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Our mission is to make honorable use of the land and provide an environment for likeminded Young People, Community Leaders and Elders to meet their physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and career goals.

Executive Summary

The Good Life Gathering offers private opportunities for Youth, Elders and Community Leaders of good minds and hearts. Our attendees learn sustainable living by actually putting into practice the dreams, missions and visions of their organizations. They come together for private time and space to revive their spirits and in the process, help each other to heal from the stresses of organizing and planning for others.

At the Good Life Gathering, they can refocus their shared goal to heal our ailing environments and societies. The Gathering is an opportunity to learn, practice and celebrate the Good Life - and bring solutions that work back home!

The Nolan Family has dedicated their 50-acre property in rural New Brunswick (near Moncton) for the annual Good Life Gathering. The land has abundant wildlife, a small river, artesian ponds, mature forest and the long-fallowed farmland that is used each year as campgrounds. The Good Life Gathering Team began to host events in 2005 and are inviting support to help them to build upon their successes. The Gathering's Organizing Committee oversees the direction and activities of the Gathering.

The attached budget (Appendix `B') of $60,250.00 has been allocated to serve between 172 and 300 Youth and Elders ($200.83 to $350.29 each).

Good Life Gathering FAQ

Who is Invited to the Good Life Gathering?

Elders, Youth, Storytellers, Minstrels, Environmental activists, Artists, Community Leaders and Skilled tradespeople who understand that there is so much that can be done and who welcome an opportunity to learn and work together in a good place are sought and welcomed to the Gathering.

During the Spring, Fall and Winter, we take time to survey our Gatherers with a few simple questions: What would you like to learn and what will you offer to make it a success for all involved? The Good Life Gathering provides opportunities for Youth and Elders to work at many levels, the practical, personal, civil and spiritual.

How Many Attend the Gathering?

Between July 26^th and August 12, 2005, approximately 85 people shared in the Gathering, including 52 young people (12 to 30 years), 23 Community Leaders and 8 Traditional Aboriginal Elders.

Because many that wish to join us for the 2006 season are awaiting confirmation of their funding for travel, it has been a challenge to predict the number of attendees. At this point we are expecting to host a minimum of 130 Youth, 30 Community Leaders and 12 Elders, to a maximum of 300 people.

How Are Good Life Gathering Activities Arranged?

Last year's process of allowing the Elder and Youth attendees to set the schedule succeeded extremely well. All participants were provided, before and during the Gathering, with a listing of available resource people and a description of their areas of skill and expertise. Our Youth coordinator contacted each young person individually and collected information about their personal and career goals; a similar process was undertaken with our Elders. We then confirmed attendance with the appropriate Community Leaders-Resource people and allocated time on our calendar for the various activities.

Programming

Through co-operative teamwork, we strengthen our abilities to live a Good Life while developing respectful and effective Leadership and Teaching skills. From late spring to early fall, we will pursue various aspects of living in harmony with people and the Earth such as living in a natural environment, growing good food, surviving in an increasingly challenging world, building natural structures and finding, using and protecting indigenous plants and medicines.

We look forward to strategizing ways to have a Good Life by examining the choices that we do have: how to get good clean food; to find peace and rest; to survive and stay positive in the midst of chaotic times in the history of the world; to honour and nurture our Youth and Elders; to choosing to work or live away from chaos.

Passing the Torch to Future Generations - Nurturing Our Youth

Our young people are the key to securing our common future. We will provide opportunities for youth to accomplish many things with Elders, teachers and each other.

Discussions with youth since last year's Gathering informs our workshop outline for this year (Appendix `A'). You will note that we have opened additional resources for our young people to address the most urgent problems that they are facing. While education in environmental issues remain a constant throughout the Gathering and the year, the issues of social problems, lack of personal and community support, unemployment and need for practical skills development are priorities for our young people. We have developed a wide and unique network of resource people who have agreed to make themselves available during this year's gathering and for follow-up throughout the year.

