“Land from Different Perspectives: Stories about the Past, Present and Shared Futures of the Land around us” featured a diverse group of speakers sharing stories about how people from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives have related to the land in our region.
On Sunday afternoon, April 19, about 100 engaged and interested people gathered in the Mohonk Conference House for our 2026 Spring Forum.
Musician and activist Bethany Yarrow of the Waterfall Unity Alliance opened the program with a moving performance of a welcome song, evoking the spirit of the mountain and the hammer of justice.
Ulster County Historian Eddie Moran, set the stage by reviewing how the geography and watersheds of the Hudson Valley have attracted people to the region from ancient to contemporary times through offering excellent places both to live and to farm. Some crops we enjoy today—particularly corn and sunflowers—have been raised locally for over 2,000 years. The ecology of the Shawangunk ridge, including its distinctive dwarf pitch pine forest, have also been shaped by Lenape land management practices, including periodic intentional forest burns.
Moran shared the complex history of the native people of the Hudson Valley, including the Peace Treaty of 1665 which was renewed every year or over century, marking a time of relative peace between the settlers and native people. During these years, Dutch patentees accumulated more and more wealth and the Esopus people faced increasing pressure to sell their lands.
The historian concluded his overview by highlighting the contributions made by local enslaved people. By the 1790s, 15 percent of New Paltz residents were black, and it is essential that we acknowledge and appreciate the labor and craft skills that these people brought to this community.
The program continued with three contemporary storytellers: Kawenniiosta Jock, John Kelder, and Shaniqua Bowden.
A contemporary member of the Wolf Clan of Akwesasne, Kawenniiosta Jock responded in a grief-stricken manner to hearing the history of her ancestors. It underscored her efforts 200+ years later to “rematriate” the Skywomans Forever Farm in Sc farm. A graduate of the Akwesasne Freedom School, Jock shared her journey back to self through relearning her cultural practices and language. As she put it “our languages vibrate in the highest frequency” when they are in relationship to land and food.
John Kelder shared about his experience being a twelfth generation member of a Dutch farming family in the Hudson Valley. He spoke about the challenges of continuity, and the resourcefulness required to maintain a living through connection to growing food.
Shaniqua Bowden of the Kingston Land Trust told a story informed by her guiding question: “how can we build a society that nurtures all beings in this world that chains us and chains Earth’s beauty?”
Mohonk Consultations also invited a number of organizations working in areas relevant to the topic to attend the forum and distribute information to the audience, including Allies of the Tonawanda Seneca Nation, Conuco Farm CSA, Freedom Farm Community, Outdoor Promise, Wallkill Valley Land Trust, and Wild Earth Wilderness School.
The afternoon concluded with a casual networking session during which the presenters, audience members and representatives from these organizations had a chance to enjoy some refreshments and make connections with others who share their interest in this fascinating and complex topic.
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