Paiute Wisdom & Stewardship: Dean Barlese & Donna Cossette Talk at Burning Man 2024, Center Camp

We’re excited to share the first of two insightful talks from Dean Barlese and Donna Cossette at this year’s Burning Man. As elders in the Paiute community, Dean and Donna have spent their lives preserving and sharing their people’s deep connection to the land. Their conversation at Center Camp highlighted the critical importance of Paiute traditions, environmental care, and the ongoing challenges their community faces today.

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In this powerful talk, Donna and Dean discuss:

• The Sacredness of Water – How water sustains life and connects all beings, and why it’s essential to protect it.
• Lithium Mining and Environmental Threats – The current fight against harmful mining practices and its impact on the Paiute people’s land.
• Indigenous Resilience – The strength and persistence of Paiute communities through historical and ongoing challenges.
• Two-Spirit Identity – Dean shares the importance of understanding and honoring the Two-Spirit identity in Paiute culture.
• Missing Indigenous People – A somber discussion on the reality of missing Indigenous individuals and the steps being taken to bring them home.

This conversation is more than a historical reflection. Dean and Donna’s message serves as a call to action for all of us to do better by the land and our communities. We must act now to protect the environment that sustains us all.

In alignment with their teachings, we also invite you to support our Community Garden Project, which fosters both healing and connection through sustainable practices. Your involvement—whether through volunteering, sharing, or supporting—helps us continue this important work.

How You Can Take Action:

• Watch and share this video to spread Dean and Donna’s message of environmental stewardship and cultural preservation.
• Support our Community Garden Project—whether by participating or spreading the word, you can help us grow this important initiative.  Click here to learn more.
• Reflect on Dean and Donna’s teachings—engage with their message and consider how it applies to your community and the land around you.

This is the first of two talks—stay tuned for Dean and Donna’s second discussion, delivered at Burners Without Borders, which will be shared with you soon.

Let’s continue working together toward healing, stewardship, and connection!