Honouring Our Elders - Nurturing Our Healers

Our highest priority in the Good Life Gathering is to honour and care for our Elders and to abide by and put into practices the wisdom and teachings that they share with us. We appreciate that our invited Elders are precious to us all and that they want and need to make sure that their teachings are preserved and protected.

As during the 2005 Good Life Gathering, our Elders will make themselves available for groups and individuals. Their skills in Talking Circles, Personal Healing, Traditional Culture are awakened when requested by the People. On a personal note, it is incredible to witness that answers to »modern» problems present themselves during Elder-Led Spiritual discussion groups, e.g. last year's workshop on nuclear energy and waste led to the refusal of over 50 First Nations to allow radioactive waste dumps on their reservations. Several of our young Gatherers were able to solve some of their personal problems, while others found good long-term employment.

Besides sharing their gifts, our Elders expect to learn important things from the Gathering. Our Resource people look forward to sharing their knowledge, skills and success stories. Knowing that Good Life Gatherers will use these gifts over the coming years is satisfying in a number of ways. As an example, this year our special network of Grandmothers began to spread the word about human health and factory farms, cellphones, chemtrails, hazardous waste and naturally grown foods! We are gratified, knowing that the influence of these powerful Grandmothers is educating young people and adults in ways that formal education networks can only hope to achieve. Likewise our Elder men have reported that traditional knowledge of natural resource management shared at the Gathering is being sought by more and more young people and community-based organizations.

Restoring Our Spirits: Personal Healing & Self Care for Elders, Youth and Community Leaders

In line with our evidence that Self Care is our best protection against frustration, disillusionment and burnout, we will continue to hold small personal gatherings where we can remind each other of the importance of caring for ourselves.

The Good Life Gathering has found that there is much healing to be had from simple, restful activities like drinking tea together, nurturing ourselves and each other. During our self care activities, we will take time to examine the ways that our social, civic, environmental and spiritual work is changing; our philosophies for living must adapt to these new circumstances. With concern for our youth and our future, we will discuss the pressing need to explore immediate ways to successfully apply our shared knowledge and skills and achieve peace and harmony, no matter where we are living.

Building Alliances - Walking in Compassion

The more we share and ally with others, the more we can choose the values that we live by. We CAN and MUST increase our freedom to live according to our highest values. Working together, we can reduce the impact of corporate and governmental control over our lives and secure the well-being of future generations.

Compassion is a powerful tool for building alliances. One of the most exciting results from the first Good Life Gathering is the strong network that has been formed. It is continually reported that, through the Gathering, connections have been forged that continue to improve the lives of our attendees, their families and communities. Too numerous to mention them all, some highlights include:

• a community education committee to address prescription drug abuse;
• alliances with environmental and faith groups to undertake an «Exposure Tour» to allow non-native peoples to understand Aboriginal Human Rights and Environmental issues from within Native communities;
• alliance of non-profit organizations formed to ensure accountability for their impact on communities.
• alliance with youth groups to facilitate self-employment and sustainable business opportunities
• strengthened communication between urban dwellers and Native communities.

Fun & Adventure

Scheduled fun, no-work times became an important part of the Gathering for Elders and Youth alike last year. This year's outings and entertainment events will include «official» outings to events within travelling distance of the Gathering.

The outings will include trips to the ocean and historic sites, cultural events such as Pow Wows, Acadian festivals, Karaoke and Movie nights and community feasts with special guests from near and far. We have already lined up a tour on a fishing boat and have been welcomed to tour a few local native and non-native communities. Attendees will choose outings from a community calendar available at the gathering.

Appendix `A'

2006 Good Life Gathering - Invited Resource People

- Marion Odell and Willi Nolan, International Institute of Concern for Public Health (IICPH).

IICPH is a Canadian-based nonprofit organization dedicated to Helping Communities Assess and Improve their Environmental Health Status. The Institute alerts and informs the public of the health hazards of pesticides, nuclear radiation and other commercial, military, and industrial products. As well -- independent of government and industry -- the Institute provides the evidence and documentation needed by survivors of environmental disasters. This unique and essential service both supports and furthers the key principle on which the IICPH operates: that a safe environment is a fundamental human right.

