From the Ridge to the River: What It Means To Be a Citizen of the Watershed

Keynote speakers Hartman Deetz Mashpee Wampanoag artist-activist and environmental and cultural steward and Rebecca Todd Executive Director of the Connecticut River Conservancy. Hartman and Rebecca will discuss the Rights of Our Rivers the connection between ecosystems and their plant and animal populations and grounding into a sense of place. The event will be live and livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/live/3D965usVf-U. 

Hartman Deetz has been active in environmental and cultural stewardship for over 20 years. This stewardship is based on his spiritual foundation in his Native traditions that value the Earth as a living being. He is a traditional artist and a singer and dancer having shown his art in galleries and performed for audiences from coast to coast across the US and internationally. His wampum jewelry and other items will be on sale at the event. Deetz is currently engaged in advocacy work for the Charles River Watershed Association advocating for the health and restoration of the Charles River. He supports campaigns around Indigenous rights to access waterways and the protection and restoration of Mashpee water quality and water quality in general for the future.

Rebecca Todd has advised organizations individuals and businesses related to environmental educational contractual employment and non-profit management for over 30 years. Before joining Connecticut River Conservancy in October 2023 Rebecca served as General Counsel for Antioch University as Associate Attorney General in the Office of the Attorney General in Washington in the Education and Ecology divisions and litigated cases for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund Inc. (now Earthjustice) and the Natural Resources Defense Council Inc. related to the Clean Water Act the Endangered Species Act and hazardous waste laws. Rebecca also teaches environmental law legal advocacy and other subjects nationally and internationally. 

The Nolumbeka Project is a non-profit all-volunteer non-tribal organization focused on honoring and celebrating Northeastern tribal heritage and modern-day presence. They create and promote educational opportunities preservation projects and cultural events in partnership with tribal members. www.nolumbekaproject.org 

The Connecticut River Conservancy is a non-profit organization that focuses on restoring and advocating for clean water healthy habitats and resilient communities in order to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Through collaborative partnerships in New Hampshire Vermont Massachusetts and Connecticut CRC leads and supports science-based efforts for natural and life-filled rivers from source to sea. www.ctriver.org

Western Mass Rights of Nature is a grassroots organization connected to the global Rights of Nature movement working to bring about the legal and cultural change necessary to recognize the inherent right of the Connecticut River her watershed and the myriad of life that she supports to exist thrive evolve and be restored. https://sites.google.com/view/western-mass-rights-of-nature

This event is free and accessible and the public is welcome. Donations in support of this program can be made at www.nolumbekaproject.org/donate/

This event will be livestreamed. Link at www.nolumbekaproject.org/events

This event is co-sponsored by the Nolumbeka Project Connecticut River Conservancy Western Mass Rights of Nature Greenfield Savings Bank Greenfield Cooperative Bank River Valley Co-op UMass Five College Credit Union Antenna Cloud Farm and Greenfield Community College

Free but donations are appreciated. 

Host or Publisher Nolumbeka Project, Inc.