Showing posts with label school. Show all posts

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Let's Re-Imagine Granville Island🎨🖌️🧑‍🍳🏡😎

🌱 Imagine This: A Regenerative Tiny House & Artist Studio Village for All

By Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita

For years, I’ve dreamed of a place where people live with dignity, creativity, and connection. A place where we don't just survive but thrive together—where our homes nourish us, our hands build the future, and every generation is valued. It’s time to Repair Suburbia—not just lawns and landscapes, but the broken systems that isolate, impoverish, and waste.

Inspired by the “Repair Suburbia” vision and the urgent need for solutions in BC—especially for unhoused people, artists, Elders, and struggling families—I propose the creation of a Tiny House & Artist Studio Village, powered by community, sustainability, and education.

🌻 What Would It Look Like?

A thriving, eco-minded village where:

🌿 Tiny houses are built with reclaimed, natural, or prefabricated materials
🎨 Artist studios provide spaces for creation, workshops, and healing expression
🌽 Food gardens and edible landscapes feed the people, support pollinators, and teach growing skills
💧 Rainwater catchment, canals, compost bins, and solar reduce waste and reliance on failing systems
🍲 A JB Soul Kitchen-style community café welcomes all to eat with dignity—pay-what-you-can, or volunteer
🔥 Shared fire circles bring us together for storytelling, music, and truth-sharing

🧠 What Would It Teach?

A community-based school would offer hands-on, intergenerational, land-based learning, such as:

🔨 Tiny house building and repair skills
🧵 Sewing, mending, upcycling, and fibre arts
🌱 Growing, harvesting, preserving, cooking, and seed saving
🌀 Ancestral knowledge: Indigenous Elders sharing wisdom on land, justice, and ceremony
💬 Mental health and art therapy for youth and families
🎓 Classes where kids learn to grow food and care for Elders, reclaiming empathy and responsibility

💡 How Would It Support Itself?

This village wouldn’t be a burden—it would be an investment in a regenerative future. Here's how:

💸 Sliding-scale workshops and tours open to the public
🎭 Art markets and performances from resident creatives
🛠 Trades and skills training tied to BC’s green economy goals
🍽 The café supports itself through donations, local produce, and community sponsorships
🤝 Mentorship and apprenticeships lead to jobs and microbusinesses
🏛 Philanthropic support from BC’s millionaires and billionaires, who want to see real change with their wealth
🌍 Grants, impact investors, Indigenous partnerships, and land trusts to secure the land and model

✨ Why Now?

Because Granville Island needs ideas. Because youth need homes and hope. Because Elders are isolated, artists are priced out, and land is being wasted while people sleep in the cold.

Because BC’s wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few—and it’s time to redistribute care, not just capital.

📣 Calling All Allies

If you're a philanthropist, a landholder, a policymaker—or just a human with heart—we need you. We need space, supplies, support, and solidarity. Help us prototype a village that heals, teaches, and inspires.

Contact me via my blogs or social channels:
📧 Tina Winterlik on Blogger
🎨 Instagram: @zipolita
💬 Or message me directly—let’s build this dream, together.

🌎 Let’s not wait for permission. Let’s just begin.

This isn’t utopia. It’s right relationship. It’s what happens when we choose people over profit, beauty over greed, and dignity over disposability.

Will you help us make it real?

Saturday, January 9, 2016

Powerful Words- Powerful Women- Poetry in MOTION!!

3 Girls Perform 'Somewhere In America'
3 girls went on national television and raised the bar for America. Fearless...
Posted by Omeleto on Thursday, January 7, 2016

THE POWER OF SPOKEN WORD SPEAKING TRUTH BY YOUTH!

Saturday, June 27, 2015

"This isn't Dances with Salmon you know!!"

Updated!
What does it mean to be young and ~~aboriginal~~ Indigneous in 2015?

http://www.cbc.ca/radio/newfire/what-does-it-mean-to-be-young-and-aboriginal-in-2015-1.3127619

"There are a lot of stereotypes out there - something host Lisa Charleyboy has experienced first hand. A self-described 'urban native girl' living in Vancouver, Lisa is often asked to prove just how 'native' she is... by both indigenous and non-indigenous peoples. "

"This isn't Dances with Salmon you know!!"

Wow, been years since I have seen this movie, I am going to watch it tonight!! This is so sad here...but I love it! Having been raised being told I was a French Canadian Indian, I said to my mom one day, when I was trying to understand my heritage because I wanted to explain it to my child.

I said "Mom, who's the French, who's the Canadian, and who's the Indian?" she laughed. No, no, no, my dear, they are all one. She was speaking about my Metis heritage. But it had something to do with the census or something and they weren't allowed to write...something and that's how it was written down. That's what I remember. My mom has passed and I don't have too much info.

