ILP, Indigenous Lands Program Ray Tollison ILP, Indigenous Lands Program Ray Tollison

The Pueblo Revolt

On August 10, 1680, the Pueblo nations of New Mexico rose up against the Spanish colonizers. For over eighty years, the Pueblo people suffered violence, cruelty, and hunger; exploitation of labor and resources; harassment and persecution for practicing long-held religious traditions that are interwoven in daily life; and psychological and physical stress. Pueblo leaders realized negotiations with the Spaniards was useless.

Read More

Bridging Cultures: Championing Indigenous Sovereignty

It is satisfying to know that people around the world are intrigued with Indigenous Peoples and support the feats being endured. Working with Trees, Water & People (TWP), I have learned that this is one of our best and strongest virtues. We bring like-minded people to the table and our organization to move our mission and virtues forward.

Read More

Tribal Forest and Fire Summit Sparks Future of Forest Restoration & Stewardship in the Southwest

Santa Ana - In a groundbreaking gathering from January 29th - February 1st, 2024, the inaugural Tribal Forest and Fire Summit convened at Santa Ana Pueblo, NM uniting over 175 participants from 22 pueblos, tribes, and native nations. This catalyzing event also welcomed a broad spectrum of agencies and nonprofits from across the state, fostering a vibrant forum for exchanging ideas on land management, conservation, and forest fire mitigation.

Read More
ILP, Indigenous Lands Program Ray Tollison ILP, Indigenous Lands Program Ray Tollison

The American Bison

The American Bison is a keystone species that was almost eradicated from the landscape in America in less than 80 years by the United States and its citizens. The number of bison on the ground in North America was estimated to be between 20-60 million between the 1600’s and 1800’s.

Read More

Hope and Community Strength

One year ago, my beloved home state of New Mexico experienced its worst wildfire in recorded history. The aftermath of the fire has displaced centuries-old communities, devastated critical ecosystems and challenged how land management policies need to be refined. Even with support and resources, the road to recovery remains long and challenging.

Read More

Involving Youth in Outdoor Play and Environmental Stewardship Work

Youth development is a big part of our work here at Trees, Water & People (TWP). In Colorado, we partner with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s (UMUT) local charter school, Kwiyagat Community Academy (KCA), and other local organizations to involve youth in outdoor play and environmental stewardship work.

Read More

Indigenous Sovereignty In Action

My last few months have been filled with exciting adventures and experiences. I was blessed to visit Central America in February, followed by a spontaneous trip to Washington DC last week. Both trips provided me with the opportunity to expand my lens in relation to what Indigenous Sovereignty means on a national and international scale.

Read More

The Changing Roles of Women in Tribal Culture

Regina Lopez-Whiteskunk is a rockstar for Indigenous sovereignty, environmental justice, and gender equity and inclusion. She has been at the forefront of these initiatives in the southwest and has represented her Tribe as an everyday leader and previous member of the Tribal Council. A member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, Regina grew up in southwest Colorado.

Read More

Caring and Co-Existing With The Land

In today’s world, the term “environmental stewardship” has become heavily integrated into common language. We often hear about different approaches to protecting our lands, preserving our natural resources and ensuring that future generations will have the same access to these resources. The reach of this idea is so far and deep that it has become a global movement.

But this philosophy is not new.

Read More

New Opportunities for Sharing Indigenous Knowledge with Tribal Youth

Passing on the traditional values of environmental stewardship and reciprocity with the land has played a role in Indigenous cultures for time immemorial. Though the spirit of traditional learning remains the same, in today’s society, the way information is shared and passed down to the next generation has changed.

Read More

Beyond Advocacy: How TWP is advancing Indigenous Sovereignty

At Trees, Water & People (TWP), we unequivocally celebrate the autonomy of Tribes within the United States, and advocate for Native sovereignty in decisions that affect their territories, cultures, and communities. There are 574 Federally recognized Tribes in our country, each with rich histories, traditions, and governance structures that deserve our respect and attention.

Read More