As part of Black History Month 2026, the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) presents a screening of ‘We Are Nature’ directed by Amanda Daud.
Connor and Anesu immerse themselves in Scotland’s landscapes in this portrait of belonging and resilience. Through personal stories and childhood memories, they explore the intersections of space, power, race, and the outdoors. ‘We Are Nature’ captures the spirit of those who, despite injustice, reclaim their connection with nature. It’s an invitation to witness resilience and community strength, and to imagine a more equitable relationship between humans and the environment.
This event will feature poetry from Phoenix Archer, followed by a discussion with Amanda Daud, Tariqua Telahun Gorrissen from Tariqua Rooted, and Lucien Staddon Foster from CRER, exploring the intersections of environmental justice and racial equality, asking audiences what practical actions can we take to ensure we are addressing these issues in fair and sustainable ways?
Amanda Daud is a documentary filmmaker, visual anthropologist and outdoor enthusiast! Her first film, ‘Sonder’, was made during her time at the University of Cambridge cataloguing the student experience of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, she completed a MA in Visual Anthropology with a distinction from The University of Manchester. Throughout Amanda’s films, there are consistent themes of social justice, ecological activism, and collective action. These interests led her to make her first commissioned film, We Are Nature, with the support of GMAC Film and Screen Scotland. Within her work, her passion lies in telling stories that relate to postcolonial resistance and resilience. As such, she is most interested in themes related to racism, feminism, environmental justice, and mental health, and loves to keep joy at the forefront of everything she does!
Lucien Staddon Foster is a researcher and anti-racism campaigner for the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER). With a research background in geography, exposing systemic racism through data, and understanding how the legacies of slavery and empire have shaped Scottish landscapes, he has played an important role in the national conversation on racial inequality, colonial legacy and how Scotland’s institutions can better challenge systems of exclusion, discrimination and oppression. Lucien sits on multiple advisory boards across government, academia and the third sector, he has authored a wide range of reports, blogs and educational resources on racism in Scotland, and since 2024, he has been supporting the production of We Are Nature as a voluntary researcher.
Tariqua Telahun Gorrissen is the founder of Tariqua Rooted, a grassroots practice grounded in healing, reproductive wisdom, creativity, collective wellbeing and relationship with the living Earth. For more than thirty years, her path of service has brought together the wisdom of her Ethiopian and African ancestry, lived and embodied knowledge, and academic learning in social work, pedagogy and holistic health. As a healer, teacher, traditional midwife, full-spectrum doula and creative practitioner, she works with the many thresholds of life guided by nature, plants, seasons and cycles, and by what our bodies, ancestors and communities remember. Through teaching, mentorship, creative and collective practice, Tariqua creates spaces for remembrance, belonging and more reciprocal ways of living rooted in relationship, responsibility, reciprocity and care.
Phoenix Archer is a cultural heritage professional and multidisciplinary artist. She has a history of engaging in the culture and heritage sectors to promote healthy representation. Phoenix likes to research diverse ways to increase respectful relationships with all kinds of people and create a more harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.
Part of Black History Month Scotland 2026.
