Our Gatherings

September 16 - 19 2021

Join us for a virtual gathering of intercultural, interfaith sharing of experience and knowledge for the profound social, cultural, economic, legal and environmental issues reflecting the impacts to the health and well-being of our collective Nations and our Planet.

We invite you to join us individually or create your own in-person gathering and join us virtually as we gather at Paha Sapa (“Black Hills”)

Empowered through the efforts of

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Download the Poster: pdf Sept 2021 poster - Virtual (1.70 MB) (PDF)

'In the old ways and in the old days it has been said that we came together by invitation. Some sent a message stick, others a ‘runner’, some by season, meeting place or ceremony, while others knew by cultural duty and responsibility. It was said then that we are spiritual beings first. That is remembering who we are.'
- INITC Elders meeting May 2010

Dear Relatives, Allies, and Friends,

You are invited to join us for Stories and Songs of the People. This year, September 16-19, 2021, we will gather (through a virtual platform) for a four-day InterNātional Summit for the Earth. There are many ways to participate and contribute to this unique opportunity for how we consider and discuss the profound social, cultural, economic, legal, and environmental issues reflecting the impacts to the health and well-being of our planet, the implications for our collective Nations, and the generations to come.

What does it mean to be a human being, and how does that reflect in relationships with each other and with the Earth? Our Summit looks to share considerations of this complex guiding question. This initiative is intended to create a space where consciousness can shift, where we can move into a more collective awareness of what is possible for transformative collaboration and knowledge-sharing. This goes beyond just the sharing of agendas; it requires us to have the courage to re-evaluate our own ideas and how we define the spaces where we meet. Perhaps more simply put - not just what we think, but how and why we think and, ultimately, act as we do.

What does that even look like? There are a myriad of perspectives stemming from cultural, spiritual, social, economic and political forms of law that influence our understanding of the relationships we have with each other and our planet. Each of us bring our own ideas based on our own understandings; this is where our work begins. Via active listening and sharing to create a space of possibilities, we expand our own awareness and perspective, moving us toward transformative collaboration.

The urgent questions and growing social, cultural, and environmental inequities facing these times create the need for collective strategies. No single individual, organization, or Nation can or should bear the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual costs or responsibility for finding solutions to the overwhelming challenges facing us today. We must all learn how to work together for our collective survival, that of the earth, and for all our relatives. During the gathering, the collective experience of sharing cultural knowledge, ways of education, interfaith exchange, presentation, film and our stories and songs will guide our interactive experientials and discussions.

As with past events, the strength of the space created is equal to the strength in and of all those with whom we have the privilege to work. For this Summit, we are again honored to have insightful, dedicated partners joining us to share and present on other key areas that include social, cultural, economic, legal, and environmental issues.

Some of the issues included for this gathering:

Social & Cultural considerations - Wellness/Well-being; Cultural Safety; Methodologies for facilitating conversations; Cultural Presentations and Ways of Expression; Nonviolent Communication & Conflict Resolution; Media and Digital Protocols; Sharing and Strengthening of Cultural Knowledge and Practice; and, Consensus-building and Making Agreements.

Economic, Legal & Environmental considerations - The Doctrine of Discovery and the Impacts of Colonization; Treaty Rights and Human Rights; Earth Jurisprudence, Environmental Law & Natural Resources Governance; Cultural and Environmental Science; Understanding Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation/Lawfare; and, Civil Rights/Civil Disobedience and Resistance.

In essence, the Summit will be a space to promote cultural strengths. Cultural diversity is inherent to the genuine widening of perspective and knowledge. By engendering genuine participation and collaboration within a place of compassion and courage - a space where many voices might be heard - we move towards making the impossible, possible. It is then about the process, not the outcome.

For those who have participated in former events, it may be easy to imagine the space we have described. For others who have yet to join us, if any or all of the above has inspired your consideration and awakened your spirit, please take this as our sincere invitation. As was in the past and through to this day, there are many ways to contribute to these efforts: as a facilitator, presenter, technical support, volunteer, or through financial sponsorship! Please contact us for more information. As always, we will do this together!

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With a Handshake,

The INITC Council
Djaloki, Gina, Johnnie, Kevin, Lynnda,
Mary, Myron, Regine, Steven

“I believe that to meet the challenge of our times, human beings will have to develop a greater sense of universal responsibility. Each of us must learn to work not for his or herself, family or nation, but for the benefit of all mankind. Universal responsibility is the real key to human survival. It is the best foundation for world peace, the equitable use of natural resources and through concern or the future generations, the proper care of the environment.”

Excerpt from His Holiness the Dalai Lama, ‘Address at the Parliamentary Earth Summit' (Global Forum) of the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (1992)

For information email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

These events are 100% alcohol and substance free.

September 2021 Gathering