Bioneers: ICCE
Bringing Indigenous Perspectives to Global Conversations
Indigeneity
In 2016, Rez Refuge journeyed out to California for the Bioneers conference with a total of 10 students. Today, we have been a part of 6 annual conference and a part of the Intercultural Conversations Exchange Program established by the Bioneers Indigeneity Program. This platform serves as a collaborative effort for Native and non-Native youth to come together and discuss a wide range of critical issues facing their communities.
Participant Goals
Gaining understanding
Increase their ability to empathize and understand people from different cultural backgrounds
Cultivating leadership
Develop the confidence and know-how to take on leadership roles in social and environmental justice issues.
Developing skills
Improve communications, leaderships, and collaborative skills in a cross-cultural context while forming new and last friendships
Raising awareness
Better understand issues affecting Indigenous Peoples, and to be able to articulate why these issues are important to all peoples.
It was very powerful to be in an environment such as Bioneers where I knew everyone there cares deeply about the issues and topics we discussed and is optimistic for the future. I now realize that throughout my education, I have hardly been taught anything about Native American cultures. I believe that the general dismissal of Indigenous Peoples' cultures, rights, and histories is one of the most pressing social issues facing American society today.
Our Participants
We send high school-aged students demonstrating willingness to learn and an interest in social and environmental issues. Other Bioneer participants include a diverse group of youth from different ethnic, cultural, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds. They originate from various schools and youth organizations across the US.
