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We are lucky, those of us in Fair Trade, we get to see, every day, through the eyes of others around the world whose cultures are very different from ours. We get to engage in diversity and learn about different visions of how humans engage in the world and with nature. I find that so nurturing but I am constantly challenged to lay down my western conditioning and allow for their perspective and deep knowledge to filter in and change me.

People often say to me, “you have done so much for Nepal,” to which my only response is, “and they have done so much for us.” The folks we work with in Nepal have changed how I walk in the world. They have allowed me to be more fluid, more accepting and more present in the moment. From a Western perspective work in Nepal can be frustrating at times as weddings, festivals, planting fields and time for mourning don’t always fall into our shipment schedules or even seasons of selling. But amazingly, the work all gets done and life is allowed to dominate instead of timelines. This is the beauty that has been shared with me. And for that, I am incredibly grateful.

I have, through these past 35+ years working in Nepal, watched as Westerners have come in and tried to set up small “factories” with a 9-5 schedule to “help” Nepalis by giving them “work”. I have seen many of these attempts fail in a flurry of frustration on both sides. I’ve tried to explain that there are rhythms in Nepal that need to be respected and honored. They are far from “lazy” or “not committed to work”. They instead understand the balance of combining family, spiritual and cultural needs with work. Letting the rhythm happen while working together requires trust and knowing that they understand what they need to be whole. There is a deeper process at work than just coming to do a “job.” Forcing them into a Western perspective of “work first” then “life” doesn’t work in these ancient and rich cultures. We can learn a lot from that rhythm.

I just finished reading a great book called “Sandtalk-How Indigenous Thinking Can Save The World” by Aboriginal scholar Tyson Yunkaporta where he addresses so much of this. He exposes how in the West, we often go into solving a problem by “doing” before understanding and before respecting the deep relationships and cultural knowledge that exist and need to be honored before we even begin to act. My experience in Nepal continually teaches me how true this is. I believe that one aspect of the success of our business has been because we have listened and learned and connected deeply with those we work with before taking action.

This is all to say that as we engage in the “work” of Fair Trade we need to constantly be reminded to step back and learn from our partners and understand that our Western way of being in the world is only one perspective. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to learn the richness of connection through our maker partners each day. If we are open to their teachings and wisdom, it can carry us into a much more connected and community-oriented, a more “life” oriented way of being in the world and hopefully one that is more sustainable for all.

Thanks for being a part of our community!
Namaste, Denise

Tyson Yunkaporta’s protocol, from an indigenous perspective, when approaching an issue is as follows:

· First: RESPECT- “this is aligned with values and protocols of introduction setting rules and boundaries. This is the work of your spirit, your gut”
· Second: CONNECT-“is about establishing strong relationships and routines of exchange that are equal for all…This is the work of the heart”
· Third: REFLECT- “is about thinking as part of the group and collectively establishing a shared body of knowledge to inform what you will do. This is the work of the head”
· Finally comes the doing: DIRECT- “is about acting on that shared knowledge in ways that are negotiated by all. This is the work of the hands.”

It is his feeling that “community and connection over individualism and fragmentation-and cultivating respect for the land-can address the urgent challenges we face.”

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