Rooted in history, nature, and collective care, The Trailforge is a movement that reconnects people with the land and one another.
Based in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region, we bring communities together through hiking, storytelling, art, and education.
Our gatherings honor Indigenous traditions, highlight local histories, and create space for healing and collective growth.By fostering education, connection, and action, we create spaces where individuals and communities can heal, grow, and honor their sacred relationship with the Earth and each other.
“We walk with intention, learning from the past, grounding in the present, and forging trails toward a more connected future.”
About the Mission
The Trail Forge reconnects people with the land and one another through hikes, storytelling, art, and education. Inspired by the vision and existing work of Ministry of Neteru, it brings together participants across the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region to heal, learn, and honor the traditions of the original stewards of these lands.
Through collective hikes, workshops, and cultural collaborations, The Trail Forge nurtures creativity, reflection, and community care. By partnering with Indigenous leaders and local organizations, we highlight ancestral wisdom, local histories, and environmental justice—transforming green spaces into sites of healing, learning, and collective remembrance.
Our journey began with a simple idea: that healing and learning can unfold when people gather in nature with shared purpose. From our first hike on the Billy Goat Trail with fourteen participants to a growing community of over one hundred members, The Trail Forge continues to expand—building relationships rooted in respect, creativity, and education.
We strive to:
- Â Honor and learn from Indigenous wisdom holders and from Tradition.
- Reclaim green spaces as sites for healing, creativity, and resistance.
- Build community through shared experiences in nature.
- Address systemic issues such as land disconnection, erasure of Indigenous history, and urban overdevelopment.
Through hikes, workshops, and storytelling circles, we create opportunities for people to remember their relationship with the Earth and with one another.
What We Do
Collective Hikes
We organize monthly hikes across the DMV that blend nature exploration with cultural learning. Each hike invites members to connect with the environment, reflect through journaling or art, and learn from invited storytellers or Indigenous educators.
Workshops and Retreats
Our seasonal gatherings bring together artists, healers, and educators to explore themes of transformation, land stewardship, and community care.
Cultural Collaboration
We partner with Indigenous leaders, historians, and organizations to ground our work in truth and shared learning.
Advocacy and Land Stewardship
Trailforge is committed to environmental justice. We organize around issues like overdevelopment, displacement, and the preservation of public parks and community gardens.
Through political education and community action, we aim to “Free DC,” creating a city that honors its land, history, and people.
Our vision is a world where history, art, education, and nature are woven into everyday life, where communities are reconnected to the Earth and empowered to care for it together.
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MoN was founded on the knowledge that healing and remembering our connection to the cosmic web of life is our birthright and that every being holds spirit.
We're a place to learn from grounded healers, tap into your inherent wisdom, and connect with likeminded community to remember our power to dream a new dream of what's possible on Earth.
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