Indigenous Earth Community Podcast

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." – Impirita Samani Impirita shares how environmental destruction not only pollutes their sacred waters but displaces Indigenous communities, severing cultural and spiritual ties to the land. Learn how we can reconnect with rivers, not as guardians, but as children of the Earth, and take steps to protect these vital sources of life. Impirita is sharing the beautiful Ikaro Ashaninka song “TSIROWANKO”, which pays homage to the magical bird Tsirotsi (Cacicus Cela). This bird is a spiritual guide in the Amazon, imitating the songs of the jungle and carrying messages from PAWA, the creator of the universe. This song symbolizes the resilience of Ashaninka culture, the power of the feminine, and the deep bond with the natural world. Just as “TSIROWANKO” leads us to the heart of the Amazon, our episode delves into the threats Indigenous communities face from environmental destruction and cultural displacement, and how we can unite to protect the sacred rivers and lands.   🌟 Take Action: Support Impirita Samani’s work: Connect here. Join local river cleanups in Central Florida: Central Florida Recon Waterway Clean ups . Contribute to Native youth mental health initiatives: Donate here. Credits: Photo by Neil Giardino Music By: Impirita Samani  Illegal gold mining thrives in Amazon, miners attack indigenous people | WION Climate Tracker | News   🎧 Listen now to discover how you can help protect rivers and support Indigenous communities: Indigenous Earth Podcast.

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 herbs and Carrulim, a Paraguayan beverage made from Caña, Ruda, and Limón. Join me as I recount a visit to Pedro Juan Caballero in Paraguay with my brother Jackson, where we met a medicine woman preparing herbs for these special drinks. You’ll learn about the significance of some of the herbs, and the ritual of giving back to Pachamama, echoing practices observed in the Andes. This episode is a celebration of gratitude and reciprocity, emphasizing how small acts of giving back to the earth can foster a deeper connection with nature. What You’ll Gain: Cultural Enrichment: Understand the rich traditions and rituals of Pachamama Day. Practical Wisdom: Learn how to incorporate Indigenous practices into your life to enhance your well-being and environmental stewardship. Inspiration to Act: Be inspired to take concrete steps, from community cleanups to tree planting, to contribute to the health of our planet. 00:00 Introduction to Pachamama Day 00:44 The Significance of Pachamama Day 01:14 Traditional Drinks and Their Origins 01:45 Personal Anecdotes and Beliefs 02:14 The Seven Herb Mixture 04:08 Giving Back to Pachamama 05:37 Call to Action and Conclusion   🌻 We would love to hear from you! Share your experiences and learnings about Pachamama on social media and tag us. Engage in community activities like cleanups and tree planting to deepen your connection with nature. 📧 Subscribe to our Indigenous Earth newsletter to watch a special video of me and my brother purchasing the herbs from the Yuyera a medicine woman, and see my Paraguayan grandmother help create this traditional drink. Thank you for joining us today. Until next time, stay connected with nature and with each other. Aguye! https://www.indigenousearth.org/ Topics We Explore: Indigenous wisdom and environmental practices Rituals and traditions like Pachamama Day Community involvement and sustainability efforts

🌊 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 Wisdom and Environmental Stewardship: Learn how Indigenous perspectives view everything as interconnected and interrelated, offering holistic approaches to modern environmental challenges. 🌏 Māori Ocean Governance: Discover how the Tangaroa Ararau Research Project places the ocean at the center of decision-making, ensuring sustainable use of marine resources and honoring Māori traditions. 🌡️ Climate Change and Marine Conservation: Understand the impacts of climate change on ocean ecosystems and explore solutions driven by indigenous knowledge. 🛶 Community and Cultural Connections: Hear personal stories from Beth and other guests about their deep, spiritual connections to their lands and waters, and how these bonds guide their environmental efforts.   Featured Guest: Beth Tupara-Katene Beth Tupara-Katene has spent her career championing Māori rights and interests within the marine domain. With over a decade of experience in central government and Māori organizations, Beth brings invaluable insights into policy development, regulatory frameworks, and resource management strategies for the ocean. She played a significant role in implementing the Māori Commercial Claims Aquaculture Settlement and has worked tirelessly to amplify Māori voices in ocean governance. Her dedication to sustainable marine resource use and cultural stewardship makes her a powerful voice in addressing the urgent challenges facing our oceans today.   🐕 Support Rez Animal Protectors: While exploring the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock, I witnessed the incredible efforts of my friends Zunneh-Bah and Nate, who rescue and care for animals in need. If you can, please support their work by visiting Rez Animal Protectors on Facebook and checking out their Amazon wish list. Every little bit helps. https://www.facebook.com/AnimalsAreSacred   Listen Now: 🎧 Join us for an enriching conversation with Beth as she shares the design principles of the Tangaroa Ararau project and how we can integrate these principles into our daily lives. Visit our website Indigenous Earth for more information, and stay tuned for future episodes that dive even deeper into the wisdom of indigenous communities.   Quote: “Indigenous people are the thought leaders in this space because we have always held the perspective that everything is interconnected.”   Call to Action: Please help amplify Indigenous voices by sharing this episode with a friend! 💚   🌻 We would love to hear from you! Contact Us   Mixing by Jake Kelch  

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 Day, where bird enthusiasts worldwide use the eBird app to record, cherish, and protect the melodies that make our planet vibrant. Discover how you, too, can help safeguard these beautiful songs by participating and collecting the melodies of birds around you. Gain insights, find your passion, and be part of a global movement that strives to preserve the soundscape of our precious planet. Download the eBird app, and visit Cornell Lab's Global Big Day page for more information.  Learn more about the Kauaʻi ʻōʻō bird.  🌏 Connect with us: Indigenous Earth   Hosted by Frank Oscar Weaver   Please help amplify Indigenous voices by sharing this episode with a friend! 💚 🌻 We would love to hear from you!  https://www.indigenousearth.org/contact/ ✌️