Our inclusive and team building workshops/learning tools provide foundational understandings and an exploration of indigenous knowledge systems and the attempts to erase them. Intentionally rooted in reciprocity, this work fosters a unified movement toward a Indigenous values led, earth-centered world.
Live Oak trainings were developed with these goals in mind:
Class Description:
Decolonization work seeks to disrupt long-held, Western practices that have historically marginalized Indigenous peoples. Indigenous peoples’ values and goals are inherently appropriate for care of local ecosystems in holistic and sustainable ways and we demonstrate how the integration of Indigenous goals and values can improve all areas of operations in all fields of practice. Because of the cultural and philosophical differences between Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews, these efforts can be difficult to navigate.
Our workshops seek to educate and engage through multiple modalities (or strategies) to uncover foundational misunderstandings about Indigenous histories, cultures, and contemporary realities to alleviate unnecessary tensions and pave a way forward for outreach, consultation and respectful partnerships with Indigenous stakeholders–or as we pivot toward a more earth-centered worldview, as a society.
Full Day | Virtual (offered quarterly as open enrollment) OR In-person (as a component of a consulting package)
Class Description:
The practice of land acknowledgements has become a common protocol for many institutions and organizations. An “acknowledgement” without humility or action, can be seen as purely performative and can even cause more harm. This multi-day, deep dive into your organization’s mission, vision and values–as well as your current practice of giving back (and helping you expand that list, perhaps) provides your organization tools for identifying how to make your land acknowledgement actionable and help you construct a strong, meaningful, statement of your commitment to Indigenous peoples.
Multi-Session Series | In-Person or Virtual
These discipline-specific offerings provide three, three part sections to guide the learner through the impacts of colonialism, the legacy and ongoing challenges faced by indigenous communities, and the practical and collaborative ways toward equitable, Native Values-led practice. Each “module” has interviews with experts, engaging stories and imagery, as well as questions/homework for reflection and discussion with a cohort of learners, and resources for further learning. As an alumni of these programs, you will have many opportunities to keep engaged and special offers when new materials become available.
Native Values-Led Land Stewardship: Three-Part Series
Intro to Decolonization, Healthy Ecosystems and Native Values
Foundations of Settler Philosophies and American Indian Law and Policy
Respectful Partnerships and Native-led Stewardship Models/Tools
Museums and Public History: Three Part Series
(Coming April 2027)
Class Description:
This work addresses the pitfalls inherent in unequal and historically traumatic relationships between the descendants of a settler population and Indigenous peoples. Our goal is to provide attendees with background, context, and resources to meaningfully and respectfully collaborate with local Indigenous people where appropriate, and awareness and humility to know when/where it’s not. Whether moving toward partnership WITH a Tribe or Indigenous community or positioning yourself/your organization toward Indigenous values-based work on your own, we can help.
Full Day | In-Person or Virtual
Class Description:
Join us for a transformative four-day workshop designed to deepen your connections to the land, your history and your sense of belonging in this colonial, capitalistic world. This immersive experience blends discussions, creative processes, and outdoor activities, guiding you on a grounding journey of empathy for self, land, and the people of the land. Our foundational approach is rooted in decolonial practice which includes working with our hands and hearts through creative expression, experiencing our connection to place by listening to the land, and exploring grief, cultural loss and longing in an intimate, intentional setting.
Multi-Day | In-Person
Coming Soon on the Live Oak Learning Hub
A continually growing set of offerings!
Begin with access to our full training roster and the self-paced, Core Curriculum learning modules on our Kajabi platform.
A new way to engage with the Live Oak Learning Tools. Starting this February, we will launch the Live Oak Learning Hub’s first offering, the self-paced, Shared Stewardship 101: Core Curriculum module series! The series will cover the foundational basics of our popular Decolonization 101 training, delivered in 10 videos, complementary readings and powerful reflection activities. As a Live Oak learning Hub alumni, you will have access to a continually growing set of offerings including webinars, a regularly refreshed reading list, access to other learners, invitations to Deana’s “office hours”, and more! Sign up today for the waiting list and be among the first cohort as we launch!
Workshop Description:
Live Oak Founder and Director, Deana Dartt, PhD, is a core developer and co-creator of the American Alliance of Museums adopted Standards for Museums with Indigenous American Collections–now used by AAM accreditors for guidance on field-wide best practices for institutions holding Indigenous collections, that serve Indigenous constituencies, and/or situated on Indigenous lands (hint: all museums). We guide your leadership team through these comprehensive standards, rolling up our sleeves to plan and implement actionable steps aligned with SMNAC recommendations across all museum function areas.
We work with you to design a custom workshop from a half-day community session to a multi-day leadership intensive grounded in your organization’s specific goals, relationships, and community context.
