Sponsoring IEC 2020

Sponsoring the Integral European Conference 2020

by Rev. Houston R. Cypress, Otter Clan,
Board of Directors
Love The Everglades Movement

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What's most meaningful to me about supporting this gathering?  I have 2 reasons.

Originally, I was looking forward to meeting the communities that this gathering would have brought together; but, due to the public health emergency created by the COVID-19 pandemic, everything is going online, virtual.  Over the years that I've been watching the Integral Theory blossom in many realms, I've been motivated by the incredible and positive changes throughout the world initiated by the diverse practitioners inspired by this work.  So, I was looking forwrd to meeting the people.

Secondly, I was looking forward to the expansion -- expansion of my heart and mind.  I want to be moved by what people are achieving on the land, with/in communities, and throughout the cultural expressions of diverse peoples.  The incredible work done by communities implementing Integral Theory have also cultivated beautiful, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary artwork and coalitions.

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These two areas -- community and culture -- combined with a decolonial attitude toward knowledge and wisdom, are some of the primary sites where the work of our nonprofit organization does very well.  And we are happy to be inspired by the cosmovisions and traditional ecological knowledges of the indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (known by some as the so-called Americas).  The frameworks, ideas, and critiques offered by the Integral community of theorists and practitioners have given us a way to talk across the divides.

We are honored and privileged to be able to do this work on lands that have been cared for by many indigenous communities of the past, present, and future -- including our friends:

• the Council of the Original Miccosukee Simanolee Nation Aboriginal Peoples,
  
• the Seminole Tribe of Florida,
  
• and the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida.
  

We encourage you to learn more about their environmental priorities, and to do your best to support policies that integrate their conservation principles on a local, regional, national, and international scale. We are happy to uplift the scientific and conservation efforts of the Miccosukee Environmental Protection Agency.

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One of the many reasons it's important to acknowledge the indigenous communities of this land is due to the effects of erasure from mainstream narratives caused by (un)official policies.  We honor the value of other knowledge systems, and we are inspired to action by traditional ecological knowledge, the arts, and the insights gained through science and research and personal experience.  We encourage a broader understanding of the American context for Reconciliation.  To learn more about that, please look up the 2009 US Apology to Native Peoples.

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By finding a balance between these paradigms -- the Circle of Life as upheld by the Miccosukee and Seminole peoples, and the quadrants and levels, etc., of the Integral Theorists -- the Love The Everglades Movement has been able to articulate protocols of joy that create conditions for a strengthened, and reciprocal, relationship with the natural world that we are a part of. The images in this article are taken from my presentation at the Creative Time Summit from 2018.  The link is provided below.

Ultimately, we want to be able to bring a sense of creative solidarity with the natural world, and also with our friends and family among the indigenous communities, the First Nations, the Original Peoples.

We look forward to connecting with the broader community to share ideas, and ultimately the joys of our gardens, with one another.

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