ReclaimingRoots

Inspiration

We were inspired by constantly hearing land acknowledgments without seeing real action behind them. Coming from South Asian and African family backgrounds, we understand how deeply colonization can damage land, culture, and trust. We also saw the urgent environmental crisis of abandoned lands, degraded ecosystems and realized that supporting Indigenous stewardship is not just about justice, but about saving the environment we all depend on.

What it does

Reclaiming Roots connects surplus government land, Indigenous land priorities, and environmental health data in one platform. It gives governments, Indigenous communities, and citizens the tools to work together toward restoring land and healing ecosystems.

How we built it

We designed a full website mockup using Figma to map out the user experience. We also built a backend prototype using Firebase and JavaScript to simulate how land data could be stored, processed, and connected to interactive features like maps and community stories.

Challenges we ran into

One of the biggest challenges was that no centralized public database exists that brings together surplus land, Indigenous land priorities, and environmental health information. We had to carefully think about how to collect, process, and structure data that doesn’t exist in one place yet. Another major challenge was privacy and making sure that any information about Indigenous lands and priorities would be protected, and that the platform respects the sovereignty and privacy of the communities it is meant to serve.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud that we used technology to address a real-world problem and focused on creating a platform that supports trust, action, and environmental healing. We’re also proud that we had fun working together on something meaningful.

What we learned

We gained a deeper understanding of the Land Back movement and how Indigenous sovereignty and environmental restoration are closely connected. We also learned how important it is to involve stakeholders and let their voices shape meaningful solutions.

What's next for ReclaimingRoots

Next, we plan to bring the website to life by building it with tools like React. We also plan to create a stronger backend database and connect with local tribes to ensure the platform is shaped by Indigenous leadership. Our goal is to develop a fully functioning, community-centered platform.