Sanctuario Arco Iris + Earth Care Project
Santuario Arco Iris was founded by Maria Christina Moroles DeColores, a two-spirit woman of native and Mexican descent, and the Arco Iris Earth Care Project was created as a branch/extension of the work done by Santuario. These projects primarily focus on protecting, preserving several hundred acres of Ponca land in Arkansas, on which leaders aim to reconnect displaced indigenous peoples to sacred place/sanctuary. The Santuario Arco Iris consists of about 120 acres of land “dedicated to women of color”, and has roots/ties to the landyke movement. The Arco Iris Earth Care project holds about 400 additional acres of land.
The Arco Iris Earth Care Project’s mission statement is “to protect Our Sacred Mother Earth by conserving Ozark wilderness land, teaching environmental education, preserving indigenous and Ozark culture, and providing a sanctuary that empowers women and children of color, displaced indigenous peoples and our community with natural and healthy skills for sustainable living and self-sufficiency,” and focuses on land connection and environmental education, seeking to teach people how to be better earth stewards.