Lily Yeh – The Rwanda Healing Project

In this uplifting presentation, Lily Yeh shares stories and images from her internationally celebrated community art projects. From the inner city of Philadelphia to the genocide-ravaged countryside of Rwanda, she depicts her experiences creating art that’s rooted in communities, rather than imposed on them. She uses the medium of mosaics as both art and metaphor to encourage people to use pieces of things that are broken to create beauty. The projects improve the physical environment, promote economic development, preserve indigenous art and culture, and empower damaged and impoverished communities to heal and revitalize themselves. She exudes the gentle grace of a Taoist priestess and the fearlessness of a warrior for peace.

This speech was given at the 2009 Bioneers Annual Conference.

Ilarion Merculieff – The Womb at the Center of the Universe

This Aleut traditional messenger invokes indigenous perspectives and ancestral wisdom to guide us through modern times. His elders say that the leadership of women is paramount to transform civilization to conserve Earth’s capacity to sustain life.

This speech was given at the 2013 Bioneers National Conference.

 

Joanna Macy – Choosing Life

Deep Ecology extends an inalienable right to life to all beings. A systems theorist, author and lifelong activist, Joanna Macy describes how healing the world and healing your heart and soul go hand in hand.

This talk took place at the 2013 Bioneers National Conference and is part of the Protecting and Restoring Nature Collection, Vol. 1.

Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins – Motherhood and Leadership

The former CEO of Green For All shares her deeply personal journey of the experience of becoming a mother and her renewed urgency to create a healthier and more just planet. The challenges of parenting have stretched and transformed her approach to leadership.

This speech was given at the 2013 Bioneers Annual Conference.

 

Jay Harman – The Nature of Innovation

The President-CEO of PAX Scientific reveals how scientists and designers are taking cues from nature to find breakthrough solutions. Take sunscreen modeled on hippo sweat. How might we borrow the recipe? It’s time for a fresh look at technology and design, with nature as our mentor.

This speech was given at the 2013 Bioneers Annual Conference.

Explore our Biomimicry media collection >

Janine Benyus – The Biomimicry Network Effect

The acclaimed biologist, innovation consultant and author Janine Benyus illuminates how the biomimicry community can collaborate with nature on a hot list of challenges that just can’t wait. Invoking leading-edge science, she shows how biological networks can provide a model to spread good ideas far and wide.

This speech was given at the 2013 Bioneers Annual Conference.

David McConville – Cosmomimicry: Why the Universe Matters

The Buckminster Fuller Institute Board Chair illustrates the geocentric view of the universe as our renewed cosmic model. Earth – our observational center – is also our ecological center. Yet we can embrace systems thinking as far-reaching as the universe and find a restorative path to our future – knowing “the universe we design for is the universe we’re going to get.”

This speech was given at the 2013 Bioneers National Conference and is part of the Eco-Design Collection, Vol. 2.

 

Nalini Nadkarni – Between Earth and Sky

The “Queen of the Forest Canopy” epitomizes innovative scientists uncovering previously unexplored wonders in the forest canopy. Her imaginative passion inspires and enlists people from all walks of life, transforming the truth of trees into environmental and social healing.

This speech was given at the 2013 Bioneers National Conference.

To learn more about Nalini Nadkarni’s work, visit her website.

Tom B.K. Goldtooth – Indigenous Environmental Justice | Bioneers

Native American global leader and Executive Director of the Indigenous Environmental Network Tom Goldtooth shows that at the root of indigenous survival is gratitude for the generosity of Mother Earth and biodiversity. He contrasts this worldview with neo-colonial approaches such as genetic engineering, patenting of life, dirty energy extraction, and “Free Trade” that leads to exploitation, poverty, violence and international discord.

This speech was given at the 2001 Bioneers National Conference.

 

Tieraona Low Dog, M.D. – Greening Medicine

A leading national expert on botanical medicine and integrative approaches to health care, Dr. Low Dog challenges America’s healthcare system. She advocates for a holistic approach drawing from the best of traditional herbalism, nutrition and modern medicine. She shows how nature-honoring lifestyles can address and prevent these problems and weighs the efficacy of alternative modalities including medicinal herbs.

This speech was given at the 2001 Bioneers National Conference and is part of the Ecological Medicine, Vol. 1 and Indigenous Essentials, Vol. 1 Collections.

Jeannette Armstrong – Human Relationship as Land Ethic

At the En’owkin Centre, a First Nations-directed educational center, educator Jeannette Armstrong illustrates how the community organizes itself by the “Four Societies” practice in relationship, action, tradition and vision societies. All voices are heard and valued equally. These reciprocal relationships are the foundation of Okanogan peace technologies for conflict resolution, democracy and community.

This speech was given at the 2002 Bioneers National Conference.

 

Chief Oren Lyons – The Roots of American Democracy

Iroquois elder and global indigenous leader Oren Lyons describes the authentic origins of the U.S. Constitution in the ancient Iroquois “Great League of Peace.” He weaves the story of the Peacemaker and how leaders are raised and chosen, with decisions based on seven generations and women choosing chiefs. He warns climate disruption should motivate us to “raise up our leaders.”

This speech was given at the 2003 Bioneers National Conference.