Resilient Landscapes for Re-imagined Futures is a year-long pilot project to amplify the narratives of an Elder and Youth, and their cross-generational visions of climate justice. In support of the East Phillips “Roof Depot” environmental justice community in Minneapolis, Minnesota and re-imagined futures. This is an effort to redefine ‘resilient landscape’ and whose voices are included in shaping and reimagining these spaces. There is a need to cultivate and amplify sustainable visions, and especially those of frontline communities; Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, elders, youth and others who are most disproportionately impacted by climate change, and whose testimonies are essential for building a sustainable, equitable future.
Resilient Landscapes for Re-imagined Futures centers the voices of elder, Lois Long and youth Kamille W. as storytellers from East Phillips to engage in crafting and sharing narratives, what has been and what they want to see— as depicted in written stories and through visual artwork.
A finished exhibition, and public event will be held in late February 2025 (date and location TBD) to engage the broader community to hear these narratives as told live by the storytellers, and through cross generational dialogue between the elder and youth to share their visions of climate justice for a re-imagined future. In addition, the exhibition will include artwork depicting an overlay of their visions for a new future.
Resilient Landscapes for Reimagined Futures is a collaborative project between Jothsna Harris of Change Narrative LLC and artist Julie Marckel, made possible through funding from the Earth Rising Foundation and fiscal sponsorship by Oyate Hotanin. This initiative is in partnership with the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute, responding to the historic environmental justice victory in East Phillips.
In 2023, the East Phillips Neighborhood achieved a groundbreaking agreement with the City of Minneapolis to purchase the Roof Depot site—an important milestone in the ongoing fight for environmental justice in the Twin Cities. The community’s vision for the site includes an urban farm, a green jobs training center, a community gathering space, and a climate resilience hub, all aimed at fostering long-term sustainability and community empowerment.