Recognition of that interdependence stems from holistic worldviews that see humans as a part of, not apart from, nature. These worldviews have been and continue to be characteristic of Indigenous Peoples and other communities that have maintained intimate, long-standing connections with their lands and territories and that have cared for and defended them for generations, guided by their own values, beliefs, and governance systems

By contrast, the now dominant worldview — which has arisen from Western rationalism, colonial encroachments, and the political and economic ideologies that rationalism has spawned — sees humans as separate from nature and dominant over it. That disconnected worldview has relentlessly sought to displace, if not even obliterate, all others.

Indigenous Peoples and other custodians, or stewards, of their lands and territories have long fought to retain or regain their self-determination: their right to exert their ancestral responsibilities toward one another and toward nature. Territories of life, in all of their diversity, have been at the center of these struggles, as the sources of people’s identities, languages, cultures, and ways of knowing and acting in the world.

We’re eager to hear from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous custodians and stewards, as well as their allies, who wish to share ideas, reflections, and on-the-ground experiences on this theme. We welcome written stories as well as photo and video essays. And we also wish to explore 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.