Introduction: Fern Sarquiz
Fern Sarquiz grew up in Montpelier, Vermont on the unceded land and ancestral territory of Abenaki. She grew up amongst the maples, pines and birch trees. Fern Holds a B.A from Prescott College in Social Justice and Adventure Education. Her studies and mentors helped guide her towards understanding the complex political, ecological and social landscapes of life through a lens of interconnectedness. The work Fern is engaged in is critical, it involves carefully questioning and detangling the long projects of Colonialism and Capitalism. She believes that in the face of uncertainty and particularly unsettling times we must learn how to divest from systems that are meant to keep us separate from each other and the land. She believes in praxis that acknowledges the uncomfortable tension and friction as a prelude to the flame of change that can spark new growth. She sees the potential for deeper care by examining our relationship to the ecology of a particular place. Fern is most curious about the ways in which people discover a sense of belonging within themselves and in connection to the land and non-human world. Fern leads with her curious hands and her energetic heart; She loves to play, dance and clown around. As a new member of the Groundwork Team, Fern is looking forward to co-collarborting a story of song and seed. She is particularly passionate about the stories and songs that the plants tell us. She encourages all of us to give our ears a good cleaning and make a plant friend to listen to.