The Journey

SEEDS for Change is rooted in the dignity of Mother Earth and guided by ancestral knowledge that predates and transcends modern state frameworks and colonial theories. Honoring sacred spaces such as Lake Ilopango—where Indigenous wisdom is often erased or misinterpreted in academic settings—SEEDS reclaims education as a site of dignity, memory, and transformation.

We challenge colonized paradigms and the commodification of sacred seeds like Cacao and Corn, rejecting their extraction for prestige and profit. Our work is grounded in deep relationality and collective responsibility.

In respect for the lands where my daughter was born, and in recognition of the shared values I grew up with, SEEDS for Change is also guided by the Seven Grandfather Teachings—Honesty, Truth, Wisdom, Humility, Love, Respect, and Bravery. These teachings resonate profoundly with the principles of dignity, accountability, and reciprocity that underpin SEEDS’ educational philosophy.

Founded in 2020, SEEDS for Change moves beyond the limitations of traditional academic frameworks. We welcome global learners—educators, Elders, scholars, artists, and activists—who are committed to political listening, radical transformation, and honoring the dignity of all beings. Our approach is not about "safe spaces" or performative inclusion; it is about radical love, healing justice, and cultivating collective RESPONSE-ability.

As founder, my work is to steward these transformative educational spaces, bringing together diverse communities across geographies and disciplines to heal, grow, and honor ancestral knowledge as a living, critical force for meaningful change.

—
Clelia O. Rodríguez, PhD | clelia.rodriguez@utoronto.ca

In honor of those who carry the seeds of memory, dignity, and knowledge across all borders.