Ravenmoon Crocker

An avid reader, my parents were kind enough to subscribe to Chickadees and Owls, two magazines for children highlighting animals from all over the world. My father would often take us to Gatineau, Quebec, the most beautiful region in the world, to hike and go exploring. Family vacations never included a hotel, but camping and exploring new surroundings. I developed a deep appreciation and passion for nature, the environment, and our planet.  

Many of these places in North America no longer exist.

I got to visit many places and countries around the world and got to experience many different cultures and people.  This was also something my father also wished for us. This was the most important education I received in my life.

A first-generation Canadian, my interest shifted to include human rights. This commenced with the status of women and equality to later include LGBTQ2S+ rights.  As a mother, I completed my degree and entered into the educational field. I then moved to Calgary for the love of our Canadian mountains.

My first volunteer in Calgary included organizing social events for vulnerable community members. This later included volunteering for the Wish Foundation through the Calgary Stampeders. Being a board member of the Banff Trail Community Association, the editor of their monthly newsletter, the Banff Trail Howler. 

The world has changed since my youth. I decided in order to take action, I had to #DoSomething. As my children are now adults, that time is now. In 2023, I decided to run as the Green Party’s federal candidate for Calgary Heritage, the neighbourhood I first moved to when I first moved to Calgary.  

Over the next few weeks, my team and I will be calling residents of Calgary Heritage to reach out to those who share the same concerns. I will be door knocking with my team and speaking to those who are also struggling with the economy and the cost of basic needs.  I am already hearing  many stories and  many are some of the many frustrations.  I am noticing that many are sharing the same sentiment as I am. I thank you for your candidness.  Now I am ready to fight.

I have faced many challenges that you have: struggling to pay back student loans, poverty, homelessness, working multiple jobs, being unable to find affordable housing, chasing a down payment, an inability to afford healthy eating options, while trying to balance time with your children. These were horrendous hardships. But, as difficult as those struggles were then, times have become even more difficult today for our young people. As such, we are now in crisis.  Enough is enough. I had to #DoSomething.

Why the Green Party? I am often asked about this. I have been inspired by the many people who are within the Green Party who have put countless hours into something they believe in. This group does all the hard work, and much of the labour is because of an amazing volunteer group. I have never seen a group of people so committed and hopeful, one who shares in group successes. This group is willing to rise to the challenge.

 I also do not want to make my campaigns like others. No finger-pointing. No mud-slinging. I may not agree with other parties, or their candidates, but I know the time and dedication it takes to want to be involved in wanting change. I am well aware of the time this takes away from family members, and the numerous sleepless nights dedicated to work. No individual would do so unless they truly felt they could make a difference. The Green Party allows me to campaign with this respect and dignity.

When I was attending Trent University, the Green Party was already discussing communities adopting municipal composing, something most regions do now. They were also discussing the rising carbon emission levels, and warning of increased forest fires to come at the time that another party was demonizing single mothers for receiving welfare. It seems like there were distractions to where there needed to be action.  In 2023, Alberta had its worst case of air quality issues caused by the smoke from forest fires in history. For the first time, Quebec and Ontario were also affected.  Only now are other parties discussing what the Green Party announced over twenty years ago.

From my own experience of homelessness, I cannot express the necessity of safety, especially for women. With no affordable housing, our vulnerable, seniors, disabled, and veterans are at risk of homelessness. For young people, putting a down payment on a first home seems more out of reach and unattainable. Our vulnerable sector has no access to addiction programs, facilities or mental health services. This has created safety issues nationwide. Too many have died from additions or being exposed to our cold winter nights.  Our government is more concerned with subsidizing fossil-fuel companies rather than helping our vulnerable sector.

Why are so many of our Indigenous sisters missing or murdered? How long must this continue?

I believe that we can change for the better, and I am seeing people share in this belief and hope.  We need a revolutionary change with new, progressive, positive, and proactive people.  It is time to #DoSomething.

Your Green Party federal candidate for Calgary Heritage,