Inspired by the words and deeds of social justice visionaries of past eras, we create documentary films, educational web sites, critical thinking essays, teaching presentations and grassroots advocacy programs that expose hidden injustices, awaken compassion, empower individual transformation and encourage nonviolent resistance to oppression and socially sanctioned violence.
An Idea
that one person's change of heart can change the world.
Award-winning films
that awaken conscience and compassion by deepening our shared understanding of the interconnectedness of all life.
A Charitable Organization
that empowers caring individuals everywhere to work for social justice and become agents of peaceful change.
A Global Community
of people of all ages and backgrounds striving to transform our relationship to each other and our fellow beings into one based on kindness, respect and holistic nonviolence.
A Vision
of a world free of violence and full of beauty.
Inspired by the words and deeds of social justice visionaries of past eras, we create documentary films, educational web sites, critical thinking essays, teaching presentations and grassroots advocacy programs that expose hidden injustices, awaken compassion, empower individual transformation and encourage nonviolent resistance to oppression and socially sanctioned violence.
Our film subjects and fellow artists energize our creative process, while an international community of activists, translators, educators, supporters and volunteers bring our programs to life, generating a growing wave of change.
Through these collaborative efforts and in our own personal lives, we seek to develop and advance a joyful ethic of care, respect and holistic nonviolence that guides our relationships with other humans, our fellow animals and the natural world.
We invite you to join our quest to inspire every person who has the privilege of choosing how they live to help create the possibility of peace, happiness and justice for those whose choices have been taken away.
The Tribe of Heart Team
In 2000, social justice artists Jenny Stein and James LaVeck were inspired by the simple yet powerful idea that one person's change of heart can change the world. Together, they founded the charitable non-profit organization Tribe of Heart.
Tribe of Heart's documentaries, which focus on themes of nonviolence, moral courage, and personal transformation, have been shown in 80 film festivals around the world, receiving 18 awards, including 5 for Best of Festival and 12 for Best Documentary.
Tribe of Heart screenings often include in-depth dialogues with audience members about ethics, acts of conscience and social justice movements. The two most common responses the filmmakers receive are that the viewing experience was life-changing and that everyone needs to see this film. Propelled in part by the grassroots efforts of inspired audience members, Tribe of Heart films have been widely broadcast on public television in North America, broadcast in Europe, exhibited at hundreds of citizen-organized premieres and public screenings, and translated into 12 languages, with more soon to come.
Tribe of Heart's newest film, LEGACY, is now in post-production.
Creative partners for more than 25 years, director Jenny Stein and Producer James LaVeck are best known for their documentary feature films, PEACEABLE KINGDOM: THE JOURNEY HOME and THE WITNESS.
Additionally, they co-founded HumaneMyth.org, an online educational resource that debunks the myth of 'humane' animal agriculture and exposes the animal-using industry's efforts to confuse the public and gain influence over the animal-protection movement. They also led a multi-year public education and legal campaign to resist the mass killing of suburban deer in their community.
James and Jenny have received four national awards for their activism, including two lifetime achievement awards. Their work has also been endorsed by the United Teacher's Federation and the California Teachers Association, and is regularly used by college professors for courses in areas such as ethics, law, philosophy, and writing.
They are now developing and teaching Holistic Nonviolence, a new path for personal transformation and social evolution that is the inspiration behind their next feature documentary, LEGACY.
Jenny and James both graduated with honors from Cornell University's College of Arts and Sciences. Jenny also has a Master of Fine Arts degree from the UCLA School of Theater, Film & Television. James has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. They live in Ithaca, New York.
Your donations will enable us to produce new films, touch more lives, further develop our teaching of holistic nonviolence, and help us expand our message across more languages and cultures. Community support is instrumental to our ability to deliver non-commercial, life-altering social justice projects which empower everyday people to become part of creating a wave of positive change. With your help, we can continue this important work. Join us!
