New People Foundation

Protecting Northern Michigan's Beauty & Building a Better Michigan

We are The New People—a new non-profit dedicated to protecting Michigan’s wild landscapes, building better communities, restructuring society, and reconnecting individuals back to their ancestral heritage as Indigenous people. 

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Our Story

The New People was born out of a deep sense that something vital has been forgotten in our recent past—and must be remembered if we are to survive, unlike the 99.99% of species that came before us. In a world increasingly disconnected from Nature, from spirit, and from one another, we are guided by the conviction that the solutions we seek lie not only in science or technology, but in reconnecting with ancient Indigenous wisdom and a renewed relationship with the living Earth.

 

As environmentalist Gus Speth once aptly remarked, “I used to think the top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse, and climate change. But I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed, and apathy. And to deal with those issues, we need a spiritual and cultural transformation—and we scientists do not know how to do that.”

 

The myriad challenges we face today—climate change, rising inequality, mental health crises, growing authoritarianism, mass shootings, and social collapse—demand urgent and coordinated action. Yet these problems cannot be solved with quick fixes or surface-level reforms, as Speth so eloquently reminds us above. At their causal foundation, they stem from an evolutionary mismatch in how humans evolved to live on Earth. They stem from anachronistic philosophies that we picked up as we evolved into a sedentary, megalomaniacal modern species: anthropocentrism, hyper-individualism, materialism, consumerism, unchecked egoism, and a profound spiritual disconnection between individuals and their communities (i.e., communal- or group-self), between people and the planet (i.e., our ecological- or Earth-connected-self), and between humanity and its higher spiritual purpose in the universe (i.e., our cosmic-self). Only by restoring wholeness at every level of the Self can we begin to address the evolutionary roots of our myriad crises today. 

 

By restoring the social, ecological, and spiritual connections that sustained us for most of our evolutionary history (95-99% of our evolutionary history), we aim to build a world where people are once again deeply connected to one another, to Nature, and to the sacred web of life on Earth. 

Founded by evolutionary biologist, philosopher, and historian Mitchell Ryan Distin, PhD, The New People weaves together evolutionary science, neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and Indigenous teachings to support the emergence of a more conscious, compassionate, and ecologically attuned society.

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Ongoing Initiatives & Future Directions

What We Do

Research

Our research explores the evolutionary edge of what it means to be human. We investigate how consciousness, culture, and ecological systems interact—both historically and in the present moment. By integrating insights from psychology, anthropology, Indigenous knowledge systems, and complexity science, we seek to develop a deeper understanding of how societies change, how healing occurs, and how new worldviews emerge. Our goal is not just to publish papers, but to generate living knowledge that can serve communities, movements, and future generations.

Education

Education is how we seed transformation. We design learning experiences that blend intellectual depth with emotional intelligence and spiritual presence. From online masterclasses to in-person gatherings, our programs engage participants in self-inquiry, storytelling, systems thinking, and sacred ecology. These offerings are not about “teaching” in the traditional sense, but about co-creating spaces where learning flows in all directions—between people, places, and ancestral lineages. Everyone is both student and teacher.

Lectures & Public Speaking

Founder Mitchell Ryan Distin, PhD, along with guest speakers, offers keynote presentations, academic lectures, and community talks on themes central to our mission. Topics include the psychology of transformation, ecological spirituality, Indigenous prophecy, myth and metaphor in cultural evolution, and the role of crisis in awakening collective intelligence. These public engagements are designed to provoke reflection, open hearts, and inspire action across sectors and generations.

Community Projects

We believe real change is rooted in place and relationship. That’s why we partner with local groups, Indigenous communities, schools, and grassroots organizers to support on-the-ground initiatives. These projects might include ecological restoration efforts, cultural healing workshops, interfaith dialogues, or youth mentorship circles. By honoring each community’s unique context and knowledge, we help foster regenerative systems that arise from within—not imposed from above.

The Meaning Behind “The New People”

The name “The New People” is inspired by the Anishinaabe “Seven Fires” prophecy, which speaks of a time when humanity will face a crossroads. One path leads to destruction through a retreat to materialism; the other, to cultural renewal through a return to a spiritual pathway lived in harmony with the Earth and each other (i.e., ecospirituality). Those who choose the latter path of life are called The New People—a diverse, globally-recognized, Earth-conscious movement carrying the sacred responsibility of rebalancing the world.

We honor this prophecy with humility and gratitude, recognizing the leadership of Indigenous nations in holding Earth-centered wisdom through generations of adversity.

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Support our work in research, education, and community healing. Every gift—big or small—helps us grow and serve.

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Have skills in writing, design, organizing, or outreach? Join us behind the scenes or on the front lines.
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Partner with Us

We welcome collaboration with aligned groups, schools, and spiritual communities to co-create meaningful change.
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