In September 2025, we were honored to host our second Indigenous Knowledges Holders Circle, which offers a unique opportunity for Indigenous residents to convene, exchange ideas, rejuvenate, and build meaningful connections. This fellowship brings together pairs of elders and youngers to share knowledge, culture and Indigenous language across generations. Our 2025 residents were: Kimberly Stevenot and Allison Stevenot (Mewuk), TekTekh Gabaldon and Desirae Harp (Mishewal Wappo), and Karen Evanoff and Tatiana Sowl (Dena’ina Athabascan).
Residents participated in several activities connecting them to our local Indigenous community. On the first night of the residency, Mesa alum Sara Calvosa Olson cooked a beautiful dinner featuring traditional Karuk foods. During the first week of the residency, Theresa Harlan (Jemez Pueblo/Coast Miwok), founder and director of the Alliance for Felix Cove and a Mesa alum, facilitated a visit to her family’s home, on the western shore of Tamal-liwa (today known as “Tomales Bay”). Theresa led us on a walk to Felix Cove, where she discussed her family’s history and her work to rematriate this piece of land. And, during the final week of their residency, we received a tour from Redbird Willie and Amethyst Faria of Heron Shadow Farm, which is a Native place of refuge and learning for community engagement, connection to the land, growing Indigenous foods, and nourishing Indigenous and intercultural relations.
We were also honored to have Mesa alum Melissa Nelson, Lead Navigator of the Tamalpais Trust, join us for our welcome and closing dinners. We are so grateful to be able to host Indigenous women through this fellowship and witness the deep connections, sharing, and cultural exchange.
“Having the opportunity to share and learn from other Indigenous Knowledge Holders was inspiring. Very rarely do we get to talk and share without a public audience. Spending the time learning and sharing our experiences and knowledge in a calming refuge, is an experience that I will carry with me forever.”
—Kimberly Stevenot
“The welcome, support, dinners, activities, cultural exchange and natural surroundings with deer greeting me every morning and saying good night every evening was exceptional. This is by far the best retreat I’ve ever been to and I genuinely mean that.”
—Karen Evanoff
Top image: This year’s cohort L to R: Allison Stevenot, TekTekh Gabaldon, Karen Evanoff, Kimberly Stevenot, Tatiana Sowl. Not pictured: Desirae Harp. Photo credit: Kamala Tully
