Dates: May to December 2026, online. See below for details.
Applications due: Wednesday, April 22
The Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition is pleased to offer this course to engage land trust leaders with the histories, contemporary realities, and futures of Indigenous peoples in the place now called Massachusetts. Across seven Modules, participants will build foundational knowledge of regional Indigenous history, consider relational approaches to engagement, examine political landscapes and organizational responsibilities, and learn about concrete Indigenizing practices in conservation spaces. The curriculum centers cultural humility, historical accountability, and Indigenous-led knowledge and perspectives framed by Indigenous scholarship, community voices, and lived experience. Participants are not expected to come with prior knowledge; the course is designed to meet people where they are and support growth over time.
Module 1: May 4 - May 24
Legacies of Harm: Colonialism, Conservation & Why this Work Matters
Indigenous-led discussion Tuesday May 19, noon - 1 p.m. or Thursday May 21, 7 - 8 p.m.
Peer-led discussion Thursday, May 28, 10 - 11 a.m. or Monday, June 1, 7 - 8 p.m.
Module 2: May 25 - June 28
Cultural Humility; Indigenous Histories of Southern New England
Indigenous-led discussion Tuesday June 23, noon - 1 p.m. or Thursday June 25, 7 - 8 p.m.
Peer-led discussion Monday, June 29, 10 - 11 a.m. or Wednesday, July 1, 7 - 8 p.m.
Module 3: June 29 - August 9
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Indigenous Land Relations
Indigenous-led discussion Tuesday July 28, noon - 1 p.m. or Thursday August 6, 7 - 8 p.m.
Peer-led discussion Wednesday, August 12, 1 - 2 p.m. or Wednesday, August 12, 7 - 8 p.m.
Module 4: August 10 - Sept 6
Legal and Political Frameworks, Sovereignty & Massachusetts-Specific Rights Landscapes
Indigenous-led discussion Tuesday August 25, noon - 1 p.m. or Thursday September 3, 7 - 8 p.m.
Peer-led discussions Wednesday, September 9, 3 - 4 p.m. or Thursday, September 10, 7 - 8 p.m.
Module 5: Sept 7 - October 18
Relational Community Engagement; Tribal Governments & Indigenous-led non-profit organizations
Indigenous-led discussion Thursday October 8, noon - 1 p.m. or Thursday October 15, 7 - 8 p.m.
Peer-led discussion Tuesday, October 20, 10 -11 a.m. or Wednesday, October 21, 7 - 8 p.m.
Module 6: October 19 - November 8
Organizational Culture Shift: Moving Toward Ethical Relational Practice
Indigenous-led discussion Tuesday November 3, noon - 1 p.m. or Thursday November 5, 7 - 8 p.m.
Peer-led discussion Thursday, November 12, 2 - 3 p.m. or Thursday, November 12, 7 - 8 p.m.
Module 7: November 9 - December 9
Indigenizing Conservation: Land Return, Rematriation and Applied Pathways
Indigenous-led discussion Tuesday December 1, noon - 1 p.m. or Thursday December 3, 7 - 8 p.m.
Peer-led discussion December 7, 1 - 2 p.m. or December 9, 7 - 8 p.m.
Each Module includes a selection of recommended readings and/or videos, reflection questions that participants will complete on their own, and an Indigenous-led discussion session via Zoom. Participants can also opt to join peer-led discussions offered for each Module. The course has been designed and curated by Kimberly Toney and Pamela Ellis, with input from MLTC's working group on Expanding Indigenous Conservation Relationships. Learn more about Kimberly and Pamela here: About Us | Nipmuc Community Land Project
Intended audience
Staff and board members of Massachusetts-based land trusts seeking to understand their responsibilities working in the homelands of Indigenous people, and who are seeking to develop or expand ethical Indigenous partnerships.
Commitment requested
Approximately 4 - 5 hours per month (about 1 hour per week), including readings, reflections, and one live discussion session per module. We recognize the demands on your time and have designed the program to be meaningful, manageable and respectful of participants' schedules. Materials are designed to be flexible and accessible for busy professionals. To assist with scheduling, two dates for the Indigenous-led discussions will be offered for each module, with the expectation that you would attend one or the other. To support relationship-building and shared learning, we encourage participants to attend at least six of the seven live sessions. This learning journey is cumulative and relational; consistent participation supports trust and depth for all involved. For similar reasons, registration will be capped at 60 participants, with a maximum of three per organization. Please coordinate with others in your organization so that you can submit just one application. When deciding who from your organization should participate, we encourage you to consider who has the capacity to share this learning back with your organization.*
Cost
The cost to MLTC to provide this course is over $400 per person. With support from our individual donors, we are offering the course at the suggested registration fee of $200 per organization, covering up to 3 participants. We are committed to access, so the application provides an opportunity to request scholarship assistance. The registration form also includes an invitation to contribute toward scholarships for others, in case your organization is able to do that.
Apply here (Preview the application questions here.)
* Options for bringing this learning back to your organization will depend on the particular nature and dynamics of your organization, but could include:
- Providing regular updates from Learning Journey participants at each board and/or staff meeting
- Creating a staff/board learning group to meet regularly with Learning Journey participants to discuss course materials or hear debriefs from each Learning Journey module
- Finding ways for staff and board members who have participated in similar Learning Journeys to support this Journey’s participants
- Connecting with peer organizations in your area to share ways they are applying this learning
- Supporting and attending public events hosted by Indigenous partners
- Developing your muscle for difficult, honest conversations, including by participating in training on examining and shifting traditional organizational culture
- Organizing a meeting or retreat to define your organization’s plans for developing or expanding ethical Indigenous partnerships.
- Creating an internal and/or outward-facing statement of your commitment to land justice
- Incorporating your organization's land justice commitments into your next annual work plan and budget and/or next strategic plan