Where We Come From: Writing Your Ethnoautobiography

With Ella deCastro Baron, G. Ravyn Stanfield, and Anya Pearson 

A six bi-weekly generative Collaboration

(Please note: there is a brief application process for this workshop! Press the Apply Now button at the bottom of this text.)

We have to co-create a better, fuller story of who we are. When we speak or write the stories of how our ancestors were harmed or harmed others, we clear the way for justice in the present. When we tell the truth about the past, we move towards the possibility for healing and repair.

Ancestry gives us heritage: “traditions and practices that inform how we move through the world.” Who are our ancestors of blood, love, and spirit? This circle will facilitate and explore our ethnoautobiographies** through place, ancestry, body, seasons, and story.

Embodied and community-activated stories not only redirect from damaging neural pathways, they promote neurogenesis: our brain cells can pave new, anti-racist and truly restorative paths as we dare to practice. As we decolonize and re-indigenize core values that de-center and dis-engage with dominant culture (white supremacy, patriarchy, settler colonialism, capitalism) we create a more inclusive one. We become “radically present” and better care-givers of each other and the planet.

**as inspired by the work and teachings of Dr. Jürgen Werner Kremer and Dr. Leny Strobel

WHEN and HOW: This collaboration contains two parts: We will gather on Zoom for six live, co-creative meetings (with recordings for those who cannot attend live). A final celebration on 12/13, after the six meetings.

WetInk (our rich interactive online platform) will be used to build community, share, explore ideas and engage with each other. (WetInk will not be required for critique or hierarchical feedback).

Meeting dates and times: 

Six bi-weekly Tuesdays, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. PST

9/27, 10/11, 10/25, 11/8, 11/22, 12/6 (+ final celebration on 12/13)

Each bi-weekly meeting will focus on:

Week 1: 9/27 Embodied place

Week 2: 10/11 Body

Week 3: 10/25 Seasons

Week 4: 11/8 Story

Week 5: 11/22 Ancestry

Week 6: 12/6 Justice and Repair

Week 7: 12/13 Final Celebration

ACCESS: We are dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and empowering stories that truly reflect the diversity of our world. To uplift those most impacted by dominant culture, this course will prioritize folx identifying as BIPOC with the goal of holding a safe space. There is a short application process for this collaboration.

Cost: $500-600 (sliding scale—please read below)

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Suggested Cost:

To create intentional space and support for BIPOC attendees, we ask that you pay in light of your financial privileges and with a JEDI spirit (!) Here are a few guidelines:

$550-$600 – you have reliable sources of food, shelter, and transportation; are employed or financially secure; have regular access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally at your discretion (e.g. enjoy a concert, new clothes, a great meal). Paying the full amount also means you are able to support a BIPOC with limited resources who would like to join this course.

$500-$550– you have debt that sometimes compromises stability with food, shelter, and/or transportation; are employed; have some access to healthcare and savings; can spend recreationally.

Below $500 (please contact us) – you are under- or unemployed and/or for other reasons (e.g. healthcare, shelter expenses), you have very limited resources.