The Coco Canary Monthly Newsletter
September 2021
Summary: Stop Line 3 (Sept Update & Call to Action), An Economic Development Reflection, Open for Work in 2022, 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 Solidarity Walk Recap, “CODE RED” Announcement, & Call to Action
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
On Wednesday, August 25th, an estimated 2000 water protectors gathered outside the Minnesota State Capitol building to protest against the Line 3 tar sands pipeline. Indigenous leaders spoke, led ceremonies, and gave gifts to those who walked the entire 250-mile journey. Local community organizers stood in solidarity, and some state elected officials spoke out to Stop Line 3. It was a beautiful sight, though there was and still is silence from Govenor Walz and our senators
The Stop Line 3 leaders have issued a “CODE RED” announcement: “Today, Enbridge announced that the new Line 3 pipeline will be fully operational by October 1st.” From the Line 3 Turns on This Week, Resistance Continues email
“In as soon as three weeks, oil will likely be flowing through our precious wetlands—threatening the very way of life of our people. Enbridge is already causing ongoing destruction from a hurried and reckless pipeline construction. Water protectors keep documenting new, unremediated spills of drilling fluid in our rivers and wild rice territory. Enbridge has even already been fined $3.2 million for damaging an aquifer.” From the Stop Line 3 White Earth Code Red Article
If you haven’t already, please contact the Governor’s office, Senators Klobuchar and Smith ((651) 296-0504 or senate.information@senate.mn), or President Biden and tell them that they need to Stop Line 3. And that they should require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete a Full Environmental Impact Statement before the pipeline is allowed to operate. I’ve already called and sent messages, will you?
In love and solidarity,
<3 Molly
Business Updates
1. My Reflections (And Stumbles) on How to Promote Equity and Power Shifting in Economic Development
For the last several years, I have had the opportunity to participate in economic development work as a participant, community leader, and now external consultant (see July Newsletter for a brief description of my work). At the same time, I’ve been learning and unlearning how to authentically build more equity and justice into my practice. While also coming to terms and slowly dismantling the white supremacy tendencies I hold as an individual.
This summer, I attended a virtual Strategic Doing (SD) event for external consultants (BTW, I am a certified SD Practioner). The intention for this event was for external consultants to network and to learn from each other. In this first meeting, we set up goals for what we want to explore and learn for future meetings. I wanted to hear people’s perspectives on power dynamics (as the external consultant and working with predominantly governmental or white-led organizations). I noticed that everyone whose camera was on had white privilege (and mainly were older males). And, when folks were sharing their economic development experiences, I couldn’t help but wonder how much internal work they have done regarding equity and power dynamics. Several stories shared felt hollow and like they did not include the fuller context.
One person shared a “success story” of how they helped develop a higher-end apartment complex with commercial spaces in an urban lower-income neighborhood. I pushed them and asked questions like: how involved was the local community in the project? In the planning, was the team mindful of how this could cause displacement and gentrification? Did this project result in gentrification? Did you have a relationship or were in communication with the local native communities?” He didn’t have much to say except they put a few low-income housing units into the apartment complex.
When we got into small groups, we wrote out ideas for topics to talk about in future meetings. I shared that I believe SD practitioners need to have more conversations and training about our place in white supremacy, colonialism, imperialism, and power dynamics. My group was pretty quiet after that. In the big group, someone from our breakout room shared our interests, including mine (but written a bit less bluntly), and no one said anything. No one seemed to think it was much of a concern. And, in the end, our future goals for these meetings did not include my ideas, which made me sad because I was looking forward to having a community to dig deep into these challenging topics.
For anyone reading this, if you know of any individuals or groups who do EQUITABLE economic development, I would love if you could direct me to them (or connect me!). As an evaluator, I am not planning to have economic development as my main gig, but it seems like I end up in this space a lot. And I would love to learn from folks who have had similar thoughts and experiences as myself.
2. Looking for Contracts, Partnerships, and Consulting Opportunities for 2022
I am booked for 2021 and into early 2022, but I wanted to say that I am looking for evaluation contracts or subcontracts in 2022. For next year, I want to be intentional about three things:
- Who I Work With: I am interested in working with people who have shared and/or similar values. Especially with equity, healthy work/life balance, and an intention of having fun!
- Seeking Collaborative Projects: I am interested in collaborating with consultants, agencies, or clients on projects.
- I Want To Learn & Grow: I am interested in projects and people that will keep pushing me.
If you are someone who is looking for (or knows someone who is looking for): a reliable (and fun!) evaluator, subcontractor, or thought partner, then please get in touch!
Email: moconnor@cococanary.com
Other Business Updates
Molly was on a panel (watch it here)!
I was asked to be a part of a panel through the American Evaluation Association Independent Consulting TIG. The event was called “Growing your business: A panel discussion with those who have transitioned from part-time to full-time.”
If you are interested in learning more about this topic (or, as my Mom will do, skip to my parts!), then check it out here.
Coco Canary will be a panelist at a Minnesota Evaluation Association event! Oct 14th, 4 pm – 5 pm. Register here.
I will be a panelist and guest for an event called “Meet the Local Evaluation Firms: Small Organizations and Independent Consultants.” I will speak for 5-minutes about my org and what I do, and then we will break out into rooms where participants can go from room to room. It’s supposed to be a casual event, and I would be happy for you to join!
Check Out Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Equity’s Latest Report, Mismatched: Philanthropy’s Response to the Call for Racial Justice
Here’s one of many findings from the report: “In 2018, the last year for which fully complete grants data are available, only 6 percent of philanthropic dollars supported racial equity work and only 1 percent supported racial justice work.”
Read the rest of the report here!
AMAZING trainings by the talented Becky Schueller
Becky has openings for her popular trainings this Fall. I’d highly recommend checking them out. She is a fantastic human who deeply cares about helping people and authentically shows up to promote equity and justice.
October
- Managing Up: Developing Workplace Communication Skills to Maximine Staff Well-Being & Client Outcomes ($65/person. One 2.5 hour workshop on either Oct 26th or Oct 28th)
- Supervision & Performance Appraisal ($400/person. 2-week course starting Oct 4th)
November
- Grant Writing Readiness: Build Your Team Capacity ($360/person. 2-week course starting Nov 8th)
December
- Conflict Management & Communication Skills ($65/person. One 3-hour workshop. Several date options)
Personal Update
A Photo Collage of the Fun that was had in September 2021
September was a busy month for me, not as much for work but for spending time with friends and family. I camped a lot, explored a felsenmeer, attended my first-ever overnight festival (Boats & Bluegrass), went for a lot of walks, made pasties with my partner’s family, and more! I am feeling grateful to have health and such a loving community.
Photo Descriptions: (Top left) Molly rolling out pasty dough with her partner’s father. (Top right) Molly’s partner posing on top of a bluff in SE MN. (Bottom left) Friends and people in kayaks and canoes listening to a bluegrass band on the water. (Bottom middle) Friend standing at the Northern Terminus of the Superior Hiking Trail. (Bottom right) Molly and a friend posing in the bottom of a felsenmeer
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, Jamar Clark, Philando Castille, Winston “Boogie” Smith, Daunte Wright Jr., and many more. Know their names.
