Core Idea - Community is not found, but built through intentional effort [4][19] - The "one chair mindset" encourages individuals to proactively include others [9] - Building community involves inclusion, connection, and collaboration [8] Problem Highlighted - 50% of young adults report loneliness despite increased connectivity [7] - People often wait for others to initiate connection, leading to isolation [6] - The myth that community is easily found can lead to feelings of not belonging [5] Actionable Steps - Notice who is missing and make the first move to include them [12] - Invite others, even if they decline, as the act of reaching out is valuable [13] - Focus on building one connection at a time [9][14]

Project Overview - The project, "Domestic Reing," is a living land acknowledgement in the form of an animal-powered native plant earthwork, located at the Illinois State University Horticulture Center [4][12] - It aims to recognize the genocide and displacement of indigenous peoples and put action behind institutional acknowledgements [13] - The earthwork will be a curated prairie with walking paths surrounded by a semi-circular mound approximately 330 feet (100 meters) long, planted with native prairie plants [12] Themes and Objectives - The project reflects concerns around interspecies relationships, ecosocial engagement, climate change, and community building [5] - It seeks to address social and climate issues through art, fostering a sense of belonging for all people and species [5][28] - The performance aspect, "Sunset on the Longest Day," aims to create community, promote communion, and remind participants of their importance [30][31] Performance and Ritual - "Sunset on the Longest Day" is a relational performance event involving native people sharing their stories [15][16] - The performance incorporates elements of theater, storytelling, and ritual, designed to be felt and experienced [17][25] - The performance includes symbolic actions such as tearing signs, speaking in response to unspoken questions, and walking the perimeter of the earthwork with oxen [18][19][23] Ecological Impact - The project utilizes draft animal power as a renewable resource, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and soil compaction [26][27] - Planting native prairie species with deep root systems will sequester carbon, improve soil health, and provide habitat for pollinator species [27][28] - The use of animal manure enriches depleted soils at the site [27] Call to Action - The project encourages supporting indigenous people by listening to them, hiring them, honoring their agency, and making room for their voices [32] - It emphasizes the importance of remembering that all land in the Americas is stolen native land and learning the history of the people on whose land one stands [32][34] - It suggests actions such as donating land to native tribes and supporting native causes [35]