❋
Indigenous Communities Node
About the node:
Trees and woody plants are deeply connected to Indigenous knowledge, place-based relationships, and cultural practice. This node highlights trees as relatives, teachers, sources of memory, and living parts of community life. Through youth learning, cultural knowledge sharing, and stewardship projects, the Indigenous Communities Node celebrates the many ways Indigenous communities relate to trees spiritually, medicinally, culturally, and ecologically.
Meet the Node Curator: Kelsey Pazera
(In partnership with Indigenous Led and A’nuche)
Kelsey Pazera curates this node in partnership with Indigenous Led and A’nuche. Her work supports Indigenous-led programming around trees, woody plants, youth learning, cultural practices, and land-based knowledge.
Current Work
Youth Tree Wisdom Workshop
A hands-on learning experience for White Mesa Ute youth, bringing young people together with knowledge keepers to learn about trees, woody plants, cultural uses, and relationships with tree kin.
Bear Dance Arbor Cedar Planting Project
A community-rooted stewardship effort exploring a living arbor connected to Bear Dance grounds and the conservation of culturally important trees.
Tree-Centered Cultural Practice
This node supports continued community connection with tree relatives through cultural knowledge, ceremony, and intergenerational learning.