ABCD
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Rematriation Futures Symposium: April 11 - 13, 2025
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Iowa State University, King Pavillion
722 Sheldon Ave Ext, Ames, IA 50011
Parking Lot 9 is open to the public after 6 PM and on weekends

Organized by Wai Think Tank, Great Plains Action Society and LOUDREADERS
For more information contact sikowis@greatgplainsaction.org
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DateLocationEventDetails
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Friday, April 11
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM		Online Zoom
Register Here		Introduction to Rematriation and Food Futures in Palestine and Puerto Rico
- Ahmad Heneiti, Doctoral student in Anthropology, University of Paris-8
- Faiq Mari, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture & Planning, Birzeit University-Palestine
- Haifa Saleh, Architect, Urban Designer, Experiential Researcher & Builder in Natural Construction Methods
- Pluma Barbara Moreno, Pueblo Can Jibaro and Indigenous School of Lares
- Natalia Santos, Professor of Human Rights doing Research of the Rights to Food in PR
- Julio Cesar Hernandez, Food Security & Agricultural Research Data Center UPR Mayaguez
Moderators:
- Cruz Garcia, Co-Founder of WAI Architecture Think Tank and LOUDREADERS
- Layan Salameh, Architect / Researcher / Designer
- Nur Jabarin, PhD Student, Columbia University
- Alexandra Pagan, Writer, Director Women and Gender Studies UPR 		Virtual Session with speakers from Palestine and Puerto Rico, working on food and land sovereignty. Presentations and discussions surrounding food sovereignty, colonial policies that create food insecurity, and ongoing research and activist practices in Puerto Rico and Palestine.
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Saturday, April 12
9:45 - 10:00 AM		In-Person: King Pavilion
Online Zoom: Register Here		Welcome
- Cruz Garcia, Co-Founder of WAI Architecture Think Tank and LOUDREADERS
- Sikowis Nobiss, Executive Director, Great Plains Action Society 		Welcome and get comfortable!
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Saturday, April 12
10:00 - 11:15 AM		In-Person: King Pavilion
Online Zoom: Register Here		Defending the Land from False Climate Solutions: Fighting CO2 Pipelines and Examining Carbon Offsets
- Aissa Dearing, PhD Student, University of Oxford
- Carolyn Raffensperger, Executive Director, Science and Environmental Health Network
- Sunshine Thomas-Bear, EJ Consultant, Great Plains Action Society
- Moderator: Sikowis Nobiss, Executive Director, Great Plains Action Society		This panel delves into the complexities of climate justice, highlighting the dangers of false solutions that perpetuate colonialism, health hazards, and environmental degradation. Panelists will share their expertise on the impacts of CO2 pipelines and carbon offsetting schemes, exploring the ways in which these "solutions" disproportionately harm frontliner communities and exacerbate climate change.
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Saturday, April 12
1:00 - 2:15 PM		In-Person: King Pavilion
Online Zoom: Register Here		Reclaiming the Land: Strategies for Indigenous-Led Stewardship, Cultural Revitalization, and Healing Justice
- Sikowis Nobiss, Executive Director, Great Plains Action Society
- Kevin Abourezk, Deputy Managing Editor, Indian Country Today
- Eric Anglada, Honor Native Land Fund
- Faiq Mari, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture & Planning, Birzeit University-Palestine
- Moderator: Cruz Garcia, Co-Founder of WAI Architecture Think Tank and LOUDREADERS		A discussion on the critical issue of land back and its relationship to building community power, land defense, food sovereignty, and cultural revitalization. Panelists will explore the ongoing impacts of colonialism on Indigenous lands and communities, and share thoughts and plans for reclaiming and stewarding land as well as how allies can help make that happen.
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Saturday, April 12
2:30 - 3:45 PM		In-Person: King Pavilion
Online Zoom: Register Here		Reclaiming the Power of the Feminine: Exploring the Matriarchy in Rematriation
- Karen Mackey, Community Organizer
- Jessica Engelking, Representation Director, Great Plains Action Society
- Lestina Saul, LADC, CA, Nebraska Urban Indian Health Coalition (via zoom)
- Moderator: Nathalie Frankowski, Co-Founders of WAI Architecture Think Tank and LOUDREADERS		This is a powerful conversation that will delve into the intersection of matriarchy, ReMatriation, Gender, and Indigenous cultures. This panel brings together esteemed Indigenous women leaders and activists to explore the significance of feminine power and leadership in in Indigenous communities that promote environmental, social, and healing justice for overall community well-being.
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Saturday, April 12
4:00 - 5:15 PM		In-Person: King Pavilion
Online Zoom: Register Here		Stewarding Land and Food for Community Building, Culture, and Change
- Felicia Pieper, Global Food Project
- Steven Roach, Food Animal Concerns Trust
- Mariolga Reyes Cruz, Ecofeminist Community Psychologist, Agroecology Promoter, and Filmmaker
- Moderator: Sikowis Nobiss, Executive Director, Great Plains Action Society		This panel addresses land stewardship in relationship to the climate crisis and food sovereignty, as well as the culinary heritage of Indigenous and migrant communities. It highlights the importance of struggles for land, the role of traditional foods in preserving cultural identity, promoting food sovereignty, and fostering community resilience. Panelists will explore the central role of land, and food in cultural revitalization and community building.
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Sunday, April 13
1:45 - 2:45 PM		Online Zoom
Register Here		Planetary Round Table: ReMatriaon Efforts in Palestine and Puerto Rico
- Cruz Garcia and Nathalie Frankowski, Co-Founders of WAI Architecture Think Tank and LOUDREADERS
- Layan Salameh, Architect / Researcher / Designer
- Nur Jabarin, PhD Student, Columbia University
- Alexandra Pagan, Writer, Director Women and Gender Studies UPR
- Sikowis Nobiss, Executive Dirctor, Great Plains Action Society		We will finish off with folks from Palestine and Puerto Rico calling in from their homelands to discuss their perspectives on the importance of ReMatriation.
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