Guidepost

Wisdom, Learning, & Expanding Capacities

Conflict is an opportunity, not just a problem. What matters is how we respond to it.

People of all ages need to become competent, confident and empowered to effectively communicate, have respectful relationships, and resolve conflict.

Responding restoratively to conflict and harm is an opportunity to learn, build capacities, strengthen relationships, and become wiser.

It takes courage to come together across our differences and have difficult conversations, while also upholding the guidepost of love and respect.

Courage and support help us to face adversities, challenges and harm, and to make required changes.

Courageous action builds resilience and wisdom.

Learning, expanding capacities and growth occur in a variety of ways, including raising awareness, education, training, land-based learning, lived experience, ceremony, and having sustainable resources for all to thrive.

The sacred and science go hand-in-hand.

An interdisciplinary, holistic approach is taken that brings forward Indigenous wisdom as well as knowledge from various sources.

Capacities strengthen and we grow as we actively listen to and learn from each other, honouring the wisdom including of youth, Elders, Indigenous Peoples, women, 2SLGBTQ+, those who are racialized, marginalized, newcomers, and persons with disabilities.

Social change is emergent and collaborative.

Individuals, families, communities, organizations and governments learn and practice effective communication, conflict resolution, peacemaking, anti-oppression, cultural competency, traditional medicines, and more.

We are strength-based, knowing we are resilient and that our communities are abundant.

Everything we require becomes available to us in ever-evolving, growing Circles of coming together. Together, we become ever more aware, conscious, knowledgeable and wise.

By Dr. Evelyn Zellerer
Peace of the Circle, 2026