In an increasingly materialistic world, being wealthy (or not) has become inextricably associated with having an abundance (or not) of money and material goods. More and more people around the globe define themselves by their ability to acquire more and more material wealth.

The voracious accumulation of that kind of abundance by the few leads to scarcity for the many, while depleting the world’s richness in nature and culture. Arguably, this dominant idea of a “good life” lies at the root of the global social and ecological predicament we face today.
.

• But what if there were other ways of thinking of abundance—ways that might replace “more and more for the few” with “just enough for the many,” enriching everyone without undermining our world’s biocultural wealth? Such ways of thinking do exist, enshrined in the worldviews of many communities around the globe, both Indigenous and not, who define a “good life” in terms of collectively sharing the abundance of nature within a context of thriving social and cultural relationships.
• How might life be different when lived from a perspective of biocultural abundance?
• How might the world’s current self-destructive trajectory shift if that perspective were embraced by all?

.
We’re eager to hear from Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons who wish to share ideas, reflections, and on-the-ground experiences on this theme. We welcome written essays in a narrative (rather than academic or technical) style, as well as photo and video essays. And we are open to other, more symbolic or metaphorical, ways of addressing the theme, such as poetry, artwork, songs, music, and more.

Interested in contributing?

Submit your Expression of Interest below. Proposed stories can be in written and/or visual media: essays, short fiction, poetry, photo essays, videos, postcard stories, podcast scripts, music, spoken word, artwork, or any other format or combination of formats.

Please Note: Langscape Magazine is not an academic publication; we use a narrative or journalistic style. Read previously published stories for examples.

Stories are published in English but can be submitted in French or Spanish; we’ll translate them.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Yes? If you would like to contribute to the current theme of Langscape Magazine, please fill the Expression of Interest form on this page.

Or consider submitting your story to our Indigenous Youth Storytellers Circle (IYSC)! It’s a project that offers Indigenous youth from around the world a special platform to make their voices heard. Check this page to find out how to send us your idea for an IYSC story.