What should we try to contribute to next?
There are so many worthy causes around us, it can be extremely difficult to decide what to focus on, especially if you’re like me and your donations budget is limited by being, in true artistic tradition, forever broke :)
So one thing I use for guidance is looking for things that feel personal and close to me.
Oceans
I’m not one of those artists who were creating ever since they can remember - I picked up a pencil for the first time at the age of 33. But I have been a bit of a sea creature ever since I can remember. I grew up in a small Balkan country called Yugoslavia, and my family had a tiny summer house by the sea, where I would spend my entire summers underwater. Later there were wars, the country vanished and the house was lost. But that feeling of being in the sea, open eyes with no mask, staring at all the creatures in absolute wonder, is something that will always drive me to feel protective of the oceans.
Yes, I know the Tree of Life print is already contributing to ocean protection, but I have at least two-three other non-profits in mind who are doing spectacular work and truly deserve to be supported.
First Nations
Since I came to Canada I have been learning about the rich history of its indigenous cultures and the more I learn, the more I wish they were given much more space in our society. Colonization has been, and still is, a deeply damaging process that affects many people around the world, and although we can’t take it back and undo all the harm, we can definitely counteract its ill effects and make sure we aren’t perpetuating the same harmful mechanisms. Canada should once again feel more in line with its indigenous name, Turtle Island.
Homelessness and Food Insecurity
As the economic situation in Canada worsens, more and more people are struggling to provide their families with adequate food and shelter. This is not something we should be willing to tolerate. As a society we should come to grips with the fact that there are tested and effective methods of combatting homelessness, and everyone deserves shelter.
Others
I can think of many other things I believe are well worth supporting, but too many options make choices needlessly difficult. Once I have created pieces to support these causes, I will renew the list with fresh ideas, mine and yours, and we can keep going :)
