Three students sitting in the doorway of the Operation Take Two workspace in Kelowna, BC.

Our collective is founded on principles of justice, equity, and community.

We take an intersectional approach to the environmental movement, guided by the wisdom of Sankofa.  

Sankofa is a symbol and word from the Akan people in what is now known as Ghana. It roughly means, “go back and get it.” It’s represented by a bird who flies forward with an egg—the future—in their mouth while looking back at where they have come from—the past.

It teaches us the importance of taking a holistic view, learning wisdom from history and our ancestors and always taking into consideration the impact on the future. 

We use this philosophy to ground our work.

Through our projects, resources, and community, we strive to co-create a sustainable and equitable world for us all.

MISSION

To co-create intersectional sustainability.

Sustainability means a liveable world for all of us. We strive to centre communities pushed to the margins to foster sustainability. Through accessible action, knowledge sharing, and community bridging, we work to leave no one behind.

VISION

Rethink land. Rethink economy. Rethink action.

We cannot keep relying on the same systems that created our problems. We seek to shift how we view environmental action by centring Indigenous land sovereignty, encouraging new methods of production, and dismantling social inequities.

VALUES

Anti-oppression. Pro-liberation.

We recognize our oppressions and liberation as interlinked. We strive to support the liberation of communities pushed to the margins and actively work against all oppressive systems. 

  • Anti: capitalism, racism, colonialism, patriarchy, ableism, sexism, sanism, zionism.

  • Pro: Indigenous land sovereignty, decolonization, Black liberation, Palestinian liberation, feminism, queer-trans liberation, disability justice, abolition, and liberation movements led by other communities pushed to the margins.

Meet the Team

Keneisha Charles is a Black non-binary person.

Kendred Charles

(they/them)

Director of Operations & Outreach

Kendred is a social worker, community organizer, and writer who strives to dream and co-create liberation through all they do. They’re passionate about climate justice, abolition, and community care and aim to center youth, particularly Black, queer, trans, and disabled folks in their work. Kendred studied social work, disability studies, and Caribbean studies at Toronto Metropolitan University and now works as a registered social worker.

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T Schwabb is a white non-binary person.

T Schwab

(they/she)

Director of Education & Research

T Schwab is currently studying Psychology and Environmental Studies. They currently live on the unceded Coast Salish territories of the Lkwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples in what’s commonly known as Victoria. Their passions lie in holistic care, food sovereignty, and sustainability.

Instagram | LinkedIn

Aaliyah Charles is a Black woman.

Aaliyah Charles

(she/her)

Director of Communications & Graphic Designer

Aaliyah is an artist passionate about visual storytelling and the intersections of art and activism. She is an aspiring graphic designer. She currently lives on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe, Mississaugas, and Haudenosaunee in what’s commonly known as Toronto.

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