We would like to acknowledge that the land on which we live and work today is the land traditionally used by the Hoaudenosaunee, Anishnaabe and Neutral people. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws and philosphies of the Indigenous people with whom we share this land today.
Among the Haudenosaunee are groups of people who come together as families called clan. As a matrilineal society, each clan is linked by a common female ancestor with women possessing a leadership role within the clan. The number of clans varies among the nations with the Mohawk only having three to the Oneida having nine. The clans are represented by birds and animals and are divided into the three elements: water, land and air. Each member of a clan is considered a relative regardless of which nation they belong to. A wolf clan member of the Mohawk and a wolf clan member of the Seneca nation are still considered relatives. Family names and clans are passed down from mother to child.
Speaker:
Volunteer engagement Chair Debbie Hind from Habitat for Humanity spoke to our club this week.
She reminded us that our club is well versed in the goings on of Habitat, having participated in builds going back to 1993. She did want to let us know that there are many changes afoot within the organization.
Habitat still believes in the vision of “A World where everyone has a safe and decent affordable place to live.” But they way they attain that vision is changing.
Habitat still has the primary purpose of building, and selling homes to disadvantaged families, and they continue to do so, including a new build slated for Cambridge at the top of Shantz hill. However, with the sky rocketing price of real estate in our country, they have been forced to be more creative in the way the provide for the community.
Debbie reminded us of the amazing work being done by the volunteers at the 2 ReStore facilities in the region. Did you know that the Waterloo ReStore was the 2nd one built in Canada? The store resells gently used furniture and fixtures that have been reclaimed from peoples renovation projects locally.
In fact in the last year a new Kitchen Salvage Program was initiated and volunteers helped to remove 92 kitchens from homes in the region and then sell the cabinets at the stores.
ReStore is also working with the Universities to and the House of Friendship to redistribute used furniture from dorms to assisted living facilities run by the HoF.
Lastly, Debbie informed us that the ReStores now accept scrap metal which their volunteers break down and sell to scrap dealers locally. Last year alone, they added an additional $10,000 to their donations from their scrap project.
The work the Restore does not only provide much needed funds to Habitat, it also diverts Tonnes of waste from the landfills making a significant environmental impact.
If you have are considering a kitchen project at home and would like to donate your old cabinets or if you have scrap metal you would like to donate to charity, be sure to reach out to the ReStore in your area.
