From before our inception, we were profoundly inspired by the work of Camphill Villages to enable all people to develop their full potential in a deep nature-connected setting.    The work of inhabiting our full humanity can only happen in the context of caring for, and co-creating with, our natural habitat, our home, planet Earth.  

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Since then we have been blessed by many Indigenous and non-Native teachers who live and teach this knowledge.    Personal, cultural and environmental healing and renewal arise together. 

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By consciously receiving and acknowledging the ever-present support of the Earth in every single aspect of our lives, we are innately inspired and compelled to reciprocate that support.   Knowing that ALL beings can only thrive together if the Earth is thriving and if we are listening and including the unique wisdom not only of all humans but of our other-than-human plant, animal, mineral and elemental kin. 

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And those who came before us and those who are still here sharing their wisdom...

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LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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We gratefully acknowledge that Shimmering Light Farm inhabits land that is by tradition and by treaty the unceded home of the Seneca /Onöndowa’ga:’ people, The People of the Great Hill, one of the six nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.   In the Canandaigua Treaty of 1794, between the United States and the Haudenosaunee, all of Western NY was acknowledged legally as the territory of the Seneca Nation.  Over the last 226 years almost all of this territory has been taken from the Seneca via re-appropriation as eminent domain, fraud and illegal sales.   Thus, it is unceded territory.

 

The Seneca Nation is still thriving with more than 8,000 members.  The Canandaigua Treaty is still very much alive and active and its honored every year on November 11th in Canandaigua as a symbol of Peace and Friendship between the two sovereign nations of the Haudenosaunee and the United States of America.  It remains to be seen if the United States will fulfill its promises and make reparations for its failure to abide by the terms of the treaty. 

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In the meantime, it is a great honor and privilege for us to live and work on this land, to continue to build relationship with some of our Haudenosaunee neighbors and teachers, and find our own small ways to bring voice and respect and amends to the wrongs that have been done.  This is a work in progress and we have a long way to go.   We are grateful for the profound patience, wise guidance, and kindness of our Haudenosaunee friends as we find our way.   And we are appreciative of everyone who is working in many different ways, small and huge, to repair harm between our two nations, and the Earth, to create a more just and regenerative world.  

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We also acknowledge that modern American agriculture, herbalism and nature connection practices rest squarely on the shoulders of many generations of other black and brown people whose lands, labor, culture, knowledge and/or wisdom were taken by force.  This includes those who identify as Black, Asian, Latinx or have otherwise been racialized.  We sadly acknowledge that less than 1% of the lands in the Northeastern U.S. are owned by people of color and that many do not have access to natural spaces.  We seek to outreach and include more people of color in developing, leading and participating in our programs.

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We are all indigenous to planet Earth and we can learn from the Earth, and from those who have not forgotten, how to tap into our own genetic memory of living in greater harmony with all beings.   Nya:wëh (thank you!)

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PARTNERSHIPS toward Social Equity (Past and Present)

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One by one, over these last two decades we have been led to partnerships with each of the following organizations in some aspect of this reciprocal nature/human connection and renewal:

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Sojourner House

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Rushville Health Center – Domestic Violence Support Group

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The Breast Cancer Coalition

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Ontario County Jail

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Ontario County Day Reporting Program

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Ontario County Mental Health

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Ontario County Workforce Development

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Ontario ARC

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Bridges for Brain Injury

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Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County

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All of the School Districts in Ontario County

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Sixteen Farms in Ontario County

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Ganondagan

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EquiCenter

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We have served thousands of adults and youth over the years in our mission of reconnecting with the Earth, each other and our own true nature.  This has been inclusive of hundreds of people with serious life challenges including domestic violence, addiction, incarceration, poverty, mental/physical/intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, and illness.  

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Our journey is to continue to be more inclusive of more people in the development, delivery and participation of our programs, knowing that we need ALL of our unique genius to co-create a just, equitable and magnificent future!   

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Currently we are learning more about reparations possibilities including Cultural Respect Easements and the Northeast Farmers of Color Land Trust. 

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We have a long way to go and we welcome and need your experience and support on the journey.   Please contact us if you would like to get involved!

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