The Film

“I feel this film effectively catalyzes a “kindness container” around the difficult issues of the poly-crisis. There’s real heart to it. The short length of the film I think also has something to do with this result; it’s just enough time, spanning the arc of the problems, the realness of some of us trying to grapple with the emotional complexity of it, and the hopeful aspects at the end.”

Since 2017, the Centre for Local Prosperity has conducted retreats at the historic Thinkers Lodge with invited groups of Thinkers from around the world to engage in deep and brave conversations about both the climate and nuclear crises.  Content from these past retreats can be viewed under the Climate Change tab at www.centreforlocalprosperity.ca.

Thinkers undertook critical conversations to find courage to grasp the losses of the Great Unraveling with clarity and explored pathways and actions for a new role for humanity on our planet.

In 2023, an onsite and virtual Thinkers Reunion resulted in a 30 minute documentary film entitled From a Great Unraveling towards a Great Turning. The film is being scheduled internationally for viewing at a number of universities, colleges and public libraries (see: Trailer).   To see the full film, contact: [email protected].

The film builds out the important threads of youth voice and mentor relationships, a locally-empowered food system, the need for a spiritual connection to nature, using activism as a holding action, that our vulnerability can translate into resilience, and that now is the time to plant seeds for a new way forward.

Step into the deep and brave discussions, thoughts and feelings of Thinkers from all parts of the globe, including Mi’kmaq Elders Joseph Michael and Albert Marshall.  Filmed at the Thinkers Lodge, Pugwash, Nova Scotia in October 2023.

From a Great Unraveling towards a Great Turning is especially valuable viewing for youth. Group screening in an educational context can have the most impact, particularly when following by group discussion.

“Emboldened by the knowledge of our strengths and by a heartfelt understanding of what’s at risk, we turn our full attention to turning toward a fundamentally new way of being in the world: the Great Turning. This is about seeing everything we do through the lens of our deep connections within ourselves, our families, our communities, and the wider living world of which we are an integral part. What would our economy (energy, health care, society) look like if we cared for all our relations as family? The guiding principles of Etuaptmumk and Netukulimk provide great inspiration and deep wisdom for this theme.” Elder Joe Michael