Indigenous Earth Community Podcast

What happens when a place your people have prayed at for a thousand years becomes a uranium mining site? And what can one voice actually do to stop it? Sumaya Quitugua, a young woman from the Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico and Chamorro from Guam, grew up at the Sky City, in traditional adobe homes on top of a mesa, where her grandfather taught her that we don't own the land or the water. We protect th...

Hey friends, it's been a while. Like many of you, we've been navigating a lot on the environmental and overall news front lately, so today I'm doing something a little different. I think back to those early days kayaking with friends here in Florida, searching rivers for trash. Some days we'd arrive and the water was pristine. We almost felt bad, like we had nothing to do. My mentor smiled and sai...

Feeling overwhelmed by climate change and disconnected from nature? What if the solutions we need have been here all along, in the wisdom our ancestors knew, in the plants growing in our backyards? Laylalanai Gocobachi, a Pascua Yaqui woman and Unity Earth Ambassador, learned this from her grandfather who sent her into the Arizona desert with grocery bags to "shop" for dinner. He taught her the de...

Want a green career but worried you'll have to compromise your values? Andrea Everett from the Pueblo of Ysleta del Sur shows there's another way. Andrea shares how she turned her midnight business decision into MatriARC PROJECTion LLC, a drone and GIS mapping company that serves communities instead of extracting from them. She reveals why she turns down high-paying work that doesn't align with he...

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'...

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 sto...

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...

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...

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 honor...

 In this powerful episode, we meet Alastair Lee Bitsóí from Naschitti, Navajo Nation, New Mexico, a water clan storyteller whose journey weaves together traditional Indigenous wisdom and modern advocacy. From the challenges of water access affecting one-third of Navajo households to the unexpected healing power of an ancient Four Corners potato, Alastair shares how returning to the land has become...

We’re joined by Anagali Duncan, founder of the nonprofit Seven Ravens, who shares their inspiring mission to bring books written by Indigenous authors to Native youth. The Indigenous Book Drop initiative is about more than just books—it’s about empowerment, representation, and fostering a deeper connection to culture and heritage. Anagali’s story sheds light on the systemic challenges Indigenous y...

In this episode, we’re joined by Nana Kwesi Osei Bonsu, a descendant of the Ashanti Empire, who shares his remarkable journey of cultural identity, ancestral heritage, and environmental advocacy. Growing up in Ghana, Nana experienced a profound spiritual calling to lead his people and protect sacred lands.   You can watch the podcast here: https://youtu.be/pZF3JtpQGvs?si=uCjn0gbvAfU6TK-M   ✨ What...

What if the answers to the climate crisis are here? In this special Indigenous Peoples’ Day episode, host Frank Oscar Weaver speaks with Indigenous leaders from across the world who are on the front lines of the fight to protect their lands and our planet. Impirita, an Indigenous leader from Peru, shares the harsh reality her community faces as industrial mining contaminates rivers that have provi...

What if rivers were more than just water—they were living beings with spirit, memory, and life? In this episode, Frank Oscar Weaver speaks with Impirita Samani, an Indigenous Ashaninka leader from Peru, about her people's deep connection to rivers and the devastating impact of illegal mining. "We treat the river as a living person, even though it may seem invisible, it is always present." – Impiri...

We explore the tradition of Pachamama Day, celebrated on August 1st in Latin America. This day, originating from the Andean communities of South America, is dedicated to honoring Pachamama, the goddess of fertility and the earth. Growing up, Pachamama Day was one of my favorite holidays, a time to slow down and enjoy traditional drinks like Yerba mate drink of terere made with seven medicinal herb...

🌊 We have the honor of speaking with Beth Tupara-Katene, a dedicated champion of Māori rights and interests within the marine domain. Beth shares her profound connection to the ocean and the innovative Tangaroa Ararau Research Project, which aims to create an ocean-centric governance regime rooted in Māori customs and practices. Learn more: https://uhitai.org   Topics We Explore:   🌀 Indigenous...

In this episode of Indigenous Earth, we delve into the powerful story of the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō, the last bird of its kind, whose final song is a stark reminder of the silence left behind by extinction. Join Frank Oscar Weaver as he shares his journey into birdwatching during the pandemic and an inspiring van life adventure that brought him closer to birds and conservation. Learn more about Global Big Da...

Join us on a remarkable journey, as we launch our first Earth Warrior challenge, 'Mapping Where Our Water Comes From.' This challenge isn't just about water; it's about exploring your personal connection with one of our planet's most essential resources—water. Embark on an adventure that will lead you to uncover the hidden pathways of water, tracing its incredible journey from your tap back to its...

Let's hear about the mysterious Florida Bigfoot, believed to be the revered guardian of Florida's wildlife. Journey with us deeper, as we unravel ways to truly honor and connect with Mother Earth. Beginning by paying homage to the ancestral lands under our feet and appreciating the people they've seen. Grasp the depth of wisdom urging us to not just give back what we receive from nature but to rec...

Ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram and suddenly confronted by images of devastating forest fires, unprecedented hurricanes, and record-breaking heatwaves? Or maybe you found yourself in the front lines of climate change? With 80% of the global population experiencing the hottest July ever recorded, it's natural to ask: Can anything be done to combat this escalating crisis? In the mids...

Let's meet Jm (him/her) from the Tboli people of the Philippines, a fashion designer using organic materials found in nature to craft stunning, sustainable fashion pieces. Jm's passion extends beyond just fashion; she aspires to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders through his work. The conversations reveal her journey from a child dreaming of fashion design to his innovative appro...

🎤 Indigenous Knowledge Meets Western Science with Susan (Sue) Bell Chiblow   🌳In this inspiring and thought-provoking episode, we're joined by Susan (Sue) Chiblow, an assistant professor at the University of Guelph in their new Bachelor's of Science in Indigenous Knowledge program. Susan shares her unique journey growing up on a reservation and how her deep connection to nature and traditional i...

🎤 Using Music to Fight Plastic Pollution with Togbe Ghana   Togbe Ghana is an Ewe activist, musician and entrepreneur on a mission to beat plastic pollution in Ghana. He founded Let's Go Clean the Beach Ghana and uses his music to spread awareness about the harm of plastic waste on our planet.   In this episode, you will learn the following:  Using Music as a Tool for Change - How Togbe Ghana is...

Hello! I want to wish you a Happy New Year! As we start this new spin around the sun, I wanted to share some updates with you, and most importantly, thank you for being a part of our journey. On a recent trip to the Yucatan Peninsula I meet a Nahuatl medicine man. When I told him about our podcast, he was so inspired that he wanted to send a special blessing to our audience. Before I share that sp...

🎤 Connection to the ocean is ancient and essential for all humans - Earth Knowledge with Native Like Water ’s Marc Chavez    Mark Chavez, founder of Native Like Water, has been working to reconnect Indigenous youth with the oceans for the last two decades. In this episode of Indigenous Earth, he discusses the importance of looking within and connecting with nature to thrive. He also shares how hi...