Finding Oasis: BIPOC Centered Virtual Workshops

This suite of virtual programs is designed by and prioritizes BIPOC communities interested in reparative relationships with the land. We understand that distinct communities have differing definitions of and needs from land justice work. Finding Oasis will name, share, deepen, and support community-specific land justice needs creating coalitions of resources and support between Indigenous and Black communities in the Pacific Northwest.

Finding Oasis looks to global examples of Indigenous-led land justice to inspire regional dialogues between Indigenous and Black communities connecting with land in the Pacific Northwest. In post-screening break out affinity groups, we will we will name the history and limitation of white supremacy, hold space for story-telling and processing, and connect with food sovereignty projects and offer arts-integrated actionable steps and strategies to deepen BIPOC community connections with local land.

Links, instructions, and updates will be sent to all participants starting Feb 2 through the day of the events.  Each will build upon the next, yet it is not required to attend all and there are no prerequisites. 

February 15th 6:30pm PST: BIPOC Post-Screening Circle: “This is Not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection”  Register here!

In our first workshop of the series, facilitators and speakers will hold a post screening discussion in BIPOC affinity space after audiences have viewed the Mosotho filmmaker Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese’s work entitled “This is not a Burial, It’s a Resurrection”in partnership with the Cascade Festival of African Films and BEAM Village.  The film can be viewed anytime between 7pm on Feb 13th through this event. 

In the mountains of Lesotho, an 80-year-old widow named Mantoa eagerly awaits her son’s return from working in the South African mines, only to learn of his demise instead. Yearning for her own death after the loss of her last remaining family member, she puts her affairs in order and makes arrangements to be buried in the local cemetery. Her careful plans are abruptly upset by the news that provincial officials intend to resettle the village, flood the entire area, and build a dam for a reservoir. Mantoa resolves herself to defend the spiritual heritage of the community.

Facilitators: Blanca Villalobos, Felipe Fontes Delfino, Ka’ila Farrell-Smith, and Aviva McClure

March 25th 6:30pm PST: BIPOC Post-Screening Circle: “Invasion” Register here!

The second Workshop in March will also engage BIPOC participants, facilitators, and speakers as we continue this interactive dialogue through story circles and small groups. This time we gather around “Invasion,” a new film about the Unist’ot’en Camp, Gidimt’en checkpoint and the larger Wet’suwet’en Nation standing up to the Canadian government and corporations who continue colonial violence against Indigenous people.   We will be focusing on building coalitions in our region, nationally, and internationally around Black and Indigenous Land Back movements, food justice, and rematriation.

Facilitators: Blanca Villalobos, Felipe Fontes Delfino, Ka’ila Farrell-Smith, and Aviva McClure

 

POSTPONED: Semi-Annual Alumni Summit

Finally, all Signal Fire Alumni, Guides, Board, and Staff are invited to join Finding Oasis participants in a spring Summit! Our Alumni Summit will continue to engage BIPOC and white counterparts in coalition building by attuning with our collective mission, sharing mutual aid, and networking. Each program will help communities explore complex topics surrounding public land access and identifying and unlearning settler colonial constructs of nature. 

Facilitators: Signal Fire Staff and Guides