The Wilderness Congress is a periodic gathering of activists, wisdom keepers, artists and scholars to consider current environmental issues and establish resolutions to inform and shape local and global wilderness policy. Wild12, the twelfth congress since its establishment in 1980, was hosted by Lakota Oglala in the sacred He Sapa Black Hills, South Dakota — the first time an Indigenous nation has hosted and steered the event.
The five-day event, held in Rapid City, from the 25th to the 31st of August 2024, attempted to empower and weave together two distinctly different ecological stakeholders — peoples of the land and environmentalists. The opening ceremony on the 25th of August was brilliantly executed and led by Wild12 and Lakota, who both showed exceptional leadership in honouring and respecting each other — a virtue that was evident throughout the five-day congress.
An indigenous-only space, commissioned by the Global Centre for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways (GCILL), was provided to support a non-colonial “wānanga” assembly, and a Circle of Elders was invited for wisdom and support. GCILL is an informal umbrella created to support long-term and short-term projects that educate and inform people about Indigenous ways, raise human consciousness, and co-create a harmonious relationship with Mother Earth.
GCILL is proud to co-organize WILD12 alongside The WILD Foundation and the Congress host: the Sicangu Lakota Oyate Treaty Council. Featuring Indigenous Leadership in the plenary, Global Indigenous Sessions, Indigenous knowledge exchange, and ceremonies and exhibitions, hundreds of people from around the world will participate in resolutions and outcomes to influence worldwide wilderness.
Source: GCILL Website
Attendees were privileged to learn about Oceti Sakowan creation stories, prophecies, and the significance of He Sapa for the peoples of this land. Two optional field trips introduced some of the 400 attendees to either Mahto Paha Bear Butte — a sacred mountain of prayer for tribes throughout Turtle Island - and Oniya Oshoka Wind Cave — signifying their eternal relationship with Pté buffalo, and emergent place for the Lakota people, from the underworld. I was fortunate to attend Wind Cave, where we learned of the two major constellations for Lakota, the Turtle and Salamander, and felt the intense peace of this significant energy centre.
Three representatives from Aotearoa New Zealand were in attendance: Jayden Gunn, Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn — affiliated to Ngāti Kuri and Te Rarawa — and myself, Andrew Barton.
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Photos fron Jayden Gunn, Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn, and Andrew Barton
Jayden Gunn is a freelance wildlife photographer and passionate conservationist based in Cowra, New South Wales who spoke about K2W – Kanangra-Boyd to Wyangala Glideway Project. K2W, of which he is Vice Chair, is a project that aims to connect vital habitats for Australia’s gliding possum species like the endangered Greater Glider, whilst integrating and connecting the needs of landholders and communities, including First Nation’s people with their cultural practices and country, private owners, and population centres.
Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn is a highly respected member of the GCILL and Wombs of Peace. Her resolution, “Metaphysical Activism”, proposing the need for a more conscious-centric approach to environmental issues, was one of the more progressive and effective resolutions for the WIlderness Congress to consider.
Andrew Barton - My initial association with Wild12 was after I attended the Oceti Sakowan Treaty Conference in December 2023. It was here that Chief Philimon Two Eagle - the organiser of the conference and co-organiser of Wild12 invited me to facilitate an Indigenous delegation from both Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia. The exercise to reach out and clarify kaupapa of the delegation was very productive and uplifting, but unfortunately, there was little time and no funding to bring over a delegation.
I am very grateful to all those who volunteered to attend. Special mention goes to Kaye-Maree Dunn who supported and helped guide the process, and Matawhero Lloyd who invited Pākehā – alongside Māori delegates – to be partners for the Congress. Matawhero and I both agreed that unity and equal recognition of a treaty waka hourua is the only solution in dealing with current issues of te Tiriti o Waitangi and resolving environmental and ecological issues for Papatūānuku.
Nga mihi,
Andrew Barton
Explore more:
- 🔗A powerful call to action – Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn’s Wild12 Resolution: Metaphysical Activism
- 🌍 Stay Connected – Visit the Wild website and subscribe to their newsletter for the latest updates on Wild13!
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