Panels

Examining the facets of land relationship:

Cooperatives, Collectives, and Land Trusts

Across Turtle Island, BIPOC communities face systemic barriers to land ownership and access. Join community builders who have achieved and sustained deep relationships with the land through an enriching discussion of their innovative approaches to achieving land justice for BIPOC communities, focusing on the growing roles of cooperatives, collectives, and land trusts. Walk away feeling informed and empowered to explore new approaches and finally manifest the resources, legal structures, and governance to build lasting communities!

    • How can cooperatives and collectives empower BIPOC communities to achieve shared land ownership and economic development?

    • What are the unique challenges and opportunities faced by BIPOC-led land trusts in securing and stewarding land?

    • What are the potential synergies between these different models, and how can they be leveraged to create a more just and equitable land system?

    • What policy changes and community partnerships are needed to support the success of these innovative approaches?

    • Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing BIPOC communities in achieving land justice.

    • They will learn about innovative models like cooperatives, collectives, and land trusts, and how they can be used to address these challenges.

    • The discussion will foster connections and collaboration between different stakeholders working on land justice issues.

As Above, So Below:

A Journey through Indigenous Star Knowledge and Universal Connecting Cosmology

We are the Stars and the Stars are Us! Across continents and through millennia, Indigenous peoples have used the stars as guides, storytellers, and keepers of cultural wisdom.

These "CosmoStories" weave together knowledge of the land, celestial constellations, and human existence, creating a profound understanding of our place within the universe and our relationship to land.

Join our panel of Indigenous Star Knowledge holders on a journey weaving a warp and weft of star stories that make up the fabric of our interconnected and interdependent cultural experiences.

    • How do different Indigenous cultures around the world interpret the night sky and tell stories through its constellations?

    • What unique insights do these interpretations offer about our relationship with the land, time, and each other?

    • How do these traditions connect across cultures, revealing a universal human connection to the cosmos?

    • What can we learn from Indigenous star knowledge to reimagine our own cosmology and relationship with the environment?

    • Can these ancient wisdoms contribute to a more holistic and sustainable future for humanity?

    • Participants will gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of Indigenous star knowledge across cultures.

    • They will discover how these traditions offer valuable insights into human connection with the land, stars, and each other.

    • The discussion will inspire reflection on our own place within the universe and encourage a more holistic perspective.

    • Participants will be empowered to explore further, contributing to a brighter future through cross-cultural understanding and respect for traditional wisdom.

Re-storying the Land:

Healing Land, Healing Cultures

For millennia, Indigenous communities have thrived in complex relationships with their lands, fostering unique cultural identities and stewarding vibrant ecosystems.

"Re-storyation" has signified further evolution in environmental restoration and cross-cultural healing processes catalyzed by revisiting, honoring, and amplifying the stories embedded within a specific place or land by acknowledging the narratives, histories, and cultural connections intertwined with a particular environment or landscape.

Join the members of the Indigenous Femmes Land Justice “Supergroup” who are leading the way to re-story their homelands to for a discussion on Indigenous land justice, what “rematriation” means, and how sovereignty and co-management of land can coexist.

    • What is biocultural restoration and how does it differ from traditional restoration approaches?

    • How are Indigenous communities leading the way in biocultural restoration practices?

    • What are the cultural, ecological, and economic benefits of Indigenous-led biocultural restoration?

    • What challenges do Indigenous communities face in implementing biocultural restoration projects, and how can we support them?

    • What lessons can be learned from Indigenous-led biocultural restoration for a more holistic approach to environmental healing and social justice?

    • Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the principles and practices of Indigenous-led biocultural restoration.

    • They will learn about the successes and challenges faced by Indigenous communities in this work.

    • The discussion will inspire and empower participants to support Indigenous-led biocultural restoration efforts and contribute to a more just and sustainable future.