Refuge Fest 2020: Full Schedule

Welcome to the 2020 Refuge Outdoor Festival Virtual Camp-in! This event is geared toward Black, Indigenous, People of Color being centered and uplifted in the outdoors, white allies welcome. Take refuge and do as much, or as little as you would like.

All sessions with the lock symbol are already pinned to your schedule. These sessions are for all attendees.

12:00pm PDT

Birding 101

Birds are all around us. Start your Refuge experience by learning some birding basics then join us for a live bird walk on Saturday morning.

Speakers

Etta Cosey

Kintea Bryant

Friday September 18, 2020 12:00pm - 12:25pm PDT
Recorded: Watch Anytime

Outdoor Recreation/ Skill Sharing

12:00pm PDT

GirlTrek Interview

Checkout this fun interview on radical self love with Seattle chapter Girltrek leaders.

Speakers

Trina Baker

GirlTrek

Mikia Cain

GirlTrek

Friday September 18, 2020 12:00pm - 6:45pm PDT
Recorded: Watch Anytime

Storytelling/ History

4:30pm PDT

How Disability Justice Will Build Caring Communities

This presentation will focus on the abilities of all of us in building nurturing, caring communities that shift from workaholism, impatience, and dehumanization of our bodies and minds, toward more caring, loving space that creates welcoming and accessible spaces for everyBODY.

**ASL will be provided for this session**

Moderators

Vasu Sojitra

Friday September 18, 2020 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion

4:30pm PDT

Wildlife Safety 101

We’ll show a short video covering basic tips on how you can visit the beautiful places where wild animals live and stay safe, like securing your food and the do’s and don’ts of hiking/camping near wildlife. We’ll also host a discussion on wildlife safety and leave an opportunity for Q&A.

Moderators

Laurel Baum

Conservation Northwest

Keiko Betcher

Communications & Outreach Associate, Conservation Northwest

Heather Hutchison

Conservation Northwest

Sponsors

Conservation Northwest

"Keeping the Northwest Wild" since 1989, we protect, connect and restore wildlands and wildlife from the Washington Coast to the British Columbia Rockies.

Friday September 18, 2020 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 1 Zoom

Outdoor Recreation/ Skill Sharing, Outdoor Conservation/ Education

5:30pm PDT

White Affinity Group

Moderators

ashley miller

Senior Manager of Community Impact, evo

Friday September 18, 2020 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 1 Zoom

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion

6:30pm PDT

Community Gathering: Welcome

Hosted by Naa Akua, this will be a very special welcome experience with a lot of love and community connection! First, grab your ingredients and join Kena as she teaches us to cook one of her favorite recipes (see link for full recipe). Once we've cooked dinner together, we'll break into groups to meet folks and enjoy our meal together. The welcome will be capped off with storyteller Roger Fernandez sharing his wisdom.

Agenda:
Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
Cooking Demo - Kena Peay
Virtual Dinner Breakout Rooms
Indigenous Storytelling- Roger Fernandes

**ASL will be provided for this session**

Moderators

Naa Akua

Emcee

Naa Akua, was a 2019 Citizen University Poet-in-Residence. They are queer poet, emcee, teaching artist’s and Gregory Award-winning actor.

Speakers

Kena Peay

Kena Peay is an outdoor enthusiast and chef who cooks while she's hiking as a way to encourage people to get outdoors and use mother nature as your outdoor kitchen. She hopes by sharing her passion she can encourage other young women and men who look like her that they are welcomed... Read More →

Artists

Roger Fernandes

Friday September 18, 2020 6:30pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Community Gatherings

8:15pm PDT

Black Reel-ness!

Grab your popcorn and tune in for these outdoor-focused films created by Black filmmakers! Naa Akua will moderate a talk-back with filmmaker Analise Cleopatra following the viewing.

Pedal Through (dir. Analise Cleopatra, Aly Nicklas)- Despite never having camped or ridden a bike off the pavement, Analise Cleopatra sets out to take on a week-long backcountry mountain biking adventure in Central Oregon on a journey of self healing and growth. Along with fellow beginner Dejuanae Toliver and professional mountain biker Brooklyn Bell, she discovers the joy of sleeping under the stars, the power of biking and the strength that comes with pedaling through.
Royaltee (dir. Kamari Bright)- This poetic short film highlights the hidden nobility of even the persecuted parts of Black culture among the majestic backdrop of the Pacific Northwest.

Speakers

Naa Akua

Emcee

Naa Akua, was a 2019 Citizen University Poet-in-Residence. They are queer poet, emcee, teaching artist’s and Gregory Award-winning actor.

Artists

Analise Cleopatra

An artist and filmmaker. I make the inanimate; emote.

