My name is Serena, and I’m a somatic bodywork practitioner based in Santa Cruz. This September, I’m hosting a community event centered on sovereignty—a value that has become deeply personal to me this year. As I’ve explored what sovereignty means in my own life and practice, I’ve been profoundly moved by the Amah Mutsun Land Trust (AMLT) and their efforts to reclaim ancestral lands and restore Indigenous stewardship on the Central Coast.
Their work embodies sovereignty in its most tangible, grounded form: returning to land, renewing cultural responsibility, and protecting places that hold deep meaning for the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. Supporting AMLT feels like the most aligned way to honor this theme, and I’m grateful to uplift their leadership through my September event.
I’m also launching a YouTube channel this year, with sovereignty as its first guiding theme. As part of that launch, I’ll feature AMLT’s work and link directly to their donation page so viewers can learn more and contribute. My hope is that both the event and the channel become pathways for deeper awareness, connection, and support for AMLT’s mission.