Manitou was born from a shared dream between Dr. Jane Goodall and Jeremy Gregory of Tindakan to unite Indigenous youth from around the world through story, ceremony, and action.
Inspired by Jane’s decades of work with Indigenous youth through Roots & Shoots, Manitou carries forward her lifelong mission: to empower young leaders to protect the Earth and restore balance between people and planet.
In one of her final recorded messages below, Jane shared her hope that Manitou would bring this vision to life.
Now, together, we’re building her dream.
MANITOU FESTIVAL
Is a visionary gathering that fuses a global Indigenous Youth Conference and Summit with a transformative, solutions-based festival centered on humane education and collective ecological stewardship.
A 4-Day Indigenous-Led Leadership and Action Platform
October 2026 | Boulder, CO | Global Simulcast
❋ Intentional StructurePartner Alignment
Collaboration that respects Indigenous governance and authority.
Each cycle strengthens Indigenous-led action building momentum, capacity, and resources for lasting change
❋ Collaborative EnergyA 4-day Indigenous-led platform that enables:
Cultural Grounding & Protection First
Ensuring all initiatives are rooted in cultural protocols and safeguards.
Project Incubation
Guidance and support for projects from elders and mentors.
Rapid Capital Deployment
Efficient and accountable access to funding for projects.
Verification & Storytelling
Authentic representation that honors cultural intellectual property.
❋ Expert Facilitation❋ Global Participation15-20 regional Manitou Circles, hosted by Roots & Shoots chapters and Indigenous partner networks, will connect live to
the summit for shared ceremonies, plenaries, and Action Hours 4 engaging 500+ Indigenous youth worldwide.
Participating cohorts are recognized as Manitou Global Delegates, gaining access to mentorship, peer networks, and
micro-grants to advance community-led projects beyond the event.