Edmonton Resilience Festival 2015

Mission Statement:

The Edmonton Resilience Festival aims to strengthen community resilience through skill-sharing workshops and other events, inspiring participants to help create a sustainable, creative and promising future. The festival will also help to restore a sense of community that is often lost in cities experiencing rapid development and population growth. By bringing together diverse participants and creating opportunities for learning, sharing and connecting, we hope to expand our horizons, our skill sets and our community networks.

What can we expect?

The inaugural Edmonton Resilience Festival will run Feb. 7 and 8, 2015, at the beautiful Boyle Street Plaza in downtown Edmonton. We  have a mix of hands-on practical workshops, guided Conversation Cafés, art and social events, and a fair showcasing the work of community organizations called the Community Connections Fair. 

Schedule at a glance:

Our Sponsors | Get Involved! 
Workshop Streams & Descriptions | Purchase Tickets
Community Connections Fair | Conversation Cafés
Outdoor & Indoor Free-For-All Activities | Learn More

Join us for the festival kickoff event: 
Feb 4th Green Drinks at Yellowhead Brewery, 7-10pm 

Come out Feb. 5^th for screening of In Transition 2.0 at the CKUA Radio Network Performance Space (9804 Jasper Ave.). Doors 6:30pm; movie 7:15pm, discussion to follow. Admission by donation. 

Community Connections Fair

Showcasing over 40 local makers (curated by our partner On The Spot Pop Ups), community organizations, and not-for-profit groups, the Community Connections Fair allows participants to make meaningful connections with those working towards social and environmental sustainability and learn about existing initiatives and programs.

Participating Organizations:

Alberta Father Involvement Initiative
Alberta Recreation & Parks Association
Alberta Yarn Project
Ameya Studios
Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society
City of Edmonton
Cozy Creations
Edmonton Federation of Community Leagues
Edmonton Permaculture Guild
Edmonton Seedy Sunday
Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network
Ever & Bliss
Frog Princess Designs
Fruits of Sherbrooke
garbaganza
Greenpeace
Institute for Sexual Minority Studies and Services
It’s Oscar
Jewels by Jasmin
jj wool company
Land Stewardship Centre
Leadership Edmonton
McLeod
Men Edmonton
mosaicsbymargo
Ninad Fibreworks
Owl & Arrow Designs
Pesticide Free Alberta
Photos By Gina
Quarters Arts
Robin Light
Rosa & Lilium Apothecary Inc.
ShareRentables
Skills Society
SPARK
Sun Haven Housing Cooperative
Sustainable Food Edmonton
The Creation Emporium & Art Works
The Local Good
The Mombot
Vegans & Vegetarians of Alberta
Voice for Animals Humane Society
Wild Green
Yoga Will Save The World

…and more!

Thank you for the wonderful responses for interest in being a part of the fair! We are currently at capacity in the fair and we look forward to expanding our efforts to connect citizens with organizations in the future. Please stay in touch by sending an email to yegresilience@gmail.com outlining your interest to get involved next year!

Conversation Cafés

Conversation Cafés are open, intentional and hosted conversations without an agenda. It is a simple process of guiding a conversation that allows everyone’s views to be expressed in a creative and respectful manner. They are a drop-in format so you can come and go as you please. Participants are asked to respect our Guiding Principles to ensure all participants feel welcomed, respected, and safe to express their views:

Open-mindedness: listen to and respect all points of view
Acceptance & Respect: suspend judgment as best you can 
Curiosity & Listening: seek to understand rather than persuade 
Discovery: question assumptions, look for new insights 
Sincerity: speak from your heart and personal experience 

Please see the schedule below. Conversations will be held at the back of the main gym space, except for the last café on Sunday which is at the front of the gym. 

Free For All activities

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor Survival Skills – Facilitator: Lawrence Hunter

The How and Why of Hunting  – Facilitator: Lawrence Hunter 

Sound and Drumming – Facilitator: Marcus Fung (Sounds Awakening, times TBA!)

Skating and Shinny Hockey with Scott Habkirk and Friends

Bring Your Own Marshmallows for Roasting and S’mores

Indoor Activities 

Community Crafting Space: knitting and crocheting community projects – Anna Davidson (Alberta Yarn Project)

Kids’ Crafts Area

Children In The Garden: plant seeds and make nut-free bird feeders with your parents! 

Bringing Stuffy Back: learn to hand-sew and create a boa scarf from small stuffed animals. Bring your own favourite stuffed animal for an even more personalized creation! Facilitator: Christy Boulter (garbaganza)

Can I help?

