As
we enter a new millennium we can all take pride in seeing how Rediscovery
continues to expand and touch the lives and hearts of people all over
the world, in profound or subtle ways. Its success is a living tribute
to countless people sharing a mission and coming together from many widely
divergent communities. For more than two decades the Rediscovery family
of camps has modeled ways for people to work together for the benefit
of youth, the cohesion of their communities and the health of our planet.
It is no simple undertaking.
Acentury
of hatred between conflicting racial, religious, cultural and political
groups is not something which disappears overnight. First Nation communities
on the Pacific coast of Canada, which inspired some building of the first
Rediscovery programs, are still undergoing the healing process from two
centuries of forced enculturation and oppression. On the other side of
the Pacific we now see Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai youth starting
to overcome ancient animosities through an expanded international Rediscovery
program in Thailand. Recently, Rediscovery was called upon by a group
in Belfest, Northern Ireland to share the secrets of its success in bridging
the bitter divisions between Protestant and Catholic youth who are descendents
of generations of bloody sectarian violence.
With the world's population (increasing by 2.7 people per second) putting unprecedented demands on finite resources and testing the limits of human tolerance, and with the majority of humanity now residing in cities - more detached from Nature than ever before, the vision we've set for ourselves can often feel overwhelming. Helping youth "of all ages" discover the world within themselves, the cultural differences between people and the natural world around them. We have chosen for ourselves some rather all encompassing, and some might say too "pie-in-the-sky", lofty goals. The amazing reality, however, is that we're actually doing what we first set out to do: we're changing lives for the better.
Look around
you in your Rediscovery community and you will find at least one person
who's life has become better because of their Rediscovery experience. Ask
yourself if your own life hasn't become more enriched through your association
with the program. The good which comes into the world from even one life
changed for the better must never be underestimated. Acentury
of hatred between conflicting racial, religious, cultural and political
groups is not something which disappears overnight. First Nation communities
on the Pacific coast of Canada, which inspired some building of the first
Rediscovery programs, are still undergoing the healing process from two
centuries of forced enculturation and oppression. On the other side of
the Pacific we now see Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai youth starting
to overcome ancient animosities through an expanded international Rediscovery
program in Thailand. Recently, Rediscovery was called upon by a group
in Belfest, Northern Ireland to share the secrets of its success in bridging
the bitter divisions between Protestant and Catholic youth who are descendents
of generations of bloody sectarian violence. With the world's population (increasing by 2.7 people per second) putting unprecedented demands on finite resources and testing the limits of human tolerance, and with the majority of humanity now residing in cities - more detached from Nature than ever before, the vision we've set for ourselves can often feel overwhelming. Helping youth "of all ages" discover the world within themselves, the cultural differences between people and the natural world around them. We have chosen for ourselves some rather all encompassing, and some might say too "pie-in-the-sky", lofty goals. The amazing reality, however, is that we're actually doing what we first set out to do: we're changing lives for the better.
It is easy for all of us to get caught up on the petty, day to day issues which plague our own lives, our families, communities and nations, and lose sight of our broader vision to create a better world. We must constantly strive to model that vision in our personal lives, through our camps and our communities if we are going to affect the change we seek. Above all, we must not grow pessimistic or underestimate our impact. To think that one person cannot make a profound change in the world is to not understand the cause of human development - for it is the only thing that ever has.
And Rediscovery must always honour and celebrate our personal, community and cultural differences: if nothing else our diversity prevents us from becoming a cult. When one looks at the great range of Rediscovery programs from Haida Gweii to Alberta to Colorado, from Austria to Thailand to Nepal one sees many similarities, but even more differences. It might be said that it is our likenesses in sharing a common vision that brings the Rediscovery family together, but it is our differences that keeps us together.
We need to see these differences as healthy in our dealings with one another whether it be at a Council Fire circle with participants, a camp staff meeting or a formal gathering with the Council of Directors. For in the final analysis it will be our uncommonality more than our common ground that will provide the fertile soil for us to sow seeds of respect and understanding - the very soul of Rediscovery.
All My Relations!
Thom Henley
Drawing
on the strengths of indigenous cultures and the wisdom of the elders,
with a philosophy of respect and love for each other and the Earth, Rediscovery
aims to empower youth of all ages to discover the world within themselves,
the world between cultures, and the natural world.
Rediscovery staff, with the advice and guidance of Haida Elders, opened camp participants' eyes to a renewed contact with the land and heritage around them. Wilderness activities, blended with native culture, served to develop and strengthen feelings of confidence and self-worth for native and non-native participants alike. Since they were integrated in a tolerant and respectful community, participants were free to learn from each other, the environment, Elders, guides and from themselves.
News of the success on Haida Gwaii spread quickly and there are some twenty-one Rediscovery camps in B.C., with other camps across Canada (including Alberta, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon) as well in the United States and Thailand.
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