b'ENVIRONMENTVolunteerism: Greening-the-AFN Committeeat the AFN National OfficeF irst Nations have long beenby staff members to lessen their impactsstudies have shown that disposable masks recognized as environmentalon the environment include dryingcontain micro-plastics that have long-leaders who have an ancestrallaundry outdoors, which decreases energyterm harmful effects to the environment. commitment and responsibilityconsumption. Others are choosing toMany of these masks can already beto Mother Earth. Many feel a deep- purchase clothes second-hand. This helpsseen along roadsides or floating inseeded connection with nature and allto reduce waste and subsequent impactsour waters. that it encompasses. This traditionalto landfills. Still others have sought out interconnectedness with all living thingsand have purchased foods from localThe efforts of the Greening-the-AFN led to the formation of the Greening- farmers, which has a two-fold effect:Committee have shown that no matter the-AFN Committee. Created by thebuying local not only helps to grow thewhere we are, whether it is working Assembly of First Nations (AFN)local economy during this difficult time,from home or in the office, we all have Environment Sector, this voluntarybut it also helps to lessen our carbona responsibility to protect Mother group is comprised of AFN staff fromfootprint by decreasing the distance foodEarth. If people are willing, changes are across various sectors at the Nationaltravels from farm to plate. AFN staffpossible, and these small changes can be Office. Its primary mandate is to discuss,are a truly remarkable group! They haveaccomplished in a good way that does not promote, educate and create actionableshown that despite the dramatic impactsneed to be challenging or burdensomeways in which the AFN National Officecaused by COVID-19, we are all stillto implement.can shift towards a greener and morecapable of doing our part.environmentally friendly workplace, whileWhether you are just beginning to notice also taking initiatives at home. In addition to meeting monthly, thethe impacts of climate change and Greening-the-AFN Committee memberswant to make a difference or you are a Although AFN staff have been workingproduce a monthly newsletter that isseasoned activist committed to saving remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic,distributed to all AFN staff. In theirMother Earth, the Greening-the-AFN the committee has not let this time ofspare time, these dedicated volunteersCommittee is an inclusive space that uncertainty deter the positive momentumpull together interesting articles, tips andencourages and promotes our shared and good work completed to date. Thetricks for others to read at their leisure.responsibilities to ensure the health, well-committee meets monthly via video callThe newsletter is light, entertaining andbeing and protection of Mother Earth for to discuss a diverse set of issues relatingmeant to encourage an environmentally to the environment. Admittedly moreconscious mindset for all. Recently, theseven generations to come. Perhaps there challenging during the global pandemic,committee has organized a show us yourare similar groups in your community AFN staff have proven that we, thebest reusable mask campaign, whichor workplace? If not, perhaps this is caretakers of Turtle Island, can all stillencourages staff to use reusable rathersomething that youd like to start? For strive to live sustainably by making smallthan disposable masks. Imagine themore information, please contact our changes in the way we live our dailybillions of masks that might be thrownNational Climate Change Coordinator, lives. Some examples of actions takenaway each day around the world, whileJamie Lavigne, at jlavigne@afn.ca.52 The Circle Winter Issue 1 2020'