Relationships & reciprocity
Listen deeply.
Walk in right relationship.
Our relationships with Indigenous teachers and communities carry a responsibility to listen, honor boundaries, and give back with integrity.
Living people. Living traditions.
Relationship
before representation.
We approach each relationship with respect for its distinct history, people, language, and protocols. Knowledge holders decide what may be shared, by whom, and in what setting.
The connections described here reflect The Sanctuary Church’s path of relationship and learning. They do not imply representation of an entire nation or blanket endorsement of The Sanctuary Church’s programs.
Comcaác
Sonora, Mexico
The Sanctuary Church walks in relationship with the Comcaác Nation, including its Council of Elders, maestros, and families. Together we share dialogue around language learning, cultural continuity, indigenous medicinal ceremony, and respectful educational work.
Our role in the proposed language project is to support educational and digital tools under community direction. Language, cultural knowledge, and decisions about access remain with their rightful holders.
Shipibo-Konibo
Peruvian Amazon
We honor our relationships with Shipibo-Konibo teachers and families, including the Oni Nai family, with gratitude and respect for the knowledge entrusted through personal relationship.
We are grateful to sit in ceremony and learn in the Amazon with maestros and families who carry these ways. Teachings, recordings, images, and community stories are shared only within the permissions and boundaries established by those who hold them.
Honored with permission
The flag of the Nación Comcáac and the seal of its Council of Elders appear at the Council’s request and with its permission. The Naciones Ancestrales and Encuentros Ancestrales emblems appear with the permission of their founder. These marks belong to their holders and may not be reused without their permission.
A project in development
PROPOSED • COMMUNITY REVIEW PENDINGCmiique Iitom language learning
The Sanctuary Church has initiated a letter of intent for a Seri / Cmiique Iitom language course and digital learning tools with Comcaác collaborators. The project is intended to support community-authorized language learning.
Pronunciation, recordings, vocabulary, credits, access permissions, and any public release require review and authorization from the appropriate Comcaác knowledge holders. No language content or recordings are published here.
Discuss respectful collaboration →Our commitments
Reciprocity is a practice.
Permission before publication.
We seek clear permission for teachings, images, recordings, names, and stories. Sacred or restricted knowledge stays within the boundaries set by its holders.
Authority stays with the community.
Teachers and communities speak for their own traditions. We distinguish learning, collaboration, and formal authorization.
Attribution with consent.
Credit should be accurate, welcomed, and appropriate to the context. Visibility is never assumed to be a benefit.
Support shaped together.
Reciprocity should respond to priorities identified by the people involved, with clear agreements about contributions, work, access, and benefit.
Additional relationships are shared publicly as their participants approve the wording and scope. See our path in pictures →