THE
SANKOFA
INFANT MENTAL HEALTH
HISTORY
PROJECT
TM
Trailer for
Sankofa: Land. Root. Seed. Culture. Community
Sankofa: Land. Root. Seed. Culture. Community
Part 1 of our 4 part series.
Our first film, Sankofa: Land. Root. Seed. Culture. Community., sets the stage for our Sankofa IMH History Project™ and its film series. Featuring interviews with IMH professionals and our project’s Steering Collective, the film explores cultural frameworks and perspectives that challenge and revitalize our understanding of healing and the infant mental health field.
Our first film, Sankofa: Land. Root. Seed. Culture. Community., sets the stage for our Sankofa IMH History Project™ and its film series. Featuring interviews with IMH professionals and our project’s Steering Collective, the film explores cultural frameworks and perspectives that challenge and revitalize our understanding of healing and the infant mental health field.
Thank you to all who joined us for a Sankofa Screening!
Thank you to all who joined us for a Sankofa Screening!
275
Registrants
Registrants
+95%
participants would recommend this film to others
participants would recommend this film to others
4
Continents
Continents
+97%
participants want to continue to explore the themes in the film
participants want to continue to explore the themes in the film
"It was Gorgeous! The imagery and tapestry of color throughout was intoxicating and nourishing. The arc is really well thought out and part 1 is both a love letter and a irresistible invitation to continue this journey."
"The practice of caring for babies and nurturing multiple generations has been an indigenous practice since the beginning of time. Thank you to the Sankofa project for highlighting the true roots and the future direction of IECMH."
"I felt included, a part of the project by attending, welcomed into the community that was being created in that moment."
"It was Gorgeous! The imagery and tapestry of color throughout was intoxicating and nourishing. The arc is really well thought out and part 1 is both a love letter and a irresistible invitation to continue this journey."
"The practice of caring for babies and nurturing multiple generations has been an indigenous practice since the beginning of time. Thank you to the Sankofa project for highlighting the true roots and the future direction of IECMH."
"I felt included, a part of the project by attending, welcomed into the community that was being created in that moment."
"It was Gorgeous! The imagery and tapestry of color throughout was intoxicating and nourishing. The arc is really well thought out and part 1 is both a love letter and a irresistible invitation to continue this journey."
"The practice of caring for babies and nurturing multiple generations has been an indigenous practice since the beginning of time. Thank you to the Sankofa project for highlighting the true roots and the future direction of IECMH."
"I felt included, a part of the project by attending, welcomed into the community that was being created in that moment."
"It was Gorgeous! The imagery and tapestry of color throughout was intoxicating and nourishing. The arc is really well thought out and part 1 is both a love letter and a irresistible invitation to continue this journey."
"The practice of caring for babies and nurturing multiple generations has been an indigenous practice since the beginning of time. Thank you to the Sankofa project for highlighting the true roots and the future direction of IECMH."
"I felt included, a part of the project by attending, welcomed into the community that was being created in that moment."
Sankofa Part 1 is currently only available to view in official and sponsored screenings, sales and rentals coming October 2026
Sankofa Part 1 is currently only available to view in official and sponsored screenings, sales and rentals coming October 2026
Upcoming Engagements
Sankofa Summer Screening
Virtual
HERE
Markita Barideaux - Sankofa Visionary Speaker Series
Virtual
COMING SOON
The naissance and development of psychiatry between 1650–1850
The naissance and development of psychiatry between 1650–1850
The naissance and development of psychiatry
family studies in the early
family studies
family studies in
between 1650–1850
family studies in the
1900s
in the early1900s
the early 1900s
early 1900s
and pioneering
and
and
and pioneering work in IMH
work in IMH in the 1970’s
pioneering work in
pioneering work in IMH
in the 1970’s
coincided with European and
in the 1970’s
IMH in the 1970’s
coincided with European and United States imperialism and
coincided with European and United States imperialism and
colonization.
colonization.
United States imperialism and colonization.
As language, cultures, and relationships were colonized often to the point of extinction, a knowledge vacuum about relational wellbeing was created.
