The Religion of Helping Others

The IBEX Herd Monday Crew with our homeowner Sam — The IBEX Herd Monday Crew (Corey, Angela, Terry, Susan and Darryl) with our homeowner Sam

Working on a Habitat for Humanity build this week, I am surrounded by people of many faiths and beleifs. There are no philosophical debates, no clashes on world views, there seems to be wholehearted acceptance of each other. On this job we all seem to be disciples of the same religion. The religion of helping others more than you help yourself. It feels good and it gives purpose to things.

It makes me proud of our Community Service Program at IBEX. In addition to all the organized things we do as a group, each herd member is encouraged to take a paid day each year and get involved in something that matters to them.

IBEX Payroll extends our profound respect and immeasurable gratitude to all the ancestors and keepers of the land on whose traditional territories our work takes place. We acknowledge that we are on Treaty 1 territory, the traditional gathering place of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene people and the traditional homeland of the Métis people. This land is sacred, historical, and significant.

Every time we acknowledge this truth, we have an invitation and an opportunity to reflect on the wrongs of the past, what we do in the present, and what we can do to continually honour the people whose lands and water we benefit from today.

This statement only acts as a first step in honouring the land we reside on and its peoples, and must be paired with education, understanding and informed action.