Indigenous Earth Community Podcast

• How to Connect with Your Ancestors (And Why)

  Environmentalist face devastating burnout rates - 96% experience high or very high exhaustion levels from working on environmental issues. BIPOC communities bear this burden even more heavily, standing on the frontlines of climate destruction. For this Earth Warrior Challenge we are looking on how Indigenous wisdom offers a powerful antidote: connecting with your environmental ancestors. What You'll Experience: The exercise from Dr. Sue Bell Chiblow's Indigenous science class Why connecting with environmental guardians in your lineage sustains planet work across generations Why this practice transforms climate anxiety into ancestral strength The Connection Process: Identify family members who shaped your environmental calling - the bird watcher, the hiker, the gardener Interview relatives who knew them if they've passed on Learn their names and stories (names hold power) Honor them through daily practices and sacred space Spend time with them, experience nature together  Resources Referenced: NPR Article: "How to make an ancestral altar: A cross-cultural guide" Climate Burnout Research Report (96% statistic) Special Thanks: Frank's mother for sharing the water diviner grandfather story My awesome cousin Joenna for the English translation Dr. Susan Bell Chiblow for the Indigenous wisdom classroom practice Connect with Indigenous Earth: Website: indigenousearth.org Newsletter for more Earth Warrior Challenges Topics: Climate burnout, ancestral connection, environmental activism sustainability, Indigenous wisdom practices, water divining, intergenerational environmental calling, BIPOC climate trauma, spiritual ecology, activist resilience

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• How to Learn Indigenous Knowledge the Right Way (Dr. Susan (Sue) Chiblow)

  Join us as we return with Professor Susan (Sue) Chiblow, one of our most beloved guests whose wisdom bridges Indigenous science with academic research. As an Ojibwe professor and International Joint Commission commissioner, Sue reveals the right way to learn from Indigenous knowledge—without appropriation or harm. Discover how to respectfully access traditional wisdom, trace your own ancestral stories, and apply Indigenous practices to solve environmental problems in your own community. What You'll Experience: Sue's groundbreaking work fighting harmful herbicides like glyphosate in Canadian forests 🌲 Why Indigenous peoples aren't the only ones responsible for fixing environmental problems—it's all of us The powerful classroom exercise that helps students understand their own displacement stories How maple syrup, potatoes, and canoes are Indigenous innovations the world still uses today 🍁 Traditional water ceremonies that connect us to our universal origin story The difference between saving the planet (impossible) and saving ourselves (essential) Practical ways to honor the Indigenous peoples of the land you currently live on Why trees teach us better coexistence than most humans ever manage Essential Reading Mentioned: "Native Science: Natural Laws of Interdependence" by Gregory Cajete "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer "Traditional Ecological Knowledge" (multiple authors) "Water Voices from Around the World" (2001) 📚 Support This Podcast & Indigenous Youth Workshops: When you purchase the books Sue recommends through our Indigenous Earth Bookshop, you directly support independent Indigenous booksellers AND fund our hands-on workshops for Native youth worldwide. Every book purchase helps preserve traditional ecological knowledge for the next generation. 🌱 🎬 Watch Recommended: "The Americas Before Christopher Columbus" series on APTN - 10 episodes showing the incredible innovations of Indigenous peoples across the continent Connect with Indigenous Earth: Workshops: https://www.indigenousearth.org/p/indigenous-earth-workshops/ Newsletter: https://www.indigenousearth.org/newsletter/ "We're not trying to save the planet—the earth will be fine. We're trying to save ourselves and learn to be better humans." - Sue Topics: Water protection, Indigenous science, chemical contamination, glyphosate, traditional ecological knowledge, displacement trauma, academic-Indigenous knowledge bridge, Ojibwe wisdom, environmental justice, intergenerational healing 

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• Ancient Hawaiian Practices to Transform Your Daily Connection with Nature (with Molly Mamaril)

  Join us as we journey to the Hawaiian Islands with Molly Mamaril, a powerful voice bridging Hawaiian wisdom with modern environmental and economic solutions. Born in Hawaii but raised in Minnesota's Hawaiian diaspora, Molly shares her transformative journey back to her ancestral home and reveals practical ways to apply the sacred values of aloha in your own life and community. Discover how you can support local economies, restore damaged environments, and build stronger communities using time-tested Hawaiian principles of reciprocity and abundance. Learn why changing where you spend your money can be one of the most powerful actions you can take today. What You'll Experience: Simple daily practices inspired by aloha values that strengthen relationships and reduce stress Molly's personal journey from the Midwest back to her Hawaiian roots through hula dance 💃 How one community removed 3 million pounds of invasive seaweed to restore an entire bay ecosystem 🌊 Why supporting local farmers and businesses creates lasting change in your community Traditional Hawaiian economic models that prioritized abundance over scarcity The profound difference between ancient and modern hula as cultural storytelling Practical ways to honor your local environment and cultural heritage 🎧 Don't Miss Frank's Episode on Heartbeat Narratives! Want to hear the other side of this incredible conversation? Frank was Molly's guest on Heartbeat Narratives where they dive deep into his passion for the sacred Ava drink, mind-bending sci-fi stories, the magic of his childhood nickname "The Storyteller," and so much more! It's a completely different conversation that reveals Frank's most personal stories and the experiences that shaped him into the storyteller he is today. Listen to Frank on Heartbeat Narratives - you'll discover sides of him you've never heard before! Connect with Molly Mamaril: Above the Sides Podcast: Stories of how we weave the values of aloha into our personal and professional lives - Listen Here Heartbeat Narratives Podcast: Stories of joy about the people, places and passions we love - Listen Here 📚 Support This Podcast & Native Youth Workshops: When you purchase books on Indigenous wisdom, and environmental restoration through Bookshop.org, a portion of your purchase directly supports this podcast and our workshops for Native youth across the globe. Your book purchases help us continue sharing Indigenous stories and empowering the next generation of Indigenous leaders. 🌱 Stay Connected: Newsletter: https://www.indigenousearth.org/newsletter/ "If we speak through our purchases, that is one really tangible thing that we can do to make a difference." - Molly Mamaril Topics: Hawaiian culture, Indigenous reconnection, hula dance, ocean restoration, sustainable economics, aloha values, environmental conservation, cultural storytelling, diaspora experience, community resilience 🌺

