Before the launch of the podcast, CRBI hosted a live Panel Discussion, at Berry College in Rome, Georgia.  In this recording of the live event you will hear three indigenous leaders from the Muskogee, Cherokee, and Choctaw tribes share their perspectives on the challenges we face to conservation and what we can do to create more informed decisions for the future of our environment and communities.  

You can watch a video of the panel discussion on CRBI’s Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@coosariverbasininitiative

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. 

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks 

Ryan Simmons 

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin: 

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun 

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

When Marcus Briggs-Cloud began his journey to revitalize the Muskogee language, he realized that a large portion of the lexicon he wanted to revive was no longer viable because the colonial world had evolved so far from his ancestral ways of living. In this conversation, we discover what it takes to return to traditional ways of living, wherein his ancestral language remains relevant. You will hear Maskoke language spoken by  members of the Ekvn-Yefolecv, Maskoke Eco-Village, about the incredible efforts they are undertaking to restore not only the Muskogee language but also 2,000 acres of their ancestral lands through regenerative practices.

Learn more about Ekvn-Yefolecv here: https://www.ekvn-yefolecv.org/vlahoke

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to ⁠[email protected]⁠. We’d love to hear from you. 

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks 

Ryan Simmons 

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin: 

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun 

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

LeAnne Howe is an esteemed novelist, poet, filmmaker, playwright, and member of the Choctaw Nation whose work resonates with vibrant humor and profound insight. In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of storytelling and humor. We explore how meditation and a mindful presence can dramatically influence our approach to new creative endeavors, from writing fiction to tackling pressing environmental issues. Additionally, we discuss the critical role of deconstructing persistent myths surrounding Indigenous people. Through our conversation, we illuminate the vital role that storytelling holds in shaping a nuanced understanding of our collective history and in defining our identities and connections to place. 

Order a copy of LeAnne Howe’s book, Shell Shaker: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shell-shaker-leanne-howe/1101059769?ean=9781939904010

And, When the Light of the World was Subdued our Songs Came Through, a collaboration between LeAnne Howe and Joy Harjo:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-the-light-of-the-world-was-subdued-our-songs-came-through-joy-harjo/1133972409?ean=9780393356816

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. 

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks 

Ryan Simmons 

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin: 

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun 

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

How did colonialism impact our communities and their sense of connection and belonging in the natural world? 

‘Aniyvwiya’, meaning first people, was the name ‘Cherokee’ people gave themselves before colonization.  In this week’s episode we talk to Elder Mary Crowe from the Qualla boundary of the Eastern Band Cherokee about the importance of knowing our history and the transformative power of language.

Learn more about the Indigenous Environmental Network : https://www.ienearth.org

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. 

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks 

Ryan Simmons 

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin: 

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun 

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

How does our understanding of origin stories and spirituality impact the way we engage with our environment? In this episode, we talk to Reverend Chebon Kernell, Executive Director at the Native American Comprehensive Plan of the United Methodist Church and former Executive Secretary of Native American/Indigenous Ministries at the General Board of Global Ministries. We discuss how origin stories influence our view of our place within the natural world and the importance of reverence and spirituality in conservation. We also explore pathways towards sustainability through solidarity and how communities can collaborate to make well-informed decisions to address the environmental challenges we face.

Learn more 

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. 

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks 

Ryan Simmons 

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin: 

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun 

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

'Gadugi,' roughly translating to 'service' in English, holds profound significance for the Cherokee community. In this episode, we have a conversation with Dr. Bryant, the founder and director of Appalachian State University’s Gadugi Partnership. Dr. Bryant shares insights into how this ethos of cooperation, both in caring for community members and the Earth, manifests in their community on the Qalla Boundary. We also discuss the importance of acknowledging our ancestors and the vital roles community partnership, language, education, and acknowledgement play in healing the wounds of history. 

Learn more about the Gadugi Partnership at Appalachian State: 

https://gadugischolars.blogspot.com/?fbclid=IwAR0aBZJIs1JhKymVltdKxUyhZcwm43id4FlZn4fo2rHw1pLxvLxL3ZWcxzM&m=1

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057270286764

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. 

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks 

Ryan Simmons 

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin: 

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun 

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

How do you keep hope alive when you are fighting for the right to clean water against seemingly insurmountable odds? In this episode, we talk to Rebecca Jim, Tar Creekeeper, and Executive Director of LEAD Agency in Miami, Oklahoma. Rebecca is a Cherokee whose ancestors called our watershed home and, to this day, consider many places in our watershed sacred sites. We discuss the challenges faced by indigenous communities who now live in ‘Indian Country’, Oklahoma, and specifically discuss the obstacles that must be overcome when working to remediate the toxic contamination of fresh water.

Learn more about Rebecca Jim’s work in the LEAD Agency: https://www.leadagency.org/

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. 

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks 

Ryan Simmons 

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin: 

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun 

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

Welcome to the Downstream Podcast! In Episode 1, your hosts Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman and Courtney Altice of Coosa River Basin Initiative, along with Dr. Jim Watkins of Berry College, map out the terrain we will explore over the next 8 episodes. They discuss the history of forced removal, why they felt it was important to incorporate the perspectives of indigenous people from Northwest Georgia and Northeast Alabama into the conservation work CRBI does, and engage with the legacy of forced removal and its implications for indigenous communities and the conservation of the upper Coosa River basin.

Let’s push this boat off the shore and get paddlin’!  

This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia.

Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin

If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you. 

This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp

Special Thanks to:

Brian Campbell

Sandy Meeks 

Ryan Simmons 

For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin: 

Chieftains Museum in Rome

New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun 

Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

Welcome to Downstream Podcast, where members of the Coosa River Basin Initiative engage with Indigenous leaders and activists from the Cherokee, Muscogee, and Choctaw tribes in thought provoking conversations on the challenges of modern day conservation.

For more information visit www.coosa.org