Wayfinders Circle An Exchange of Knowledge and Spirituality Strengthens Unity of Wayfinders Circle Members 

On a chilly Thursday night, on the lands of the Cahuilla People in what is also known as Southern California, Indigenous Peoples from across the globe gathered to conclude a weeklong intimate exchange of knowledge and spirituality. As the wind whirled around them and the sun fell behind looming mountains, the group of about a dozen shared songs, stories, prayers, and moving reflections from their time together.

They weren’t alone.  Participants carried with them generations of ancestors who labored for their survival and whose resilience paved the way for them to stand together as thriving Indigenous Peoples – a central theme of their time together. 

The Native American Land Conservancy, a nonprofit that represents tribes from Southern California, hosted this diverse Indigenous group on Cahuilla lands. The group was comprised of various members of the Wayfinders Circle, a co-convening of the Pawanka Fund and Nia Tero in partnership with the World Union of Indigenous Spiritual Practitioners.

The Wayfinders came from near and far – relatively proximate areas like Blackfeet lands in Montana and the Heiltsuk Nation in Canada , as well as distant places like Sápmi in Sweden and Warddeken lands in Australia. Others came from Maya territory, lands of the Pueblo Peoples, and the Great Lakes region of North America.

A Journey Toward Building Long-lasting Indigenous Solidarity

At the start of the week, the group spent time learning about the Cahuilla, with Wayfinders sharing their own similar experiences as Indigenous Peoples.

They visited spaces sacred to the tribe, walking throughout the peaks and valleys of the land as they heard about traditional medicines and sustenance. Elders spoke about the history and healing properties of one of the hot springs, inviting the group to cleanse themselves. Wayfinders watched as a Cahuilla basket-maker demonstrated how she creates these beautiful works using skills passed down to her over generations. The Cahuilla also shared with the group their ancestral bird songs, which hold stories and wisdom.

“One of the greatest gifts Wayfinders have given me on this transformational journey is the ability to see the similarities in who we are as people in our relationship to the land and our collective struggle for self-determination and sovereignty for our homelands and our relatives back home,” said Indigenous law lawyer Saul Brown (Heiltsuk Nation). “That exchange – whether it's a spiritual exchange, a cultural exchange, or how to preserve and conserve lands and waters in which we come from – inform our strategies and our vision for our future. Not just for us, but for all people across the globe.” 

Centering the Sacred

Indigenous spirituality was a cornerstone of the gathering and of the Wayfinders Circle’s work overall. One commonality discussed by the group was the way in which their traditions and spiritual practices are interwoven with the reciprocal care of their homelands and waters.

“When you open yourself up to everybody's ancient ways, you're creating such a powerful bond for everybody. But also within yourself to whatever center there is,” said Elizabeth Paige (Desert Cahuilla), NALC’s Education and Stewardship Program Manager. “I know that I get my spirituality from the land. I can hear it talking to me and, you know, I talk to it. So there’s a communication there. And I feel that within the circle and that's valuable and really beautiful to see.” 

 As the week went on, the time together paved the way for deeper conversations about the universalities of the Indigenous experience. Attendees who arrived as strangers became friends and allies to each other in ways that transcend the weeklong gathering. At the close of their time together, participants departed with a tangible sense of connection, trust, and friendships they can draw upon to support each others’ work to protect their lands, waters, and territories. 

“I really enjoyed meeting the other members of the Wayfinders Circle. There is so much knowledge and wisdom in the group that I can carry with me and learn from,” said Ida Åhrén, Sámiid Riikkasearvi (RSR). “The gathering gave me the energy to go back home and continue fighting for our traditional lands and our rights.”