Kamari Bright

With the goal of creating something that starts the process of healing for herself and others, Kamari Bright is a poet, videopoet, and creative that is heavily inspired by her life lessons and observations. The award-winning creator transcends the bounds of imagery and language by... Read More →

Friday September 18, 2020 8:15pm - 9:15pm PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Community Gatherings

7:00am PDT

Swimming Basics

Ready to take the plunge but not sure how? Check out this short video for helpful tips on how to feel more comfortable getting in the water.

Speakers

Chandrika Francis

Oshun Swim School

Saturday September 19, 2020 7:00am - 9:00am PDT
Recorded: Watch Anytime

Outdoor Recreation/ Skill Sharing

8:30am PDT

How to Care for Down Gear

Ever wonder what is the best way to care for your down jacket or sleeping bag? Check out this informative video from Feathered Friends!

Sponsors

Feathered Friends

Saturday September 19, 2020 8:30am - 9:00am PDT
Recorded: Watch Anytime

Outdoor Recreation/ Skill Sharing

8:45am PDT

A Collective Racial Healing Series: How are you giving your body permission to reflect, take action, and heal?

Attemla Consulting, LLC will use our coined term and methodology of Somatic Wellness Anti-Racist Practice (SWAP), which provides an evidence-based introduction of combining trauma-informed mindfulness and anti-racist philosophies to interrupt the 'status quo' of workplace wellness.

Moderators

Almetta Pitts

MSW, LSWAIC, ATTEMLA CONSULTING, LLC

Saturday September 19, 2020 8:45am - 9:45am PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion

8:45am PDT

Live: Morning Walk with the Birds

Join in on a live virtual bird walk with guides from several locations around Seattle. Walk guides will talk about the birds they are seeing and hearing, habitats, and how to find your own place to enjoy the birds all around us.

***This workshop will be streamed live on Youtube & Facebook.***

Speakers

Wendy Walker

Community Engagement Manager, Seattle Audubon

Work: Seattle Audubon Community EngagementPlay: Birds + other critters, hiking, biking, kayakingPhilosophy: Plant a radish, get a radish.

Elaine Chuang

Joseph Manson

Sponsors

Seattle Audubon

Saturday September 19, 2020 8:45am - 9:45am PDT
Room 1 Zoom

Outdoor Recreation/ Skill Sharing, Outdoor Conservation/ Education

10:00am PDT

Black Affinity Group

Affinity groups are groups of people linked by a common identity, interest, or purpose. This an intentional gathering to allow communities to connect. Please note that these groups are only for people that share that identity and not for allies.

“Resistance is the secret of joy!”― Alice Walker

Historically Black people have in many ways proudly resisted the “dominant” narrative and culture and since we are not a monolith this resistance looks different but oftentimes feels the same, the result is always Black Joy.

“Black Joy” is joy conjured up in the face of oppression; it is joy had anyhow, in spite of, it is a deliberate act of resistance that helps us heal and is absolutely vital for our survival. All folx of the African diaspora are invited to join us in this space to celebrate intentional expressions of Black Joy!

Moderators

Dr. Ashley Hazelwood

Dr. Ashley Hazelwood is the founder and CEO of Need It NOW Equity Consulting LLC. Need It NOW emphasizes the swift and strategic steps that must be taken to bring justice to the Black body. The firm maintains an Afrocentric foundation and offers an array of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion... Read More →

Takeya Meggett

My name is Takeya Meggett, (she|her) and I currently live in Catawba Territory in Greensboro, NC. I am a creator, collaborator, network weaver, and radical self-love advocate —sharing from my experience, the interconnectedness of environmental education & justice, healing collective... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2020 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion

11:15am PDT

Non-Black POC Affinity Group

Affinity groups are groups of people linked by a common identity, interest, or purpose. This an intentional gathering to allow communities to connect. Please note that these groups are only for people that share that identity and not for allies.

The non-Black POC Affinity Group will be a facilitated space for folks to connect to one another, share what they're struggling with, and move forward with a sense of responsibility to the change we seek. It is only an hour and we wish we could spend more time with you already. Come to this space to witness, to dialogue, or to be present.

Moderators

Bam Mendiola

Bam Organization

Bam Mendiola (they/them) is a public speaker, published writer, and diversity consultant. They often wonder how to celebrate their achievements in a bio, acknowledge the un-earned privilege that helped facilitate those achievements, while not reinforcing the idea that only people... Read More →

Florence Sum

Program Manager, RVC

Flo (they/them) was born, raised, and settled in unceded Duwamish territory. They are all about education, young people leading the way, and creating containers that honors people for their experience and knowledge. Currently yearning for a way to do martial arts (muay thai or krav... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2020 11:15am - 12:15pm PDT
Room 1 Zoom

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion

12:30pm PDT

Caring for Your Own Oasis: A Basics in Aquariums

Every child remembers a moment when they wanted to raise that orange goldfish from a carnival or a flashy betta at a store. This is your 101 to proper aquarium care to give the best life for your fish and bring nature into your homes.

