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As the sun climbs to its highest point and the long, warm days of summer settle in, our hearts are filled with a deep sense of gratitude and joy. Here at the Loka Initiative, this season is a beautiful reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things, the abundance of our Earth, and the vibrant strength of our communities.
Throughout this month, our team has been reflecting on the simple gifts of summer—the sunlight that encourages growth, the shared laughter of gathering together, the cooling rain on balmy nights. Nature has a wonderful way of mirroring our journeys, and this month offers a truly magical punctuation mark. Today, the sky will be illuminated by the spectacular Strawberry Moon. Traditionally named by Indigenous communities of Turtle Island—including the Algonquian, Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota peoples—to mark the ripening of wild strawberries, this first full moon of the summer season is a gorgeous symbol of nourishment, abundance, and renewal.
As we look up at the glow of the Strawberry Moon, let’s carry its light into our communities, celebrating the ripening of our collective efforts and the joy of walking this path together.
Wishing you a bright, joyful, and restful summer season!
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Dekila Chungyalpa
Director, the Loka Initiative at the Center for Healthy Minds
University of Wisconsin–Madison
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LOKA INITIATIVE NEWS AND UPDATES
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Dekila Chungyalpa Named One of Wisconsin's Most Influential
Asian American Leaders!
We are thrilled to share that Dekila Chungyalpa, the founder and director of the Loka Initiative, has been recognized by Madison365 as one of Wisconsin's 22 Most Influential Asian American Leaders for 2026!
Join us in celebrating Dekila's inspiring leadership, and check out the full feature on Madison365 to read more about her work and the other incredible leaders honored this year: Read the Full Article Here.
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What's Bringing the Loka Team Joy This Season?
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Now more than ever, we must consciously commit to prioritizing our sources of inner and community resilience and celebrating what brings hope, joy, and wonder into our lives. Here is what our team highlighted!
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"If I can't dance, I don't want your revolution!" ~ Emma Goldman
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I have learned that one of the best ways for me to recharge and rebalance is to lean into community and my circle of friends. Summer in Madison is filled with live music, art festivals, farmers’ markets so whether it is dancing at the Kinfolk show on the Rooftop, or hanging out at the Harry Whitehorse Festival (check out local resident artist, Erika Rosales!) or hiking with Nature-loving friends, I’m staying grounded, hydrated, and doing the Conga on my feet!
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A nest of baby rabbits in our backyard, and getting to see mom come tend to them at dusk one evening.
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Getting to enjoy the sights and sounds of the water in Wisconsin has been so restorative! I’ve been keeping track of the waterfowl, too—saw a lot of cormorant activity on Lake Michigan. Here is a photo through my binoculars.
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I’ve been so happy to observe the growth in my garden this summer from an expansive and restful perspective. I feel incredibly grateful to spend what seems like slower and more intentional time in it this season, especially as several spots hit their 2-to-3-year maturity.
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This area in the back is giving me particular satisfaction with beautifully growing Amsonia, Burnet, Prairie Indian Plantain, Prairie Dropseed, Sandleaf Coreopsis, Hyssop, Ironweed, Meadow-rue, Silene, Coneflowers, and more!
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I recently got a flip phone and have been enjoying its charming camera and limited internet access. Pretty much all it can do is take photos and call friends, so I've been doing a lot of both (one flip phone photo here). The slight ways I keep having to restructure aspects of my life as a result of the switch have been strangely inspiring.
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Date: Sunday, July 26
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM PT / 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM CT / 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM ET
Location: Online (Zoom)
Cost: Donation-based (All are welcome!)
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Share Updates & Stay Connected!
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Hashtags: #LokaInitiative #Loka🌎
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Loka is an interdisciplinary collaboration among different programs at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. It is housed in the Center for Healthy Minds in collaboration with:
The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s and don’t reflect the opinions or beliefs of
UW-Madison, the Center for Healthy Minds or their affiliates.
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