The Coco Canary Newsletter

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December 2023

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Summary:

A Grounding, Holiday Artwork, Creative Evaluation Video, Molly in the News, Calls to Action, and more!

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Welcome to Coco Canary!

Hello from Molly C. O’Connor, the principal and founder of Coco Canary Consulting, LLC, a creative evaluation firm.

We are based in St. Paul, MN, and acknowledge that we are on the stolen lands of the Dakota People (specifically 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. Learn how to go beyond a land acknowledgment by reading this guide by the Native Governance Center, their Case Studies page, and donating to an Honor Tax (Mni Sota Honor Tax, for example).

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Art drawn by Molly C. O’Connor

A Grounding

Every day for the last many months, I have been navigating the dichotomy of joy and grief in my mind and body. It is ever-changing, often overlapping in ways that feel new and surprising. Does this resonate? 

Here is a summary of the things that have been causing me grief: 

• The 19,000+ (and rising) number of Palestinian people killed in Gaza by the Zionist Israeli government (funded by the U.S. and other countries), the thousands of Palestinians unjustly imprisoned in Israeli jails, and the continued apartheid that touches the West Bank and all Palestinian people.
• The estimated 1200 Israelis and Foreign Nationals (who were killed in a Hamas-led attack on Oct 7th, 2023), the individuals who are still held hostage in Gaza, and the emotional toll this has had on Jewish folks and the families of the foreign nationals caught in the crossfire. 
• The decades-long humanitarian crisis happening in Congo, the upcoming election, and how the U.S. (and other rich countries) benefit from Congo’s rich natural resources to the detriment of the Congolese people.
  • And honestly, so many other African countries are in similar situations, many of which are a result of the historical impacts of settler colonialism and imperialism. 
• The estimated 100,000+ Ukrainians killed and/or displaced by the Russian Government. 
• The many other countries and peoples where displacement due to humanitarian crises and environmental disasters are ever present, such as Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, Myanmar, Pakistan, Venezuela, Haiti, the Uighurs in China, and so much more.
• And, of course, the continued oppressive systems in place that continue to negatively impact the lives of Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, Arab, and other people of color in the USA (and beyond).

This image is from an MSN news story, and the original media was provided by a CBS Minnesota news story titled: Carolers sing for ceasefire outside Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s Minneapolis home. ©Provided by CBS Minnesota updated website

Here is a summary of the things that have been giving me joy: 

• I went to a Ceasefire Carol Protest led by CeaseFireCarols – Twin Cities on Sunday, Dec 17th (see image above). This was my first one, but I have been in awe watching from afar. I was so happy to finally make one, and I am so grateful for the amazing community organizers making this happen. I highly recommend checking them out! They are happening nationwide; find them on Instagram @ceasefirecarols, TikTok @Blanchomp, and Twitter/X @blanchedk.
  • Learn more about Christian Zionism and how you (and/or your Christian ancestors) are likely a part of it. Thanks, Teresa Butel, for sharing the article with me!

• Building new (and old) friendships grounded in shared values and mindful intentions. Recently, the moments when I felt most connected and genuinely happy were with friends and family with whom I could be my full, authentic self. This year, I have been taking explicit steps to spend more time with people who “fill my cup.” I have also been taking mindful action (thanks to my therapist!) to detangle and rebuild how I want to be in relationship with friends and family whom I love dearly and yet have developed unhealthy patterns and behaviors with over the years. <3

• Making art is beautiful and healing.  When I need to feel more grounded or need to make sense of the senseless, art is what helps me metabolize this most. And, honestly, I forget this resource and can end up in a really dark place sometimes. Recently, the art I have been doing has been drawing,  knitting, and singing—Check out my recent open mic with my dear friend, Ilse Griffin. And, see below in the Personal Update section an image of my annual holiday card/cartoon.

Black Lives Matter. A Non-Exhaustive List. Justice For:

Native-Led Movement News and Calls to Action

• Consider making a year-end donation to the Mni Sota Honor Tax
• Check out the Healing Histories Project’s amazing Timeline. Here’s the link for the Timeline with the Indigenous Filter.

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A screenshot of Sully and I’s presentation, “Advancing Equity Through Storytelling & Community Voice: A Creative Evaluation Story“

Business Update

Watch a Video of Sully Moreno and I Talking About Creative Evaluation In Practice

In November, Sully Moreno, from Culture Shift Consulting, and I led a virtual presentation titled, “Advance Equity Through Storytelling & Community Voice: A Creative Evaluation Story.” This is the same presentation we did in front of 60+ people at the 2023 American Evaluation Association Conference: The Power of Story. We decided to give a virtual presentation for the folks who couldn’t attend in person, as well as to have it as a resource on the Coco Canary Website’s Creative Evaluation page. Find the video here or click the button below.

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Other Business Updates

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Personal Update

A Wedding Engagement and Sweet Wishes to You All

Each year, I draw a cartoon—inspired by real-life events—that then gets placed in my holiday card. This year, I drew a cartoon depicting, my partner, Michael, and I getting our engagement photos. We are accompanied by Michael’s father (who took our photos in real life), and his mother.

Though our engagement photos were taken in a local park, I decided to place ourselves in an Oak Savanna for this year’s card. Oak Savanna’s are sacred places to me, and it felt right to place ourselves in one. 

And, yes, we have a date for our wedding. It will be in May 2024. 😉

So much love to you all.

In Community,

– Molly

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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.

In community,

Molly O’Connor (she/her/hers)
Founder, Principal Consultant, and Creative Evaluator
direct: (612) 868-0364
email: moconnor@cococanary.com
website: cococanary.com

Black Lives Matter