Reclaiming Our Own Time (ROOT) is part of an ever-growing movement to provide resources, support, and spaces for rest and restoration for Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color movement leaders. ROOT calls for us to reclaim our humanity and return to our ancestral roots through rest and restoration. In this space, we lift up our elders, healers, guides, artists, and community culture bearers intergenerationally, holding our communities through joy, grief, and passing ancestral practices. We believe we must honor our healers by curating spaces where we can center rest and shared practices can emerge.
We’re thrilled to extend an invitation to our BIPOC elders, healers, guides, artists, and culture bearers for your proposal to present or facilitate a workshop at our three-day, in-person Heal the Healers convening Feb. 27 – March 1, 2025!
The convening promises to be a transformative sanctuary of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation amidst workshops on holistic care and professional growth. As an act of revolution and movement building, attendees will immerse themselves in sessions advocating the necessity of self-care, from meditation techniques to stress management. Experts will share insights on how creating portals of rest and nourishing rest practices prevents burnout, fosters resilience, and nurtures mental health. As participants experience connection and harmony within, the alignment reduces anxiety, promotes clarity of mind, and cultivates a profound sense of spiritual well-being. Rest creates space for contemplation, renewal, and a deeper understanding of one’s purpose and values.
Workshop proposals are due by Dec. 1, 2024, 11:59 p.m. CT.
Submit Your Proposal Here
Below, you’ll find a comprehensive guide to help you structure your submission. We look forward to receiving your proposals and to a conference that truly nourishes and empowers our community of healers!
Purpose
To offer participants tools and insights to reclaim their time and rest, especially in the lives of elders, healers, guides, artists, and community culture bearers. The experiences will support reclaiming of ancestral healing, self-care routines, foster community support, and further professional development, all while emphasizing the importance of rest and well-being. We are seeking presentations/activities that fall into one or more of the following tracks/themes:
- Spirituality
- Somatic
- Art
- Mending Wounds
Spirituality
Spirituality can significantly enhance rest, self-care, and community care by fostering a deeper sense of connection and purpose. Practices such as mindfulness, meditation, and conscious contact with a higher power encourage individuals to pause and reflect, promoting mental relaxation and emotional balance. Spiritual traditions often emphasize the importance of self-compassion and personal well-being, guiding individuals to prioritize self-care routines that nourish both body and spirit. Moreover, spirituality frequently highlights the value of communal bonds, encouraging acts of kindness, shared support, and collective healing. By integrating spiritual principles into daily life, people can cultivate a supportive environment that values rest and rejuvenation, ultimately strengthening both personal and communal resilience. Participants in this track will place a primary emphasis on spirituality.
Somatic
Somatic treatments, such as body work, yoga, Tai Chi, massage, and self-touch offer profound benefits for rest, self-care, and community care by focusing on the connection between mind and body. These practices help individuals release physical tension and stress, facilitating deeper relaxation and enhancing overall well-being. By addressing bodily sensations and emotions, somatic treatments support self-care by encouraging greater awareness and responsiveness to one’s own needs. In a community setting, shared somatic practices foster a sense of unity and collective healing, promoting mutual support and empathy. Engaging in these treatments together can build stronger communal bonds and create a nurturing environment where individuals feel cared for and connected.
Art
Art can play a transformative role in promoting rest, self-care, and community care by providing expressive outlets and fostering creativity. Engaging in artistic activities, such as painting, drawing, or crafting, allows individuals to relax and unwind, reducing stress and facilitating mental rejuvenation. Art encourages self-care by offering a means of self-expression and reflection, helping individuals process emotions and gain insight into their personal experiences. In community settings, collaborative art projects and exhibitions can strengthen bonds and create shared experiences, promoting collective healing and support. Through art, people can connect with each other, celebrate diversity, and build supportive networks that enhance overall well-being.
Mending Wounds
Healing the wounds of trauma can profoundly enhance rest, self-care, and community care by addressing and alleviating the deep-seated impacts of traumatic experiences. Trauma healing often involves creating safe spaces for individuals to process their experiences and emotions, which fosters relaxation and mental clarity. This process supports self-care by helping individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and self-awareness. Additionally, collective trauma healing can strengthen community bonds by encouraging shared narratives and mutual support. Through community dialogues and collaborative healing practices, communities can rebuild trust, enhance resilience, and promote a culture of empathy and collective well-being.
Examples
Workshop topics under these themes include:
- Cultural practices
- Reclaiming ancestral healing
- Leveraging storytelling in intergenerational practices
- Techniques and practices for personal and professional rest
- Strategies for integrating self-care into daily routines
- Building and sustaining supportive community networks
- Professional development and burnout prevention
- Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques
- Effective stress-management strategies
- Creating balanced work environments
- Using art as a gateway to rest
- The written word: creating a personal narrative of rest through storytelling, poetry, and journaling
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on relevance to the conference theme, clarity of objectives, facilitator experience, and the potential impact on attendees. Preference will be given to interactive and engaging formats that provide practical, actionable insights.
Submission Instructions
Please complete the application and submit your proposal by Dec. 1, 11:59 p.m. CT. Submissions will only be accepted through the link above. Questions? Email rhernandez@nexuscp.org.
Additional Information
Selected facilitators will receive compensation of $600 for individual workshop sessions. You may submit multiple proposals to present at additional times for additional compensation.