A Practice of Reparations
As a settler on this land, whose ancestors participated in the theft of Dakota and Anishinaabe land, which continues to harm the original stewards of this land, I have a responsibility to Repair, Return and Remember. This responsibility requires repairing ties to all our human and plant kin in a way that is regenerative and healing, not extractive and exploitative. It requires returning land and resources that have been stolen and being creative and innovative in how return can be a form of healing ritual. It also requires remembering traditions and cultures of harmony, balance and abundance. My historical and personal context, spiritual journey and ancestral lineage together guide the work of Wild Heart.
As a commitment to being in right relationship and to be held accountable for harm + repair, I am committed to moving financial resources to Black-led and Indigenous-led land projects. This is just one part to a complex, life-long commitment to a practice of reparations.
As a POC person I have found that working in close proximity with Alisa helped me understand the importance of sharing the load of work and complexity that is involved in working with diverse communities. The healing work that’s needed may be different for BIPOC folk, as it is for white folks, but they are intertwined in so many ways. I find this area easier to explore as I work with Alisa, because of the openness, transparency, curiosity and genuine intentions that Alisa brings into the team.”
—Fernanda Sequeiros, working in solidarity with Alisa through Minneapolis food access program, PlantGrowShare