The Coco Canary Monthly Newsletter

August 2021

Summary: Stop Line 3 (Update), Dakota History Symposium, HFJ’s Giving Project, and more!

Welcome to Coco Canary!

If you’re new here, read this section! Otherwise, skip on down.

Hello from Molly O’Connor, the CEO, and founder of Coco Canary Consulting, LLC (CCC), an evaluation firm.

We are based in St. Paul, MN, and we acknowledge that we are on the stolen lands of the Wahpekute Band of Dakota, who are among the Oceti Sakowin, (“Seven Council Fires”). These people were the first stewards of the lands we occupy, and they are still here. We honor their connection to this land and their ongoing resilience in the face of violent colonialism.

You may ask, how do social justice and racial equity relate to evaluation or communication? Well, from our experience, we have seen evaluations designed and communications reported in ways that harm, undervalue, and take advantage of the communities being served. This is our current status quo, and it is not okay. It has to change. This is why we do our work differently because we want to be a part of the solution, not the problem.

Please visit Community Centric Fundraising for more information. It is a new movement that has inspired thousands (including Coco Canary) to do better. For extra credit, visit Consulting With a Racial Equity Lens too.

A Grounding: Stop Line 3 (Update) Welcome and Walk-in Solidarity with Water Protectors

If you haven’t heard of the Stop Line 3 movement, here is a synopsis:

Line 3 is a proposed pipeline expansion to bring nearly a million barrels of tar sands per day from Alberta, Canada, to Superior, Wisconsin. (FYI, there is a current-day pipeline that is old and corroding, which will be “replaced,” but it is unclear if it will be removed). It was proposed in 2014 by Enbridge, a Canadian pipeline company responsible for the largest inland oil spill in the US. Enbridge seeks to build a new pipeline corridor through untouched wetlands and the treaty territory of Anishinaabe peoples, through the Mississippi River headwaters to the shore of Lake Superior. Line 3 would contribute more to climate change than Minnesota’s entire economy. Minnesota’s own Department of Commerce found our local market does not need Line 3 oil. We need to decommission the old Line 3 and justly transition to a renewable, sustainable economy. Line 3 would violate the treaty rights of Anishinaabe peoples and nations in its path — wild rice is a centerpiece of Anishinaabe culture. It grows in numerous watersheds Line 3 seeks to cross. It’s well past time to end the legacy of theft and destruction of indigenous peoples and territories.

– Stop Line 3’s Website

Since August 7, 2021, water protectors have been traveling by foot. Their journey began 256 miles away, starting from Line 3’s upstream Mississippi River crossing, and they will be arriving in St. Paul this Wednesday, the 25th. Stop Line 3 and Honor the Earth organizers ask folks to welcome them by walking alongside for the final part of the march. I plan to be there—with my friend and bandmate, Matt! Feel free to email or call me to join us. We’ll be meeting at MLK Recreation Center at 12 pm. For more information about this and future events, visit their Facebook page.

They also request folks to call their representatives and keep pushing the Biden Administration to stop Enbridge. “Unless Governor Walz acts, President Biden is running out of time to stop the Enbridge Line 3 tar sands oil pipeline from snaking across northern Minnesota. Take 2 minutes today to call your representative to urge Biden to stop construction on Line 3 and have the project sent back for the federal Environmental Impact Statement the Trump administration skipped over.” Stop Line 3 Turn up for Treaties Not Tar Sands August email

In love and solidarity,

<3 Molly

Business Update

1. Dakota History Symposium: Learning About the History and Culture of the Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota People

Last week, I attended a special event hosted by the Mdewakanton Band of Dakota (you may know them as the “Lower Sioux,” which was their given name from the U.S. Government—FYI, Depending on the person, they may not like to be referred to as “Sioux.” It’s a highly personal preference, so it is important to check in with folks. For example, the Rosebud Sioux Tribe is also known as the Sicangu Oyate, and I’ve met one individual from Rosebud who finds the term “Sioux” offensive.)

This event was called the Dakota History Symposium. The organizers reached out to different Dakota communities (Dakota, Nakota, and Lakota—which are different accents, grounded in a shared language) to build connections and share stories. They also invited non-native folks who wanted to learn about Dakota history and culture. One of my goals moving forward is to learn more about the indigenous communities in my region (and beyond. But, right now, am focusing on my region!). And how to be a better ally. I learned a lot of things at this symposium, but I’ll focus on my key takeaways. 

