We got an email back in April about a poet, musician, and cyclist planning to ride around Lake Superior and talk about a water commons.
Ben Weaver calls Minneapolis home and sets off today to extend his circle and community of care. Since we launched the Great Lakes Commons Charter last June, we remain committed to its aspirational and invitational call. GLC seeks to build a new community of Great Lakes water commoners using the Charter as a catalyst for new connections and leadership.
Ben writes on his website that this will be a "three week circumnavigation of Lake
Superior by bicycle with a vision to unify communities through song, discussion, and storytelling. Acting as a charter bearer to the Great Lakes Commons, I will use their visionary Commons Charter in my performances as an invitation to a broad and inclusive conversation concerning the state of our fresh water."
Great Lakes Commons resonates with artists since we are trying to co-create a new story in water governance. How can we push past the colonial limits of either public or private property, water as only a resource or chemical bond, organizing and education that stops at political boundaries, and stewardship that forgets how water takes care of us.
This new story is being weaved by a growing community of people like Ben. The Commons Charter isn't a petition for governments but an invitation to engage. Visit our Supporters page to see how people are reclaiming their care and leadership.
Ben will be sharing updates from the road on his Facebook page and the Commons Map. Stay connected to his journey and contact us if you are planning (or would like to start planning) a journey of your own.
Surrounding Water Dates
July 10 Bayfield Bike Route, Bay Field, WI, 7PM
July 12 Portage Lake District Library, Houghton, WI - Hosted by Friends of the Land of Keweenaw and Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition 7:30 PM
July 13 Thunder Bay Inn, Bg Bay, MI - Hosted by Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve 7PM
July 14 The Ore Dock, Marquette, MI - Hosted by Save the Wild UP and Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve 7PM
July 17 Lake Superior State University, Cisler Plaza, Sault Ste Marie, MI - Hosted by Great Lakes Group of the Michigan Chapter of the Sierra Club 7PM
July 19 Lake Superior Provincial Park Agawa Bay Campground, Wawa, ON, 8PM
July 22 Sleeping Giant Provincial Park Marie Louise Campground, ON, 7PM
July 23 Baggage Arts Building, Thunder Bay ON, 6PM
July 24 Harbor Park, Grand Marais, MN - Hosted by Superior North Out Door Center and Grand Marais Music Collaborative, 7PM
July 25 Spilt Rock Light House - Hosted by Minnesota Historical Society, Two Harbors, MN, 7PM
July 26 TBA Duluth, MN