lineage acknowledgments

As a white healing practitioner inspired by various teachers and traditions, Eris is embedded in lineages to which they owe both reverence and repair. It is their commitment to continue learning, offering gratitude, fine tuning their practices, and making amends.

Eris’ path to practitionership began as a young person. They went to great lengths to learn about the social and environmental histories of the land where they lived. These endeavors revealed many impacts of colonization to them for the first time. They were in the very early stages of awakening to the harsh realities of capitalism and white supremacy culture. The complexity of getting into right relationship with a place and time became a little clearer. In response, they sought out spiritual practices to support them in integrating new information and remaining curious.

Ultimately, those years humbled them. Eris developed respect and admiration for the devoted change-makers they learned of, and an ever-growing list of questions about life on Earth. Ever since, they have been on a beautiful and messy journey of learning and unlearning in the company of a robust, wise, multi-cultural, and intergenerational politicized community. They extend immense gratitude to all of the radicalized educators, movement folks, dedicated mental health practitioners, youth, family, and friends that have generously helped shape them in the wake of those initial musings. They are particularly grateful for the influence of the Urban Ecology Center, UW-Madison’s Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity (SEED), the Center for Participatory Change, and Terra Sylva School of Botanical Medicine. Through these connections, Eris gained invaluable wisdom on moving at the pace of trust, honoring wholeness, grounding in practice, working in community, and curating meaningful offerings. 

Eris’ path has also been touched by more-than-human life in significant ways. Betula is the latin name for birch, the first tree they remember inciting a sense of awe and continuity within them. The first tree they remember grieving. Along with birch trees, they have birds, winds, bugs, soils, waters, mountains, and edible and medicinal plants to thank for reliably helping them find trust and center when the non-linear nature of growth gets confusing.

In the way of principles and theory, Eris’ practice has been informed by: Popular Education, Radical Vitalism, Queer Abolitionism, Black Feminist Art and Theory, Indigenous-led Environmentalism, Buddhist and Taoist Philosophies, Politicized Somatics, Emergent Strategy, Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory and Polyvagal Theory. Deep gratitude to the writers, artists, podcasters, and teachers who have made their work accessible outside the walls of academia.