As language, cultures, and relationships were colonized often to the point of extinction, a knowledge vacuum about relational wellbeing was created.
As language, cultures, and relationships were colonized often to the point of extinction, a knowledge vacuum about relational wellbeing was created.
We are deeply grateful to ancestors who persevered and kept language and knowledge about collective wellbeing alive
We are deeply grateful to ancestors who persevered and kept language and knowledge about collective wellbeing alive through waves
We are deeply grateful to ancestors who persevered and kept language and knowledge about collective wellbeing alive through
through waves of genocide,
of genocide
waves of genocide
, so
, so
so future generations might know, sustain, and pass forward healing practices rooted in abiding, relational principles that enabled cultures and communities to thrive for
future generations might know, sustain, and pass forward healing practices rooted in abiding, relational principles that enabled cultures and communities to
future generations might know, sustain, and pass forward healing practices rooted in abiding, relational principles that enabled cultures and communities
millenia.
thrive for millenia
to thrive for millenia.
Our Roots
Sankofa
Symbol from the Akan people of Ghana, a reminder to retrieve what is important from the past as we move forward into the future. A common interpretation “go back and get it.”
Sankofa
Symbol from the Akan people of Ghana, a reminder to retrieve what is important from the past as we move forward into the future. A common interpretation “go back and get it.”
Manglares (Mangroves)
Significant in stories and traditions of many cultures, manglares share interconnected, interdependent root systems and provide sanctuary, nourishment, and protection for their coastal ecosystems.
Manglares (Mangroves)
Significant in stories and traditions of many cultures, manglares share interconnected, interdependent root systems and provide sanctuary, nourishment, and protection for their coastal ecosystems.
La Cultura Cura
Common Latine framework recognizing that culture - shared identity, traditional healing, and community resilience - is core to individual and collective well-being.
La Cultura Cura
Common Latine framework recognizing that culture - shared identity, traditional healing, and community resilience - is core to individual and collective well-being.
Ubuntu
Term from the Bantu people in South Africa embodying interconnectedness and humanity. For Black people around the world, community and interconnectedness have always has been a vital part of our existence and healing.
Ubuntu
Term from the Bantu people in South Africa embodying interconnectedness and humanity. For Black people around the world, community and interconnectedness have always has been a vital part of our existence and healing.
Amae
Everyday word in Japanese culture that conveys a deep sense of interdependent relationship a person has with others around them.
Amae
Everyday word in Japanese culture that conveys a deep sense of interdependent relationship a person has with others around them.
Etuaptmumk
“Two-Eyed-Seeing,” is one of four intertwined Mi’kmaw principles for integrating Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge.
Etuaptmumk
“Two-Eyed-Seeing,” is one of four intertwined Mi’kmaw principles for integrating Indigenous and non-Indigenous knowledge.
Resources
These are just a selection of works we admire that inform and resonate with our practice. We are working to build a wider collection and welcome our community's input. To suggest additions to the resource library, please contact us via email below.
In 2023, Indigo Cultural Center invited four IECMH colleagues to form the inaugural Steering Collective. As co-creators, they continue to advise the design, process, and dissemination phases of the Sankofa IMH History Project™
In 2023, Indigo Cultural Center invited four IECMH colleagues to form the inaugural Steering Collective. As co-creators, they continue to advise the design, process, and dissemination phases of the Sankofa IMH History Project™
Steering Collective giving welcome in various languages
Team welcome in various laguages
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6 Ways YOU can help promote our project
The Sankofa Infant Mental Health History Project™ is a collaborative labor of love led by Indigo Cultural Center and made possible in part by our general operating support from the Irving Harris Foundation and Perigee Fund, Zero To Three Academy PAR Grant funding, and the generosity of our community. Every workshop registration, film rental or purchase, and sponsored event helps keep this ongoing project sustainable.
1.
2.
3.
Donate
to the sustainability of our Sankofa Project
4.
Connect Us
to potential partners, conferences, or events via email
sankofa@indigoculturalcenter.com
sankofa@indigoculturalcenter.com
5.
Join
Our mailing list
6.
Follow
Indigo on Instagram and repost
Thank You!
we want to hear from you
we want to hear from you