But I do know my Great Great Grandma was Songhee and then I believe it was my Great Grandpa that was Metis or it was my Grandma- it's confusing as the archives are hard to figure out and my aunt said it was the Grandpa but I think the archives show it was my grandma...anyways it's in there.

So what will it be like for my daughter to grow up with First Nations heritage in 2015.
Well one thing is, she was honored in a lovely ceremony for Graduating Grade 7. It was called a Moving On Ceremony and it was very thoughtful and meaningful and I felt very blessed we went to it.

I have taken Angel to the Pipeline Rally and The Coast is Toast so she has a good understanding of how everything is playing out in this world. We followed Burnaby Mountain closely, she's heard of the Highway of Tears and about the trauma caused by the horrific crimes against children in the Residential schools.

I explained about Paige and we both were very heartbroken and sad that a child was treated this way.
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.ca/2015/05/who-will-save-paiges-wtf-when-will-it.html

What part my child will play in it all this only the future knows.

What I do know is she loves nature and cares deeply about it and people. I just pray that we get it together and change things so that she can grow up in a healthier place with no GMO, no more Global Warming, a greener world..that she will be one of The Changerz http://thechangerz.blogspot.ca/

That's what I hope for her. And not one where you need to prove your First Nations or Aboriginal which one person at the Moving on Ceremony said is a misnomer because was are ALL Indigenous!! We need to all work together to save mankind and the inhabitants of the Earth, because we need the Earth, she doesn't need us.

http://natureisspeaking.org/mothernature.html

One thing I know, she'd definitely turn down any blood money from Kinder Morgan in the form of a scholarship. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/kinder-morgan-donation-scholarships-refused-by-kwantlen-students-1.3129523 #StopKinderMorgan #StopThePipeline #NoTankers #SaveOurCoast
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Update: Friday June 26, 2015

I felt that this article is super important and so I wanted to add it here.
Note: Be sure to listen to the podcast!

'Miss Indian, what?'
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/newfire/what-does-it-mean-to-be-young-and-aboriginal-in-2015-1.3127619/miss-indian-what-1.3130118

Thursday, January 8, 2015

These Youth Are Awake, Are You?

Well Spoken!! Something we all need to hear!

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Info Overload is more about Filtering- Check it Out!!

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2013
zipolita@gmail.com
http://zipolitazstudioz.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

Wow, listen to this great talk by Clay Shirky and how information overload has been around since the 1500's but it's how the filters work that mess us up.

Then check out the video below because there's some interesting info shared about the education system and how the information systems are colliding in a serious way and someone needs to figure out how to solve it.

Clay Shirky http://shirky.com/
He studies the effects of the internet on society.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

The Growing Young Farmers Society

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

This I found in my Linkedin. I would love to start one of these at the school beside us. Many of you that know me and follow this blog, know that I love the whole Edible Schoolyard program in Berkley California. I don't understand why every school isn't doing it.

Anyways here's one that getting started on Vancouver Island. Remember we went WOOF'ing over in Duncan last year. It was a very rewarding experience for both my daughter and myself.

Check out the info and links below.

http://growingyoungfarmers.ca/

https://www.facebook.com/GrowingYoungFarmersSociety/info

We create weekly interactions for school children at chemical-free food growing areas, on and off school grounds, where they grow and produce food hands on.

Mission

1) Educating youth about food security issues.
2) Providing youth with hands on opportunities to learn how to grow healthy and organic food.
3) Developing programs that empower youth to take a proactive positive roles in their communities food system.
4) Creating and encouraging community partnerships as foundations for sustainable agriculture.

Company Overview

We create weekly interactions for school children at chemical-free food growing areas, on and off school grounds, where they grow and produce food hands on.
The GYF Society is dedicated to educating youth about food security issues, providing them with hands-on opportunities to learn how to grow healthy
and environmentally friendly food and to developing programs empowering youth to take proactive, positives roles in food production and society.

Growing Young
Farmers Society

7159 Wallace Drive
Brentwood Bay, BC
Canada
V8M 1G9
David Friend, Founder
davefriend@friendlyorganics.ca
1.250.704.6602

Friday, December 7, 2012

Life Goes On & Money is Not the Object!

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
zipolita@gmail.com
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

If money were no object...What would you do with your life? Are you doing it?

Finally I am. When I was young I remember a time, I think I was nearly 14 or so, and I wanted a pair of Lee jeans. My father had passed away when I was 11, and my mom had gone through terribly tough times. She could not afford to get me the jeans I wanted and I had to have a cheaper brand which made me unhappy.