We need lots of helping hands to make the festival happen! There are many teams that need your help – if you would like to volunteer in any capacity, please email  yegresilience@gmail.com with you contact details and we will be in touch shortly!

Volunteers! 
Pre-festival – we need help with Children’s Activities, Fundraising/Sponsorship, Art Team, and Set-up!
On-site – we’ll need Greeters, Roamers & Security, Children’s Activities, Free-Skate program, Tear-down, Workshop helpers & Café Crew Members! 

Festival Sponsorship
As a volunteer-based festival, we are seeking financial and in-kind sponsorship of the Edmonton Resilience Festival. We have lots of a range of exciting sponsorship levels and perks for businesses, community organizations, and personal contributions. Please review our Sponsorship Package for more details.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our 2015 sponsors:

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our 2015 partners:   

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our 2015 supporters:

Workshop Streams (scroll down for full descriptions)

Currently, workshops tickets can be purchased in streams (3 or 4 workshops in a stream). Tickets are transferrable, so feel free to share a stream with friends. Individual tickets are now on sale, as well. Advanced ticket sales will run until Thursday, February 5th at 11:3o pm. Any remaining tickets will be sold individually at the Festival for $30. Don’t miss out on great choices – get your tickets today! 

PURCHASE WORKSHOPS STREAM TICKETS HERE on Eventbrite!

PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOP TICKETS HERE on Eventbrite!

Click for the Saturday Hourly Overview of Workshop Streams

Click for the Sunday Hourly Overview of Workshop Streams

Please note there are no birding workshops. We simply love Alberta birds and as a naming theme, we think it works.

Saturday:
Saturday Stream #1: Sandhill Cranes
Cheese-making: goat cheese, chevre, and mozzarella – Good Note Farm (Maryann Borch)
Shake Your Soul Yoga Dance – Natasha Michaud
Resilience In Song – Vocal Improvisation Network of Edmonton (Karen Porkka) 

Saturday Stream #2: Ruddy Ducks
Shake Your Soul Yoga Dance – Natasha Michaud
Find the Exits: how preparing for zombies might save your life –  Jayme Nelson
Kitchen Skills: The Creative Power of Cooking – Elaine Wilson

Saturday Stream #3: Great Northern Divers
Natural Dyeing Using Farmers’ Market Foods: vat dyeing of wool yarn – Deborah Merriam
Shake Your Soul Yoga Dance – Natasha Michaud
Bee-keeping for Beginners – Dustin Bajer
Home-scale Organic Growing – Wild Green (Claudia Bolli)

Saturday Stream #4: Red-tailed Hawks
Fundamentals of Hand Tools – Deep Roots Permaculture (Takota Coen) 
Vermicomposting – Andy Williams
Willow Basketry – Good Note Farm (Maryann Borch)

Saturday Stream #5: Black-billed Cuckoos
Net Positive Shelters for Albertans 
Sangudo Opportunity Development Cooperative: An Unsophisticated Model for Rural Revitalization – Jeff Senger
Intuitive Gardening – Kim Tanasichuk 

Saturday Stream #6: Bohemian Waxwings
Connecting With Nature: the importance of getting outside – Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Alison Ronson)
Willow Basketry – Good Note Farm (Maryann Borch)
Apple Cider Fermentation – Operation Fruit Rescue (Joshua Buck)
Make Your Own Kombucha – Sabrena Falcone

Sunday:
Sunday Stream #7: Red-winged Blackbirds
Bread Making 101 –Prairie Mill Bread Co. (Owen Petervine)
Creating Community with Pop-Up Events – On The Spot Pop Ups (Marissa Loewen)
Building A Sustainable Body – Heart and Bones Yoga (Brea Johnson)

Sunday Stream #8: Great Egrets
Deep Winter Herbalism: a practical hands-on workshop on making herbal medicines – Sonja Myllymaki and Alecia Schreyer
Building A Sustainable Body – Heart and Bones Yoga (Brea Johnson)
Bike Maintenance 101 – Edmonton Bicycle Commuters (Christopher Chan)

Sunday Stream #9: Snowy Owls
Discovering Inner Resilience: a mental health presentation on building resilience from within – Dariel Cole, Margot Crane, Farrel Greenspan and Jae Yuen-Jung
What’s all the Hoopla – Nicole Rose
Canning – Mojo Jojo Pickles (Johwanna Alleyne)
Bike Maintenance 101 – Edmonton Bicycle Commuters (Christopher Chan)

