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Volunteer Reflection: Muskoka Foundation / Napi Friendship Association

12/6/2011

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Note: Due to the theft of my Macbook Pro and it's files (all photo/video footage), I have had to adapt the way in which I share and reflect on each organization that took part in the Roadtrip with Reason. You can view a few video profiles that were already posted prior to the theft here. Thanks for your support!
The Muskoka Foundation &
Napi Friendship Association
(September 2011)

Before I share the tale of my volunteer experience with the Napi Friendship Association (through the Muskoka Foundation), it is important to explain how I found myself there…

While planning my Roadtrip with Reason, I connected with Jay & Sharon from Service Driven on Twitter.  These two have been journeying across the United States (mostly) since February 1st 2011 - volunteering their time and enjoying as much beer/bacon/bikes as possible. Naturally, our projects had a lot in common. In June of 2011, they were passing through Ontario and stayed the night at my apartment in Bracebridge where we discussed their journey, my upcoming journey and Jay’s (hilarious) fear of moose. A month or so later, they sent me an e-mail about The Muskoka Foundation and the ball got rolling.

The Muskoka Foundation is an organization whose vision is to “to create a network of hundreds of modern day explorers, traveling overland in communities around the world, using their professional skills to do good as they go.” They provide the ‘traveling participants’ with programming framework, tools and support to help carry out activities while on the road. I was sold! Plans were made for September to have me volunteer at the Napi Friendship Association (NFA) in Pincher Creek, Alberta.
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Pincher Creek, AB.
 I arrived to Pincher Creek without knowing very much about the place. It turns out that Pincher Creek is a small ranching town (approx 3,370 people), directly east of the Canadian Rockies. It is known for its strong Chinook winds (& subsequent wind turbine development), surrounding aboriginal communities, and close vicinity to Waterton Lakes National Park.

I met with Earlene (the Youth Coordinator at NFA) to discuss my volunteering plans for the week and was equal parts nervous and excited. Prior to this experience, I hadn’t had much direct exposure to aboriginal culture and was unsure of how I would be received. No issues here! We decided on a video blogging project for the participants – the plan was to work collectively to create a video about what living in Pincher Creek (or on the Pikkani Reserve) meant to them.

I showed up to the NFA the following day, full of excitement for the project plan that I had created overnight, and was very disappointed to find only 3 participants – very different from the approximated number of 15. I tweaked the program as much as I could and got down to work with the girls…

The plan was to a) Discuss my Roadtrip with Reason thus far & how video blogging played a role; b) Brainstorm ideas about what living in Pincher Creek meant to them, choose 3 main ideas; c) Adventure around Pincher Creek to get both photo and video representation of the main ideas (mountain, prairies & culture); d) Interview girls for additional footage and sound bytes; e) Edit video collaboratively
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The girls in front of the pinchers!
After strolling around Pincher Creek and making visits to all of the “hot spots”, their school, the trails, some family/friends etc for photos and videos; we warmed up to each other and questions began flowing back and forth. I was extremely curious about their daily lives (typical teens), how their culture played a role (big role), their experience living in this little part of Alberta (not too bad), any racism/prejudice they experienced (some) and their hopes for the futures (lots). They seemed to be equally curious about my project, why I was doing it, what brought me to them and how life was on the road. The day ended with all of us taking beautiful footage of the prairie land, while the sun was setting over the Rockie mountains in the distance. It was a stunning sight (prancing deer included) and I got the sense that these three were more proud of their home than they had originally expressed.

The following day was deemed ‘editing day’ and I showed up to find no one there. Ouch! It turns out that there was a family wedding and some miscommunication with Earlene – she had forgotten that it was a PA Day, which meant that the girls didn’t have transportation from their home on the Pikkani reserve to Pincher Creek. Regardless of the reason, I was disappointed and felt like I had failed as a volunteer/workshop leader. I spent the rest of my afternoon at the Napi Friendship Association uploading/sorting through the hours of footage and began the editing process. I was about a quarter of the way done when the centre was closing. The completed video was too large for online file sharing, so I had intended on sending it to the girls via snail mail. Unfortunately, the video didn’t make it to the girls before the theft my laptop. Another project lost!

Although my experience at the NFA was not ideal or perfect, it still was put on the “meaningful memories” and “what I wouldn’t have done before” lists. I learned so much about Aboriginal culture (something I am very interested in) and was shown so much kindness by the staff, particularly Earlene who lent me her couch for those nights.

I wish that I could’ve shared more experiences with more participants, taught them more about the uses of vlogging/social media and had more of an affect, but what can you do? Earlene kindly reminded me that by sharing my own roadtrip journey with the girls, I was positively influencing them and showing them that their dreams are achievable. I don’t know if that is actually the case, but it felt good to hear at the time.
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Archie in Pincher Creek!
Following the time of volunteering and at the advice of the NFA staff, I decided to spend the rest of the weekend camping at Waterton Lakes National Park (about 50km away from Pincher Creek). I drove towards Waterton Lakes feeling a little disheartened and blue, but ended up finding one of my most favourite places across Canada – a place that I hadn’t even heard of prior to my visit at NFA. One of the ‘Elders’ in Pincher Creek had told me of the Waterton's long spiritual history in providing needed energy and ‘warmth’ to its visitors. Funny how things work out!

