Blue Quills First Nations College and Permaculture

By Dulce Maria Gonzalez Ramirez, 2nd year MDP Student

“Hunger in the world is created by man and not by nature”

Sepp Holzer

On my second day of field placement, carrying and transporting over 100 straw bales from one farm to Blue Quills First Nations College (BQFNC) was not just a “good exercise” for that weekend in my mind it is about learning from scratch about the beautiful work of permaculture that we have been doing here, which later will be a food security project. I’m doing my field placement at BQFNC which is the first Native-administered post-secondary education institution serving the needs of seven First Nations and other students from across Canada. I’m amazed with their work, and I have the privilege to be a part of this strong and diligent “peaceful battle” for First Nations education which they have led since the 70’s. In my own experience, working with Michael Hollihn, the Natural Building-Science Apprenticeship Program Coordinator, has been a truly rewarding experience. 

The word permaculture originally referred to "permanent agriculture”, that is to say using multiple crops in the same space in imitation of the diversity of natural ecosystems, and avoiding large stands of single crops. In other words, it emphasizes variety, not uniformity as used in monoculture.

 Positioning straw bales to design the lines of the garden.

For the Blue Quills permaculture program, our work for the first stage is creating a 2 hectare-garden around a natural pond and a forest in about another 2 hectares within the compound of the College. One of the principles of Holzer’s permaculture that I’m learning is finding and managing natural areas for water retention from the rainy seasons and melted snow. The basic idea of having a natural water body is because you need to feed the soil rather than only feeding the plants.  

Close-up of straw bale rows

This year the soil is merely being prepared (oxygenated) and we are planting seeds and trees. Over the winter, the mulch that’s been added will decompose creating natural fertilizer for the plants in the future.

Dulce working on the permaculture garden

The design for the first row (in between the straw bales) is for perennial trees that can give nuts or fruits and will also protect the rest of the plants from the wind. From the second row to the left of the straw bale, seasonal perennial trees and annual plants for veggies and herbs will be planted.

An important aspect of this project is creating terraces or different levels for growing plants and for better control and distribution of water. Similar work can be seen in Asia with rice terraces or in my country, Mexico, with the Chinampa System, an old Mesoamerican agriculture method used mainly before colonization by the Aztecs in the old Valley of Mexico Tenochtitlan. These were “floating gardens” or artificial islands which consisted of rectangular fertile arable land to grow crops on the shallow lake beds, and were separated by channels wide enough for a canoe to pass for transportation.

In general, I have learned that permaculture helps to restore the soil and create food security without hurting Mother Earth, understanding and cooperating with nature rather than attacking it. For instance, monoculture consumes more water while permaculture helps to harvest and keep water, bringing life where different plants and animals live.

This project will need very low man power when all the seeds and plants are growing because chickens, pigs, geese or farm worms, as predators controlling the population of snails, rats or mice, and other animals that can harm the garden, will do the job of weeding the soil and providing manure. Therefore, this eliminates the need for using pesticides or fertilizers.

I’m looking forward to coming back to BQFNC in few years to see the results of my hard work during evenings. Most people in Blue Quills say that whatever they do now will affect the next seven generations. We’re part of a new generation, and by learning and working on this project, we are already impacting the future generations.

Indigenous Development in Kenya

By Stella Rakwach, MDP 2nd Year Student

Stella (L) & Doreen (R) at IIN office

My field placement is in Nairobi, Kenya with frequent visits to indigenous communities in various parts of the country. I am glad my MDP journey is nearing the end with my final practicum halfway done. I have been working together with Margaret (MDP student) at the Indigenous Information Network (IIN), which is an NGO founded in 1996 that is managed by a few professionals with the help of several volunteers/ interns. IIN works with Indigenous People (nomadic pastoralists and hunters and gatherers) in Kenya to provide them with information through the media and Nomadic News Magazine which is published annually. IIN provides information about Indigenous Peoples, their livelihoods, opportunities and challenges they face in relation to development. 

