Indigenous Futurists Society

“What IFs?”
(Indigenous Futurists Society)

Event Details:

• Name: What IFs? (Indigenous Futurists Society)
• Focus: Indigenous Futurism and Solarpunk
• Theme: Using social imagination to envision and build a better, exciting future
• Date: Fall 2025
• Location: Seattle Area (for first annual event)

Event Description: The “What IFs?” is envisioned as an intragenerational, multi-sensory experience that brings together a community dedicated to imagining and building a brighter future, rejecting dystopia. The event will feature workshops, panels, and showcases, cumulating in a community celebration! It aims to explore Indigenous Futurism and Solarpunk concepts, focusing on how we can use social imagination to create a better world and the skills we need to develop now to achieve it.

Key Components:

• Immersive World Experience: Walk through the multi-sensory world of Coyote and Crow, with food, inspired-outfits, and projected images windows to other worlds, pick up a VR headset, etc..
• Workshops: Led by and for Indigenous folks, covering various skills and topics.
• Panels: Discussions on Indigenous Futurism, Solarpunk, and related themes.
• Showcases: Presentations of current projects and initiatives.
• Dance Party: A celebratory conclusion to the event.

Some Brainstormed Examples Include:

• Local Indigenous Futurist Fashion Show (one version/take)
• VR World-building experience
• Coding 101 Workshop
• Cultural Food and Drinks
• Music by The Halluci Nation

Examples of Potential Partnerships and Sponsorships:

• Black Girls Code: Skills workshops and ethical technology advancement.
• Marvel Comics: Sponsorship and collaboration on speculative and Indigenous fiction.

Target Audience: A collective of individuals and partner organizations invested in a harmonious future where technology, humanity, and nature blend in a socially just way.

Organizers:

• Lead: Faculty Kendra of the Native Pathways Program (NPP) at The Evergreen State College.
• Coordinators: Derek (NPP), Robert (NPP), Michael (CCAS)
• Collaborators: NPP students, NPP S&A Student Governance, Center for Climate Action and Sustainability, and more in the works!

Mini Build-up Events:

• Winter Quarter: Practice and test events at Longhouse weekends, including a one-shot tabletop role-playing game session of “Coyote and Crow.”
• Equity Symposium (EQS): Participating in Evergreen’s EQS with a sample workshop or social imagination envisioning exercise.

What is “Indigenous Futurism”?

Poster for Sharing!

Interested in Volunteering or having a role in the event?