IICPH works in cooperation with Native Peoples, professionals, grassroots organizations, and citizens groups in Canada, the United States, Russia, the Central Pacific, India, South America, Europe, South Africa, and many other countries. Marion and Willi will both be attending at the Gathering.

- Alex Cole, founder/owner of Little Foot Yurts (www.lfy.ca), Yurt Building workshops (a yurt is a strong, semi-permanent or portable Mongolian-style tipi made from poles/young trees) Available dates: from July 1-3 and 12-17.

- Anna Girouard - Anna is a professional educator. Her interests are Acadian folklore, culture and arts, storytelling,, food security. She offers workshops in how to write, illustrate and books and film scripts. Available dates: July 3-6, July 17 to 22.

- D.J. Joseph, Youth Worker from Elsipogtog/Big Cove Mental Health Services Youth Program. D.J. is planning summer activities for Native youth. He has a strong interest in meeting activists and furthering the goals of their substance abuse prevention program. Elsipogtog Mental Health is very interested in group/community prevention programs.

- Eric Dedam a youth worker at Elsipogtog/Big Cove Mental Health Services Youth Program, is currently completing a research paper on "crystal meth" and has asked to bring a Mi'kmaq youth group from Newfoundland to take part in the workshops on substance abuse prevention.

- Angela Bischoff, Kelly Reinhardt and Brigitte Haworth are leading the Healthy Mind-Body-Planet tour

(www.greenspiration.org) which presented on systemic prescription drug abuse at Elsipogtog last spring. They will return during the Gathering time and offer discussions with our youth. Please check their website for more details about their work.

- Bob Landry, Environmental Activist: Increase the Pressure - Civil Disobedience workshops. Bob asks that we set time as soon as possible for him to be with us in July, as he is involved in a big project throughout the summer. He is one of the best people that I know for helping community groups to take control of the direction of their environmental concerns (including media strategies). Bob can also give hands-on training on Retrofitting Diesel Vehicles to run on Straight Vegetable Oil.

- Forest Restoration and Management: Bill McKay of Nagaya Forest Restoration and Bob Eichenberger of Ecoforesterie Gaspé are both competent to teach about successful in the ecoforestry business and value-added forestry. We should also schedule their time in the Gathering as soon as possible.

- Cheryl Sullivan, a toxicologist, can direct appropriate environmental testing to independent facilities.

- Latoya Augustine is a Youth Leader for the Good Life Gathering and will lead Youth Environmental Education workshops, Hospitality tours and Karaoke Nights. She has also been asked to arrange for outings to the ocean and local pow wows.

- Lauren Best is a fundraiser and Youth Leader for the Good Life Gathering. She will be offering Arts Projects and is asking for our youth to give her an idea of the kinds of art that they'd like to try - visual, audio/video, music, crafts etc.

- Calvin Sault, our Traditional Elder will attend to fulfill our youth's requests for cultural guidance, teachings, ceremonies, activities and events (don't forget that he's also a bit of a computer expert!).

- Calvin's daughter Theresa Brill, is an Elder's helper and will give instruction on making Traditional Ojibwe birchbark crafts.

- Sparrow Lott, Willi's Traditional helper for the Gathering, will also share her professional experience and knowledge of building Earth Bag/Sand Bag Structures and Stories of Working for Creator.

- Craig Hubley <hubley.org>is a leader in the Use of Information Technology for Activist Projects and progressive thinkers. Craig looks forward to helping our youth to get a clear and comprehensive view of the tools and thinking that will allow their community projects to succeed where others fail.

- Elders from our area will be available to share Traditional Knowledge and Ceremonies for the gathering and we are actively encouraging their attendance.

Many Community Leaders from the 2005 Good Life Gathering will be available this year as well; most are looking forward to it and others are waiting to be asked to get involved! If you will be attending the Gathering, please check your 2005 and 2006 information, think about your priorities, share them with us and we'll do our best to finalize our schedule to meet the needs of all involved.

