An alumnus of the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, he is a visionary communication designer. Convenor of the Tribal Design Forum since 2021 and co-founder of TheIdeaWorks, he specializes in nation branding and public diplomacy. His work spans global campaigns like Incredible India, focusing on empowering indigenous communities through design-driven sustainable livelihood initiatives.

A Haudenosaunee artist from the Seneca-Cayuga Nation, Amelia bridges Indigenous traditions and advanced technologies like VR/AR and AI, through projects such as Wampum.Code highlights accountability and ethical tech practices rooted in Haudenosaunee values. A Sundance creative advisor and award-winning innovator, Amelia reimagines storytelling to amplify Indigenous narratives and resilience.

We have lost our relationship with our land and life itself, but it’s not too late to turn the story around. If we begin to remember our dreams and live consciously, as one member in this network of life, the story of humanity can continue. We are currently at a crossroads, facing both climate change and a pandemic.

IT’S TIME TO WRITE THE NEW STORY.

Edson Kayapó is a Brazilian historian, writer, and Indigenous activist from the Mebêngôkre people. He holds a Ph.D. in Education from PUC-SP and a master’s in Social History. A professor at the Federal Institute of Bahia and the Federal University of Southern Bahia, he specializes in Indigenous history and education. Recognized by UNESCO and the National Foundation for Children’s and Youth Books, he is also an adjunct curator of Indigenous art at MASP. A strong advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental conservation, Kayapó works to promote Indigenous literature and cultural preservation in Brazil.

A Dalit feminist activist from Madhya Pradesh, Subhadra is the Chairperson of Mahila Jagat Lihaaz Samiti. Featured in Netflix’s Love Storiyaan, which documents her life and struggles alongside her partner, Subhadra advocates for sustainable agriculture, reproductive health, girls’ education, and Bhil cultural preservation. She empowers marginalized communities, especially Adivasi women, by integrating traditional knowledge with modern community initiatives​.

Secretary of the Miccosukee Business Council since 2021, he is a dedicated educator and leader. Previously a language, culture, and digital arts teacher at the Miccosukee Indian School, he is the youngest Council member, blending tradition and innovation. Focused on education, community engagement, and infrastructure, Osceola champions his Tribe’s resilience and envisions a thriving, connected future.

A theatre artist from Meghalaya, Lapdiang specializes in physical theatre, reinterpreting Khasi folklore through contemporary contexts. Trained at NSD, New Delhi, and The Commedia School, Copenhagen, her work explores identity, gender, and Khasi matrilineal traditions. Combining poetry and physical expression, Lapdiang addresses issues like mining, Welsh missionary influences, and women’s rights, while navigating motherhood’s impact on her artistry.

Screenwriter and audiovisual content producer. Holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Semiotics (PUC-SP) and a Cinema degree from ECA-USP. Works in professional training in audiovisual production at Senac Lapa Scipião.

Visual artist, professor, and researcher at the Catholic University of Ecuador, José Luis Macas coordinates Chawpi, an intercultural creation lab. Trained in Ecuador, Belgium, and Cuba, his work blends Andean ancestral knowledge with contemporary art. A Wytsman and Pappaerts prize winner, he has exhibited globally, including the Cuenca and SIART Biennials and the LAAT Triennial.

He is an environmental scientist with over 20 years of experience in South Florida’s coastal, estuarine, and wetland ecosystems. As Chief Sustainability Officer for the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, he leads the Tribe’s Environmental Protection Agency, advises on environmental policies, and strengthens strategic partnerships. He plays a key role in Everglades restoration efforts and tribal-federal relations. Previously, he directed the Seminole Tribe’s Environmental Resource Management Department. He holds a B.S. in Biology from Fairfield University and an M.S. in Biology (Marine Ecology) from Florida International University. His work focuses on environmental resource management and restoration.

An Adivasi skateboarder from Janwar, Madhya Pradesh, Asha Gond represented India at the 2018 World Skateboarding Championship in China. Co-founder of Barefoot Skateboarders, she empowers Janwar’s children through education and skateboarding. The inspiration behind Skater Girl (2021), Asha overcame social barriers, became the first in her village to travel abroad, and continues to champion gender and caste equity through sports.

Holds a Master’s degree in Cinema and Audiovisual from Universidade Federal Fluminense. Indigenous filmmaker from the Guarani Nhandewa ethnicity, born in Porto Lindo village, Mato Grosso do Sul. Professor and Guarani translator.

Sanjay Rawal is an Indian-American documentary filmmaker based in New York City, known for his work on food justice, Indigenous resilience, and endurance sports.

