree Map
Green Community Gardens Edmonton Interactive Map
Canadian Wildlife Federation is a wonderful resource for ecological information and offers environmental education certification training.
Root for Trees is a city of Edmonton tree planting initiative.
Alberta Native Bee Council promotes the conservation of native pollinator communities through research and monitoring, advocacy, education, and collaboration with others.
City of Edmonton Urban Beekeeping is the best place to find information on beekeeping workshops and policies for honeybees in Edmonton. Interested in keeping bees? Click here to learn more
Decolonizing Water is an Indigenous-led community-based water monitoring initiative that is rooted in Indigenous laws and is a practical expression of Indigenous water governance. Click here to check out their website for resources and how you can get involved.
Wild North’s mission is to deliver services to people of Northern Alberta with wildlife-related concerns by providing compassionate care to injured and orphaned wildlife and by educating our communities about humanely coexisting with wildlife. Check out their website for resources and to learn how you can get involved.
SOCIAL
ECO-Ambassadors: New initiative to create student community, dedicated to nurturing SAMU’s ecological footprint.
Check out this great urban agriculture initiative! Edmonton’s Urban Farm is a 2-acre farm located in central Edmonton. The Urban Farm harvests 1000’s of pounds of food a year and offer local groups a space to grow food. SAMU has a plot of it’s own plot at the farm called Stepping Stones, intended to give students a space to learn about growing methods without a large time committed attached. Feel free to drop in on Saturdays or contact us for more information.
Water movement provides a collaborative online space where Indigenous water treatment operators can connect, share lessons learned and access a video library.
Check out kihew waciston MacEwan’s Indigenous Center for local resources.
The African Center offers free counseling, culturally relevant food bank items, workshops, and programming.
Future Ancestors Services is a trigenerational team of professionals and advisors; they provide speaking, training, research and consulting services, and influencer and interview services to diverse clients.
Apathy is Boring is a nonpartisan youth political engagement organization.
The Alberta Emerald Awards showcase Alberta’s environmental leaders to inspire others. They provide year-round programming that educates and empowers ecological stewardship.
The Council of Canadians is an organization that advocates for democracy, justice and care. The Council of Canadians works to improve and expand social programs and public services, ensure access to clean water for all, ensure that the government’s primary interest is citizens and not corporations, and dismantle oppressive colonial systems. Check out their website for resources and ways you can get involved.
WASTE REDUCTION & MANAGEMENT
Blenderz is a zero waste, zero export, textile recycling company in Edmonton. They take garments and other textiles from local thrift stores and charity shops and break down the materials that cannot be resold. They also offer clothing and textiles for resell or upcycling.
More than a Fad is a local thrift shop that raises funds for women in addiction recovery. Click here to learn more
Replenish Local refill station for all your Eco-friendly home goods
Need equipment for a project? Consider renting it from the Edmonton Tool Library!
Change for Climate has Edmonton-specific climate change information regarding programming, grants and action plans for reducing the affects.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore Has new and gently used items like appliances and furniture at greatly reduced prices. Learn more here
CELEBRATING THE BEAUTY OF BLACK CULTURE
COMMUNITY
Connect with these community organizations for resources and knowledge:
- BOM-Black Owned Market
- Ribbon Rouge – Providing services and supports that ensure health equity for African, Caribbean, and Black individuals
- African Centre – Pan African non-profit that services as a community hub
- Black Canadian Women in Action
- African Child and Youth Migration Network
- Black Youth Mentorship and Leadership Program
- CFRAC: Centre for Race and Culture
- 5 Artists One Love
RHYTHM
Hair
For centuries, black communities around the world have created hairstyles that are uniquely their own. These hairstyles span back to the ancient world and continue to weave their way through the social, political and cultural conversations surrounding black identity today. Check out this Visual History of Iconic Black Hairstyles to learn more about Black hair.
Check out: Harriets Humongous Hair by Ni Lo
Spice
The species and flavors of African cooking are not just about food but are a living testament to the strength and movement of the African Diaspora. Cooking is not solely about feeding oneself– through cooking one comes to learn about the land and their relationship with it, their traditions, and their community. Particularly in America. The story of Black cooking is a tale of resilience and ingenuity. Black folks have learned to keep their traditions alive via cooking and the storytelling involved in it.
Check out this list of regionally popular African spices, are any of them familiar to you? Are they popular in your family’s regional cuisine? Consider using and learning more about them in celebration of Pan-African culture.
East Africa
- Cumin
- Tumeric
- Corainder
- Fresh Tamarind
- Grated Coconut
West Africa
- Curry Powder
- Black Pepper
- Maggi Cube
- Thyme
- Bay Leaf
- Nutmeg
North Africa
- Zaatar
- Cumin
- Sumac
- Sesame (toasted Sesame)
- Mint
- Lemon