Työpaja / Workshop:

EKOMOGIA TRANSFORMOI NUORISOA / ECOLOGY TRANSFORMS YOUTH

This workshop shows a video of youth being healed and empowered through creating nature connections and restoring ecology. This experience is inherently shamanistic as they build and deepen their relationships with nature. This video is followed by more teachings of the Youth and Ecological Restoration program, and an interactive discussion with the audience. It fits into the whole gathering by demonstrating a method of bringing the younger generation into a spiritual relationship with the Earth.

Connecting vulnerable youth with the healing powers of nature is portrayed through “Ecology Transforms Youth”. The 35-minute video follows several young people as they journey within the forests and rivers of the Comox Valley, British Columbia, Canada. This passage into nature shifts their worldview and opens them to seeing themselves as belonging with the vaki or life force that exists in everything. Youth and Ecological Restoration (https://youthecology.ca/) was created to give youth opportunities to restore the health of their community watersheds. The vision is to engage the youth in a wider circle of community with the human, natural and spirit worlds. Through healing the Earth, they heal themselves. This presentation will show the video, and then lead an audience discussion of the program details, stories and words from the youth.