I am so grateful to the Muskoka Foundation for organizing this experience for me. I am absolutely in love with the actions they are taking, and what they are promoting through their organization. I look forward to using their services on one of my future adventures!

“Go into the world and do well,
but more importantly,
go into the world and do good!”


Yes, yes, yes!

For more information on The Muskoka Foundation, go to their website HERE. You can also purchase a 2012 Nature Calendar, full of beautiful photographs taken by youth in their volunteers’ workshops. 100% of the sales (above costs) go back to the host communities and their youth.
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Article: 'Roadtrip with Reason helps out' -- The Province

11/16/2011

4 Comments

 
Check out a beautiful newspaper article about the Roadtrip with Reason!

It was posted on November 16, 2011 in The Province (Vancouver, BC).

Much love and thanks to Lisa Calvi & also to Garry Sowerby for their ongoing support.

Read it HERE
4 Comments

Thankful.

10/10/2011

5 Comments

 
Happy Thanksgiving, friends!!!
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Glacier. Alberta. Cool.
I am currently in Sidney-by-the-Sea, BC - enjoying the Thanksgiving festivities with my family. Turkey dinner is happening tonight and I could not be more excited. Mmm mmm. In the spirit of this holiday, I have created a succinct list of all the things I am thankful for...

1. This experience - what an opportunity it has been! So much to say. Stay tuned for lots of reflection in the coming weeks.

2. Chevrolet Canada - I can't imagine doing the cross-Canada journey without "my" 2011 Chevy Cruze. Archie has become my partner in crime - the only constant I have had throughout the 3 months on the road. He has played the best tunes, provided a great place to snooze, been thoughtful with his gas intake, and never ever let me down. 17, 000 KM later and I still think that he is the best! It's going to be tough to say goodbye. (Yes, I am a crazy car lady. Haha) 

3. The Pepsi Refresh Project - the funding that started it all. The long days of planning, designing this website, hounding everyone for their daily votes, and living in a constant state of anxiety for two months - it all worked out! I am so grateful to be a member of the Pepsi Refresh Project grantee family!

4. Henry's - my equipment friends. It still amazes me that they stepped up to the plate and offered me such an amazing video camera that I use on a daily basis. I couldn't have created any of the videos without it!

5. Anyone who has sponsored me in some way - so many people have fed me, housed me, and thrown a couple bucks my way. I am so appreciative of each and every kind gesture.

6. The non-profit organizations that have been involved in this journey. I have not yet been disappointed by any of my volunteer visits. I am really glad that I have had the ability to discover and share some of the most innovative, successful, and passionate change-makers in Canada. I am so grateful that these organizations exist and that the people who work/volunteer for them are willing to (often) be overworked, underpaid, and understaffed just to ensure that some kind of change happens. Amazing human beings.

7. My family. How cool is it that my parents flew all the way out to British Columbia to enjoy Thanksgiving with my brother, his ladyfriend and I? Pretty cool. It feels/smells like home - except with the ocean and mountain views.

8. Anyone who has taken the time to read my posts, engage in my project, send me a kind e-mail or offer encouraging words. The past 3 months have been incredibly challenging for a variety of reasons, but it has also been incredibly fulfilling and I can't thank you enough for being a part of it!

9. My friends. I have nice friends, but there a select few who have gone above and beyond to support me throughout this journey. You know who you are. I heart you, so much.

10. Canada. It's beautiful and has provided the most amazing backdrop for this experience. I love, love, love my home and native land. 

I hope that you have had the best Thanksgiving, wherever you are. I am going to go stuff my face now.

Happy Trails & Travels,
Becky xo
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I <3 the mountains.

10/1/2011

3 Comments

 
LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL IN THE MOUNTAINS 
I have had an amazing week here in Banff & Jasper National Parks. The views are awe-inspiring and they just never end! I am so, so, so happy to have had this opportunity to explore the area. It was a great break - I think it's going to be tough to say goodbye tomorrow morning. 

I am still really looking forward to this upcoming week - catching up on editing, volunteering at Take a Hike Foundation, and spending Thanksgiving with my family in Victoria. Then I will be volunteering my way through the rest of British Columbia until the end of October.

Please enjoy some of the recent pictures from my travels....

Lot's and lot's and lot's of volunteering, editing, thinking, dreaming, exploring, decision-ing, finalizing and concluding to come. 


