economic democracy • community self-determination • Land restoration • climate resilience • social cohesion & belonging

PROGRAMS

Our activities are driven by our community. We seek to build, heal, and resist when necessary, so that life persists, that ancestral wisdom flourishes, and our children have a future where they can thrive.

ACORNOMICs: A (k)new ecosystem for life

July 2023 - present

Acornomics is Native Roots Network’s Indigenous ecosystem framework to build and support a healthy, resilient, empowered community and landscape. This framework is the cornerstone of our current work and weaves our projects and events together.

At the metaphorical heart of the Acornomics model is the Acorn, a traditional staple of many Native California Indigenous Peoples, is a readily available nutritious food that comes from several different types of oaks, each with their own character and flavor. Only through human care and tending of the landscape were large stands of healthy oaks sustained. Development, destruction, disease and catastrophic fire-prone lands choked by brush reduce the productivity and resilience of the oaks. Like our human community, the acorns and oaks are the literal and metaphorical sources of sustenance who are in need of care and tending. Through workforce development and place making, we would reinstate our traditional role as land caretakers and cultivators in ways that are not exploitive of the Earth or our labor.

Learn more here

PROJECTS

Co-Lab Shasta: An intercultural solidarity economy community

May 2021 - present

Over the years, we’ve met many local, fellow travelers at our public events who align with our Indigenous values and our goals for a regenerative community ecosystem. Understanding the scale of need and realizing that people benefit from as well as enhance community solutions together, we purposefully incubated and developed an intercultural group to build a solidarity economy together. Co-Lab Shasta - or Collaborative Laboratory, Shasta - is an active group of Native and non-native folks working together to build systems we want and deserve in our local, rural area.

From Culture Bearers versed in basketweaving, songs and dances, and working in language revitalization to artists, graphic designers, architects, engineers, planners, and more - the Co-Lab community is an integral aspect of our solidarity economy development and work.

Indigenous Community wellness gathering

March 25, 2023

This gathering was organized by and for the Indigenous community in Shasta County, California to self-assess and identify Indigenous community needs in our region to guide the work of regional, Indigenous CBOs. The day also featured traditional foods, Indigenous speakers, and cultural presentations, including youth feather and pow-wow dancers! The assessment and the gathering itself was intended to raise the health and wellness outcomes of Indigenous Peoples in our region - and it was also a real good time!

What the community also surfaced was the need for safe community space for meetings and gatherings, more learning opportunities for youth and adults, places for cultural practice, workshops for health and wellness, and more.

wayken-pana elpom

(Wintu mural on Redding’s cascade theatre)

June 7 - 18, 2022 (Completed July 2022)

NRN began working in collaboration with Redding District stakeholders in 2017. Two catastrophic wildfires - Carr Fire and Camp Fires - and the ongoing pandemic delayed the project. In early fall of 2021, we picked up and completed the project with Wintu Conceptual Artists, Michelle Radcliff-Garcia and Vanessa Scholfield and the help of Yurok Master Muralist, Carl Avery.

This significant mural is an important work of art that places Wintu Peoples and culture within their homelands in Redding’s downtown. Our imperative was to reverse Wintu erasure and uplift the original caretakers of this place.

The condor and the Eagle, United in Faith: Honoring the spirit of the earthFilm Screening & Discussion
Thursday, November 19, 2020, 4:30 - 7 pm PST

This special event is an opportunity to come together as people of many faiths, many cultures, and many nations in witness and common purpose: to honor the Earth and its Indigenous communities. It is the sad truth that many Indigenous Peoples have endured genocide and criminalization of their spiritual practices and cultural traditions. It is therefore a sacred and prophetic act to come together as a multinational and multi-faith community to witness this important film and honor the wisdom of the Indigenous Religious and Spiritual leaders from the North & South who will lead the after-film discussion. Jonathon Freeman will be one of the panelists/discussion leaders and the proceeds support Native Roots Network among other groups.

400 Years of inequality
MONday, November 25, 2019
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
first united methodist church social hall, Redding, CA

In January of most years, the President delivers a State of the Union Address highlighting the past year and suggesting priorities for the coming year. It’s a broadcast from one to many. But democracy is a conversation, not a monologue. Understanding the state of our union takes We the People reflecting in our own communities on our challenges and opportunities locally, nationally, and globally.

