Our newsletter is also available on our website in English and French

October 2007
Remembering our responsibility this fall

Message to Members

With so many events this month, and the store buzzing with energy, we're happy fall has arrived. We'd like to welcome our newest staff members Sophie and Natasha to the team, and in case you didn't know, we are now open at 10 a.m. on Sundays (one hour earlier) for your convenience. So take advantage of these beautiful days, give thanks for our privileges, and enjoy our "Responsibility" edition.

Thanks to: Gilles Rondeau, Johanne Deshaies - Translation; Johanne Bouthillier - Revision

October Member Specials

Just because it's fall doesn't mean we can stop conserving water and energy. Receive 10% off all of our compact fluorescent light bulbs, as well as water saving devices for the toilet like the Tankee Clipper (fill tank diverter) and toilet dam, water aerators for the tap, and timers for the hose!

Events

Members' Corner (continued from above)

According to the traditional teachings of our people, the Creator gave each part of the natural world specific duties to fulfill in order to maintain balance. At the start and end of each day and of each gathering, we offer acknowledgement and respect to all parts of the natural world that continue to carry out their responsibilities and enable us to be here. This address is called the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen, which in our language means "the words that come before all else." We use these important words to guide our actions and make decisions in consideration of the future generations.

Humans were given the important responsibility of nurturing a respectful relationship with the natural world and ensuring that the cycles of life continue. Sadly, as we all know, humans have been losing their connection to the natural world. As we are being bombarded by consumer culture, and an unlimited source of disposable and environmentally-damaging purchasing choices, we are finding it increasingly difficult to fulfill our responsibilities to the natural world. In fact, all the seemingly innocent daily choices we make about what we buy and eat, and how we move ourselves from place to place are wreaking so much havoc on the natural world that species are disappearing and we are losing their valuable contributions to the delicate web of life.

We have a lot of work to do to reverse these frightening trends. Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples have much to learn from each other in the important task of renewing balance in the natural world. When working together, Western science and Indigenous knowledge can form a more comprehensive and holistic understanding of the world and our place in it. Greater collaboration and respect are required on this front if we are ever to achieve meaningful solutions to the environmental problems we are facing today.

The ancient purpose of the Ohén:ton Karihwatéhkwen still rings true today. By acknowledging the important work being done by the natural world, we are thankful for the role that other living things play in our survival. It also helps us take ownership of our own responsibility to ensure that the web of life continues to function. Every human being has this responsibility and must find ways to make it a part of our lives. Today, this means educating ourselves about the impacts our daily choices have on the environment and finding alternatives that tread lightly on the planet.

While raking up leaves, or preparing Thanksgiving dinner, remember there are many ways to start this self-education journey. In today's fast-paced life, places like Co-op La Maison Verte can help us sort through all the information we are bombarded with in the media and make sound purchasing choices. We need to have the courage to make these changes in our life and influence others to take on the challenge too. The more we support each other in the process, the easier it will be... and the more our future generations will benefit from our efforts.

Lynn Konwaia'tanón:wes Jacobs is from the Mohawk community of Kahnawake. Lynn works as environmental advisor with the Kahnawake Environment Protection Office where she coordinates the Kanata Healthy Housing Project as well as environmental field studies to inventory, monitor and map the environment of her community. She is also involved in environmental education and advocacy, as well as other sustainability and self-sufficiency initiatives in Kahnawake. Lynn holds a Bachelors Degree in Environmental Science and a Masters Degree in Environment and Management.

Want more information on this story?

Read more from Lynn in the coming months in our Eco Logic blog!

For a fun way to celebrate the harvest season check out the annual Three Sisters Health and Harvest Fair, Sunday October 21st at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Kahnawake. There will be booths with locally-made food, crafts, preserves, tasting competitions, and more! Call the Kahnawake Environment Protection Office at 450-635-0600 for more info.

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Members' Corner is a place for members to write or suggest articles about environment or community-related subjects of all kinds. Email your ideas to newsletter@cooplamaisonverte.com

5785, Sherbrooke street West, Metro Vendome + bus #105 - call us! 514-489-8000