Dive into a transformative journey with our book study on The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This engaging series intersects with the themes of Jubilee 2025, exploring the profound connections between economy, ecological debt, and Indigenous traditions. From the gift economy to the principles of "storing our meat in the bellies of our brothers," we will delve into alternative economic models that promote sustainability and community. We will examine how these concepts resonate within the Canadian context, addressing contemporary issues such as tariffs and economic justice. Let's learn together how to foster a more equitable and reciprocal relationship with the land and each other. 

Session 1 - The Spirit of Giving: By the end of this session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how the themes of abundance, reciprocity, and ecological justice intersect across The Serviceberry, the Canadian Ecumenical Jubilee campaign, and Indigenous cultural traditions.

Sabrina is a dedicated mother and community member, who has spent the past 25+ years reclaiming traditional values that were tampered with in her familial line during the Residential School Era. Sabrina is the co-founder and lead facilitator of Strong Water Singers, an Indigenous led collective of women from across the Niagara Region, who gather weekly as a means of wellness and connection. They are a ten time award winning collective who share their Spirit ‘medicine’ with humanity, and for Creation. Sabrina has been actively reclaiming traditional roles and responsibilities, with a focus on gratitude and reciprocity and is eager to initiate discussions to further understandings and relations. 

Session 2 - A Gift in Motion: By the end of this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of ecological debt and how it intersects with the themes of abundance, reciprocity, and ecological justice. This session aims to inspire participants to consider how Indigenous ecological wisdom and the principles of the Jubilee campaign can inform efforts to address ecological debt and promote sustainable living.

Bryanna Brown is Inuk from Nunatsiavut, Labrador. She is the originator of the “Land Back Movement” to advocate for sovereignty in BIPOC communities, and to promote land ownership and reclamation as a means of environmental protection, and self-determination. Bryanna is a policy advisor, traditional storyteller and knowledge keeper who has held speaking engagements across Canada and internationally. She is on Indigenous Climate Action’s National Steering Committee. It is important to her that she continues to always advocate for the rights of women, Indigenous Peoples, environmental justice in relation to MMIWG2S and persons with disabilities (as someone with lived experience), with efforts to change public policy.

Session 3 - Innovative Economies: By the end of this session, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how Indigenous values can transform business practices and social enterprises. This session aims to inspire participants to consider how these principles can be applied to create more just and sustainable economic systems, in alignment with the themes of The Serviceberry and the Jubilee campaign.

 Darcy Wood is the former Chief of the Garden Hill First Nation.  Shaun Loney is the author of An Army of Problems Solvers.  They both live in Winnipeg. Darcy Wood and Shaun Loney have worked together since 2013, when they cofounded Aki Energy and Aki Foods.  These social enterprises work in the marketplace in a way that values love and compassion.  They will talk about Indigenous values embedded in business, social enterprises and how to decolonize the relationship between nonprofits and governments.