Sunday Stream #10: Prairie Falcons
Introduction to Permaculture – Edmonton Permaculture Guild (Megan Wilson)
What’s all the Hoopla – Nicole Rose
Winter Soul Food – Karina Hurtado

Sunday Stream #11: Spotted Sandpipers
Sustainable Nutrition: From Physiology to Microbes – Jana Sacco
What’s all the Hoopla – Nicole Rose
Resilient Roots – Urban Systems (Annika Palm and team)
Artistic Justice: The Transformative Power of Creativity – Maigan van der Giessen

Sunday Stream #12:  Golden Eagles
South Asian Dance Arts – Ashley Anjlien Kumar
Wildcraft: growing, identifying and using wild plants – Joy Lakhan
Consent Is Sexy: an interactive guide to talking to youth (and adults!) about healthy sexuality – Alex Daraseng and Sarah Elke
Values: The Resilient Core –  Jodi Carlson 

Sunday Stream #13: Boreal Chickadees
South Asian Dance Arts – Ashley Anjlien Kumar
Invited to Resilience: party planning to build community – Anastasia Kulpa
Personal Map-making – Stephanie Medford

PURCHASE WORKSHOPS STREAM TICKETS HERE on Eventbrite!

PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOP TICKETS HERE on Eventbrite!

Workshop Descriptions (alphabetical order)

Apple Cider Fermentation – Operation Fruit Rescue (Joshua Buck)
Learn how to process local apples into fermented apple products, namely, hard cider and cider vinegar.

Artistic Justice: The Transformative Power of Creativity – Maigan van der Giessen
Learn how art can be used to promote healing, dignity and agency. You will experience a hands on workshop that will allow you to connect your love of social justice with your more creative side, inspiring you to build resilient communities through artistic collaboration and celebration.

Bee-keeping for Beginners – Dustin Bajer

Edmonton is a buzz about beekeeping. With the launch of a new urban beekeeping pilot project and potential bylaw changes, local foodies, urban homesteaders, and the simply curious, are turning their attention towards backyard hives. Join local urban beekeeper, permaculturalist, educator, and Edmonton Food Council member, Dustin Bajer, in an exploration of natural beekeeping methods. Learn about honeybee behaviour, various hive options, and how to start and maintain your own backyard hive. Read an interview with Dustin about beekeeping on The Local Good’s blog.

Bike Maintenance 101 – Edmonton Bicycle Commuters (Christopher Chan)
Basic safety checks, changing tires and patching flats, tool-free adjustments of brakes and shifting.

Bread Making 101 –Prairie Mill Bread Co. (Owen Petervine)

Simple skills and materials to have fresh bread in your home on a regular basis.

Building A Sustainable Body – Heart and Bones Yoga (Brea Johnson)
We can be resilient and sustainable in the way that we grow our food, build our homes and communities, but what about your body? Do you find that even with the best intentions you have tense and tight shoulders, headaches or tight hamstrings? With a healthy, mobile and pain-free body, we are able to do the work we love, live the life we want without the distraction of aches and pains. Whether you want to reduce your aches and pain or feel healthy as long as you can, this workshop will explore a variety of ways and tools used to build a sustainable body so that you can continue to do the things you love with freedom and ease. 

Canning – Mojo Jojo Pickles (Johwanna Alleyne)
If you’ve ever grabbed a jar of Johwanna’s extraordinary preserves at the farmer’s market, you know this class will teach you how to take your pickling game up a notch. Bam!

Cheese-making: goat cheese, chevre, and mozzarella – Good Note Farm (Maryann Borch)
We will start with the basic ingredients (milk, culture, time) and see the process from beginning to end. The magic of fermentation of dairy, turning something great into something better! Participants will get to touch, stir and taste, creating nature’s perfect food!

Consent Is Sexy: interactive guide to talking to youth (and adults!) about healthy sexuality – Alex Daraseng & Sarah Elke
Sexuality is astonishingly complex and we are not born with instructions of how to be great at it. In our modern age, our default teachers are often exaggerated romantic comedies, misinformed peers, embarrassed parents, and ubiquitous pornography. Moreover, our sex education curriculum found within schools often focuses on anatomy, contraception, and STIs; not on pleasure, power, or consent. 

