Diversity & Inclusion

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

We promote learning and sharing earth-friendly living skills to all individuals in a safe and inclusive atmosphere through accessible education and social action.    

The volunteer organizers of Reeds & Roots Skillshares are committed to maintaining an inclusive, welcoming community for all participants. We take every step we can to ensure that no one is mistreated, disadvantaged, or made to feel unwelcome–and we encourage anyone to give feedback on how we can improve these efforts. 

We are also committed to diversifying our volunteer base of organizers, teachers, and work traders.  We recognize the importance of polycultures not only in plant communities, but in people communities, too!  We solicit teachers from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience.  If you see gaps in our workshop topics, or cultures not represented, please help us recruit to fill these needs!

Cultural Appropriation

As an earthskills gathering, we receive workshop applications from practices rooted in cultures from around the world.  In order to maintain an inclusive atmosphere, it is important for us to understand what is, “Cultural Appropriation,” so that we contribute towards healing and connectivity (rather than alienation and imperialism).  We encourage those unfamiliar with the pitfalls of practices from a culture you didn’t grow up with to read this wonderful article, explaining both problems and solutions.

Acknowledgement of Occupied Land

The organizers of Reeds & Roots Skillshares acknowledge our occupation on native land.  Territory in Northeast Ohio was taken by the U.S. in the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, in which most of the future states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan were officially colonized.  The Treaty came after years of battle between the United States and an Indian confederation headed by Miami chief Little Turtle.  The Trail of Tears proceeded in 1830-1850, in which 100,000s of native peoples were killed or pushed west in forced government removal.

We are actively inviting individuals and organizations working on social justice issues to teach and organize with us to build our network of doers, and improve our Skillshare events.  Many First Americans are still working for equality, recognition, and violence against women. Here are a few links: