Intercultural Conversations (IC) is an educational exchange between a diverse group of Native and non-native youth who engage in discussions on activism, culture, and critical issues facing Indigenous and all peoples. The program provides a platform for youth across the nation to learn together through facilitated discussions and accompanying Native American Studies curricula. The program fosters future leaders through the talking circle discussions and in-person cultural exchanges. This year, we celebrate the 10th year of the program!
During cultural exchanges, participants experience profound personal development in their ability to relate to and empathize with others, understand complex issues, and communicate cross-culturally. Native youth are provided the space to share about their culture, communities, and experiences. Non-native youth strengthen their allyship for their peers and Indigenous communities. All participants leave with developed leadership skills and the capacity to understand environmental and social justice movements critical to the future health and well-being of the planet.
Each cohort attends the annual Bioneers conference in Berkeley, California. In addition to the regular offerings of the Bioneers Conference (Indigenous Forum, Youth Education and Leadership Program, Breakouts, Interactive Panels, and Art Installations), the Indigeneity Team tailors a Native Youth Leadership track along with cultural workshops.
The experiences that IC creates for these youth —from meeting youth from other cultures to the Bioneers Conference, setting foot on the beach for the first time, meeting Tribal leaders, and attending college tours— are life changing.
Highlights from cultural exchanges :
- Processing Pine Nuts and Weaving Beargrass with Jessie Rouse-Whipple (Pit River/Wintu/Hupa), the Cultural Representative for Illmawi Band of Pit River Nation.
- Learning to surf with Native Like Water, a non-profit that connects Indigenous youth to water through surfing;
- Cultural exchange on the Los Coyotes Reservation where students heard traditional stories, listened to bird singers, and learned about the cultural landscape and current cultural preservation initiatives from tribal leaders and youth in the region;
- Hiking in Torrey Pines to the ocean as well as other ocean activities, swimming, and kayaking;
- College tours to UC San Diego and Cal State University San Diego, where students met with Intertribal Resource Center staff, students, local Native elders, and played traditional California Indian hand games;
- Curated tour of the East Bay hosted by Ethnic Ties;
- Enjoying delicious meals from local caterers Mandela Grocery Cooperative and Understory Worker Collective.
Looking to collaborate or have questions? Contact us at indigeneity “at” bioneers.org
If you have participant in our programs before, please keep us updated by filling out the Alumni form.
Program Details
Program Dates
- Information Session May 22nd at 1pm PST
- Recruitment begins May 22nd, 2025 will end June 28th, 2025.
- Trip dates are to be determined for Spring 2026.
- Talking Circles are held every 3rd Saturday from *June 28th, 2025 through February 21st, 2026.
- Time is still to be determined and is tentatively set for 10am PST.
Participant Commitment
- Being present and fully participating in all group activities, including adherence to curfews and other time-related instructions.
- Being in their assigned rooms by designated time, when and where applicable.
- Being respectful, encouraging, and maintaining a positive attitude toward others.
- Being respectful of both common living spaces and the property of others.
- Taking safety precautions such as masking (properly when required), buddy/group system, and communicating whereabouts.
- Avoiding the use of foul language, cursing, or any speech (including “humor”) which puts down, makes fun of, or stereotypes or excludes other persons or groups.
Important Information
A refundable* $200 deposit is required to secure your travel, lodging, food, and other trip accommodations. If Participant can not travel after travel is confirmed by the program, Participant and/or Parent/Guardian forfeit the deposit. At the end of the program, the Participant or Parent/Guardian will receive their deposit back if they keep their commitment to participation and attendance during cultural exchange trips. Deposits will not be refunded to any Participant who fails to abide by the Community Expectations and Participant Commitment.
Participant may be removed from programming and/or sent home immediately at personal/family expense for violating the Community Expectations and Participant Commitment. If Participant does not attend a majority of talking circles prior to trips, they may not attend in-person programming and trips. Arriving more than 30 minutes late to a talking circle counts as half attendance.