Cultural Collaboration is one of three pillars upholding the framework of our Purpose Earth grant and mentorship program. This pillar supports projects empowering creative expression and connection, while strengthening the values of compassion and collaboration, across communities and sectors. In bringing these ideals to the mainstream, we envision a consciously connected, global culture that honors the good of the whole.
Explore the extraordinary projects committed to this important work below.
The Earth Guardians Indigenous Youth Initiative is a unique program focusing on uplifting Indigenous ways of life, voice and leadership, with a vision of bringing the planet back into balance and out of climate chaos. Every year this program plans a 7-day, in-person training, followed by ongoing support for the participating youth.
This in-person gathering is led by Indigenous adult mentors and the Earth Guardians Indigenous Youth Initiative Committee and engaging with 25+ Native youth leaders ages 18-25 years of age from diverse tribes. This training equips each participant with the tools and confidence to inspire and lead other tribal youth, and their community members, to effect impactful lasting change in the areas of: traditional ecological knowledge, food sovereignty, environmental/social justice issues, reclamation of story, multimedia techniques, Native nation building, non-violent direct action, campaign development, cultural resilience and de-colonization. Youth participants are empowered in their own climate projects, learning valuable skills and building relationships with mentors and peers during the program.
Project Update:
The project's community was devastated by Hurricane Helene and working tirelessly to help the communities who were hardest hit by historical flooding. If you are able, please consider helping support their efforts there and around Asheville, North Carolina on their GoFund me page.
Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo
The Earth Guardians Indigenous Youth Initiative is a unique program focusing on uplifting Indigenous ways of life, voice and leadership, with a vision of bringing the planet back into balance and out of climate chaos. Every year this program plans a 7-day, in-person training, followed by ongoing support for the participating youth.
This in-person gathering is led by Indigenous adult mentors and the Earth Guardians Indigenous Youth Initiative Committee and engaging with 25+ Native youth leaders ages 18-25 years of age from diverse tribes. This training equips each participant with the tools and confidence to inspire and lead other tribal youth, and their community members, to effect impactful lasting change in the areas of: traditional ecological knowledge, food sovereignty, environmental/social justice issues, reclamation of story, multimedia techniques, Native nation building, non-violent direct action, campaign development, cultural resilience and de-colonization. Youth participants are empowered in their own climate projects, learning valuable skills and building relationships with mentors and peers during the program.
Project Update:
The project's community was devastated by Hurricane Helene and working tirelessly to help the communities who were hardest hit by historical flooding. If you are able, please consider helping support their efforts there and around Asheville, North Carolina on their GoFund me page.
Two Apurina communities in Boca do Acre and Baixo Pauni, in Brazil
The Indigenous Peoples of Brazil Water Project’s mission is to build drinking water wells for two Indigenous communities in Acre in Brazil: one in the Apurina community in Baixo Pauni and another for those living near Boca do Acre.
Meeting with the Apurina women near Boca do Acre in 2023, Co-Founder of the Planetary Healing Centre, Claudia Goncalves learned that they are without immediate access to drinking water and have to walk long distances carrying water for their families and home. Elders, mothers, and children have an endless task of carrying buckets of water every day while the men are working collecting Brazil Nuts. The Apurina community in Baixo Pauni is facing similar hardships. This community, comprised of 130 to 140 families, including children and elders, relies on an igarapé (a small stream) for drinking water, which is contaminated and causing illness. This project is in motion to provide wells to these two villages that are in desperate need of a sustainable source of clean water.
Saptari District, Nepal
Asikabew, Ghana
Transforming the Environment, Transforming Lives is an environmental sustainability initiative aimed at empowering the women and youth of Asikabew, a community located in the Nsawam Adoagyiri Municipality in the Eastern Region of Ghana, West Africa, through education. The initiative educates villagers on how to transform both natural and artificial waste products into reusable, eco-friendly products. The project initiative also provides a platform to sell their eco-friendly products to generate funds and improve their community living conditions.
