Bridging the Worlds of Spirit, Art and Activism

“If our time on Earth is to endure, we must love the Earth in the strong, unsentimental way of traditional peoples, not seeking to exploit but to live in balance with the natural world.” — Peter Matthiessen, from “Indian Country”

The Church, in collaboration with The Peter Matthiessen Center, Sagaponack, will welcome Chief Oren Lyons and Shane “Bizhiki Nibauit” Weeks as the inaugural speakers for The Matthiessen Talks, a new collaborative series dedicated to exploring the profound relationships between humanity and nature. The talk is Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m. and this series, inspired by the legacy of the late Peter Matthiessen — author, explorer, naturalist and Zen Roshi — aims to bring together voices that share his commitment to environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge and spiritual harmony.

Chief Oren Lyons and Shane Weeks will each share brief presentations before engaging in a thought-provoking dialogue about generational perspectives, shared values and the wisdom passed down through their respective cultures. They will later be joined by Rex Lyons, son of Chief Oren Lyons, who will serve as a bridge between the two generations. The discussion will be followed by an audience Q&A, moderated by Alex Matthiessen, Peter Matthiessen’s son.

Chief Oren Lyons, a Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan who serves as a Member Chief of the Onondaga Council of Chiefs and the Grand Council of the Iroquois Confederacy (the Haudenosaunee peoples), is an accomplished artist, social and environmental activist, and author; a Professor Emeritus at SUNY Buffalo; a leading voice at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Human Rights for Indigenous Peoples; and the recipient of many prestigious national and international prizes including the U.N. NGO World Peace Prize. Oren also serves on the boards of several major nonprofit organizations and social enterprises; is founder and principal of One Bowl Productions, a purpose-driven film and television production company; and is an All-American Lacrosse Hall of Famer and Honorary Chairman of the Iroquois Nationals Lacrosse Team.

Shane Weeks is a member of the Shinnecock Nation of Southampton. His traditional name is “Bizhiki Nibauit,” which means Standing Buffalo. He is also from the Buffalo Clan. Weeks is dedicated to his community and represents his people in a number of capacities. He is also owner of Ohke Creations. An author, traditional singer and dancer, cultural consultant and artist, he is also a member of several boards and committees. In 2023 Weeks was awarded the Presidential Lifetime Volunteer Award by HRM Queen Angelique Monet of the Eti-Oni Lands of Nigeria and founder of the New Generation in Action organization. His mission is to bridge the gap between his community of Shinnecock, the local community, and communities abroad.

The mission of the Peter Matthiessen Center (PMC) is to preserve and expand on the late author’s legacy in promoting social justice, environmental preservation, and spiritual exploration. PMC seeks to provide a collaborative forum for writers, thinkers and activists in pursuit of innovative solutions to heal the imperiled planet. To honor Peter Matthiessen’s prodigious contributions to literature, his advocacy for the natural world and Indigenous peoples as well as to American Zen during five decades on the East End, the center strives to create thoughtful programming, inspiring generations to come.

After the event, attendees are invited to a reception in The Church’s studio level, where they will have the opportunity to engage with the speakers in a more intimate setting. All are invited to be part of this afternoon of wisdom, reflection and meaningful dialogue as all explore pathways toward a more harmonious world.

Tickets are $20 (members $15) at thechurchsagharbor.org. The Church is at 48 Madison Street in Sag Harbor.