Native Roots Network

Native Roots Network (NRN) is an Indigenous-led non-profit organization dedicated to fostering a transformative shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative, cooperative, and life-affirming economy. Founded in 2004, NRN is deeply rooted in the ancestral wisdom and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of Indigenous peoples, particularly in the Wintu, Yana, and Pit River territories (what is now known as Shasta County, Bella Vista, California), where they are based.

NRN recognizes that the current worldwide problems – environmental change, social inequality, and economic disparities – are fundamentally linked to systems built on extraction and exploitation. Their work is a proactive effort to put new, Indigenous-centered systems in place that rehumanize, build community, and foster care for both people and the planet.

Mission and Vision: "Be•le Bo•m" - Forever Will It Be/Remain

NRN's mission is to advance Indigenous-led pathways for just and vibrant communities. This mission is symbolized by "Be•le Bo•m" in Wintu, meaning "Forever will it be/remain," signifying the strength, potential, and renewal inherent in their work.

Their vision is to empower Indigenous communities and beyond by:

• Reinstating Indigenous lifeways as a source for individual and community well-being.
• Positioning indigeneity as a pathway to sustainable solutions for contemporary crises.
• Cultivating culturally-grounded prosperity that prioritizes people and the Earth.

Core Philosophy: Acornomics – A Regenerative Indigenous Economic Framework

At the heart of NRN's philosophy is their unique development framework called "Acornomics." This concept is far more than an economic model; it's a holistic, Indigenous value-led approach symbolizing the mutual reciprocity between people and nature.

• Inspired by the Acorn: The acorn, a crucial traditional food resource for Native Californian Peoples, represents the symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world. Historically, large stands of healthy oaks, and thus abundant acorns, were sustained only through the careful stewardship and tending of the landscape by Indigenous communities.
• Beyond Extraction: Acornomics contrasts sharply with conventional, extractive economic models. It offers a culturally-aligned roadmap to restore a balanced connection between people and the Earth, prioritizing reciprocal caretaking and holistic health for oaks, acorns, and people.
• Goals of Acornomics:
  1. Be in Right Relationship with the Natural World: Fostering respect and balance.
  2. Return Land Back into Native Hands: Reclaiming ancestral lands as integral to cultural and ecological revitalization.
  3. Reweave/Restore Social Cohesion/Connection: Healing historical trauma and strengthening community bonds.
  4. Build Community Capacity: Empowering communities with skills and resources.
  5. Develop Community Workforce: Creating sustainable, culturally relevant economic opportunities.
  6. Steward for Climate Resilience: Utilizing TEK for land restoration and adaptation to climate change impacts.

Strategic Pillars of Work: Weaving Tradition with Innovation

Native Roots Network implements its vision through a diverse set of interconnected programs and initiatives:

1. Land Back and Restoration (with Acornomics in Action):

• Acquisition and Restoration: NRN is actively working to acquire and restore ancestral lands, such as a 1209-acre parcel in Shasta County acquired in December 2024. This land was once part of a treaty promise to Wintu and Yana people and experienced degradation from past uses.
• Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Application: Land restoration efforts are guided by TEK, including revitalizing soil, reintroducing perennial grasses and indigenous plants adapted to heat, fire, and drought, and reintroducing fire as a natural landscape management tool.
• Əl Kulus (The Granary) – Community Resilience Center: This is a planned permanent facility and community hub that will embody the Acornomics framework. It aims to house a TEK-based land restoration team, a small-scale manufacturing and digital fabrication lab, and serve as an energy-efficient community resilience center for healing, learning, organizing, and a safe space during crises.

2. Youth Cultural Exchange and Leadership Development:

• Native Youth Cultural Exchange (NYCE): Since 2004, this foundational program has taken youth from Hopi, Wintu & Pit River, and Hawaiian communities on month-long culturally-centered leadership immersion journeys. This cross-cultural exchange builds leadership skills and strengthens cultural identity.
• Acorn Academy & Runners of the Dawn: Programs focused on developing youth leadership and organizing abilities, often integrating traditional practices like running, which helps reconnect youth to ancient roots of health and cultural knowledge.

3. Cultural Revitalization and Arts:

• Our Story: Native Art Exhibitions: NRN has curated and organized exhibitions showcasing Indigenous arts, promoting traditional and contemporary arts as a means of cultural expression and revitalization.
• Re-membering Our Cultures that Live in Our Languages: Efforts to connect people with their cultural heritage through language and traditional practices.
• Community Events: Organizing cultural events, runs (like the Tasuki Run in Japan, fostering international Indigenous connections), and gatherings to celebrate and share Indigenous heritage.

4. Advocacy and Movement Building:

• Resisting Extractive Projects: Actively advocating against harmful developments like industrial wind farms (e.g., opposing Fountain Wind, drawing lessons from the negative impacts of the Hatchet Ridge Project), which disproportionately impact Indigenous lands and cultural resources.
• Influencing Policy: Working to elevate Indigenous voices in policy discussions, advocating for the recognition and protection of Indigenous rights, land, and sovereignty.
• Solidarity Economy: Promoting cooperative business models, community land trusts, and other solidarity economy principles that foster self-sufficiency and interdependence based on Indigenous values.

Impact and Uniqueness: A Model for Regenerative Futures

Native Roots Network's impact is profound and multifaceted:

• Indigenous-led Solutions: They are a powerful example of Indigenous-led solutions to global challenges, demonstrating that ancestral wisdom provides practical, sustainable pathways for thriving communities.
• Holistic Approach: Their "Acornomics" framework beautifully integrates economic, social, cultural, and ecological dimensions, offering a truly holistic model for community development and resilience.
• Land Back in Action: Their commitment to acquiring and restoring land for culturally and ecologically regenerative purposes is a tangible manifestation of the Land Back movement.
• Intergenerational Connection: Through youth programs and the emphasis on reviving traditional knowledge, NRN ensures that cultural practices and stewardship principles are passed down to future generations.
• Challenging the Status Quo: They directly confront the extractive systems that have caused harm, advocating for systemic change rather than incremental adjustments.
• Community Resilience: By focusing on community-based solutions, they build resilience against climate impacts and social unrest, fostering stronger, more connected communities.

Native Roots Network embodies the idea that by re-centering Indigenous values and practices, it is possible to heal the land, strengthen communities, and build a truly just and vibrant future for all.