On January 31, 2019, Native Roots Network, an affiliate of the USDAC (U.S. Department of Arts & Culture), hosted the People’s State of the Union as an invitation to build bonds of empathy and connection – bringing the community together in downtown Redding to express our own take on the state of our union.

People’s state of the union
Thursday, January 31, 2019
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Old City Hall Art Center, Redding, CA

In January of most years, the President delivers a State of the Union Address highlighting the past year and suggesting priorities for the coming year. It’s a broadcast from one to many. But democracy is a conversation, not a monologue. Understanding the state of our union takes We the People reflecting in our own communities on our challenges and opportunities locally, nationally, and globally.

On January 31, 2019, Native Roots Network, an affiliate of the USDAC (U.S. Department of Arts & Culture), hosted the People’s State of the Union as an invitation to build bonds of empathy and connection – bringing the community together in downtown Redding to express our own take on the state of our union.

coil: Community Organizing Institute for leadership
April - October 2019
Redding, CA

A number of Native Roots Network members participated in 8-day long community organizing workshops, gaining invaluable tools in trainings hosted by Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency.

protect mauna kea rally
July 2019
Redding, CA

Native Roots Network hosted a rally to raise awareness and support to protect Mauna Kea, a significant and sacred site in Hawai’i, from further development.

Bioneers Conference
October 18 - 20, 2019
marin Center, san rafael, CA

A Native Roots Network delegation attended the annual, national conference, based in Marin where they learned from some of the cutting edge thought leaders in building and sustaining community vitality and environmental advocacy and protection.

400 years of inequality observance
november 25, 2019
first united methodist church, redding, CA

Native Roots Network hosted an observance of the 400 Years of Inequality, acknowledging a time in American history when Africans were brought to Jamestown and enslaved in 1619 to learn about our own stories and local places, and organize for a more just and equal future. We believe we all need to unify, account for the past, and assume the rights and responsibility of the future for all if we are to meet the challenges ahead. We are dedicated to dismantling structural inequality and building strong, healthy communities.

March 12-15, 2018:  bears ears prayer run

Native Roots Network organized a delegation that traveled to Arizona in March 2018 to support tribal efforts to protect and preserve Bears Ears. This past December Mr. Trump signed an executive order slashing the area protected by monument status by 85%. The issue is now in the courts.

A Prayer run for the land is being organized by the Bears Ears Prayer Alliance, a group of tribal community members of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition. The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition is a consortium made up of 5 Tribal Nations with historic and cultural ties to the Bears Ears area.

From the Bears Ears Prayer Run Alliance:

"We are a group of concerned citizens trying to honor the foresight and effort our Tribal leaders exhibited by creating The Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition in 2015. Though the initial vision and protections of "Bears Ears National Monument" are now in danger, the land and its resources will forever remain a part of our heritage. We will continually return to the land on foot from our respective homelands to pray for its future and foster appreciation for our ancestral teachings."

If you would like to support the Native Roots Network Run Delegation you can make a donation at: https://www.nativerootsnetwork.org/supportus/

 You can learn more about the Bears Ears Prayer Run Alliance and how you can support the run at: http://www.wingsofamerica.org/bepra/

You can learn more about the ongoing efforts of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition at:  http://bearsearscoalition.org/

With major support from The McConnell Foundation

November 2017:  Native roots network Learn-X

A Learning Journey for Collective Community Impact.  Native Roots Network facilitated a cross-cultural learning exchange aimed to inform and inspire community member-led work in cultural revitalization and community development. A cohort of culture bearers, leaders, artists and organizers traveled to O’ahu and Hawai’i Island and met with, learned from and shared with Hawaiian organizations, schools and individuals who are on the cutting edge of culture-based community development.

Also supported by KWAHN Corporation and Mike & Linda Warren

With major support from Pit River Tribe and Redding Rancheria

november 2017: norcal run delegation - Aha Pule 'Aina Holo/Makahiki Run

Native Roots Network 2017 Makahiki Run delegation took part in the run on the Big Island of Hawai'i. The group took part in cultural sharing and ceremonies during this 4-day relay run around the island, covering approximately 350 miles. This was Native Roots Network's 4th running delegation to take part in the Makahiki Run.

This year Native Roots Network welcomed and supported new run delegation organizers to help build the capacity for future logistical planning, fundraising and group travel skills.

Also supported by Labor Union 185