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• How to Experience Sacred Healing Using Ancient Bribri Wisdom" (Costa Rica Indigenous Tour)

  Join us as we travel to the Caribbean rainforests of Costa Rica with Robert Mora, a proud Bribri community member and cultural guide. In this heartfelt conversation, Robert shares how the Bribri maintain their profound connection with water, healing traditions, and community rituals. Discover the spiritual significance of rivers and waterfalls, the sacred role of cacao ceremonies, and how shamanic practices provide healing for visitors from around the world. What You'll Experience Robert's personal journey of healing and reconnection with his Indigenous roots The deep spiritual significance of water in Bribri culture and daily life Traditional cacao ceremonies and their transformative healing power Insights into the role of the "Awa" (medicine man/shaman) in community wellness The communal "Jala de Piedra" ritual where entire villages transport sacred stones Indigenous perspectives on environmental challenges and climate change Connect with Robert Mora Instagram: @the_usekol_man Tours: Experience authentic Bribri village visits and ceremonies with Robert Special Content Visit indigenousearth.org to watch exclusive footage of Robert playing traditional flute music by the "Awa" (medicine man/shaman) hut, and witness the powerful community-building Jala de Piedra ceremony where dozens gather to move ancient stones that will ground their food and medicine. Stay Connected Newsletter: indigenousearth.org "The water brings me a lot of peace" - Robert Mora Topics: Indigenous healing, Bribri culture, waterfall ceremonies, medicinal plants, cacao rituals, Costa Rica, environmental wisdom, community traditions

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• 5 Ways to Honor Our Green Spaces with Watson Whitford

  5 Ways to Honor Our Green Spaces with Watson Whitford Episode Summary In this powerful episode, Frank Oscar Weaver is joined by Watson Whitford (Wapanatak), co-president of UNITY and member of the Chippewa Cree tribe and Navajo Nation. Together, they explore five essential ways to be a mindful visitor in parks and natural places, weaving together traditional wisdom and practical guidance for honoring our green spaces. The Five Ways to Honor Green Spaces Become a True Steward Connect with the issues affecting natural spaces Educate yourself about environmental challenges Take action in your community Leave It Better Than You Found It Take responsibility for keeping spaces clean Think of future generations Protect the beauty of our lands Honor Ceremonial Spaces Recognize the sacred nature of many parks Respect ongoing ceremonies Seek permission and guidance Respect Wildlife Boundaries Avoid disturbing animal behavior Maintain appropriate distances Remember every creature has its place Get in the Right State of Mind Ask permission before entering natural spaces Practice mindful visitation Show gratitude through offerings   Notable Quotes "We're a part of this circle of life. I'm no higher than a ladybug. I'm no higher than a buffalo. And we're all the same. We all come from the same place." - Watson Whitford "I want this place to be beautiful. I want there to be clean water, clean air to breathe, to be healthy animals and healthy plants. Not just for my relatives that are here with us now, but for people that will be coming in the future that aren't even here yet." - Watson Whitford "Our traditional ways of ceremony are good... we don't talk down about other people's way of religion or talk down about the way other people pray. You know, because we want to be uplifting. We want to help each other." - Watson Whitford Special Offer Visit indigenousearth.org to receive an exclusive video prayer from Watson Whitford, guiding you in practicing mindful visitation to green spaces. Connect with Watson Whitford Email: [email protected] Instagram: @watson_whitford05 Role: Co-President of UNITY   Support UNITY UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) supports Indigenous youth leadership across the nation. Your donation helps: Support Indigenous youth programs Preserve traditional knowledge Foster environmental stewardship Develop future leaders Donate at: unityinc.org/donate Stay Connected Subscribe to our newsletter: indigenousearth.org Follow Indigenous Earth Community on Instagram at @frankoscarweaver   Credits Host: Frank Oscar Weaver - Pai Tavytera - Tribe of Paraguay Guest: Watson Whitford -Navajo/ Chippewa Cree  Sound Engineer: Jake Kelch    This podcast acknowledges that many parks and natural areas are on ancestral Indigenous lands that have been stewarded by Native people for thousands of generations.   Topics: mindful visiting, indigenous lands, environmental stewardship, wildlife respect, ceremonial spaces, leave no trace, climate change, indigenous wisdom, nature connection, community engagement

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