
Let's Listen
To Each Other

“The America I want Is…” initiative is about individual expression, collective listening and citizen involvement. It’s an idea as important now as at any time in our country’s history. We at Linley Foundation want to inspire and support a national conversation about our country.

Program Intro by David P. Adams - President, Linley Foundation LLC.
Our Inspiration
Our model is the Native North American Talking Circle. Our continent's first example of participative democracy. The tribe or band come together to consider an important issue. Only the person holding the talking stick may speak. It’s an exercise in listening.
Listen to these Native American and First Nations leaders discuss Talking Circles and their role in governing. More
Chief Don Stevens is the chief of the Nulhegan Band of the Coosuk - Abenaki Nation.

Chief Dr.Bobby Joseph is the hereditary chief of the Gwawaenuk First Nation is Western Canada. He is the Ambassador for Reconciliation Canada.

Dr. Michael DeGagne is an Ojibway from the Animakee Wa Zhing 37 First Nation. He is president and CEO of Indspire, and former president of Nipissing University.


America's Digital Talking Circle

Linley Foundation is digitizing the Talking Circle. Social media is now America’s Talking Circle and the cell phone the talking stick. We are asking Americans throughout the land to send us a video on their phones telling us what they want for their country. We will collect submissions from all 50 states, while encouraging the participation and support from the top leaders in each of those states.More
What People All Over America Are Saying
And now it's your turn. Tell us in no more than 1 minute the America you want.
State-by-State Talking Circles
Our states are very different. We are pragmatic about them. We want them to function well. We want to feel proud of them. They are mostly how we experience America. In this part of our initiative, we are asking leaders and citizens of every state to tell us what they admire about their states? What message can their states send to the nation? And how would America be better off if it were more like their states?
We have chosen Vermont as our model state. (Why?)

Vermont Vision
Vermont's Leaders Talk About Their State
What Vermont Citizens Are Saying
Sponsor your State

THE ENDGAME
Peoples' Assembly
