Futures Rising: Restoration & Co-creation is composed of Shameka L. Gagnier a non-tribal descendant of peoples from North (the Carolinas), Central ( Pure’pecha), and South (Ecuador/Colombia) Turtle Island, Africa, and Europe. It is through this confluence that they move to co-create spaces and possibilities to provide care for Mother Earth and our communities. Futures Rising/Gagnier has been working in collaboration and partnership with Na’ah Illahee Fund, United Indians of All Tribes, Native Voices, Yehaw Indigenous Creatives Collective, and Green Seattle Partnership.
The work centers connecting plant communities to their usual and accustomed territories, coordinating/working with BIPOC youth job training education cohorts and events, leading place making and restoration events, writing curriculum and teaching project-based arts integrative education. The long-term goal of their work is the commitment of land rematriation for the purpose of tending and contributing to plant diversity, guided by the wisdom and hands of First Peoples, Black and Indigenous community.