This shame-free, participatory workshop will teach participants useful and proactive healthy communication techniques that will lead to better relationships, for oneself and the young people in their lives. We will also provide an inclusive non-judgmental space to practice these techniques so participants can get gain comfort using them in their everyday lives. We will talk about consent, sex positivity, bodily autonomy, gender roles, and how to ask for the sex, intimacy, and relationship that you desire.

Connecting With Nature: the importance of getting outside – Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (Alison Ronson)
CPAWS Northern Alberta will lead a conversation focusing on the importance of nature to urbanites, and specifically how Edmontonians can get outside in and around the Edmonton area.  The conversation will cover:

• Nature Deficit Disorder and why wilderness is important for our health and wellbeing
• How understanding nature or wilderness builds and supports the concept of resilience
• The importance of understanding and appreciating “urban wilderness” and the interconnectedness of the city and natural areas
• Where Edmontonians can go in the Edmonton area to get outside and learn about nature
• Which organizations can help urbanites get out into nature or support growth within nature

Creating Community with Pop-Up Events – On The Spot Pop Ups (Marissa Loewen)
Pop Ups work both ways in a community. They act as an open house for an empty space, bringing potential long term use and an infusion of eager customers to areas of town where existing brick and mortar businesses can partner with the pop up to create long lasting relationships with new customers. On the other side, they are also amazing marketing and community engagement tools for small business to leverage. Come discover how you can create your own pop up or be a part of On the Spot Pop Ups as we transform communities in Edmonton.

Deep Winter Herbalism: a practical hands-on workshop on making herbal medicines – Sonja Myllymaki and Alecia Schreyer
This is a practical hands-on workshop on herbal medicines we can all make in our own kitchens. What better place to be in these cold winter days! We will be focusing on immune-enhancing plants and recipes for cold and flu season and herbs to lift our moods as we move through the last dark days of winter. We’ll also make some delicious herbal treats just in time for Valentine’s Day. There will be samples and lots of time for questions. 

Discovering Inner Resilience: a mental health presentation on building resilience from within – Dariel Cole, Margot Crane, Farrel Greenspan and Jae Yuen-Jung
This workshop will explore the neuroscience of Positive Psychology which will lead us to a segment for Tuning In to Resilience (a guided meditation). Participants will walk away with helpful tips in their Resilience Toolbox that we’ll create together while exploring Community Connections. 

Find the Exits: how preparing for zombies might save your life –  Jayme Nelson
Part 1: The zombie craze exemplifies we need to be prepared: not just to survive, but to thrive. What can you do right now to increase your resilience? What about that of your friends, family, and community? Come join the Apocal-Optimists from the Zombie Survivalist Group to discuss readiness strategies. Discover your strengths, build your self-sufficiency, and arm your group with skills to succeed.

Part 2: You’ve survived the collapse. What now? Part of the broad appeal of the zombie mythology is that the apocalypse acts as a clean slate: a reset button for society. Survivors are granted the chance to redefine human society. If we could rebuild our world, what would it look like? What’s the first thing you would change? What could we do now to make sure we don’t collapse? Even if you’re not worried about zombies, preparing for one apocalypse is as good as preparing for any other! This session will help prepare you for fire, flood, plague, social meltdown, or something as simple as locking your keys in the car. 

Fundamentals of Hand Tools – Deep Roots Permaculture (Takota Coen) 
In this demonstration workshop you will learn the body knowledge for the proper use and maintenance of hand tools designed for cutting, chopping and coppicing. Not only is the use of hand tools is great way to become “functionally fit” while minimizing our impact on the planet, but it fosters a intimate and respectful relationship to the natural world. The forgotten art of working with one’s body is in dire need of rekindling, and quality hand tools offer us a brush and palette to paint a better world.

Home-scale Organic Growing – Wild Green (Claudia Bolli)
This workshop provides an overview of the ‘Whys’ and ‘Hows’ of home scale organic food growing. Learn about the importance of healthy soil organisms, plenty of sun and rainwater harvesting. Find out how to create a healthy landscape, grow abundant food and thereby increase your family’s resilience. We will also discuss opportunities and ideas for further learning and practice in this field.

Introduction to Permaculture – Edmonton Permaculture Guild (Megan Wilson)
Why do we need a different way to design human systems? What is Permaculture? Get answers to these questions and learn the fundamental Permaculture Principles: How to think like an ecosystem! Come gain an overview of basic design methods and some easy first steps. 

Intuitive Gardening – Kim Tanasichuk
You’ll be introduced to intuitive ways working in the garden (using some concepts from Findhorn and Perelandra), biodynamic agriculture, planting by the moon/farmers almanac, the concept that Nature has a life force that we can connect with and get information from, forming a relationship with Nature, and more.

