Our seven day retreat unfolds between the shores and islands of Lake Victoria during the Vernal Equinox.

Known to the Baganda people as Nalubaale, or “Mother of the Guardian Gods,” these 59,000 square miles of lucid and powerful feminine waters are believed by locals to be the birthplace of all deities and to hold powers of transformation and divination.

Here, nested in the birthplace of humanity, societies have developed distinctive ways of seeing, knowing, doing, and caring for life.

Stories, arts and economies are the expression of these relationships.

We are all indigenous to somewhere.

Alive in themselves, all cultures adapt with the landscape and the lives that pass through them. For folks of Western ancestry, connecting with one’s own indigeneity is a critical step to healing bodies and minds. We carry cellular memory of how to be in reciprocal relationship with all life.

Re-member-ing indigenous ways of relating can short-circuit patterns that are no longer viable for our lives, our families, our earth. This process of reconnecting and healing fragmentation is both intimate and civilizational.

We don’t retreat. We return.

Some Elements of the Kinship Design Lab

Indigenous Technology

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is recognized as the most effective approach to climate stability and biodiversity. Join us to explore the tools and approaches that enable TEK such as analytical, contemplative and ritual approaches that help humanity relate to nature and navigate change.

Contemplative Practice

We are a collective of spiritual leaders from many indigenous traditions. Delve into art and play that explores the profound questions of our time. Our retreat is a space to invite grace, wisdom, and adventure into both your spirit and intellect. It's an opportunity for self-discovery, and personal growth.

Sensory Exploration

Immerse in culinary and bodily journey like no other. Nourishment is sourced in deep connection with the wild and cultivated land surrounding us. You'll engage in a sensory and medicinal experience that connects you with the essence of the region. Dance, costuming, healing modalities and overnight excursions to places of profound natural beauty are all included.

$5,000 of your $8,500 registration covers the cost of travel and lodging for one guardian, and is tax deductible.

Register by February 1st to access group discounts. Details and pricing are below.

Uganda Buddhist Center is a serene oasis dedicated to the practice of mindfulness as a path to healing disconnection and trauma. Set amidst lush surroundings, UBC offers a peaceful escape for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual growth.

Ven. Bhante Buddharakkhita

Indigenous Commons Guardian and celebrated spiritual leader, Ven. Bhante Buddharakkhita is a native Bagandan who was raised Roman Catholic. Bhante first encountered Buddhism in 1990 while studying business in India and began practicing meditation in 1993. Ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2002, Bhante is defending a PhD on the intersection of indigenous wisdom and healing from trauma.

Bhante is the founder of the Uganda Buddhist Center in Entebbe, our home base for this retreat. His book, Planting Dhamma Seeds: The Emergence of Buddhism on African Soil, tells the story of his spiritual work in Africa and his vision for unity and repair between religious and ethnic groups after colonization and cultural erasure.

Listen to some of his lessons here.

Jason Jacobs, Māori, Kinship Navigator

Tihei Mauri Ora!

Kia Ora, My name whispers of the rivers of Te Arawa, the mountains of Ngāti Tūwharetoa, the winds of Ngāti Rangitihi, the strength of Tūhourangi, and the wisdom of Ngāti Maniapoto. I carry their stories in my heart, their mauri in my footsteps.

For over 20 moons, I walked the fields of the European Tour, not as a caddy but a navigator, reading the winds of change and strategising for victory.

Now I caddy for communities, guiding them towards sustainable shores through Catalyst2030 and Her Many Voices. As an Indigenous navigator, I weave together people, culture, and design, crafting solutions that honour our ancestors and nurture our future.

My compass points to causes rooted in the foundations of justice and health. I stand as a guardian of Indigenous Commons, ensuring our voices are heard in the halls of power. As an Indigenous ambassador for QJumpers and Co-founder of Te Mana Consortium, I bridge the gap between ancient wisdom and modern technology, building nature-based solutions that heal our planet.

My path is paved within our soil of understanding, design, governance, and legal structures. A co-founder of TransFibr and Strategic Esports Entertainment, weaving the threads of innovation through diverse landscapes.

My heart beats for the wellbeing of whānau and communities. Respect for Papatūānuku and our tupuna are woven into every breath I take.

May we live in abundance and health, guided by the wisdom of our ancestors and the light of a sustainable future. Ngā mihinui maioha

Suzanne Bowles, Cattail Strategy

Suzanne is a contributor in the fields of philanthropy, capital transformation and regenerative system design. With Suzanne, both seasoned and budding philanthropists embark on explorations of emerging concepts. These include regenerative funding alongside Indigenous Commons, reimagining finance and capital, and co-creating Kinship Return to rejuvenate Western perspectives and cultures for our evolving world.