Moderators

Daniel Shinwoo Kim

Outdoor Asian

An avid environmental enthusiast since the age of 2, Daniel (he/him/his) is passionate about introducing others to biology and animals. He has kept aquariums for 14 years and is excited to show others how to bring nature indoors.

Saturday September 19, 2020 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Bringing the Outdoors Indoors

12:30pm PDT

Micro-Inclusions in the Outdoors: Building a Healing Toolkit for BIPOC

This workshop is intended to be a space to share and be vulnerable with other BIPOC. Using journal prompts and music, the intention is to create a "healing toolkit" in which attendees can leave the session with a "toolkit" of healthy coping methods that center healing, food, and herbs as medicine and a nature therapy.

* Please note that this workshop is only for people that identity as Black, Indigenous, People of Color.

Moderators

Mo Asebiomo

Student, Earth In Color

Mo Asebiomo (she/her/hers) is a recent graduate in Psychology from Stanford University with a background in diversity, equity and inclusion program management specifically within the outdoor industry. She is passionate about connecting communities of color to mental health resources... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2020 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 1 Zoom

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Storytelling/ History

2:00pm PDT

Dr. Flowers: How to Build Plant-Conscious Relations

Rather than engaging with sciences and philosophies through the exploitative logics of settler colonialism, this interdisciplinary and interactive session counters the harmful appropriation of indigenous epistemologies by offering insights into multiple ways humans tune into the vegetal world of "plant-consciousness".

Moderators

Nat Mengist

FLOWERBOI FACILIATIONS, LLC

Amhara-blooded, Washington-born; Nat Mengist (he/him/his) is a researcher, educator, gardener, and consultant whose best friends are flowering herbs. Nat has facilitated outdoor learning & food justice workshops as a volunteer, staff person, and board member for over six years. Nat... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2020 2:00pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 1 Zoom

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion, Storytelling/ History

2:30pm PDT

Let's Talk: Bike Basics & Bikepacking

We will be leading a convo and Q&A session regarding basic bike maintenance and bike packing/camping. We'll cover how to get started, what to bring, and how to do it!

Speakers

Ed Ewing

Bike Works

Ricky Rodriguez

Bike Works

Sponsors

Bike Works

Saturday September 19, 2020 2:30pm - 3:30pm PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Outdoor Recreation/ Skill Sharing

4:30pm PDT

Herbs for Self-Care

A workshop for those looking for ways to protect and nourish themselves using plant allies to support during these unprecedented times.

Moderators

Je Amaechi

Freedom to Thrive

Stephanie uses she/they/we pronouns and runs Myal Medicinals, which combines both science-based approaches to herbalism and African spiritual practices to create products that are nourishing to the body, mind and soul. Since moving to Portland, OR about 6 years ago, she's been... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2020 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 1 Zoom

Ancestral/ Wilderness Skills

4:30pm PDT

Seeking Refuge in the Arctic Refuge

We will discuss our recent trip into the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on the Hulahula River. We will discuss the history of the Refuge and the need to protect the Coastal Plain from future oil and gas drilling. Also, we will talk about the Indigenous Inupiat and Gwich'in Peoples who live in and around the Refuge and have been stewards of the land since time immemorial.

***This workshop will be streamed live on YouTube.***

Speakers

Karlin Itchoak

The Wilderness Society

Karlin is the Alaska State Director for The Wilderness Society. He strives to protect the land, air, water and environment that sustains not only Indigenous cultures, but all life. Karlin has served as elected president of the Nome Eskimo community Tribal council and he is currently... Read More →

Danielle Stickman

Alaska State Deputy Director, The Wilderness Society

Danielle is of Dena’ina and Koyukon Athabascan descent. Danielle’s foundational passion for her work stems from the cultural values of Alaska Natives, Hawaiians, First Nation Peoples, and from her experiences of traveling around Alaska and the world. She believes that protecting... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2020 4:30pm - 5:15pm PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Outdoor Conservation/ Education

6:30pm PDT

Community Gathering: It's a Groove

Hosted by Naa Akua, this enjoy good music and laughs! Electric cellist, Gretchen Yanover will be kicking off the evening before we connect in regional breakouts. Will wrap up this event with a performance by Dakota Camacho

Agenda:
Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
Recorded Performance- Gretchen Yanover
Regional Breakout Rooms
Recorded Performance & Live Conversation-Dakota Camacho

**ASL will be provided for this session**

Speakers

Naa Akua

Emcee

Naa Akua, was a 2019 Citizen University Poet-in-Residence. They are queer poet, emcee, teaching artist’s and Gregory Award-winning actor.

