Indigenous Land Acknowledgements: What? Why? And Now What?
The act of creating and speaking an Indigenous land acknowledgement is a practice that is becoming more common in the eastern parts of Turtle Island. While we experience it as a moment at the beginning of a gathering, it is actually part of a bigger process for our society and for the individual.
This three-part workshop series will address the history and purpose of land acknowledgments, examine our unique contexts, and support one another as we each craft a research-based, personalized and heartfelt land acknowledgement. By acknowledging Indigenous people’s relationship to land, and exploring our own relationship to land, we will enter into a process of truth and reconciliation. Time and space will be created to consider the connections to and implications on our teaching practices.
This workshop series is designed for educators, but will benefit anyone interested in deepening their relationship to place. Presented in partnership with Gedakina and Shelburne Farms, this program is offered as a 3-part series, with each session building upon the foundation of the previous session(s). There will be land-based homework to complete between sessions. We ask that you commit to participating in all three sessions when registering.
Workshop Rhythm: 3 sessions; 2 hours per session; gathering every other week on Zoom
Please register to get the Zoom link at https://forms.gle/rTMgq7Y1Wa3ECVwm8
Grab your friends, join your neighbors and get involved in Vermont’s state-wide Green Up Day on May 1st. It’s easy! Pick a road, grab a bag and do your part! Bags for the Town of Mendon are available at the town office.
More than 100 community members have shared their ideas through public forums and surveys on critical topics such as economic development, jobs, recreation, youth and families, housing, transportation, village centers, and more!
On April 21st from 6:30-9:00 pm you are invited to join the second phase in the Mendon on the Move process on Zoom via computer, tablet, or phone. Come together with your friends and neighbors to:
- Review the list of potential action ideas brainstormed at forums and on surveys
- Discuss and advocate for what’s most important for the community
- Vote on community priorities you want to move forward
- Join locally led task forces who will drive forward the chosen priorities
Learn more and register on the Mendon on the Move website.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend – even if you did not attend the first meeting – this is an opportunity to make your voice heard as your community comes together to shape the future of Mendon!
For more information, call the Vermont Council on Rural Development at 223-6091 or email [email protected].
The next step in the process will be a meeting on Wednesday, April 21st, at 6:30pm, where we’ll come back together and vote to prioritize action items from the list gathered the other night, then set up task forces to drive that work forward. Here is the link to register for that meeting. All are welcome, even those who weren’t able to participate in the kick-off, so we hope over the next couple weeks, you’ll all help us spread the word to anyone you think might be interested in joining.
If you weren’t able to make Wednesday’s call, or had other ideas for local action in Mendon that came up afterwards, it’s not too late to share! You can contribute either through this online form, or by filling out a paper survey at either the Mendon Town Offices, or De Palo Coffee.
Virtual Compost Workshops
Wednesday, Apr 14 @ 9:00 AM
Wednesday, Apr 21 @ 12:00 PM
Wednesday, Apr 28 @ 3:00 PM
Registration link: Register For Workshops Here
Please register to receive a link to participate in the workshop.
2282 US Route 4
Mendon, VT 05701
SPECIAL SELECTBOARD MEETING
WARNING
The Mendon Selectboard will be meeting remotely on March 26, 2021 at 1 PM to meet with the State Police to discuss law enforcement response in Mendon, state statutes regarding the discharge of firearms, the proposed Mendon Firearm Discharge Ordinance and Civil Actions or prosecutions by the State.
Special Selectboard Meeting
Fri, Mar 26, 2021 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (EDT)
Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/511752093
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (872) 240-3212
Access Code: 511-752-093
New to GoToMeeting? Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://global.gotomeeting.com/install/511752093
SPECIAL SELECTBOARD AGENDA
MARCH 26, 2021
1. 1:00 PM- Call to Order at Town Office
2. Add/delete items to the agenda:
4. 1:05 Business
A. Discussion with State Police regarding general law enforcement in Mendon and statutes regulating discharging firearms.
B. Discussion with State Police regarding the proposed Mendon Firearm Discharge Ordinance
C. Discussion with State Police about Civil Actions or prosecutions by the State.
5. Adjournment
Fees:
Spayed/Neutered $11.00
Not Spayed/Neutered $15.00
After April 1st
Spayed/Neutered $14.00
Not Spayed/Neutered $20.00
Contact:
Hannah Phillips, State Lands Administration Program Manager
Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation | Agency of Natural Resources
802-622-4661, [email protected]
Public Invited to Comment on Aitken State Forest Draft Management Plan
Mendon, Vt. – The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) invites public comment on the draft long-range management plan for Aitken State Forest (918 acres), located in Mendon, Rutland County. The management plan serves as a guide for land management on ANR lands and typically covers a planning period of 20 years. ANR conducts public outreach as part of the planning process to develop a better understanding of the public’s interest in and use of state-owned lands.
A state forest since 1912, Aitken State Forest has hosted a variety of recreation, firewood, hunting, timber and habitat management activities for over 100 years. Aitken State Forest offers opportunities for hiking, universally accessible trail access, snowmobiling, and pedestrian winter recreation. It also includes remote areas for wildlife and nature observation and supports the long tradition of hunting, fishing and trapping in the forest. The Bald Mountain and Tamarack Notch Trails are popular year-round, and a snowmobile trail connects to a VAST trail corridor through Aitken State Forest.
Aitken State Forest is located on the western edge of a large forest block that totals nearly 46,000-acres and is connected to the Green Mountain National Forest by the 1,350-acre Jim Jeffords State Forest and the 17,000-acre Coolidge State Forest. These local and regional connections between large forest blocks serve an important role in maintaining long-term health and viability of plant and animal populations.
Members of the public who wish to review and comment on the plan can visit https://arcg.is/0KinX5 to learn about the Aitken State Forest draft plan and to take the public comment survey. Comment can also be shared by email to [email protected].
###
The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources is charged with oversight and management of Vermont’s natural environment on behalf of the people of Vermont. It is comprised of three departments: the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Environmental Conservation.