Now Available as an Audio Recording! Wliniwaskw Wliahki: Good Spirit Good Earth is a book of photos and poems written in Western Abenaki with English translations by Vermont author, Patricia Austin! Wliniwaskw Wliahki is a collaborative project of Patricia Austin, photos and poems, and Gedakina, Inc. for project support, copyright 2023 by Gedakina, Inc, published by Gedakina, Inc., in Essex, Vermont. Wliniwaskw Wliahki brings together photos of the Northeastern woodlands with poetry written in Western Abenaki with English translations. The inspiration for this work arises from the urgent need for humans to develop an understanding and relationship with the land. A way of life that is long overdue in our world today.

We want all children to learn from these books. Far too often certain states or special interest groups think they know best, and they become the gatekeeper of our stories, at worst banning our books and at best failing to highlight or lift up our books. Their criteria are different from ours. They are entitled to their stories and opinions and likewise we are entitled to ours. We do not want one gatekeeper for our stories.

Earlier this fall Judy Dow met with students from UVM’s Place-Based Education program and led them on a memorable walking tour of Burlington’s Old North End. Starting at St Joseph’s Church on Allen Street, Judy led the group of 30 or so students through the streets of the Old North End.

Fertilizing with urine is an ancient practice that has gained some recent attention. Gedakina is working with the Rich Earth Institute on research and education around recycling urine.

Judy Dow has been working with Burlington City & Lake Semester for years. Meeting with the students to discuss Burlington, connection to place, and what it means to live in the margins. Take a look at their latest outing!

Hard to believe another year has coming and gone… The staff and board had an amazing retreat this year and thankfully the weather was on our side! A sunset cruise, swimming and beach hangs, and of course delicious food with great people!!

NSF Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Science (CBIKS), led by a team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst; Northern Arizona University; University of Maine; University of California, Santa Cruz; University of Washington; Montana State University; Western Washington University; Huliauapaʻa; Alaska Pacific University; New York University; College of Menominee Nation; University of Michigan; Gedakina; and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. CBIKS also includes partnerships with 57 Indigenous communities. The center aims to advance knowledge about environmental change and its effects on food and cultural systems at local and global scales by combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science in effective, ethical and novel ways.

Braiding Sweetgrass supports grassroots community-based projects inspired and led by women and girls. Project organizers promote self-determination, cultural continuance, and well-being while organizing programs focused on sexual and domestic violence prevention and healing and cultural and social activities of importance to women and girls. Braiding Sweetgrass is a multi-generational mentoring and support system that helps nurture and encourage all women in the community.

Gedakina sponsored fourteen Passamaquoddy girls to attend cheerleader camp where they are building community and learning leadership skills as part of our Braiding Sweetgrass program. All of these girls are a part of Gedakina’s teen beading group where they learn traditional skills. Gedakina also purchased an enrichment van to transport local women and youth from our Gedakina Community Center in Princeton Maine to socials, powwows, concerts and many other events - like this cheerleading competition.

May 5th is the official MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) Day. On this day we wear red. Red is the official color of the #MMIW campaign, but it goes deep and has significant meaning. In many tribes, the color red is known to be the only color that Spirit sees. It is hoped that by wearing red, we can call back the missing spirits of our women and children so we can lay them to rest. A red hand over the mouth has become the symbol of the MMIW movement. It stands for all the missing sisters whose voices are not heard. It stands for the silence of the media and law enforcement in the midst of this crisis. It stands for the oppression and subjugation of Native women who are now rising up to say #NoMoreStolenSisters.

Hard to believe another year has coming and gone… The staff and board had an amazing retreat this year and thankfully the weather was on our side! A sunset cruise, swimming and beach hangs, and of course delicious food with great people!!