If one of our films has opened your heart, we encourage you to share this powerful experience with friends, family members, and colleagues -- in your home, in a classroom, on social media, or even by holding a public screening in your community. The comments below show the truly profound, life-changing impact a message of compassion and justice can have when shared in a community setting.
This movie awakens a love I have closed myself to -- Beautiful! (film festival viewer)
I was so incredibly moved by this movie. It was great to be reminded of the good one person can do, and that we are all responsible for speaking for those who can't. (TV viewer)
I feel 'whole' after watching the film. It makes connections that I don't encounter in everyday life. It made feel me larger than myself, like I am a part of something bigger. (college student)
The first time I cried and laughed at the same time. I feel awakened and alive. (film festival viewer)
This film broke my heart in the best possible way. I love that the film is so compassionate not just to the animals but also to the farmers. Their journey is our journey, everyone who has gone from using animals to embracing nonviolence. I want to show this film to everyone I know. (audience member in Canada)
An extremely important film, created with amazing sensitivity. Like so many, I have not listened to my better instincts. Thanks to your film, I will make sure my grandchildren learn to love and appreciate animals. (audience member at a peace film festival)
The humanity and courage of the people in this film touches me deeply -- people living their values -- and that is what needs to change. Beyond our prayers, we can make a difference in how we live. (film festival viewer)
It is too easy to feel insignificant, and think that there's nothing one person is able to do to make a difference. Thank you for showing that that is not the case, and that every last action does help. It is truly a humbling realization. (TV viewer)
This film has shifted something inside of me. Thank you for giving these animals voices. Thank you for giving me the courage to make change. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. (audience member in Australia)
Watching the film, I feel my heart breaks for how animals are treated. They know pain and sadness like we do. Let's treat them as people treat each other. Respect them, love them so that not only their life but ours is better also. They will be our loyal friends. (audience member in Vietnam)
Words will never quite convey how much this documentary has affected me. My hope is that others will be similarly made aware. Sure, everyone 'knows' what's going on, but does it truly sink in? Not like this film provides. There is nothing like it. (TV viewer)
The film reminded me that it's not OK to be 'unaware.' I felt, 'I want to make a difference.' (audience member in Japan)
Not only is 'the journey home' about our individual and collective journeys to truth and justice, but the animals' journeys 'home.' They are our teachers if we will only listen -- hear them -- and learn. Maybe this is 'the one' that will awaken the collective. I can only hope. (film festival viewer)
Beautiful, sensitively done film. There is much to think about how our choices add violence to our world. (Viewer at a Catholic community screening)
I work with individuals with disabilities and strive to interact at all times with respect for their individual humanity. However I don't extend that to the entire animal kingdom. This film finally challenged that disconnect. I've moved to a new consciousness again. (film festival viewer)
This film really brought home to me how many people are being hurt by having to shut down their essential selves -- how bits of them die every day. It's a truly compassionate story. (film festival viewer)
I can honestly say that after seeing this film I am changed for the better. (film festival viewer)
Our world needs this message -- it was heartfelt, hopeful and inspiring. I'm overwhelmed and grateful. (film festival viewer)
Introductory Video
Holistic nonviolence is an emerging path for personal transformation and social evolution. It is intended to foster the creation of a global community of conscience organized around an ever-deepening commitment to regard and treat all others, however they may differ from ourselves, with care and respect.
There are many forms of oppression and violence in society that, for reasons of culture or tradition, remain largely unexamined. Walking the path of holistic nonviolence is about questioning ALL forms of oppression and violence, seeking to better understand their common roots, and choosing alternatives. It is about being unwilling -- directly or indirectly -- to take part in violence, to profit from the harm of others, or to willfully ignore oppression. It is about refusing to intentionally take away the dignity, bodily integrity, freedom, or the life of another individual, no matter how they may differ from ourselves, be they a fellow human or a fellow animal.
Pursuing this path is not about being perfect, but about challenging ourselves to ever expand our understanding of how our actions affect others, and over time, to come closer and closer to the ideal of nonviolence toward all. It is a long term path of self-development, integrity and service. It places a special focus on respecting, advocating for, and, when possible, empowering those who are being oppressed, exploited or killed. Most importantly, it is a path based on cherishing and protecting life, and celebrating the beauty and joy we can create together.