Artists

Dakota Camacho

Musician

Dakota Camacho (Guiya, Yo'ña) creates in service of inafa'maolek (unity with Creation). As a Matao artist living in Duwamish Territory, Dakota aims to exemplify how Indigenous life ways can help us navigate our current crises with integrity, courage, and creativity.

Gretchen Yanover

Seattle cellist Gretchen Yanover creates string atmospheres woven with warm melodies. She performs as a soloist with her electric cello and looping pedal, along with her classical music life on acoustic cello. Gretchen is a member of Northwest Sinfonietta orchestra and also serves... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2020 6:30pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Community Gatherings, Performance

8:00pm PDT

Food & Intimacy: A Poetry Segment

Food. Sensuality. Poetry. Performed by Kamari Bright.

Artists

Kamari Bright

Saturday September 19, 2020 8:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Recorded: Watch Anytime

Storytelling/ History

8:30pm PDT

Battle of the Beats: DJ Phenohype & DJ Hershe

It wouldn't be Refuge if there wasn't a silent disco! Or in this case, the next best thing- a DJ battle!

DJ Phenohype
vs.
DJ Hershe
vs.
Refuge Playlist

Join us on Uberbattle and get ready to get down!

Password: RefugeFest2020

Artists

DJ Hershe

Hailing from Florida, Deejayhershe brings the feeling of sunshine to Seattle. With a well crafted mix of lounge, soul, and funk, hershe spins island sounds from her British/ Caribbean culture while skillfully moving to the heart-thumping beats of house, hip-hop, afrobeats and disco... Read More →

DJ Phenohype

Allison Masangkay / DJ Phenohype (she/they) is a sick and disabled queer Filipinx femme artist, scholar, and social justice advocate. Her work is influenced by her childhood in northern New Jersey, survival in Sequim, Washington, ancestral memory, and diaspora feels. Their latest... Read More →

Saturday September 19, 2020 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Uber Battle

Community Gatherings

8:45am PDT

Backpacking Basics & Connecting With Nature During COVID

We’ll go over backpacking basics, where to find used or how to borrow gear, what gear is actually necessary, how to fit a backpack, and how to pack it. We’ll also discuss art and journaling prompts to connect with nature that you can use at home or take with you on the trail.

Moderators

Neli Jasuja

Young Women Empowered

Keleigh Powers

Young Women Empowered

My name is Keleigh Powers (she/her/hers), I'm an outdoor enthusiast and leader. It maybe be considered that I do too many activities - my current favorites including mountain biking, climbing, camping, skiing, snowboarding, and paddle boarding - it seems that I mainly work to support... Read More →

Sunday September 20, 2020 8:45am - 10:45am PDT
Room 1 Zoom

Outdoor Recreation/ Skill Sharing, Mental/ Emotional Health During COVID

9:30am PDT

Words Have Power, How to Flow Like Water: A Collective Poetry Experience

Beginning with a live poetry reading and discussion, Olivia will share her creative process, connection to water, and art. After this portion, participants will be led through a powerful collective poetry experience where the group will all make a poem based on the theme of water. The aim is to encourage collaboration and appreciation of individuals' lived experiences. There is simultaneously an effort to join voices in a collective rhythm and flow. Learning how to convey nature experiences through poetry is a skill that can be used after many adventures and for a lifetime of documenting memories, feelings, and experiences. This process will ignite our collective imagination and exemplify the power of collaboration.

Moderators

Olivia VanDamme

Olivia (she/her/hers) is a Latinx surfer, climber, backpacker and lover of nature who resides on Ohlone Land. She has a BA in Geography and has worked in environmental education for 5 years for many Bay Area non-profits. She is also a musician, a published poet and just co-edited... Read More →

Sunday September 20, 2020 9:30am - 10:30am PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Storytelling/ History, Collective Poetry

11:00am PDT

Community Gathering: Closing Circle

Join us as unveil art created by Dozfy, celebrate a beautiful weekend, take our "family photo" and share parting words. And give-aways!

**ASL will be provided for this session**

Speakers

Chevon Powell

Golden Bricks Events

Founder of the Refuge Outdoor Festival

Sunday September 20, 2020 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 2 Zoom

Community Gatherings

2:00pm PDT

Sundae Sermon: A Celebration of Black Folks

Sundae Sermon: A Celebration of Black Folks will be celebrating Activism on Sept. 20th at 2pm! Tune in as we chat with our amazing guests and learn about some of the youth leading in our community. Grab your favorite ice cream and join us on YouTube!

**ASL will be provided for this session**

Sunday September 20, 2020 2:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Diversity/Equity/Inclusion