From Exploit To Respect: Jayce’s Story
Connecting with water and wildlife at Carkeek Park. Photo by Chloe Collyer.
“For the majority of the first twenty years of my life I was raised here in Washington state, up north near the border, about 15 minutes from the Bay. Then I moved to Long Island for several years, and always lived 30 minutes or less from the Atlantic Ocean. From there, I spent a little over two years living in the South – for the first time landlocked and hours away from the ocean – the toll it took on mine and my daughter’s health was noticeable and immediate.
My background was very, very religious – our relationship with the planet was one of domination, you know? So, going forward, how do we create the space of learning to sit with Nature and work with it versus exploit it? It’s continual education for myself and then working with others around us, so that we can use water in a sustainable way that focuses on using it well.
I was able to meet with and listen to the stories and experiences of some Lakota folk who have worked in the protests against the pipelines that cross Native Lands and sully the water sources that feed the Tribe and the surrounding areas. I realized how we as a culture oftentimes prioritize profit and capital gain versus our relationship with nature, specifically water. This idea of saying “our profit is more important than your health” is what it comes down to.
I think going forward, in one sense, we have to look back. I think we need to listen to our Indigenous families and bring back the traditions that they have around respecting the land and respecting the water. And then, incorporate them going forward.”
Jayce Marrakesh at Carkeek Park. Photo by Chloe Collyer.
Jayce Marrakesh (they/them) is an afroIndigenous two-spirit human, currently living and working in the Edmonds School District. They are a beach lover, writer, martial artist, and full-time parent to a loving and inventive little human. The two of them prioritize spending time in and honoring Nature, and can often be found hugging trees at a park near you.
“Having witnessed the disparity of privilege and access in the years I have spent parenting and working as a professional in the wellness, hospitality, and manufacturing industries across four different U.S. States, I am eager to be a part of any movement towards Solution. I appreciate that Seattle Public Utilities is partnering with the community through the Shape Our Water project and looking at new and creative ways to invest in and care for the vital water systems of the city.”