The sections below describe three different modes of expressing holistic nonviolence, with many specific examples for each.
Commitment to ever-decreasing participation in the harm and killing of others
Some Examples:
Refusing to take part in discussions or actions that marginalize vulnerable individuals or groups
Supporting businesses and institutions that do not engage in racist, speciesist, sexist, homophobic, ableist, xenophobic, or other discriminatory practices
Purchasing goods produced in accordance with fair trade and fair labor standards
Choosing food, clothing and consumer goods that are created without using or killing our fellow animals
Eliminating the use of bioengineered products that threaten the genetic integrity of the natural world
Reducing or eliminating consumption of fossil fuels and other products connected with climate disruption and the destruction of our biosphere
Refraining from supporting or participating in socially sanctioned mass violence, such as military aggression, forced migration, and wildlife killing campaigns
Commitment to nonviolently intervene in accordance with one's capacity when others are being harmed, and to work for the abolition of systemic harms
Some Examples:
Raising awareness of nonviolent alternatives and joyfully assisting others with adopting them
Helping members of the public understand how the victims of socially sanctioned violence are individuals with inherent dignity and worth
Adopting language and behaviors that challenge prejudices and that express care and respect for those who are marginalized or oppressed
Investigating, documenting and exposing injustices
Joining with others to protest against violence, exploitation or oppression of other human beings and members of other species
Working to liberate those who are unjustly confined or incarcerated, or being used against their will for labor, entertainment, sexual gratification, scientific experimentation, breeding, achievement of military objectives, or the production of food, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods
Helping those who have been traumatized by abuse or violence come to safety and restore their wellbeing
Protecting and restoring vulnerable habitat and biocommunities
Providing aid to those whose homes are threatened or lost due to economic injustice, environmental destruction, ethnic cleansing or war
Engaging in civil disobedience to challenge unjust policies and laws
Educating others about threats to individual health and safety, biodiversity, and collective species survival posed by human overpopulation, greenhouse gas emissions, genetic engineering, weapons proliferation and nuclear technology
Within the bounds of one's understanding and capability, commitment to protect the integrity of the principles of holistic nonviolence, to teach alternatives to oppression and exploitation, to help heal the trauma of violence, and to expand our collective understanding of what it means to live with care and respect for all.
Some Examples:
Fostering just and respectful forms of community, co-existence and conflict resolution
Teaching principles of open government and grassroots democracy; exposing government and industry disruption and subversion of justice movements
Practicing transparent leadership; confronting abusive, corrupt, and dishonest patterns of leadership
Empowering new activists, and helping them learn how to safeguard their altruistic endeavors from cynicism, exploitation and appropriation
Dismantling cycles of prejudice, violence and disenfranchisement
Developing new methods of protest, investigation, legal action, healing, empowerment, reconciliation, and teaching
Helping create nonviolent and nonexploitative art, entertainment, consumer goods, law, public policy, science and technology
Studying the history of social movements and teaching the principles of holistic nonviolence
Creating innovative campaigns that promote physical and mental well being, social and economic justice, and world peace
Formulating holistic paradigms for individual moral development, social evolution, ecological restoration, and harmonious co-existence between humans and our fellow animals
An Idea
In 2000, social justice artists Jenny Stein and James LaVeck were inspired by the simple yet powerful idea that one person's change of heart can change the world. Together, they founded the charitable non-profit organization Tribe of Heart.
Tribe of Heart's documentaries, which focus on themes of nonviolence, moral courage, and personal transformation, have been shown in 80 film festivals around the world, receiving 18 awards, including 5 for Best of Festival and 12 for Best Documentary.
Creative partners for more than 25 years, director Jenny Stein and Producer James LaVeck are best known for their documentary feature films, PEACEABLE KINGDOM: THE JOURNEY HOME and THE WITNESS. 