I am enjoying my time here very much, not only am I home, but I have also had the chance to meet family and several friends. There are many activities going on at IIN and everyone has been eager to involve me in various programs and field visits. At the moment IIN has several projects ranging from climate change adaptation, education of girls, human rights, advocacy to environmental issues.

 

On the way to Narok county

We visited Narok County, home to the Maasai courtesy of IIN’s climate change adaptation project dubbed “Changieni Rasili Mali (CRM)” to attend the project launch. CRM will address illegal logging, charcoal burning and afforestation of Indigenous forests in the Narok region. The CRM launch was part of the World Environment Day (5th June) celebrations whose theme was “raise your voices not the sea level.”   

Girls performing a traditional Maasai dance

The highlight of this trip was getting the opportunity to immerse into the rich culture of the Masaai through art (beautiful handmade beadwork, paintings and colorful fabric) which are sold in various small galleries all over Narok town. It was also interesting to hear the Maasai native language (Maa) spoken and listen to their beautiful songs and dances which was entertaining. Also as part of the climate change programs we attended the annual PACJA (Pan Africa Climate Change Justice Alliance) awards which are held annually to honor journalists all over Africa who excel in reporting on climate change and environmental issues. As part of the awards ceremony several interesting stories were highlighted to show the diverse ways in which African communities were adapting to climate change.

Stella at the launch of the Global Oceans Commissions Report at UNEA

Finally, I also got a chance courtesy of IIN’s Director to attend the first session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) of the United Nations Environment Programme which was held at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi. The meeting was attended by several participants, including Environment Ministers, Government delegates and representatives of major groups and stakeholders.  The theme of the first session was “Sustainable Development Goals and the Post-2015 Development Agenda, including sustainable consumption and production”. The outcome of this discussion and other ongoing discussions will be useful in the formulation of targets and indicators which would succeed the Millennium Development Goals. Also key on the agenda was the discussion on the issue of illegal trade in wildlife, which has had adverse impacts on biodiversity globally.

Kenya help me think of a good title for my blog post?

By Rachel Bach, 2nd year MDP student

Rachel (L) with other interns

Hello! I am completing my second, and final, MDP Field Placement in Nairobi, Kenya this summer at the Population Council (www.popcouncil.org/research/kenya). The Population Council is an international, nonprofit, non-governmental organization that conducts research to address critical health and development issues in more than 50 countries. The Population Council mentors ‘interns’ every summer and this summer I am one of the six international interns completing Reproductive Health projects.

My Project:

My project aims to understand the barriers affecting women’s access to fistula repair in order to inform the design of possible interventions. Obstetric fistula is a maternal health morbidity that persists in the developing world despite its near eradication from the developed world decades ago. Prolonged pressure from obstructed labor damages the tissue between the vagina and bladder and/or rectum leaving her incontinent, trickling urine and/or feces through the vagina. More than 75% of women with obstetric fistula have endured labour that lasted three or more days and unattended obstructed labour may up to seven days.  In most cases, the baby does not survive.

Although obstetric fistula is caused by obstructed labor, it is a condition rooted in poverty, as it predominantly affects marginalized women who lack access to high quality obstetric care.  In settings lacking proper care, fistula can lead to lifelong ostracism, isolation, stigma, and shame.

It is estimated that between 2 and 4 million women and girls currently live with fistula worldwide, with at least 50,000 to 100,000 new cases every year. Fistula is both preventable and treatable, and in recent years various initiatives, campaigns, and programmes have been established to both prevent and repair fistula. However, women experience delays in seeking repair due to a number of factors beginning with a lack of awareness that repair is possible, and if aware, then lacking resources to seek care, and if resources are available, then receiving adequate and appropriate repair by skilled surgical team at a properly equipped facility.

Barriers to health care are a human rights concern and an important challenge of sustainable development. It has been said, “women with fistula are a living indicator of a failed maternal health system”. Strategies and interventions to prevent and repair fistula need to be an integral part of the global- and country-level post-2015 sustainable development agenda. It is an honour to be involved with this project!

Nairobi:

Nairobi National Park

Rachel and a friendly giraffe!