Suzanne informs the new field of Kinship Philanthropy, emphasizing that, "As we grieve and let the things that no longer work die and fall away we create room for new potential to emerge. Our ability to hold curiosity and reverence for each other will console and liberate us.”

Kyra Kristof, Curiosity Kitchen

Discover connection in the web of all life on a venture out with Kyra into the wild. Together with local herbalists and farmers you will discover beings that play multiple parts in the stories of art, medicine, soul and food. Explore the altar of the kitchen together or simply receive nourishment at the table with an an embodied feeling of unity with the land..

Every moment with Kyra is a gift, of which the savoring of bespoke gourmet food is just one part.

Re-sacralizing the kitchen to the place where beings become our bodies, Kyra’s art invites sensory learning, contemplation, and delicious play. She co-creates an ambiance of grace, wisdom, spirit and intellect with us throughout our week.

“We are coming together because the wisdom of the Earth is roaring. We are starting to find each other around the Earth with this love for the pluriversity.”

- Lydia Campbell, Guardian of Irish Celtic descent

We will offer a variety of lodging options, based on our final group size.

Guests are invited to stay at locally owned and operated accommodations in Entebbe. Should you wish you share a room with another guest, or stay at the UBC temple, please reach out to us directly, otherwise you will be secured a private room at a hotel.

Our primary aim is to create an unforgettable and extraordinary experience. Make this last all year..

We hope that you'll fall in love with Uganda and forge a deep connection with the land, culture, and people. Our spirit of generosity and collaboration enriches your life while uplifting the lives of those you meet.

If your body and mind are craving something profound in 2024, this trip may be the genesis of MOTHER: Ancestral Wisdom Sabbatical.

Beginning with Nalubaale, Mother of Guardian Gods, Mother traces a way through Ireland for where European indigeneity is still embodied in the land and customs. She culminates with an unlearning journey with Diné leader, Woman Stands Shining Pat McCabe, on Turtle Island in the place called New Mexico around the time of the Fall Equinox.

Looking ahead, we dream of you wanting to share this incredible experience with your friends and loved ones. It's our hope that you'll be excited to bring your friends along for a Return.

Pricing for MOTHER: Ancestral Wisdom is available through discussion. Your extraordinary journey begins here and now.

Continue your African journey with a 5 or 7-night immersive post-trip Uganda & Rwanda adventure.

Day 1: Welcome to Queen Elizabeth National Park

Depart from Entebbe for a scenic 6-hour transfer to Queen Elizabeth National Park. Find comfort and relaxation at Enganzi Lodge, your home for the next few days.

Day 2: Explore the Wildlife

Embark on an exciting chimpanzee trek through lush forests. Later, experience the wonders of the Kazinga Channel on a memorable boat cruise.

Day 3: Game Drives and Transfer to Kisoro

Engage in thrilling game drives to witness the diverse wildlife that calls the park home. In the afternoon, transfer to Kisoro and settle into the cozy Travelers Rest Guesthouse.

Day 4: The Majestic Gorilla Trek

Today marks the highlight of your post-trip adventure with the possibility of an awe-inspiring gorilla trek. (Depending on gorilla permit availability, this may also occur on Day 5.)

Day 5: Village Immersion and Lake Mutanda

Immerse yourself in local culture with a visit to a nearby village. Paddle along the tranquil waters of Lake Mutanda in a canoe, taking in the breathtaking scenery.

Day 6: Journey to Kigali and Discovery

Depart for Kigali and delve into the fascinating Dian Fossey Exhibition. Pay your respects at the Genocide Memorial, a place of remembrance. Explore the Imena Arts Center. Find comfort in a boutique hotel for your final 2 nights of this extraordinary journey.

Day 7: Dive into Kigali and Embrace the Women

Visit the local Kimiroko Markets, and fabric market and savor the rich cuisine. Meet the women of Kigali at the Nyamirambo Women’s Center. Final night dinner and gratitude to our hosts and an amazing adventure in Africa.

Day 8: Farewell, Until We Meet Again

Your post-trip adventure concludes, and you're free to depart at your preferred time.

At MPE, we recognize that every client, every experience, and every guest is different, and we tailor our services to match the needs of each client. Our strength is thinking outside the box and going above and beyond to curate unique experiences.

When you choose MPE, you know that we plan every detail to ensure we transcend expectations every step of the way. If you value turning moments into memories, we would love to partner with you in travel.