Exciting times, ahead!
3 Comments

Volunteer Video: For the Love of Learning (St. John's, NL)

8/31/2011

7 Comments

 
You have no idea how great it feels to be posting this video (below) up. It has been a long, overwhelming and frustrating process to rifle through but the first non-profit profile video is finally complete. The most important thing to note is that For the Love of Learning is a fantastic, worthy and change-making organization in St. John's. Although I arrived during an unusual week - I was still able to grasp the importance of their programming and see the pride and dedication everyone had for the organization. I was particularly impressed with the extremely open and welcoming environment - it didn't matter if you are a University grad, a person struggling with homelessness or a University grad who is homeless.

Some may not understand how art, theatre and creative writing helps at-risk youth, but I can assure you that this program and similar programs do. After meeting some participants, hearing some stories and reading some of the work that was created in the space - there is no doubt in my mind that FTLOL is an organization who is doing great work in St. John's. "A lot with a little" as Peter (in the video) said - I couldn't agree more.

It was a fantastic first organization for the roadtrip. I left feeling grateful, inspired and excited - my brain was swimming with potential workshop ideas and ways to get involved. Perhaps it's time for me to move to St. John's .... heh!

If you have some extra change in your pocket or artistic skills to share as a volunteer, I highly suggest you 
get in touch with For the Love of Learning. Enjoy! xo

P.S.  After many years of renting the Gower United church gym for multiple years (although they are a non-religious org), FTLOL are in the process of seeking a new space in the St. John's area. If you have any rental tips or opportunities to help find the organization a new home, please get in touch! 
7 Comments

Jack.

8/29/2011

2 Comments

 
Exactly one week ago I pulled myself out of bed in the early morning to prepare for the drive to Montreal. I logged onto Twitter to see what had happened overnight and was overwhelmed with the mass discussion of some very unfortunate news. 
"Jack Layton dead at 61"

I was shocked. Yes, I saw him on the news during his last public appearance and noted how sick he looked. I just didn't expect that Cancer would win in this particular round, not with Jack. Although I actively participate in the democratic process, I am not one to discuss politics or my political views but I am willing to discuss the greatness that I saw in Jack Layton. He was a gem - passionate, engaging, youthful, and a dreamer. He had that crucial ability to engage 'youth' (i.e. people from my generation) like none other. He also showed a sincere respect for us and made it clear that we were valued in society, something that many other politicians (coughHarpercough) fail at. 
Such a damn shame.
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"I believe in you. Your energy, your vision, your passion for justice are exactly what this country needs today." - Jack Layton (on youth)

I spent the last week volunteering with Apathy is Boring in Montreal, visiting Parliament, and partaking in the festivities at the Ottawa Folk Festival. There was so, so, so much chit chat about Jack. Everyone, regardless of political views, had great things to say. He was well loved by many and his presence will definitely be missed in Canada.

"My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world."

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The perfect words for a heartbreaking end.  
Thanks, Jack. xo
2 Comments

Launch.

7/17/2011

1 Comment

 
My lovely folks threw me a Roadtrip with Reason launch party on Saturday night. Super fun!! There was over 80 people there (I know, right?!) and it was such a feel-good afternoon & evening. I had the chance to chitchat about the journey all night long, see some beautiful people, wear big blue glasses AND eat cake. Win! 

Check out some of my fav photo's from the party below....
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Let's Cruze.

6/15/2011

12 Comments

 
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You are not seeing things.

Chevrolet Canada
has stepped up to the plate as Roadtrip with Reason's official VEHICLE SPONSOR.

Can you believe it?!

I will be hitting the road with a 2011 Chevy Cruze.

I could not feel more excited, grateful and lucky.

More on this soon. Just wanted to let you know.

LOVE!
P.S. General Motors Canada happens to be the Automative Sponsor of the Vancouver Canucks.
A sign?! I think so. GO CANUCKS GO!
12 Comments

It's OFFICIAL!

5/24/2011

2 Comments

 
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It's OFFICIAL!
We are funded!
Grant recipient!
Much love to PEPSI!
Much love to YOU!

I am SO excited.
That is all for today.

Back to work...
xoxo
2 Comments

WE DID IT!

5/1/2011

2 Comments

 
HOLY GUACAMOLE! WE DID IT! WE FINISHED IN 4TH PLACE! $5,000 FOR THE PROJECTI AM SO EXCITED! I AM SO GRATEFUL! I LOVE YOU ALL! 

This is a reenactment of my reaction to the news. The rainbow is just an added effect to show my EXCITEMENT.
Hilarious. 
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More on this SUPER DUPER EXCITING news later. Eeee! 
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!
xoxo
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    What is this?

    Welcome! My name is Becky. I took a roadtrip across Canada, from July to November 2011. This roadtrip was a special one though, because it had reason!

    Go through my blog history to catch up on my 4-month cross-Canada roadtrip where I supported small non-profit organizations and explored the idea of volunteerism. It was so inspiring, life changing and so much FUN...

    Click HERE   to get put on my e-mailing list! You can also check me out on twitter   or facebook!

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