Working across the globe means that SEF has come into contact and formed relationships with an incredibly diverse and inspiring group of people. From South America to Africa, Mexico, Mongolia and on home soil in Canada, SEF has been encouraged by the spirit and tenacity of so many whose paths have overlapped with theirs. One such person is Richard Jackson, also known as “Rocky”, from northern BC in Canada, a town called Telegraph Creek.
Rocky describes growing up in his First Nations family in Telegraph Creek as “freedom”, without internet, or phones or TVs, nor even radios to listen to the outside world, the land was his playground to enjoy, to learn from and to survive on. He describes the connection to land as that of a connection to a higher power, something greater than humans alone.
He recalls how people were the caregivers, the teachers, with aims of supporting and helping each other, that the experiences you were taught as a child, were to lift you up and be shared through your whole life.
Speaking of how his path crossed with SEF he recalls how the web of connections started through the NewCrest mine, its personnel and SEF’s staff, particularly Suzette and Larae. Still vividly in his mind was how the first proper engagement with SEF was being introduced to how SEF worked, how they helped communities with tools to develop businesses and community involvement.
When asked about his hopes for the future, for himself and for his community, SEF is greatly encouraged that its methodology and those it partners with, align. Rocky speaks of his great hope that his First Nations family, the Tahltan and others he is connected with, can become self-sufficient and sustainable. That it is from the passions and hands of the community itself banding together that will realize the importance of surviving on their territory.
With decades of experience, SEF has carved out a niche for itself when it comes to furthering community based economic futures. Hearing from Rocky that those exact hopes come from the community within fuel SEF to keep striving to partner and equip from the ground up.
Rocky sees the opportunities for his community to step into running self-sufficient businesses, creating and providing resources in the local economy. From running hospitality establishments, to manufacturing and selling protective equipment to the mine based in the area, there is so much he sees could be done. As SEF continues to work in Telegraph Creek, it is ideas and passions such as Rocky’s that can be guided and supported to exciting fruition.
SEF understands that business and passions can come in all shapes and sizes. For Rocky his passion lies in music and connecting to his community with healing and encouragement. A prolific songwriter, Rocky has been writing and performing songs for decades.
In particular his song “Welcome Home” written from his heart for all those children, of which he is one, that were taken from their homes and placed in residential schools. For all the trauma, sadness, grief and pain that came from that time, he wished to write a universal song that would reach out to every child and every parent that had gone through the separation, to create a song just for them, that would welcome them back to their land, to their people, to their calling.
A verse from “Welcome Home” reads,
“Now we don’t have to
Be afraid anymore
No one to judge us
Or tell us who we are
We’re God’s children
And we’re shining like a star
So little brother, little sisters
Welcome home!!!”
Of those that have had the privilege to hear Rocky sing this song, from his heart, from his memories, for his hope for his community and the future, few have been able to keep a dry eye.
Rocky describes his music as his therapy, always has and will be he says. He describes it as a way of communicating to himself and to others, a universal language. He continues to be mesmerized by its ability to help him release feelings of sadness, and at the very same time, express happiness.
He sees the great need still in his community, in other First Nations peoples he works with. There is so much more that needs to be done, to bring healing, confidence, hope. He wants to continue to lean into music, to try different things of blending cultures, his Tahltan culture and new peoples that have come to Canada, to bridge understanding and progress.
SEF has seen the spark in Rocky and is excited to continue to partner with him and his visions. Rocky muses that he wonders how he can sell healing? That with all whom he encounters, through his music, that they have a choice within them to embrace the journey of healing. He himself has experienced that healing doesn’t happen overnight, it is a daily challenge for him to choose.
Rocky wishes to encourage, through the groups he is a part of, and his music, that it is up to all who hear, that they have the power to choose to start that journey. Rocky speaks from his heart and experience, he says it is up to him to embrace his decision of sobriety, of wanting to see change, every single day.
SEF has experienced Rocky’s passion and gift with music, and looks forward to coming alongside him, thinking about next steps and connecting partners, skill sets and opportunities, this is what SEF is all about. From the possibility of getting Rocky’s music on to music streaming platforms, and sharing it with a wider audience, to sharing his story, there are many ways that business, passions and community can mingle for economic and social sustainable good.
As Rocky says “You are responsible for your destiny!”. SEF continues to look forward to working with the Tahltan community in Telegraph Creek and the exciting economic and community futures that are in store.