Healing Garden: Reflecting on Our Collective Grief

April 27 @ 11:30 am – 12:30 pm

Free

In conjunction with UC Berkeley’s The Othering and Belonging Institute’s 2024 conference, OMCA is pleased to partner with OBI to offer a reflective gathering on collective grief. 

All are welcome to join us for this peaceful experience in our beautiful garden. Wellness practitioner, Josie Santiago and earth ritual artist, Veronica Ramirez will lead us in the sacred ritual of mandala creation to cultivate a space of healing. With an open heart, we will come together in this safe space to reflect on our loss, global grief, or simply soak in the connectedness of community. Grief is a universal experience and when we connect with others, it can be healing. We hope you will join us.

This event is free and open to the public regardless of participation in The Othering and Belonging Conference

Accessibility 

Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) is committed to providing programs that are accessible, welcoming, and inclusive of our community. Wheelchairs, sensory inclusive devices, and additional amenities are available for checkout on a first come, first served basis at the Ticketing Desk. To request other accommodations, like American Sign Language (ASL), Cantonese, Spanish or another language interpreter, please email [email protected] at least three weeks before the event. Learn more about our accessibility options.

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Facilitators

Veronica Ramirez
Veronica Ramirez is first generation to Chilean/Mapuche ancestry, born on Ramaytush Territory (Redwood City, CA). Co-founder of PLACE (People Linking Art, Community & Ecology) on Ohlone Territory (Oakland, CA), an educational center and maker space since 2011, Veronica’s experience spans various domains, including organizational development, educational programming, placemaking projects, community partnerships, and neighbor relations. In 2021, she joined SNAG Mag/The Nest (Seventh Native American Generation) as a co-director, helping to facilitate this youth-inspired initiative that shares inspiring Native/Indigenous stories through rich articles and featured artists. As a founding member of Golden Gate Cohousing since 2012, she contributes to the co-living project dedicated to diversity and affordable housing for change makers, a project of Shared Living Resource Center where she serves as a board member. Veronica’s curious nature inspires her toward her deep love of the natural world, human connection, and the transformative healing that comes from the co-creative spirit we each possess.
Josie Santiago

Josie Santiago is a seasoned somatic practitioner, facilitator, and wellness coach with over a decade of experience in cultivating healthy relational practices within diverse communities.  She is the owner of Akili Well, an organization based in Oakland, Ca dedicated to fostering leadership, learning, and overall well-being. As an interdisciplinary practitioner, she uses her experience in holistic healing modalities to encourage self-awareness, self-care, and collective transformation.  When she is not leading well-being circles, Josie facilitates experiential workshops and retreats aimed at helping individuals find ease and joy in their lives. Her commitment to creating spaces for growth and exploration underscores her passion for empowering others to thrive mentally, emotionally, and physically.

 

Highlights

Amanda Memorial Mandala

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