wayfinders circle governance report english - Flipbook - Page 20
Role of Spirituality and Traditional Knowledge in Governance
All of the Wayfinders deeply value their spirituality, as well as passing on
traditional spiritual knowledge from each generation to the next; and
often incorporate spirituality directly into their governance. For example,
the Wampis have established a moral council for those who have sought
visions with the ancestors in their sacred waterfalls, and who have completed specific spiritual challenges. The Blackfeet continue their traditions
of the Horn Society, passing on sacred obligations to each new genera-
Native American Land Conservancy
Governance
The Native American Land Conservancy protects sacred sites, promotes education
and advocacy, and does scientific research, guided primarly by tribes of the southern
California desert regions of the United States. It acquires and protects sacred lands
across southeastern California and currently owns and manages sacred lands at The
Old Woman Mountains Preserve and Coyote Hole. It worked alongside other tribes,
conservation groups, and agencies in order to protect the 1640-acre Horse Canyon in
the Santa Rosa Mountains. It supports tribal engagement in public lands initiatives by
directing tribes toward resources for sacred lands protection, providing expertise in
tribal outreach, and initiating partnerships between tribes and conservation partners.
The organization was founded by local tribal elders and community leaders to
strengthen the connection of local Indigenous peoples to their homelands. The
governance board includes tribal elders, elected leaders, youth, cultural specialists, and
ceremonial leaders from the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Cahuilla Band of
Indians, Chemehuevi Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, and the Twenty-Nine Palms Band of
Mission Indians. Started in 1998 to protect off-reservation sacred sites in the Southern
California desert, today it continues traditions and spiritual practices through youth
and elder exchanges, spiritual ceremonies and community gatherings at sacred sites,
and mentorship and training of young leaders and the next generations.
tion. The Horn Society functions as a cultural governance entity that operates outside the elected leadership that manages its relationships with the
United States and Canadian governments. The Native American Land
Conservancy includes traditional and spiritual practices in its work with
youth and elder exchanges, and performs spiritual ceremonies and community gatherings at sacred sites. For the Sungai Utik, the forest is the
father, the land is the mother, and water is the blood that must be protected for future generations; and this is considered in governance decision-making. They believe that if nature is not taken care of, then sooner
or later disaster will surely strike. Similarly, Achuar governance, and all of
Achuar life, is guided by Arútam—the sacred source. Arútam gives the
Achuar power, energy, skills, and guidance.
Common Threats, and Approaches to Defense of Territory
Quite a few of the Wayfinders cite extractive industries as ongoing threats
including oil, logging, and mining. Invasions by outsiders and even settlers
within their territories were also noted; as were government policies that
threaten territorial integrity such as new legislation in Kenya. Monitoring
of territory, often including employment of Indigenous guards as a strategy of defense, is practiced by many including by the Wampis, Achuar,
Dayak Iban Sungai Utik, and Mayangna. Active environmental management of territory is widely practiced among the Circle members, specifically the Gabbra, Udege, and Warddeken.
S E E A N N E X F O R M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N
GOVERNANCE REPORT
|
APRIL 2022
20
