2026 Symposium Presenter: Arieahn Matamonasa Bennett

“Western Science is ‘half-brained.’ Indigenous Elders had it right: Rethinking Animal-Human relationships and research“

Panel: “Dethroning Human Hubris”

2026 Online Symposium, May 3 2026

Reimagining Goddess Scholarship: At the Edges of Sacred Knowledge

Arieahn Matamonasa Bennett, PhD, joined ASWM after completing her Ph.D. in 2005, mentored by the late Patricia Monaghan, and has been a frequent contributor and speaker and a member of the ASWM Advisory Board. She completed her MA and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fielding Graduate University and is a licensed psychologist. She is an Associate Professor with the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS), at DePaul University where she has taught for the past two decades. She has widely published and taught in multidisciplinary research areas: Cross-cultural, ethnic minority & indigenous psychology, women’s psychology and the history, science and psychology of human-animal relationships. In addition to teaching, she maintains a small private practice which incorporates Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and experiential learning in nature as a part of holistic therapeutic practice.

Presentation Description: We have deep and powerful experiences with horses and nature that are difficult to describe and quantify with our rational, scientific minds. Understanding and integration happens in the metaphoric mind of dreams, symbols, storytelling, myth, dance, art, and music. Based on theories ranging from Jungian (Depth) psychology to the pioneering work of Samples (1976, 1993) and (ancient) indigenous scientific paradigms (Cajate, 2000; Couture, 2013; Wilson, 2008), animal-human studies are given what is often a missing or invisible lens. The metaphoric mind, or ‘nature mind’ is our oldest mind and has been developing for about three million years. Western society and its educational systems focus on mainly left-brain functions such as linear thinking and language. Metaphoric, symbolic perception and intuitive, right-brain activity has been neglected. As language and the rational mind develops, the holistic experience of the metaphoric mind eventually recedes into the subconscious, but it can, however, still be called on or accessed during creative or spiritual experiences. Metaphoric mind processes are tied to creativity, perception, images, physical senses, and intuition. “This presentation explores the ways in which accessing and giving equal regard to the metaphoric mind holds important keys to a more whole-brained scientific paradigm, shaping, deepening, and advancing our understanding the animal-human bond and our connections to the natural world.

See symposium updates and register here

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026

Scholar Salon 94 (Recording now available)

Scholar Salon #94: Dr. Pinar Durgun explores how our understanding of ancient Mesopotamian women’s lives shifts when we challenge common assumptions and examine evidence across legal, economic, religious, and visual sources.

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February 8, 2026

Announcing Scholar Salon 95: Register for Februrary 19

“Let the Ancient Gods and Goddesses Organize Your Year“

with Dr.Normandi Ellis

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time

REGISTER HERE

Across the ancient world, the Seven Sacred Planets were understood not as distant spheres of rock and gas, but as living intelligences—cosmic powers shaping destiny, consciousness, and your unfolding of life. The five visible planets and the sun and moon ruled each day of the week. Used correctly, they provide inspiration for effectively engaging in our life tasks, performing the important activities of life at the right time. Not a HUGE astrological teaching, this talk will offer a simple way to look at and organize your daily/yearly calendar based on the intelligences of the planets.

Be sure to bring your planner and calendar to the talk!

Dr. Normandi Ellis is an ordained clairvoyant Spiritualist minister and priestess of Isis. She is also an astrologer, numerologist, and teacher of metaphysics in a number of venues online and in person. Her books include Awakening Osiris: The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Union of Isis an Thoth: Magic and Initiatory Practices of Ancient Egypt, Hieroglypic Words of Power, and The Ancient Tradition of Angels. She leads trips to Egypt and trains other priestesses of Isis through her lyceum, Per Ankh Het Seshet. Normandi has been a member of ASWM’s Advisory Board since the beginning of our work. Visit her website for more information on her trips and teachings.

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Upcoming Scholar Salons (3pm Eastern Time):

Thursday March 5, with Dr. Carla Ionescu: She Who Endures: The Cult and Iconography of Artemis of Ephesus

This Salon recording will also be available to members when processed after the event.

January 14, 2026March 2, 2026

Leah Dorion’s Artwork Graces our 2026 Symposium

Passing Water Forward, by Leah Dorion (acrylic, 2013)

Our thanks to Leah Marie Dorion for sharing her artwork with us for our 2026 Symposium, “Reimagining Goddess Scholarship: At the Edges of Sacred Knowledge.”

The program for this event reframes knowledge transmission and curation and promotes new connections and relationships among people, animals, and the green world. Leah’s painting, “Passing Water Forward” beautifully conveys the intention and spirit of our program, as sacred knowledge is passed from one generation to another..

Leah Marie Dorion is a Metis writer and artist currently living near Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada. Her artwork celebrates the strength and resilience of Indigenous women and families, and echoes the beauty found in traditional beadwork. Leah is also a published children’s book author and illustrator. Leah has a passion for early year’s education and is currently working with the Metis Nation of British Columbia (MNBC) to develop Metis cultural early years resources for children and families. She has also participated as a mentor and lead artist for the Mann Art Gallery Indigenous Residency Project. She is a proud member of CARFAC which is the national voice of Canada’s professional visual artists. Visit www.leahdorion.ca for more information about her artistic practice.

About this painting, Leah says “This artwork features Indigenous women gathering water from the river. The gathered water is carried within sacred vessels to represent the passing forward of knowledge about the land and water through the generations. There is a baby in a cradleboard on the mother’s back and a young girl helping to draw up the river water into her vessel to emphasize that water is necessary for life to blossom, grow, and flourish in this world.

“Holding a vessel of water in our arms, close to our heart, is representative of sharing your wisdom and knowledge to guide future generations. The Canadian Geese flying in the sky are a symbol about how important it is to find direction in life and work together as a community for the highest good of all.”

In this beautiful video, Leah discusses her artistic vision.

January 13, 2026March 2, 2026

2026 Symposium to Feature Dr. Apela Colorado

Dr. Apela Colorado is our featured speaker for our upcoming symposium:

2026 Online Symposium, May 3 2026:

“Reimagining Goddess Scholarship: At the Edges of Sacred Knowledge.”

Apela Colorado, Ph.D. (Oneida-Gaul) is a renowned Indigenous scholar, educator, and cultural bridge-builder whose work centers on restoring Indigenous wisdom and forging ethical relationships between Western and Indigenous knowledge systems. A Ford Foundation Fellow, she earned her Ph.D. in Social Policy from Brandeis University in 1982, with additional coursework in Federal Indian Law and Child Welfare at Harvard University.

In 1989, Dr. Colorado founded the Worldwide Indigenous Science Network (WISN), which she continues to lead. WISN fosters the revitalization and global exchange of traditional knowledge, protects endangered Indigenous cultural practitioners, and facilitates respectful dialogue between Indigenous science and Western disciplines. A major recent milestone in Dr. Colorado’s work is the establishment of WISN’s graduate program in Indigenous Science and Peace Studies at the University for Peace (UPEACE) in Costa Rica.

In 1997, she was honored by the State of the World Forum as one of twelve women leaders selected from 52 countries. She has represented Indigenous perspectives at global events including the United Nations Earth Summit and the Conference on Religion and Environment hosted by the President of Indonesia.

Dr. Colorado’s publications explore sacred ecology, ancestral memory, and Indigenous methodologies. Her recent books include Woman Between the Worlds: A Call to Your Ancestral and Indigenous Wisdom (Hay House, 2021) and Journal des Rêves (WISN.org). She continues to mentor global leaders working at the intersections of culture, land, and spirit.