About the event

In the face of a climate crisis, what forms of care keep us alive and connected? Join us with Ren from Distro Disco in this workshop where we will explore mutual aid as a practice of care, resistance, and collective survival—both within and beyond monetary exchange. Through discussion and hands-on collaboration, participants will examine how mutual aid networks sustain marginalized communities in the face of systemic inequities and the climate crisis. 

Together, we’ll:

• Learn the foundations of mutual aid: what it is, what it isn’t, and how it differs from charity or institutional aid.
• Explore the connections between mutual aid and climate equity, considering how community-based redistribution and solidarity work build resilience amid environmental and social crises.
• Put together “distro” (distribution) packages for community care.

Let’s connect, imagine, and practice the kinds of care that can carry us and our communities through crisis and change!

AGENDA

• Welcome & Grounding
• Presentation: What is Mutual Aid?
• Group Activity: Distro Bag Assembly
• Reflection & Discussion
• Closing & Clean-Up

Land ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This event takes place on the unceded homelands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlil̓ilw̓ətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and kʷikʷəƛw̓əm (Kwikwetlem) Nations.

ABOUT THE FACILITATORS

Ren (they/them
Ren is a Chinese diasporic queer and trans settler living on the unceded land of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) nations. Ren is currently completing an internship to become a music therapist and is near completion of their Bachelor of Music Therapy at Capilano University. They have been with Distro Disco (DD)—a mobile free store of supplies run by volunteers—for two years, mainly operating in fundraising, supply sourcing, and social media for DD. For Ren, Distro Disco was their entry point into grassroots organizing, and the concept of community care continues to shape their life musically, artistically, and through their activism and therapy work. In their spare time, they enjoy singing in choirs, painting, cracking jokes, and petting animals of all sorts.

Event Accessibility

Embark Sustainability events are free and open to Embark members which includes Simon Fraser University undergraduate and graduate students, as well as Embark Associate Members.

This event will be held indoors at the Embark Studio, room #1310 of the SUB Student Union Building (SUB), SFU Burnaby. Please review the following accessibility details:

• Attendees are free to opt in and opt out of activities as suits their needs throughout the event, including exiting and re-entering the event space.
• The event space is wheelchair accessible.
• All-gender and wheelchair-accessible restrooms are located on the same floor.
• We welcome all gender identities and expressions.
• We provide access to a quiet space for personal meditation, reflection, or prayers.
• The event space is a tree nut and peanut-free zone
• The event space is a scent-free zone.
• Unfortunately, we are unable to provide ASL interpretation at this time.

We strive to make our events accessible to as many of our community members as possible. If you have accessibility needs you’d like to share, please contact our Director of Engagement at engagement@embarksustainability.org.

Health & Safety

Participants who register are agreeing to release Embark Sustainability Society from any liability related to COVID-19. Masks are optional but encouraged.

Community Agreement

By registering to attend this event, you are agreeing to be respectful when listening to and communicating with others, and be mindful of the space you are taking up amongst your peers.

Embark Sustainability does not tolerate violence or aggression against others on the basis of race, ethnicity, place of origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious affiliation, or ability. Please also refer to people using the introductions they provide and do not assume pronouns/gender/knowledge based on someone’s name or appearance.

If these agreements are broken by someone, we will have to ensure the safety of our community members by removing them from the event.

Questions

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Embark Sustainability’s Climate Equity Programs Coordinator at climate@embarksustainability.org.