Invited to Resilience: party planning to build community – Anastasia Kulpa
The act of opening our homes to others, for dinner, a movie, or something more structured, shapes communities and friendships in a way that few other actions can. Hosting others with an underlying intention of fostering community offers a particular lens through which to see, and direct, hosting and party planning activities. I am by no means a perfect hostess (just ask my good friends about the time I left the spoon in a dish that went into the oven and wound up with melted plastic in the cherries…..), but in this workshops we’ll share some thoughts for organizing parties that are memorable, and help people feel supported and connected to each other.

Kitchen Skills: The Creative Power of Cooking – Elaine Wilson
Whatever your income or life situation, cooking is an essential skill. Using whole foods to create meals from scratch is the most economical and sustainable way we can nourish ourselves. What we eat impacts our well-being physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually; how we prepare it, equally so.

In this hands-on class, we’re going to make a delicious and budget-friendly multi-course meal with ingredients that can be kept and stored for long periods.  We’re going to use techniques that make prep quicker and more efficient, and tools and equipment that you likely already have or are easy and inexpensive to acquire. Regardless of skill level or cooking experience, each of us will contribute to our communal feast in a real and meaningful way, sharing the fruits of our collaboration and having fun while we do it!

Personal Map-making – Stephanie Medford
We’ve all used maps to help us get around while traveling or in our daily lives. But have you ever made a map based on your own perspective and experiences? In this class we will use some free-writing techniques to explore questions of personal geography, landscape, identity, and belonging. We will then use the information we find within to create a visual representation of our stories. I will help you translate abstract ideas into images, and guide you through composing and creating a unique mixed media piece. There is no wrong way to complete this assignment – everyone is encouraged to try something new and step outside their comfort zones.

Make Your Own Kombucha – Sabrena Falcone

Ever tried Kombucha? Kombucha is a fizzy, refreshing, probiotic “pop” made from fermented tea. It is tasty, super good for you, and so easy to make. Buying kombucha at your local organic store can set you back almost five bucks but you can make it at home for literally nickels! In this hands-on workshop you’ll learn about the history and nutrition of kombucha as well as how to make your own home-brew. Each workshop participant will also leave with their own kombucha starter. 

Natural Dyeing Using Farmers’ Market Foods: vat dyeing of wool yarn – Deborah Merriam
Learn shibori and natural dyeing techniques, and take home a one-of-a-kind skein of Albertan wool yarn you have dyed yourself – using foods you can find at your local farmers’ market!

Net Positive Shelters for Albertans – Aspen Centre for Integral Living (Kurtis Ewanchuk)
Examines the principles and methodologies associated with designing and constructing cost effective, resource efficient, and high performance human shelters in the harsh climate of Alberta and the Canadian Prairies.

Resilience In Song – Vocal Improvisation Network of Edmonton (Karen Porkka)
Stepping into the unknown, drawing on your inner knowing, sharing your voice in community and building resilience is the art and skills of Vocal Improvisation. We will visit the building blocks of music, learn how to create spontaneous compositions while experiencing how every voice matters and helps hold and move the music. Learn how to listen deeply while tapping into the roots of compassion and generosity in c0-creation. All voices welcome!

Resilient Roots – Urban Systems (Annika Palm and team)
Communities are strengthened when people feel connected to others in their community. We’d like to explore the idea that our roots make us resilient. With the future comes change, and we hope to see Edmontonians embrace the change, knowing that there are certain aspects of our community that are firmly rooted and will remain unchanged through times of evolution. What are those roots?

The Sangudo Opportunity Development Cooperative: An Unsophisticated Model for Rural Revitalization – Jeff Senger
Learn about a community project that led a rural town from the brink of extinction to taking back their identify that allowed them to thrive, which they were slowly losing to a stagnant industry & mono-culture. Come to learn and understand how investing money and volunteer hours into the local economy gave Sangudo hope and a plan for the future shaped and reflective of the people who live there. We will take you through the steps of mapping and evaluating local resource in your community and then dive into an exercise to help us identify the elements within our places that put us at risk. You’ll come away feeling inspired, connected, and ready to tackle a tangible action plan to put your community on the track to resilience! 

Shake Your Soul Yoga Dance – Natasha Michaud
Move and groove through the motions of release, fun and new experiences. Shake Your Soul is a form of movement based on the different fluids of the body. It encompasses solo, partner and group movement that is either choreographed or free flow. Come and have some fun grooving and shaking your soul! 

