5 Ways to Honor Our Green Spaces with Watson Whitford
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 StewardConnect with the issues affecting natural spacesEducate yourself about environmental challengesTake action in your communityLeave It Better Than You Found It
Take responsibility for keeping spaces cleanThink of future generationsProtect the beauty of our landsHonor Ceremonial Spaces
Recognize the sacred nature of many parksRespect ongoing ceremoniesSeek permission and guidanceRespect Wildlife Boundaries
Avoid disturbing animal behaviorMaintain appropriate distancesRemember every creature has its placeGet in the Right State of Mind
Ask permission before entering natural spacesPractice mindful visitationShow gratitude through offerings"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
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_whitford05Role: Co-President of UNITYUNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) supports Indigenous youth leadership across the nation. Your donation helps:
Support Indigenous youth programsPreserve traditional knowledgeFoster environmental stewardshipDevelop future leadersDonate at: unityinc.org/donate
Subscribe to our newsletter: indigenousearth.orgFollow Indigenous Earth Community on Instagram at @frankoscarweaverHost: Frank Oscar Weaver - Pai Tavytera - Tribe of ParaguayGuest: 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