Reflecting on an inspiring experience from this morning. On my run down by Lake Ontario, there is an indigenous encampment drawing attention to consequences of Bill C-5 (One Canadian Economy Act) and a variety of outstanding Treaty issues.
I said hello and thanked them for the beautiful smell of sage that was filling the air, after which an Elder invited me over to smudge. Grateful for the gift, we began speaking about different issues pertaining to their grievances (very legitimate, centuries old grievances).
It opened an opportunity to speak to the Elder and a couple of others about Bitcoin and the potential for economic sovereignty (and by extension, other forms of sovereignty). I told them about the work my colleagues Suman Kumar and nostr:npub1zvu0wuq4rf5839sangchz8h7rq6ejp22zhvn8sncwc3eaq987qds66w2ya are doing to nurture dialogue and learning about Bitcoin with Cree community members in the province of Quebec.
The beautiful thing: they got it. The concepts resonated. They were interested to learn more. I’ll be going back to speak with them again and to share some resources.
It reminded me that a myriad of groups, communities, nations stand to benefit from the opportunity Bitcoin presents to (figuratively) bulldoze gates, fences, and enforcers that prevent them from achieving autonomy and sovereignty.
I we can find more openings and opportunities to engage First Nations, Inuit, and other native communities throughout the Americas regarding Bitcoin. We, the creator’s children, and future generations, all stand to benefit.
