Habitat Restoration
KentuckyAncestral lands of the Cherokee, Shawnee, and Yuchi peoples
a space for connection, culture, and stewardship
The Intertribal Gathering Center aims to serve as a cornerstone for restoring Native relationships with the land and each other. As a space rooted in Indigenous values and practices, the center will:
Foster Intertribal Connection: Provide a gathering place for diverse tribal communities to come together, share knowledge, and build collective resilience.
Preserve Cultural Practices: Support the continuation and revitalization of languages, traditions, and ceremonies that are vital to Indigenous identity and wellbeing.
Promote Environmental Stewardship: Uphold Indigenous ecological practices to protect the land and its biodiversity, contributing to the global LandBack movement.
Build Community Resilience: Create opportunities for education, healing, and collaboration among Native peoples and allies.
“As we plan for the intertribal gathering center to be here, we look forward to many opportunities on these grounds for nurturing connection and wellbeing, in this beautiful place, in a good way.” – Appalachian Rekindling Project Co-Executive Directors
The center is not just a physical location but a living embodiment of cultural resilience, environmental care, and intergenerational learning.
Recent Updates
August 2024: Land acquired.
September 2024: Early design conversations for the intertribal center begin.
Upcoming: Community gathering and ceremonial events (dates TBD).
honoring
the land &
its stewards
This property in Appalachian Virginia is located on the ancestral lands of the Cherokee, Shawnee, and Yuchi peoples. For centuries, these lands were home to complex ecosystems and intertribal networks that supported vibrant cultural and ecological diversity.
Ancestral Land: Historically, the land served as a shared space for ceremonies, sustenance, and stewardship, reflecting the interconnectedness of people and place.
Colonial Disruption: Over time, Indigenous peoples were forcibly displaced from these lands due to colonization and resource extraction, severing deep-rooted relationships.
LandBack Movement: In 2024, a private individual returned this 15-acre parcel to Indigenous stewardship, marking a pivotal moment in the growing effort to restore ancestral homelands to Native control.
This return aligns with the global LandBack movement, which emphasizes the restoration of Indigenous sovereignty and responsibility for ancestral lands. The Appalachian Rekindling Project envisions this property as a space to heal these broken connections and rebuild a future where land, culture, and people thrive together.