Living in Nairobi has been a lot of fun. I am sharing an apartment with fellow MDP student, Margaret. I brave my way out into the hustle and bustle every morning to take the matatu to work. There are numerous things to see and do on the weekends. Our taxi driver told me that three months is not long enough in Kenya; that I could be here for six months and still see a new thing everyday! He is correct!

In close, I am going to copy an idea I saw on another blog—a Q & A!

SOMETHING I WISH I BROUGHT FROM HOME?

I hate to say it, but my iPhone. Not only do I just miss it but also I realized after that with the right plan I could have used it as a personal hotspot to get wi-fi on my laptop!

WHAT WAKES ME UP ASIDE FROM MY ALARM CLOCK?

There is a pesky mosquito that hides in my room. It buzzes by my ear but I can’t seem to kill it. Even if I get up and turn on the light, it flies up too high for me to reach and disappears. I hate that mosquito.

GUILTY PLEASURE?

Lattes! At home I am a tea drinker, but the coffee is delicious here and I have apparently starting drinking lattes… regularly—don’t even need sugar!

SCARY MOMENT?

I was almost run over by a boda boda (motorcycle taxi). I was crossing the street… it seemed safe because the cars were actually all stopped, but then the boda boda came out from behind a truck, along the shoulder right as I was about to step out!

WHAT HAPPENED AFTERWARD?

A lady took pity on me and walked me most of the way home. Every time we crossed a street after that she would hold on to my arm and usher me across. Oh but I must confess, I have since taken a boda boda to work—so much faster than the matatu!

BEST THING YOU ARE GOING TO BRING BACK HOME?

Memories! Oh and also… jewelry...

EPIPHANY?

I have had a learner’s license for 11 years. Driving has always made me anxious. However, after being here and see the driving… the driving at home seems a lot calmer. I am also becoming quite the bold pedestrian. Just the other day as I was maneuvering my way through 4 lanes of traffic I thought to myself, if I can do this I’m sure I can drive at home!

TWEET OF ADVICE?

Way back at our MDP orientation in Fisher River, Joe Stern gave us my favourite piece of advice that has certainly proven true—to always approach our development work with humility, optimism, and respect.

More updates at: http://rachyluu.tumblr.com

IISD Placement Experience Beyond Expectations

By Naomi Gichungu, 1st year MDP student

Working at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) over the past two months has been fulfilling. I remember a while back in 2012 I applied to volunteer with the Institute but my application was denied since at the time, the existing internship opportunities could only take Canadian residents and Permanent Residents. My training is on climate change and environmental education. The Institute being a think tank in these two areas has therefore given me a chance to dine with the sharks. 

I did not need an intensive orientation program into the work that the organization is involved in as I have often followed its work thanks to social media. I was excited about doing some work within the Hudson Bay Inland Sea Initiative (HBISI) program coordinated by the IISD. Having met with my supervisor a couple of times prior to my start, I was well aware of the project we would be working on and I started off within my first week. I met so many new people including other interns from Germany and Mexico which only meant good company over office lunch breaks.  

As part of the research project I am to develop a stakeholder analysis of organizations working in the Hudson Bay. My supervisor provided me with books to read that would inform me what activities were taking place within the Bay. This took up the very first month including writing up the analysis report. There was a lot of learning in this first month. From the project, I learnt about the communities, the majority being Inuit and Cree, occupying the Bay and their way of life. I now can draw the Hudson Bay area without looking at a map, expertise gained from continuous reference to the map of the region. 

The second month was the busiest with our major project being to develop survey questions and a sample frame from our sample population. Time went by so fast and there was a lot to do. I had so much fun working with colleagues from the Ottawa office with a keen interest in the direction my research project was taking. So much knowledge was generated from the input of my supervisor and during meetings with the Ottawa staff. 

The month of July shall be the highlight of my work at IISD. I am looking forward to my travels to Churchill to work with organizations both at community level and government level to collect data for the survey. I am excited to work with the communities and until then, be on the lookout for my next blog and visit the HBISI website (http://www.hbisi.org/) to learn more of the great work IISD is involved in the Bay.