Branch of Action

Speculative Architecture of the Overflow

The Branch of Action, Speculative Architecture of the Overflow is led by IV Castellanos, Catalyst's Interkinnector. As Interkinnector they work to build relations with local land and culture rematriative and protection efforts where we work and tour. Our goal is to build an overflow from the performance moment, forward. A structured response, this overflow; a system of ongoing reciprocal support guided by the communicated needs of the matriarchs of land and water protection efforts. Together, we build our kinstillatory networks, stronger. 

The map below shows the locations of Overflow sites we are in ongoing relationship with. More about these sites.

Kuruvungna Village Springs

We visited Kuruvungna Village Springs and people working to protect them. A site protected by the Gabrielino Tongva Springs Foundation, Kurunvungna Springs are open to the public on the first Saturday of every month. A volunteer run organization, the Gabrielino Tongva Springs Foundation is in need of volunteers on those days to help tend the land, as well as your donations.

More info: Gabrielino-Tongva Springs Foundation website

During our October 2022 presentation of Being Future Being in Lenapehoking, we held performances of Land / Celestial at East River Park. We asked audiences to stand with us in defending land and protecting the threatened trees at this site. 

1000 People 1000 Trees

East River Park

East River Park is terrorized by New York City. Over 700 healthy trees and 25 acres have been bulldozed in a Land Grab on stolen land. 1000People1000Trees advocates for Indigenous land protection and a community focused plan for flood protection and a healthy future. There are 500 trees and 25 acres left to protect. We are currently advocating for NYC to uphold environmental justice standards, demand proper mitigation and procedural policies regarding resiliency projects and align with the Right to Clean Air and Water and a Healthful Environments for all New Yorkers. We call for:

  1. The Immediate Halt of the Destruction of East River Park

  2. Immediate Interim Flood Control Measures

  3. Oversight Hearing to Investigate the East Side Coastal Resiliency (ESCR) Project

  4. Oversight Hearing to Investigate the TREE WORK PERMIT process in New York City and a newly enacted TREE REVIEW and permitting system, independent of City Council and Mayoral Influence

1000people1000trees.nyc

Instagram: 1000people1000trees

Fire Tree and Protect Tree at Jacob's Pillow


Catalyst's Being Future Being project at Jacob's Pillow and our work with three particular trees on campus resulted in two great outcomes. The tree we came to know as Protect Tree had been slated for removal due to construction, but due to our work together, plans were adjusted so that the tree, and the trees surrounding it were not cut down. Fire Tree (seen in the first image above) which was harmed in a fire on campus in 2020 has received care from an arborist and amendments to the soil to aid in its recovery. Fire Tree now bears witness to new construction, but is protected.

Fire Tree and Sound Tree at Santa Monica University


Catalyst's presentation of Being Future Being: Land / Celestial at Santa Monica University on Tongva land brought us into relationship with many threatened and powerful trees on campus. At Fire Tree, the eldest Fig Tree in Santa Monica, we issued a notice to the construction company and SMU, which is infringing on the tree's living space with a new building. Audiences were given notices to continue to share with the public. At Sound Tree, which is a group of trees all slated for demolition for the expansion of an art building, we asked audiences to bear witness and show up in protection.

Office, Minneapolis, MN, US612.597.7400emily@catalystdance.com

Emily Johnson / Catalyst is based on Mannahatta in Lenapehoking. We work to pay respect to Lenape homeland, people and ancestors past, present, and future by organizing with communities from the Lenape diaspora to build pathways for Lenapeyok return. We have been taught to name Lenape Nations and say cama’i to our relatives from Delaware Tribe of Indians in Bartlesville, OK; Delaware Nation of Oklahoma in Anadarko, OK; Stockbridge-Munsee and Mohican Community in Wisconsin; Moravian Delaware of the Thames in Ontario, Canada; Munsee-Delaware Nation at Munceytown in Ontario, Canada; Delaware of Six Nations in Ontario, Canada. 

We strive to be in good relations with our kin—human and more than human—and in effort to support growing kinstillatory relations and sovereign, liberated futures we are anti-colonial and abolitionist in all capacities. We are committed to on-the-ground water and land protection, consistent decolonization work, and Land Back. 

Quyanaqvaa-lli elpeni to all Sovereign Nations, Indigenous and First Nations people who live in relation to and from Lenapehoking and upon whose lands we work and tour.

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