What We Leave Behind: Democracy, Ecology, and the Betrayal of Future Generations
An essay on ecological responsibility, democratic decline, and the moral obligation to leave our children more than the wreckage of our denial.
Through music, essays, and civic engagement, we respect lives through Seven Generations beyond our own — one conversation, one essay, and one song at a time.
An essay on ecological responsibility, democratic decline, and the moral obligation to leave our children more than the wreckage of our denial.
Original songs from A Wild Mercy, the musical arm of Seven Generations Innovation — created in collaboration with Keleren Millham and Jay Condiotti and presented with an array of very talented artists from around our region and beyond.
Our music is rooted in empathy, justice, resilience, and care for the world we are leaving behind. Our music and videos invite reflection, connection, and a more compassionate way forward.

Join us for occasional updates on new music, essays, civic reflections, events, and ways to help shape a more thoughtful, compassionate, and livable future.
Op-eds and essays on intergenerational responsibility — published in regional papers and here.
Notes from policy, advocacy, and public-lands engagement across Washington — what's working, what isn't, who's accountable.
About the work
Seven Generations Innovation brings together the work of Ronald Reed — a writer, singer-songwriter, and civic advocate committed to wildlife, ecology, democracy, and the generations yet to come.
Through music, essays, public engagement, and community conversations, this is a place to reflect, connect, and help shape a more compassionate and livable future.
— with care, from Spokane
The Music
Listen to original music from A Wild Mercy — studio recordings, live performances, music videos, and works in progress as they come to life.
Original music shaped by love, grief, memory, and responsibility — songs for a world at the threshold, and for the beauty still asking to be defended.
What this is, what it isn’t, and how subscribing works. Still curious? Write to us.
Seven Generations Innovation is a civic and creative platform based in Spokane, Washington, founded by writer, musician, and conservation advocate Ronald D. Reed. It brings together environmental stewardship, democratic responsibility, original music, public-interest writing, and cultural expression in service of a longer view.
Through essays, songs, public letters, testimony, and civic engagement, we seek to raise awareness, encourage responsibility, and invite more people into the work of repair for the generations still to come.
When you join, you’ll receive first notice of new music from A Wild Mercy and new writing from Seven Generations Innovation — including essays, letters, op-eds, civic updates, and reflections on timely issues affecting our communities, our democracy, the living world, and future generations.
We will write when there is something meaningful to share: new work, public-interest advocacy, invitations to live events or listening sessions, and updates connected to the long work of repair.
No. Joining is free, and everything we publish here — essays, music, videos, public letters, and civic updates — is free to read, watch, and listen to.
The name is rooted in the Seventh Generation Principle, often associated with Haudenosaunee thought, which asks us to consider how the choices we make today will affect life seven generations into the future.
For us, this is more than a phrase. It is a standard of responsibility. It asks whether our decisions protect or diminish the world our children, grandchildren, and future generations will inherit — the air they breathe, the water they drink, the lands and wildlife they depend on, the democracy they live within, and the communities they will call home.
We feel an urgency to share this principle because so much of modern life is driven by short-term thinking: the next election, the next profit report, the next crisis, the next distraction. Seven Generations Innovation exists to help restore the longer view — and to invite our communities to act with greater care, courage, and responsibility while there is still time to shape what comes next.
We write about the responsibilities we owe to one another, to the living world, and to the generations still to come.
That includes science-based wildlife policy, public-lands stewardship, ecological responsibility, democratic accountability, constitutional restraint, and the civic culture needed to hold all of it together.
Some of this work appears in regional publications, including The Seattle Times, The Spokesman-Review, and the Washington State Standard. We also publish essays, open letters, testimony, and related public-interest writing here in full.
The music of A Wild Mercy is led by Ronald D. Reed, whose songs and lyrics form the foundation of the project, with the creative gifts of vocalist and musical partner Keleren Millham and producer, guitarist, arranger, and musical director Jay Condiotti.
Like all meaningful creative work, the music is also made possible by a wider circle: musicians, engineers, visual artists, dancers, videographers, venues, friends, listeners, and supporters who help carry the songs from private creation into public life.
For now, comments and submissions will be read and moderated personally by Ron Reed. As Seven Generations Innovation grows, we intend to create space for thoughtful, civil exchange among people who care about democracy, ecology, community, and generations still to come.
Civility, reason, honesty, and care for the subject are the standard. We will not host anonymous posts or contributions that fall outside those community expectations.
You can reach us through the Join Our Email List button, which will take you to our contact form. You are also welcome to write to me directly at ron@sevengenerationsinnovation.com.
Thoughtful questions, ideas, and invitations are welcome.
The Music
New essays, new recordings, civic updates, and occasional invitations — shared as this work unfolds.