River Terrell: LiberationWeavers Collective, LLC.

Building Queer Community for Collective Liberation

About

The Context

At LiberationWeavers Collective, my work is rooted in living lineage—a concept we draw from Staci Haines, acknowledging the ways our bodies, communities, and ecosystems are interconnected through time and experience. We exist in a world marked by overlapping systems of oppression—capitalism, white supremacy, colonialism, and cisheteropatriarchy—all of which impact how we live, heal, and resist. But within these systems, there is also joy, resistance, and possibility.

In this moment, we’re facing ongoing genocides—like the destruction of Palestine—and the escalating climate crises, both of which demand collective attention. LiberationWeavers believes in creating spaces to dream, imagine, and build futures that honor joy, justice, and life. Together, we work to dismantle the oppressive structures that harm our communities while imagining liberatory possibilities for a better world.

The Company

River Terrell: LiberationWeavers Collective, LLC is a community-centered organization focused on healing, imagination, and liberation. My mission is to create spaces where people—especially those from marginalized and oppressed communities—can thrive through intentional connection, healing practices, and collective action.

My work spans various fields, from somatics and movement education to storytelling, research, and creative social change projects. We believe that by weaving together our experiences and communities, we can build a more equitable, compassionate, and sustainable world.

Mission

Building Queer Community through Collective Liberation

Values

Curiosity: Embracing imagination, wonder, and discovery in our approach to healing and justice.

Community: Building networks of care, support, and collective liberation.

Intentionality: Grounding our work in care, reflection, and purpose.

Queerness: Uplifting diverse identities and lived experiences while celebrating difference as essential to thriving.

The Creatrix

I’m River Terrell (they/she/xe), a queer, trans, nonbinary abolitionist, survivor, and nerd with a passion for healing, justice, and collective liberation. My life’s work is deeply rooted in solidarity with marginalized communities, especially pro-Palestine and anti-oppression movements. I believe in a world where all of us can find joy and thrive, free from systems of violence and control.

My journey into this work is shaped by a mix of academic and lived experiences. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Biology Honors from The University of Texas at Austin, where I explored biological systems—both in humans and the earth itself—studying topics like immunology, climate change, and conservation biology.

I’ve also pursued in-depth research on trauma and embodiment, examining how storytelling, theater, and imagination can fuel social change. Through my work with Peers for Pride (a theater program addressing queerness) and experiences in Theater of the Oppressed and Writing as Method, I’ve found creative ways to spark dialogue and reimagine community futures.

In addition to my academic background, I’m pursuing a Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist license through Austin Community College. My work in somatics focuses on how the body holds trauma and how healing can occur through embodied practices. I will also begin my Master of Social Work (MSW) at Portland State in Fall 2025.

Decolonized Resume

  • Survivor and abolitionist advocating for collective liberation
  • Pro-Palestine activist
  • Peers for Pride member (theater for dialogue on queerness)
  • Researcher in theater, writing, and imagining as tools for liberation
  • Queer and trans nonbinary nerd passionate about storytelling, sci-fi, and collective futures

“Qualified” Experience (Western/Capitalist View)

Education and Certifications

  • Masters in Social Work, Portland State University – deferred to Fall 2025
  • Registered Somatic Movement Educator and Therapist Training, in progress – Austin Community College
  • Yoga Teacher 200hr Training, RYT – Bodsphere
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree in Biology Honors, The University of Texas at Austin

Trainings, Workshops, and Courses