Resource Library

Ā Mua, i Muri ō Kōrero—walking backwards into the future.

We reflect on the past and look ahead with the Restoring Balance Collaborative. What impact have we made, what lessons shaped us, and where do we grow next? This three-year impact report highlights the progress, achievements, and impact of our growing practice community.

Inspired by the desert water cycle, the summary guides us through a transformational process by highlighting our interconnectedness with the natural world. Each section begins with a guiding question and then summarizes examples of Indigenous-led guardianship, stewardship, and management practices that were shared. We invite readers to use the summary to guide future efforts and support Indigenous-led initiatives.

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Nearly 200 people representing Indigenous Communities from Turtle Island and across the Pacific traveled to the Pueblo of Isleta in New Mexico for A Meeting of Sacred Waters held March 12-13, 2024. From this gathering place, one could see the Rio Grande River, or as it is known in Isleta, the Mother Blue River. Sadly, the river is no longer safe for drinking or cultural purposes due to pollution caused by the City of Albuquerque. Twenty-three sovereign Pueblos and Tribal Nations have fought for decades to protect the Rio Grande River Basin. However, a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has left more than 90 percent of the state’s surface waters without environmental protections, making them the most threatened waterways in the U.S.This story is just one of many shared at the gathering. Indigenous-led solutions are needed to address today’s water challenges and shift power dynamics in a way that respects sovereignty and Indigenous knowledge systems.

The impact of climate change and ecosystem collapse can no longer be ignored. We have reached a critical moment, a tipping point that calls for informed and effective climate action. “Engaging Indigenous communities” as suggested by the United Nations, national governments, researchers, and others is not enough. Indigenous-led systems transformation is needed to inform legal, regulatory, policy, and practical approaches to ensure an abundant future. Now is the time to deconstruct the systems and practices that reinforce colonialism and perpetuate inequities.In 2021, Red Star International, Inc. (Red Star), an Indigenous-led non-profit organization based in the U.S., explored the potential role a global, multi-sector Indigenous collaborative could have in advancing systems transformation for the well-being of humanity and the environment. This practice brief summarizes the participatory process utilized and Red Star’s future directions based on project outcomes.

Indigenous wellbeing is based on interconnected social and ecological systems that are being disrupted by the changing climate. Ken Paul will explore traditional Wolastoqey teachings for balancing spiritual, emotional, physical and mental health in the individual, and then expand on these teachings to a societal level. During this interactive webinar, we will discuss some of the priorities necessary to have healthy nations and societies, while examining modern pressures that push us out of balance. The framework that will be shared is based on a traditional 4 directions model and can be applied to many other aspects of our daily lives.

In 2020, concerns for the threatened Colorado River Basin drove Indigenous Leaders from Arizona on a remarkable journey to meet the Māori peoples of the Whanganui River. After winning a 175-year battle, the Whanganui River Tribes inspired the world when New Zealand law recognized their river as a living entity. Indigenous Leaders from tribes in Arizona and the Whanganui River in Aotearoa/New Zealand participated in an Indigenous knowledge exchange about the health and healing of our rivers. Selection: American Indian Film Festival 2021 Best Documentary Hepwesa Award Winner: Indie Film Fest 2023 Director: Anna Marbrook

Indigenous Peoples are leading system change within their own communities and there is great value in coming together as a global practice community. The Restoring Balance Collaborative is a global multisector community that connects, expands, and strengthens local, regional, and national networks by creating a space for idea exchange.Red Star serves as the backbone organization – the coordinating body – that works to lead a synchronized effort towards our shared aspirations and goals. Guided by an international advisory council, the Collaborative provides a shared space, or ‘hub.