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“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson
"Together"
Somava Saha, Executive Lead, WIN Network

This past Monday, my parents celebrated their golden (50th) anniversary. They met as kids, fell in love, and managed to remain best friends throughout life. Their life wasn't always easy--they didn't have much financially and had to navigate a new country they had immigrated to--but they were resilient and hopeful and they thrived.

My parents found people to help them along the way--an American host family who invited us over every Thanksgiving, a small vegetable garden in the subsidized housing for graduate students at the University of Notre Dame, and a small community of Bengalis who helped them to adjust. They, in turn, built a whole community in the Phoenix area, now hundreds strong, who remember each others' birthdays and anniversaries and who are there for each other in both the most joyous and difficult moments of one another's lives.
This past week, as we celebrated WIN Week with a theme of "Resilience, Renewal and Racial Justice", I found myself reflecting on how vital this work of building community is because we need one another. We heard from community residents, the Surgeon General, policymakers, civic leaders, students and researchers, indigenous leaders and business leaders system scientists and soul healers. We came from every walk of life, from different sectors and communities. Together, we could begin to see the whole picture.

We cannot do this generational work of creating well-being and equity in the nation across generations without one another. If we all hold a piece of the puzzle that is needed for the renewing of the world, we have no choice but to take care of each other, to listen even when it's hard, to be in relationship together.

I wish to acknowledge that for many indigenous communities and for many families, this is a time of pain, loss and mourning. We have to hold the truth of our history--that both 400 years ago and today, violence and illness devastated whole communities of indigenous people. We have the opportunity to learn from our history and to chart a different path forward. We can only do this if we are in community.

In this season of gratitude, I feel profoundly grateful to each of you for your resilience, for your gifts and for being willing to build this community together. Thank you.
Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash

Put down that bag of potato chips, that white bread, that bottle of pop.

Turn off that cellphone, computer, and remote control.

Open the door, then close it behind you.

Take a breath offered by friendly winds. They travel the earth gathering essences of plants to clean.

Give it back with gratitude.

If you sing it will give your spirit lift to fly to the stars’ ears and back.

Acknowledge this earth who has cared for you since you were a dream planting itself precisely within your parents’ desire.

Let your moccasin feet take you to the encampment of the guardians who have known you before time, who will be there after time. They sit before the fire that has been there without time.

Let the earth stabilize your postcolonial insecure jitters.

Be respectful of the small insects, birds and animal people who accompany you.
Ask their forgiveness for the harm we humans have brought down upon them.

Don’t worry.
The heart knows the way though there may be high-rises, interstates, checkpoints, armed soldiers, massacres, wars, and those who will despise you because they despise themselves.

The journey might take you a few hours, a day, a year, a few years, a hundred, a thousand or even more.

Watch your mind. Without training it might run away and leave your heart for the immense human feast set by the thieves of time.

Do not hold regrets.

When you find your way to the circle, to the fire kept burning by the keepers of your soul, you will be welcomed.

You must clean yourself with cedar, sage, or other healing plant.

Cut the ties you have to failure and shame.

Let go the pain you are holding in your mind, your shoulders, your heart, all the way to your feet. Let go the pain of your ancestors to make way for those who are heading in our direction.

Ask for forgiveness.

Call upon the help of those who love you. These helpers take many forms: animal, element, bird, angel, saint, stone, or ancestor.

Call your spirit back. It may be caught in corners and creases of shame, judgment, and human abuse.

You must call in a way that your spirit will want to return.

Speak to it as you would to a beloved child.

Welcome your spirit back from its wandering. It may return in pieces, in tatters. Gather them together. They will be happy to be found after being lost for so long.

Your spirit will need to sleep awhile after it is bathed and given clean clothes.

Now you can have a party. Invite everyone you know who loves and supports you. Keep room for those who have no place else to go.

Make a giveaway, and remember, keep the speeches short.

Then, you must do this: help the next person find their way through the dark.

Joy Harjo
FALL WIN WEEK 2020 RECAP
Thank you for attending Fall WIN Week! We hope you enjoyed our events in virtually gathering for reflection and action towards advancing well-being and equity. For full access of meeting recordings and resources please visit our website.
WIN Network Meeting: Resilience, Renewal, and Racial Justice



"We, the people, must redeem
The land, the mines, the plants, the rivers.
The mountains and the endless plain—
All, all the stretch of these great green states—
And make America again!"

— Langston Hughes

On Thursday, WIN members convened for deep reflection on the WIN Network's role in resilience, renewal, and racial justice. John Auerbach and Fred Brown highlighted bright spots in their work and opportunities for action in renewing civic life and advancing equity and racial justice. Afterward, robust conversations stemmed from the evolution of the WIN Network's strategic priorities and structure of equitable governance. Members joined breakout rooms to dive deep into specific strategic priorities. The gathering closed with reflections and a viewing of Andra Day's "Rise Up."
WIN with Business: The Role of Business in Advancing a Thriving and Just Nation



“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Poor health leads to a poor bottom line. We have an opportunity to come back stronger from the pandemic and to thrive together. We need an economy that works for everyone.”

 - Surgeon General Jerome Adams

On Friday, members of the WIN Network participated in an interactive workshop with business leaders and Surgeon General Jerome Adams on the role of business in addressing the vital conditions. Panelists spoke about their organization's journey in advancing workforce resilience and civic engagement.

Afterward, participants received a first look at the WIN with Business briefs, soon to be released in conjunction with the Surgeon General's report. Participants joined breakout rooms for further thoughtful discussion on brief focus areas before convening back in the main room.
WIN Cooperatives