All My Relations
Willi Nolan
Host, Good Life Gathering

Appendix `B'

BUDGET

* Note: This has been allocated to serve between 172 and 300 Youth and Elders ($200.83 to $350.29 each). Costs per person decrease as the number of attendees increases. We are able to rely on donations of food and thereby keep these costs to a minimum.

Appendix `C'

NOTE: THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL PLANNING PAGE FROM LAST YEAR'S INVITATION, LEFT IN TO GIVE YOU (personally) AN IDEA OF WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE AND AFTER THE MAIN GATHERING (in case you want to request something for your own needs :- ).

Good Life Gathering - General Planning Guide

Each year, we plans work in harmony with the seasons to accomplish the following,

Spring: Preparing and planting the gardens, clearing fields and ponds for camping.

Late spring: Setting up a sustainable infrastructure for the gatherings: Defining spaces and pathways for camping, medicine trails, hiking, water, sanitary supplies, events and gatherings.

July-Summer Camp and Great Gathering Time. Craft making, building with natural materials (e.g. straw bale, cordwood, logs, reclaimed and cast-off wood) to provide several buildings for use during activities (Hiking, Canoeing, Wilderness Survival, Traditional Culture, Ceremonies and Crafts, Music, Drama.)

Late Summer: Harvest time. Elders and Activists Retreat. Music and Storytelling Camp.

Fall: Planning and preparing for winter and next year's Good Life Gathering. Private retreats.

Here's your invitation: if there's something here that moves you to participate, it will be so good to hear from you.

All My Relations
Willi Nolan,
Host, Good Life Gathering

Appendix `D'

Other Opportunities and Activities

Food Security - Rural and Urban Alliances - The Best of Both Worlds

Bring us your organic, wild food and medicine enthusiasts! With strong connections between urban and rural environments, there are so many ways to help each other to improve our health and way of life.

Increasing public health concerns have resulted in government and industry-run programs for inter-provincial and national food security. A coalition of rural & urban efforts to protect our food and water is obviously essential and is something that we can do!

Our persistent efforts to share our knowledge and experiences are forcing important food issues into people's attention and keeping them there. Urban food security and organic farmer organizations are small but powerful. Here's an example:

The removal of an intensive livestock operation (hog factory) in New Brunswick's Kent County received international exposure via the IICPH (International Institute of Concern for Public Health), and others associated with the Gathering. This important precedent forced the provincial government to attend to inadequate regulations for protecting human, animal, marine and environmental health.

At the Good Life Gathering, we offer opportunities to use our combined inspiration and experiences. Together, we can extend our successes and stand behind solutions like the elimination of unfit food production.

Sharing Our Light - Building Our Dreams

• Living in a natural environment
• Growing good food: Organic Farming, Permaculture
• Building natural structures and furniture
• Finding, using and protecting indigenous plants and medicines
• Intentional Communities - Intentional Alliances
• Environmental Opportunities: energy, pollution prevention

Supporting and Nurturing Our Youth

Our young people are the key to long term sustainable living. The Good Life Gathering provides opportunities for youth to accomplish many things with Elders, teachers and each other. Recently suggested workshop themes include Youth and Personal Power, Avoiding the Prison-Industrial Complex, Sustainable Living Skills, Effective Community and Alliance-Building, Learning from our Elders.

Personal Healing - Self Care for Community Leaders

Self care is our best protection against frustration, disillusionment and burnout. The Gathering encourages small personal discussions where we can learn to nurture ourselves and each other. There is much healing to be had from simple, restful activities like drinking warming teas and remembering the importance of caring for ourselves.

We will take time to examine the ways that our social, civic, environmental and spiritual work is changing and how our philosophies for living must adapt to these new circumstances. With concern for our youth and our future, we will discuss the pressing need to live in harmony in our communities and explore immediate ways to successfully apply our shared knowledge and skills.