• Brief History: If you are unaware, most Dakota people are spread across the northern midwest (North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, and even parts of Canada). They were once centrally located near the Mississippi and Minnesota river and watersheds. But that changed as a result of disrespected treaties and the U.S. / Dakota War of 1862. After the war, the U.S. forcibly removed the Dakota people from their homelands. Trials were conducted (in English, with little to no translation, and arguably not a fair trial) to sentence the Dakota men who fought in the war to death, to prison (such as in Davenport, Iowa), or to detainment camps—when we were being told this story at the symposium, they told us we were sitting on the same spot the trials were conducted. The largest mass execution to this date was the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato, MN, after these trials. The women, children, and elders were sent to detainment camps in Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, such as Crow Creek, and more. Little aid was given to them, youth were forced into boarding schools to strip away their Dakota culture, and the new lands where they were displaced did not have very fertile soil, and/or they did not know as much about the local plant and animal life to thrive. Some of these places became “reservations” and have become the new homes for 18 different bands of Dakota (Rosebud, Standing Rock, etc.). This is why the Dakota people are spread across our region, because of forced displacement. I learned that the Mdewakanton (and several others) offers family history services for Dakota relatives who were displaced and want to learn more about their roots. I highly recommend learning more about the history and resiliency of the Dakota people, especially reading and listening from Dakota scholars and elders.
  
  • For the history lessons, I want to thank Mona Rencountre (Crow Creek), Mary Louise Defender-Wilson (Standing Rock), Clifford Canku (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate), Lenor Scheffler-Blaeser (Lower Sioux), and Butch Felix (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate). I also want to thank Cheyanne St. John (Lower Sioux and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe), the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, and the Director of the Cansayapi (“where they mark the trees red”) Cultural Department.

• Ethnobotany: Linda Black Elk (Catawba Nation) was kind enough to lead a plant walk where she shared the cultural, historical, and medicinal significance of native and non-native plants. She shared the fantastic edibility and uses of dandelions and Stinging Nettle, and much more.

• Archery: Jeremy Red Eagle (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) shared the cultural history of the bow and arrow for the Sisseton. I learned that bows and arrows vary in shapes and sizes depending on their uses and that native nations that use bows/arrows all have their own styles. He even gave a lesson where we all got a shot at shooting a stuffed buffalo (and yes, I hit the buffalo!)

• Lacrosse: Will Crawford (Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community) and Mat Pendleton (Lower Sioux Indian Community) shared the historical and cultural significance of lacrosse. I learned that native nations originally developed lacrosse as an alternative to going to war. It was so fun also learning how to play.

One last thing. I wanted to say that the theme of this whole event was historical and cultural preservation via storytelling, documenting via video/audio recording, and hands-on activities. If you are interested in learning more about your region’s native communities, I highly recommend researching local events or cultural centers you can go to to learn more.

Other Business Updates

The Giving Project Final Fundraising Announcement is Live

I have been updating you all on my Giving Project journey for months now. Well, it is over, and the information is finally public. We raised over 250K, which added with an HFJ grant, ended up adding up to over $300K to fund local systems change work. To look at the list of grantees and Giving Project members, visit this page.

If you’re interested in being a part of 2022’s Giving Project cohort, reach out to me! I’d be happy to share my experience and to put in a good word. <3

Molly Will Be On A Panel This Thursday!

I was asked to be a part of a panel through the American Evaluation Association Independent Consulting TIG. The panel is called “Growing your business: A panel discussion with those who have transitioned from part-time to full-time.” Register here to listen in. It is this Thursday at 11 am Central via Zoom.

Personal Update

Molly Was In Washington D.C. AND Had a Great Time!

I think the picture speaks a thousand words of the fun that was had. That is my family (minus my two brothers), and it was the first time we have all been together (not in MN) since, gosh, who knows when?? We played charades, went to museums, ate tasty food, and relaxed while visiting my twin sister (Colleen, who is to the right). I also met with some awesome fellow evaluation professionals, such as Nina Sabarre from Intention to Impact and Setareh “Seti” Mahmoudi!

I look forward to future travels and meeting even more amazing people down the road. 

Let’s Stay Connected!

To keep up to date with my business news, connect or follow me on Linkedin. Don’t forget to follow our newsletter (and share with others), as well! And, of course, if you know of anyone who may benefit from our services, send them our way. Referrals are what make the world go round.

Much love and in solidarity,

Molly O’Connor (she/her/hers)
CEO – Evaluation Specialist
direct: (612) 868-0364
email: moconnor@cococanary.com
website: cococanary.com

Black Lives Matter
Justice for Breonna Taylor, Eric Gardner, George Floyd, Winston “Boogie” Smith, Daunte Wright Jr., Deona Marie, Justice for Elijah McClain (the 2 year anniversary of his passing is today), and many more. Know their names.