Gather (2020)
An intimate look at Native Americans reclaiming spiritual, political, and cultural identities through food sovereignty. The film follows Nephi Craig, an Apache chef opening a nutritional recovery café; Elsie Dubray, a Sioux scientist studying bison; and the Ancestral Guard, Yurok environmental activists fighting to save the Klamath River, addressing centuries of genocide and trauma through resilience and tradition.

Rooted in Meghalaya’s indigenous music, Summersalt blends Khasi and English lyrics with wit and storytelling. Known for their foot-tapping performances using traditional instruments like Khasi umbrellas, the band preserves hill culture through music. Collaborators on Rock On 2 and performers in Europe, they inspire social confidence and transcend linguistic barriers, celebrating Khasi identity with humor and hope.

Documentary filmmaker, cultural producer, and photographer. Holds a Postgraduate degree in Cultural Management from Senac/SP and a degree in Social Sciences from PUC/SP. Founder of A 2.0 Produções Artísticas, a cultural company with extensive experience in cultural production.

Rooted in the Nirgun philosophy of formless divinity, Tatsang Band from Bhopal blends Kabir’s poetry with modern instruments and devotional traditions. Through their soulful performances, they reinterpret Sant Kabir’s timeless messages of spirituality and unity. By merging contemporary sounds with folk roots, Tatsang preserves and revives the essence of Nirgun music for modern audiences.

Neuls is a Ph.D. student and teaching assistant in the Journalism department at Michigan State University. Since Summer 2023, she has been an instructor of record for environmental reporting and advocacy. Previously, she was a research assistant on the NSF-funded project GCR: Convergence for Innovative Energy Solutions, focusing on sustainable energy for off-grid communities. Her work centers on environmental communication, Indigenous media, and participatory methods. She holds a master’s in Communication and Information from Rio Grande do Sul Federal University, Brazil, and has 20 years of experience as an environmental journalist covering climate change and sustainable development.

Montana Cypress is a Los Angeles-based playwright and a member of the Miccosukee Tribe from South Florida. He is part of the Native Voices Theatre Ensemble at the Autry and a recipient of the Von Marie Atchley Excellence in Playwriting Award. His work includes Hurricane Savage, featured in the First Look Series at the Autry Museum, and A Christmas in Ochopee, performed in St. Paul, Miami, and Los Angeles. His film Two Brothers was showcased at the Miami International Film Festival, and Thunderdance was a runner-up in the AT&T Create-a-Thon. He is currently developing his new play, This Way Yonder.

Tulkul Arts and Media Collective is a dynamic platform dedicated to promoting Kashmiri and Himalayan art, theater, and cultural storytelling. Led by theater activist Ravice Rashid (Rayes Wathori), the collective nurtures young talent and brings regional narratives to life through impactful performances. With a commitment to artistic excellence and cultural preservation, Tulkul Arts collaborates with playwrights, actors, and visual artists to explore themes of identity, tradition, and social change. Supported by institutions like Sangeet Natak Akademi, the collective plays a vital role in reviving and sustaining Kashmiri theater, fostering creative dialogue, and engaging audiences with meaningful artistic expressions.

Graham Lee Brewer is a Cherokee Nation citizen and a journalist covering Indigenous communities and tribal nations for the Associated Press’s Race and Ethnicity team. Previously, he was an associate editor for Indigenous Affairs at High Country News and a contributor to NPR and The New York Times. His work has also appeared in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma Watch, and eCapitol. Brewer’s reporting collaborations with Buzzfeed News and The New York Times have won multiple Native American Journalists Association Awards. As a NAJA board member, he trains major news organizations on ethically covering Indigenous stories. He is based in Oklahoma.

Loknaad is a musical initiative dedicated to preserving the voices of India’s marginalized communities through folk traditions. Founded by Charul and Vinay, Loknaad blends minimalist, earthy compositions with socially reflective themes. Their journey spans from Mumbai to Punjab, engaging with farmers, tribals, salt makers, and pastoral nomads. With backgrounds in architecture, agriculture, and management, they have dedicated themselves to archiving traditional farm songs of rainfed communities in hills and forests. Deeply influenced by vernacular cultures and grassroots narratives, Loknaad’s music resonates with the rhythms of rural life, using instruments like dafli and ghunghroo to amplify unheard stories.

Mullu is a diverse collective of filmmakers, journalists, and communicators dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and marginalized communities. Rooted in anticolonial struggles, they believe in using cinema and media as tools for impact and resistance. In 2022, inspired by their ancestors’ traditions of exchanging mullu to forge alliances, they created a multidisciplinary platform. Drawing from the art and worldview of the Manteño-Wankavilka people, Mullu fosters cultural exchange and strengthens grassroots movements. Committed to justice and diversity, they work to imagine and construct inclusive futures through storytelling, advocacy, and audiovisual creativity.