Rooted in Relations:
A Cohort for Cultural Leadership, Community Equity, and Environmental Stewardship
ABOUT THE COHORT
Harvest of All First Nations’ Community Equity & Cultural Capacity Building Cohort is a multi-session learning, leadership, and community-building experience for people who want to deepen cultural awareness, strengthen leadership skills, and build capacity to serve their communities.
The cohort will bring together approximately 13–15 community members, educators, cultural practitioners, youth leaders, Indigenous community members and local residents, nonprofit staff, emerging facilitators, and others interested in community-centered leadership.
This is more than a workshop series. Participants will learn together over time, build relationships, take part in guided reflection and dialogue, develop practical leadership and facilitation skills, and work toward meaningful community-centered action.
The program is grounded in Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), ancestral knowledge, lived experience, cultural perspectives, environmental stewardship, equity, cultural continuity, healing, community resilience, and relationship-centered leadership. Participants do not need to enter as experts: professional experience, cultural knowledge, lived experience, community involvement, curiosity, and a genuine desire to grow all matter.
PURPOSE
The cohort helps develop a stronger and more diverse network of community leaders who can build meaningful relationships across cultures and communities; facilitate learning and dialogue; communicate across differences; navigate conflict and feedback; and respectfully engage with different knowledge systems.
Through a train-the-trainer model, participants will develop practical tools that can be carried into schools, nonprofits, community organizations, local government, public engagement, education, facilitation, and other leadership spaces.
WHAT PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN
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Explore historical and intergenerational experiences while centering cultural resilience, ancestral knowledge, identity, healing, belonging, and community strength.
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Practice culturally responsive communication, dialogue, feedback, conflict resolution, allyship, collaborative problem-solving, and listening across differences.
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Learn to identify community needs and develop projects with communities through shared decision-making, practical planning, sustainability, and accountability.
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Build trust and sustained relationships through inclusive, accessible, culturally grounded, and reciprocal engagement.
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Collaboratively develop actionable community projects in areas such as stewardship, health equity, cultural awareness, youth empowerment, education, and healing.
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Build skills in project management, organizing, diplomacy, impact measurement, feedback, sustainability, accountability, and working with public institutions.
Final Cohort Experience: Community-to-Government Learning Exchange. Participants will join trusted City of Boulder employees for structured, reciprocal dialogue that elevates community knowledge and supports stronger communication and long-term institutional relationships.
WHO IT IS FOR
You do not need to already be a professional facilitator, educator, organizer, or community leader. The cohort welcomes community members, educators, cultural practitioners, youth leaders, Indigenous community members, local residents, nonprofit staff, organizers, emerging facilitators, environmental and community educators, and people interested in public engagement.
Participants will be invited to listen deeply, reflect on identity, power, privilege, bias, and belonging, practice communication and accountability, respect cultural boundaries, receive feedback, and move from learning into community-accountable action.
The current cohort intentionally centers Indigenous perspectives, TEK, cultural knowledge, and historically underrepresented community experiences. No participant is expected to represent an entire community, disclose personal experiences, or provide cultural teaching on demand.
COMMITMENT, CARE & SUPPORT
This is a shared learning experience rather than a drop-in workshop series. Participants should be prepared to attend all or nearly all sessions, participate actively, complete occasional reflections or learning activities, collaborate on project development, honor confidentiality and cultural protocols, and contribute to shared community agreements.
Participants will not be required to disclose personal trauma or private experiences. The group will establish brave-space agreements grounded in respect, consent, reciprocity, accountability, curiosity, and repair when needed.
Planned Supports
Participant stipends
Interpretation
Childcare
Food
Gas gift cards
Accessibility needs discussed during application and selection
What Participants Leave With
Stronger community leadership, facilitation, outreach, project-design, cross-cultural engagement, environmental stewardship, and relationship-building skills—plus practical experience and tools to continue serving their communities.
CURRENT SCHEDULE & SELECTION
Introductory Gathering: November 13, 2026
Program structure: Six learning modules + Final Cohort Experience
Full start date, program end date, meeting frequency, format, location, and time commitment: To be confirmed
The planned selection process is: Application → Initial Selection → Introductory Gathering → Final Interview → Final Cohort Selection.
APPLY TO THE COMMUNITY EQUITY & CULTURAL CAPACITY BUILDING COHORT
Application link, deadline, program location, participation cost, stipend details, and contact information will be shared when confirmed.
Introductory Gathering: November 13, 2026