I remember it being dark and cold and wet and we were walking, it was winter. We had moved, my mom had not learned to drive, (yet-she was in her 40's but she would :) ) and we had to go get the groceries, and I was just a grumpy teen with an attitude. I remember saying to myself, "I'm never going to be poor, never!!"

Life went on. I really disliked school, I couldn't wait to finish. All I wanted to do was art, but I was told I could not do that and I better think of something esle. I hated math and science and that made me want out of school even more because I did very poorly in these subjects and it gave me a terrible attitude :(.

Life goes on. I manage to graduate and I take any job I can get. They are labour jobs, on farms and in factories. It's all about the money, I work at horrible jobs and hurt myself with long hours (tendonitis) so that I can bring in the $1000 check every two weeks so that I can buy stuff...but I'm not happy.

Life goes on. I save my money. I have quit my job, I go to Mexico for 3 months and travel. I see the life I think I want but I can't get it because I think I don't have the money and now can't do labour work because my body is broken.

Life goes on. I go to college because everyone says it's the answer. Inspite of canceled programs and delays I graduate from a photography program. I get my dream job on a cruiseship- it was my dream but I quickly realize it has a darkside. Instead, I go to work for a mapping corporation, working ridiculous long hours and graveyards to boot. I'm sick mentally because I don't sleep and all I think about is the money and paying my bills.

Life goes on. I lose my job. Downsizing. I'm devastated. I escape. I travel and do photography. I'm healing. I'm making art. I am happy!

Life goes on. I take web design so I can share my photos and hopefully sell them online. There's a dot.com crash and my program seems useless. My life seems pointless.

Life goes on. I go to Mexico and try to do web design there. There's a fire, my camera burns when my cabana burns in big fire in the town I'm staying. In a strange way it's a cleansing. I meet someone, I'm in love. I have new dreams and hopes where previously I was at the end of my rope. I learn to paint. I paint many many watercolours. I am creating and I am happy!

Life goes on. I go home, I'm offered a job for a lot of money in the states. I turn it down, I want a baby. I'm nearly 40. The man in Mexico offered to have a baby with me. I go back, 9/11 happens. There's no people or work in the town where I want to live with my partner in Mexico. The relationship ends. But I get God's greatest gifts, I get pregnant. I go home to Canada. I'm super happy. I'm creating but in a whole new way ;) LOL :D

Life goes on. I am poor in money. My mom is happy but unhappy, she knows the struggle I am in for. I am naive. I think it can handle it. It's a good attitude but hard times will take it's toll. But still I am happy.

Life goes on. I struggle. But I have my child and I am happy! We are learning and creating together.

Life goes on. I have a friend that helps be the father figure for Angel but neither he nor her father can help me financially. I am on my own. I am poor in money but rich in health, love and family.

Life goes on. I lose my mom. She always had my back. I am very lost for awhile..a long while.... True friends and family rally around me. My child inspires me and creativity helps me thru. I count my blessings, I am rich in creativity, love and family.


Photos by Tina Winterlik aka Zipolita © 2007

Life goes on. I learn that family is the most important. I learn to re-focus. I learn the value of the simple things in life. I want to share these simple things with my child. I realize all the wonderful things I have to be grateful for. Miracles happen and I am blessed when Angel's father helps so I can travel to Mexico for the winter. I take her on a journey to discover her culture, country and language We live by ourselves in a room we rent from our friends and live very simply and are happy!

Life goes on. A small amount of money from my mom's estate allows Angel and I to travel to Mexico again so she can connect with her dad and learn more of the language, culture and country. We spend another winter.

Life goes on. My child is my muse. I take tons of photos and teach myself to make slideshows and videos. I learn to blog and share my thoughts and ideas. I take a few free courses and I learn everything I can on the internet. It's a huge library full of positive energy if you seek it. I learn about Social Media. I learn about so many things, gardens, cob houses, sustainability, education, how the outside world affected my life and why things happened. How people are uniting to change the world. How Social Media is causing and creating that change. How there are many people like me. I watch alot of videos. I learn to make a lot of videos. I am creating, I am blogging, I am sharing. I am happy!

Life goes on. I am 50. I am riding my bike around Stanley Park, enjoying the gorgeous forest and fresh air. I am giving thanks to God and all the positive powers. I am appreciating all my experiences (the good and the bad and giving thanks ) when I meet someone who will teach me to paint oils. I am blessed. Positive feelings and creativity envelope me all while I struggle but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I am Rich in creativity and spirit.

