Earth Tones

I DREAMED OF EARTH. SPEAKS for many seasons. Driving for three days from Chumash territory in Ojai, California, I arrived in Green Mountain Falls, Colorado. From the Green Box team, I was given encouragement, resources, and freedom to fulfill a daily practice of discovering what this project would offer us.

I began in partnership with the Southern Ute Tribe’s cultural preservation officers Crystal Rizzo and Cassandra Atencio. Prior to arrival, I invited their participation on the location, design, and build. Once in person, we had to find out if we actually wanted to work together, like when you’re little and you decide whether you’re going to be friends. It was important for us to make decisions together—to be of this land and its people—in right relations. All community members, who I had the joy of building with, would feel this difference. Knowing the land had been prepared and welcomed us in a good way, we would receive and learn so much together.

The first two weeks I spent building a relationship with the Southern Ute, listening. In the snow, my dancing became pathways. These soon shaped a footprint, a first-time movement became design.

As I met with community members, the focus shifted to one’s body as nature. In relation with the earth, we partnered with the history of the land—all forms more than human—its wisdom and agency, and honored each voice by slowing down to listen and rest.

The people and land changed me, and this work. There are five earth markers, a bonus to the life-enriching process that transpired between us. I still get texts from people telling me that they rested today. What we learned together is informing who we are growing to be. This project was an activation of what connects us, despite our differences. It was made with much heart.