Juneteenth Downeast exists to give the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) community a place to connect, and opportunities to replenish that which was taken away. Whether through connection to the land, the water, to resources or to each other. May we find through this engaging work, ways to be true to ourselves, our history, and our Heritage. May we find ways to nourish who we are amidst that which is the best of us. It isn’t until you live as a minority amongst an ethnic majority that you realize how essential community is to health and well-being. The importance of being in spaces in which you can relax and let go of the hyper-vigilance that comes from living in areas that are potentially dangerous cannot be underestimated. Recognizing the strain that is produced in the psyche and the body is the first step towards easing that strain. That’s the work that Juneteenth Downeast seeks to do. By providing opportunities for the BIPOC community to share safe, soul-filling spaces in which we can see ourselves reflected in the faces, music and food around us, and where we can rebuild our ancient relationship with water and nature through swimming, boating, camping, and hiking we aim to provide not only respite, but physical and spiritual replenishment as well.