This two-day convening brings together artists, scholars, cultural practitioners, and community leaders to examine Indigenous knowledge systems as epistemic frameworks for reshaping institutional practice.

Through panel conversations and dialogue sessions, participants will explore relational caretaking as a guiding principle for museums and public institutions, one rooted in Indigenous understandings of responsibility, reciprocity, and stewardship across communities, lands, and knowledge systems.

What you can expect:

Participants can expect two days of conversation, connection, and collective learning centered around art, Indigenous knowledge systems, relational caretaking, and institutional transformation.

The convening will open on Monday October 12 at 5:00 PM with an evening keynote presentation by heather ahtone, PhD, followed by a reception with light bites, offering opportunities to gather, meet speakers and fellow participants.

Tuesday October 13 will include breakfast, five panel conversations featuring artists, scholars, curators, cultural leaders, and community practitioners, as well as a shared lunch and afternoon refreshments. Sessions will explore themes of sovereignty, stewardship, public memory, community engagement, environmental justice, and the evolving role of cultural institutions within public life.

Throughout the convening, participants will have opportunities for dialogue, reflection, and relationship-building across disciplines, communities, and lived experiences.

Ticketing Tiers:

Access — $25

Designed specifically for students, grassroots community participants, and individuals without institutional or professional development support who would otherwise face barriers to attending. This registration tier is intended to reduce financial obstacles to participation and should be selected by those for whom the cost of general admission registration would present a hardship.

General Admission — $150

Intended for professionals, faculty, museum and cultural practitioners, organizational leaders, researchers, and attendees participating with institutional, organizational, or professional development support. This registration level reflects the true cost of participation and directly supports artist honoraria, accessibility initiatives, community access, and the broader public programming and infrastructure that make the convening possible.

Supporter — $250

For individuals and organizations able to provide additional support for the convening’s accessibility, artist participation, and community engagement goals. Supporter registrations help sustain complimentary and reduced-cost access for artists, students, culture bearers, and community participants, while strengthening the gathering's overall reach, care, and public impact.

Community Access

We are committed to ensuring this convening remains accessible and community-centered. Community members, artists, culture bearers, and unemployed or underemployed individuals are encouraged to reach out for information about additional discounted admission options. Please contact: [email protected]

Accessibility

All keynote and panel conversations will include live captioning. We are committed to supporting accessibility and equitable participation throughout the convening. For additional accessibility requests or accommodations, please contact [email protected] at least four weeks in advance of the event.