About

Omere is an opinion and analysis magazine that focuses on exploring, challenging, and reimagining the paradigm that defines the human-nature relationship.  It aims to provide a forum to address wildlife conservation, trans-species psychology, social-ecological systems, the role of ethics and morality in ecological sciences, and any other topic that straddles the boundary between humans and nature.

The name of the magazine – Omere –  is meaningful to its creators. It comes from Wao tededo, the language spoken by the Waorani, an indigenous society of hunters and gatherers living in the Ecuadorian Amazon. It signifies for them both ‘forest’ and ‘home.’ The forest is their home; home is their forest. However, oil exploration and road construction have brought ecological devastation to the forest-home symbiosis in the last few decades. The encroachment of the modern industry and its concomitants has reshaped the Amazon and people’s relations with nature. And, yet, the Waorani haven’t given up; their brave struggle to have their own way of life goes on.

 In some ways, Waorani’s battle for “omere” is also a metaphor for the current convergence of economic, ecological, and socio-cultural changes that our own world experiences. We are all living in the Anthropocene or the Age of Humans. Social-ecological systems are currently experiencing and are going to experience, in the future, increasing levels of uncertainty and unpredictability. Indeed, the words “expect the unexpected” will come to define the twenty-first century. The recognition of this reality destines us to question our values, beliefs and actions. It also demands embracing a holistic worldview that strives for and promotes coexistence and biological diversity and broadened concepts of sentience and natural harmony. To accomplish all this, a profound change must happen; a new paradigm must take root. It is a task that is challenging but also attainable. Omere hopes to contribute by providing a platform for writers, researchers, journalists, naturalists, and people from all walks of life who are passionate about nature and want to see it thrive for all its members, both human and non-human.

Gosia Bryja

Founder

The magazine was founded by Gosia Bryja. She has a Ph.D. in environmental science and a Master’s degree in wildlife and landscape ecology. For over fifteen years, she worked as a conservation scientist for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and led numerous field-based projects in North America, Africa, Asia, and South America. Among her efforts, she was involved in conservation planning for tigers, jaguars, wolves, grizzlies, spectacled bears and black bears. She also spent seven years in the Ecuadorian Amazon, where she assisted indigenous groups in their efforts to protect and govern their territories. Now based in Vancouver, B.C.,  Gosia is a full-time academic instructor teaching geography and environmental studies courses. She also collaborates with local organizations and communities to promote wildlife practices that embrace the principles of compassionate conservation.

Since the magazine has been recently launched, most of the articles published so far have been written by Gosia Bryja. This is not, however, an intention for the future. It is hoped that in years to come, many contributors will share, on the electronic pages of Omere, their thoughts about challenges facing a human-nature relationship and about a profound change that is needed to address them.

Karen Minkowski

Editor

Karen Minkowski worked as a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) / conservation specialist, studied the behaviour and ecology of wild primates in Japan, India and Uganda, and has vast experience in environmental education. She was also a ranger for the U.S. National Park Service in Everglades National Park and led GIS-based mapping workshops to establish the distribution of peccaries and tapirs, cheetahs and wild dogs, lions and Asian bears for Wildlife Conservation Society. Now, she spends as much time as possible in Africa, especially Zimbabwe and Uganda. Her passion is being immersed in natural areas, observing and photographing all wildlife. Karen is an editor of articles for Omere.