Recapping The Convention & ”Freedom Fair”
A recap of Freedom Fair and provisional convention which took place April 3rd 2022.
This event was a container for the first Provisional Convention of the South Cariboo Foundation. Freedom was chosen as branding word because it was a space for people to think and speak freely.
The turnout was small yet the message was big. A highlight of the event was the Town Hall panel where people with expertise in one of the foundational 18 Development Sectors gave testimony as to the state of affairs from their unique perspective.
Not to be confused with a speech - testimony is an individuals story about what is true. Whereas a speech would intend to take a listener to some preconceived “point”, testimony simply contains hard earned wisdom gained through experience.
How many people in BC, like other provinces, are currently struggling to have an affect or find functionality in their own community? The Provisional Convention introduced a new model, a Foundation for restorative or transformative justice in process.
We heard testimony as to the following;
Rural agriculture and development.
Decline of the Volunteer tradition of the Cariboo.
Service systems for vulnerable populations and RCMP corruption.
Systemic failures in the existing Medical model of health care delivery.
Systemic failures of nationalism
Failures within educational and vocational systems
Oppression of the Ecclesia and spirituality in the Collective.
Corporatization and top down control replacing grass roots community organizing.
A common thread emerged among the testimonies:
The great possibility I see for people in this world through my life & work is far from the truth of what I have found to date. Its time to be free to practice real solutions.
Most of the testimonials came from credentialed professionals who have learned startling truths through their experience within bureaucracy while working for systemic improvements.
During the Coffee Break a few examples of solution based systems were displayed on a monitor in the lobby.
Here is that set of videos
There were also people’s live displays, food and refreshments in the lobby during the intermission. Folks from many walks of life exchanged thoughts and ideas.
After the Coffee Break the Foundation was introduced.
The Foundation was explained as a model which will be able to facilitate the advancement of the collective of the South Cariboo at a peer-to-peer level.
It was further described as people serving people in emergent ways according to their strengths, talents and what they see is needed. The aim of the Foundation initially will be to improve the resilience of the existing collective in the “South Cariboo”. To ignite the spirit within it. The Foundation will create space for, ”People power” to overcome the coercive forces within the naturally emergent bio-regional boundaries.
The Foundation has 18 sectors of development. It will exist to orientate people towards a more resilient and harmonious future through long lasting partnerships which put people before non-localized goals and profit.
The Convention was also an opportunity for those present to bear witness to the stories and wisdom of a few who were brave enough to deliver their testimony.
The available transcribed testimonies will be released in the Village Voice.
The RLN - Real Life Network, is the first example of such a partnership and it is being developed as a viable Network and Communications System to serve the community.
One of the eighteen development sectors previously referenced.
Current Functions of the RLN:
1. Anyone can contribute to the Village Voice by clicking the button “send your story”
2. Anyone can schedule a Cameo appearance on the Radio to tell their story. 3. Anyone can add an event to the Calendar and find out what’s happening in the collective.
Coming Soon:
4. Anyone can join in the chats in the Town Square.
5. Anyone can register to get publicly listed (web site hosting available - hosting soon to come)
Much to the regret of the participants and many readers of the local paper, the Free Press did attended the event and left part way through to cover a small grass fire across the road. As such they did miss most of the event and did not accurately cover the story.
Major corrections of note in the Free Press article:
1. The Sustainability Society is the steward of the 100 Mile Community Garden. the land there is owned by Dave Dickie.
2. There IS an emergent Garden Party initiative in the Collective, but not any sort of directing of the 100 Mile Community Garden.
3. The Free Press followed up after the event to ask about ”Goals” of the foundation, which is exactly the opposite of what the foundation exists for - we work to enhance 18 development sectors.
4. The Free Press mentioned “several development sectors” but did not provide any detail about what that means. They are designed to allow people to act locally as opposed to the 17 SDG’s of the UN which cause people to be acted upon localy.
This misrepresentation stands to exemplify the need for alternative news and citizen journalism.
The Village Voice is a platform for people's voices, experience and stories to be heard without significant alteration beyond grammatical editing.
Be sure to check out :
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Huge thanks to the Hosts at the South Cariboo Theater, the Volunteers, the Speakers and the Creatives and just truly everyone who attended.
Listen to the New Renaissance on Cameo Radio - Episode 015 where Dani and Cam talk about their experience channeling the energy of change into “Freedom Fair”
also available on You Tube