Knife and Tool Safety
At Firemaker gatherings there are usually some workshops offered where knives or other hand tools may be used, and many people choose to bring their own knives and other tools. It is important to be careful and intentional in how you use these tools. Do not leave them lying around unattended. Unattended knives, axes, awls, or other dangerous tools left unattended will be confiscated until the item is picked up from a council member. The tool will be kept until the end of the week.
Many parents in the Firemaker community are teaching their children about using a knife and it is not unusual to see a young child working on a project with their first knife. It is the responsibility of every adult at Firemaker to help with knife and tool safety. If you see an unsupervised child using a knife or other dangerous tool, please step in and supervise or remind them of the need for safety and unite them with an adult willing to supervise.
Everyone at Firemaker, adults and children alike, are expected to respect each other when using or when near someone who is using a knife or other sharp tool. Do not sit within arms-reach of someone using a knife or sharp tool (at Firemaker we call this respecting someone's "Blood Bubble"). When you are using a knife or sharp tool, make sure you have your own Blood Bubble of space around you that no one is sitting in. Always point your knife or tool with the pointed end and/or the sharp side of the blade away from you and anyone else nearby. If you are making stabbing motions (i.e. punching a hide with an awl), do not do so on your lap. If you need help, always ask someone who is experienced with the tool. Tool safety is everyone's responsibility.
Many parents in the Firemaker community are teaching their children about using a knife and it is not unusual to see a young child working on a project with their first knife. It is the responsibility of every adult at Firemaker to help with knife and tool safety. If you see an unsupervised child using a knife or other dangerous tool, please step in and supervise or remind them of the need for safety and unite them with an adult willing to supervise.
Everyone at Firemaker, adults and children alike, are expected to respect each other when using or when near someone who is using a knife or other sharp tool. Do not sit within arms-reach of someone using a knife or sharp tool (at Firemaker we call this respecting someone's "Blood Bubble"). When you are using a knife or sharp tool, make sure you have your own Blood Bubble of space around you that no one is sitting in. Always point your knife or tool with the pointed end and/or the sharp side of the blade away from you and anyone else nearby. If you are making stabbing motions (i.e. punching a hide with an awl), do not do so on your lap. If you need help, always ask someone who is experienced with the tool. Tool safety is everyone's responsibility.
Social Safety
At Firemaker gatherings there are a number of moments where what someone says in a circle, a workshop, or a conversation around the campfire might be sensitive or personal information that they are sharing with present company and would like it to remain within the group they shared it. It is always okay to ask at the beginning of a workshop or circle if the conversations therein will be considered private. If you are not sure whether what someone said is considered by them to be personal and not for sharing with others, feel free to ask them. In building and maintaining community, it is important to respect the privacy of others.
Firemaker events are always inclusive of everyone attending, no matter their age, gender, sex, orientation, physical ability, skill level, lifestyle, etc. We do our best to make our gatherings available to anyone, despite their income level. If you would very much like to attend and are worried you cannot afford to, please contact us. If you ever feel uncomfortable or excluded at a Firemaker event, please consider contacting a council member you feel comfortable with and telling them about it. The council reserves the right, at their discretion, to, without a monetary refund, expel anyone who is violent or abusive towards others at a Firemaker event.
If you have mobility issues or concerns and have questions about site access, please contact us.
While Firemaker gatherings are about sharing knowledge of primitive skills and not about activism, some workshops and hosted discussions in the past have had themes that have touched on issues of activism. If you or anyone you know is involved in any direct action or activism, it is always best to practice Security Culture guidelines. If you are unfamiliar with what that means, you can get a quick overview by watching this short two-part Earth First! puppet show or you can read a more in-depth introduction to security culture.
Because there is no one answer to what "cultural appropriation" means, the Firemaker council members have done their best to navigate this issue in a way that will be, at best, beneficial and, at worst, tolerable to anyone attending a gathering. We have made all offerings (workshops, ceremonies, activities, etc.) available on an opt-in basis only. We ask every instructor or person leading a group at Firemaker to be clear about their experience and background, whether they are self-taught or from whom they learned what they are sharing, and why they want to share it. In this way, we hope that each participant at Firemaker will feel comfortable choosing for themselves what feels appropriate to attend, given their own beliefs and cultural awareness.
We care about you and want you to get the most from the Firemaker gathering. We believe that mindfulness and compassionate self-care are important and ask you to join us with an open mind and from a place of responsibility for all aspects of your health and well-being.