South Asian Dance Arts – Ashley Anjlien Kumar
A one-hour dance workshop that covers a variety of different South Asian dance styles, including Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Bhangra, and Bollywood. Movement as a source of expression, connection!

Sustainable Nutrition: From Physiology to Microbes – Jana Sacco
The essentials to sustainable nutrition through 3 key areas: Clarity, Replenishment and Connection. We’ll also talk about Pro-biotics and the world of our internal ecology and fermentation and touch on toxicity and the amazing food that helps us recover from a toxic world. By creating a Sacred kitchen, we will be more connected to ourselves, each other and the earth.

Values: The Resilient Core –  Jodi Carlson 
Your values are the enduring qualities that guide you throughout life. Core values anchor you in who you are and the vision you want to create in the world. In this workshop, we will explore your values: What inspires you to help your neighbour? Why were you inspired to get involved with that cause? How did you choose your job and career? All of these questions are answered by some form of your core values. When we have a better understanding of our values, we have a better understanding of who we are and how we fit into the community. Not only does this give us a better vision for the future, but it can also bring us more harmony.

What’s all the Hoopla – Nicole Rose
An exploration of modern hula hoop dancing. Participants will learn the basics of modern hula hoop dance including on body hooping and simple, yet fun off body tricks as well as how to fuse it all together into a short combo. Hooping is great for people of all ages and fitness levels. No prior experience necessary! Adult size hula hoops will be provided.

Wildcrafting – Joy Lakhan

This workshop will provide tools such as plant identification, foraging techniques and uses for some of the plants that naturally grow right here in Edmonton. Learn about some of the many uses these plants have to offer while gaining a new perspective the next time you’re strolling the river valley. We will be focusing on a few powerful plant species during this session, but this workshop aims to give you some of the tools and resources needed to explore plants outside of the classroom.

Willow Basketry – Good Note Farm (Maryann Borch)

Winter Soul Food – Karina Hurtado and Lone Odgers
This workshop will have two components where participants will learn how to prepare a healthy meal that is nutritious, delicious and affordable as well as participants learn the connection between what we eat and the season – from a Chinese Medicine perspective there is a harmony between food, health and weather cycles.

Vermicomposting – Andy Williams
Learn to compost with the help of worms! We will view worm bins containing various levels of decomposition, and discuss how to create your own worm bin, how to feed and care for your worms, and how to transfer the worms from fully decomposed newspaper to fresh bedding.

PURCHASE WORKSHOPS STREAM TICKETS HERE on Eventbrite!

PURCHASE INDIVIDUAL WORKSHOP TICKETS HERE on Eventbrite!

For further information, please contact YEGresilience@gmail.com

What is Resilience?

Resilience is the quality that makes a community strong, healthy and able to handle unexpected change. Communities that are resilient are closely linked together and can cope well with the effects of disruptions to the systems within them.

Why a Festival?

Now and in the future, Edmontonians face many possible challenges posed by climate change, energy scarcity, economic volatility, environmental degradation, and other unforeseen risks and hazards.

We have an increasing responsibility to improve our self-reliance by re-localizing and diversifying our economy, strengthening community connections, making thoughtful decisions about how our city develops, and recognizing our interdependence with the species found in our communities and with the landscapes our city occupies.

By coming together to celebrate and share skills and ideas through the festival, we will create a stronger, happier community which will increase our capacity to work together and to adapt to coming changes.

This blog post has a bit more information about the festival! So does this one! 

What else is it?

The Edmonton Resilience Festival will:

– be a time for having fun while sharing knowledge, skills, challenges and ideas
– be a platform for Edmontonians to co-create a truly sustainable city full of creative abundance
– inspire Edmontonians to make positive changes in their own lives
– empower citizens to engage with others in our various communities (neighbourhoods, religious communities, hobbies, families, etc.)
– foster conversations within our communities about what resilience is
– bring together different communities so that we may reach out, learn from each other, make new friends, inspire collaboration, and map and share community resources.
– be a celebration of the skills and elements that make our lives and communities more connected, vibrant and sustainable.

For further reading about resilience, check out these resources:

www.resilience.org

http://torrensresilience.org/characteristics-of-resilience

http://www.resalliance.org/index.php/resilience

CANCELATION NOTICE PROCESS:

As it is February and weather can be tricky, any cancellation if made will be posted the two hours before the first workshop start on the Edmonton Resilience Festival website.