Intentional Living, Everyday Activism and Tea Sarjesa Inc. – Todayville.com

Activism is all around us. As witnessed by the entire world this past summer, even the smallest of intentional actions can have ripple effects that reach far beyond individual communities.

A young entrepreneur from Calgary, Alberta is using tea to effect positive change in the city and beyond. Alexandra Daignault is the founder and owner of Sarjesa Inc., a socially focused tea company dedicated to supporting violence prevention programming and aiding marginalized women in Canada. Guided by an unwavering commitment to equality and Indigenous recognition, Sarjesa is a manifestation of Daignaults own core values, as well as her lived experience as a woman of Indo-Caribbean descent.

Sarjesa was founded in December 2017, during Alexandras 3rd year at Mount Royal University, while she pursued a degree in English with a double minor in Indigenous Studies and Innovation & Entrepreneurship. The name Sarjesa is Alexandras own invention, inspired, in part, by her post-colonial theory books and conversations with her grandmother.

Sarjesa is about bringing activism into everyday experience, says Alexandra, Doing things on purpose. If we want to make long standing change, we need to be intentional. The Sarjesa website and email signature feature a land acknowledgement adapted from Dr. Renae Watchman, an individual whose activism Alexandra cites as inspiration for her own work.

We are a Non-Indigenous brand and company. We blend our tea on Treaty 7 territory, located on the homelands of the Niitsitapi (the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai), the yrhe Nakoda, and Tsuutina Nations, as well as Mtis Nation Region 3. As an organization, run by an Indo Caribbean Settler woman, we acknowledge the treaty relations that have not been honoured and work daily to restore good relations. We try to respect all people and the planet through the creation of highly intentional products.

Land Acknowledgment featured on Sarjesa website & email signature

From ingredient sourcing, to hiring practices, to charitable donations, every aspect of Sarjesa has been carefully articulated to have an intentional, positive social impact. To exist in harmony with the land and the communities upon it, all teas are composed of both locally sourced and certified fair trade ingredients. Each box features information on Canadian Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, and 20% of profits from each box of Sarjesa tea sold are donated to the Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society, an Indigenous-led womens shelter based out of Calgary.According to Alexandra, her decision to establish a charitable partnership with Awo Taan Healing Lodge Society was inspired by her admiration of their practices, their ability to create a healing space for women and children in need, and the vast knowledge and expertise of their team.

As a young entrepreneur immersed in the fast-paced culture of the start-up industry, Alexandra remains committed to serving the community and focusing on what matters most. Theres no rush to make it a huge tea corporation, she says, Its important we continue to learn, grow organically, and do the work in a good way. Beyond the scope of Sarjesa tea, Alexandra encourages everyone to live an intentional life. Whether it is the food you eat, the products you buy, the way you interact with the environment there are countless small ways to effect positive change. Be gentle with yourself, she says, Recognize that while maybe you cant make all the good decisions you want all at once, you can be very intentional about the decisions you do make, and why.

For more information on Sarjesa Tea, visit https://sarjesa.com.

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Intentional Living, Everyday Activism and Tea Sarjesa Inc. - Todayville.com