Life goes on. I get some web design and social media work. I sell some paintings. We go pack away all our things and go WWOOF'ing. (Work on an Organic Farm in exchange for food and shelters.) We have really interesting experiences. True life experiences. Some really great, some not so great. We learn to accomodate and I demonstrate these skills to my child. We are rich in togetherness, health and knowledge of sustainability. We are rich in community and learning the skills to values others difference and to compromise and get along.

Life goes on. We return to Mexico for the 3rd time, there has been a hurricane, the town has recovered but there are few tourists. There's no one here but we love it, we get to know all the locals. Many remember us. It's like coming home. I help people with videos, websites and social media so they can tell the world all is well and to come and vacation in their paradise. I build and awesome portfolio and pay it forward many times. We are poor in money but we are all poor in money together and yet we are Rich in Spirit!!

Life goes on. I'm happy. I am creating all the time. I am helping others, sharing with others and they are sharing with me and they are happy. I am realizing I am not poor, I am rich. Rich in creativity, in happiness, in health. Things are happening. Things are getting better. Miracles are happening...everyday. I realize I am richer than the richess (money) people.

Life goes on. I realize I want a little cob house, raised bed gardens, a composting system, a pop bottle green house. I pray and project. I am going to make it happen. We are going to have a dog, cat, a few chickens and some rabbits. We live by the ocean and eat fresh fish. This is where I want to live, this is where my child wants to live. We have an adopted family and life is simple and full of love and generousity. I want to share my knowledge with all my family and friends here and everywhere. I want to be self-sustaining and to share this knowledge. I want money to "NOT" be the object.

Life goes on. It's has taken me nearly half my life, 50 years (as I plan to live to 108 ;), to figure out - Money is not the object. We live a very simple life with our friends in Mexico. We are blessed with miracles. My child and I have a new motto "This is the best day ever, and tomorrow will be even better!" We are rich and money is not the object and SHE KNOWS IT! Do your kids know it? Do you?

Life goes on. I am doing what I want!! And money is not the object.

P.s. One thing in this video that caught my eye is it shows Burrard Bridge, I've walked that bridge hundreds of times. Too funny :D
Related links :
Adventurez in Mexico http://adventurezinmexico.blogspot.mx/

Zipolita's Web Design & Social Mediaz http://zipolitazwebdezign.blogspot.mx/

Zipolita'z Paintingz http://zipolitazpaintingz.blogspot.mx/

Friday, March 23, 2012

Abdul Sattar Edhi -"No religion is higher than humanity"

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2012
http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/#!/zipolita @zipolita
http://gplus.to/zipolita Google+

Monday, April 18, 2011

The Edible Schoolyard

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2011

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com

Hi Everyone, Happy Monday Morning, it's a fairly nice day here in Vancouver B.C. some blue sky with fluffy white clouds. This week is a really wonderful week, we have Good Friday, Easter and Earth Day.

Angel came up with something last night she said we can call Friday, "Good Earth Day" I thought that was very Cool!

So we can Say "Happy Good Earth Day" To everyone on Friday.

So I would like to ask you to do me a big favor and read my post before this Change the Education System http://goo.gl/s7lnt and watch the video "RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms"

And then read this post as well.

Please all the Canadian Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers, Guardians, Teachers and anyone involved in the Education System out there, consider carefully if the government you are about to elect would even consider implementing such important strategies.

I truly believe "It's time". We need to tell them what we want, and get them to promise to do it.

The experts say we have all the solutions, we just need to apply them "collectively!" What's your point of view?

The Garden

The Edible Schoolyard garden is a thriving acre of land on school grounds that serves as an interactive garden classroom for students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Berkeley, California.

In the spring of 1995, an abandoned lot adjacent to the school was designated as the garden site. Landscape architects, chefs, gardeners, and teachers were invited to share their vision of a garden where students would participate in hands-on learning. 12 years later, the acre of land is lush with seasonal vegetables, herbs, vines, berries, flowers, and fruit trees.

King Middle School teachers and the garden staff work together to link garden experiences with students’ science lessons for truly integrated experiential learning.

The garden is carefully planned to grow a wide variety of seasonal produce that favors the Bay Area climate; it shifts and changes from season to season, as we seed, grow, harvest, and rotate crops with new groups of students each year.

Students harvest and prepare produce as part of their garden and kitchen classes. However, produce grown in the garden is not used for school lunch.

Learn more about the impact of this program and its connection to school lunch reform at the Chez Panisse Foundation website.

Change the Education System

Blog post by Tina Winterlik © 2011

http://tinawinterlik.blogspot.com

Please watch this great video about the way we Educate!

RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

This animate was adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert and recipient of the RSA's Benjamin Franklin award.

For more information on Sir Ken's work visit: http://www.sirkenrobinson.com