In this episode of the Quillwood Podcast, host Eric Garza talks with Sherri Mitchell, a Penobcsot attorney who speaks and teaches around the world on issues of indigenous rights, environmental justice, and spiritual change. She is the author of the book Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, and talks with Eric about the Wabenaki legend of the Cannibal Giant, the connection between overconsumption and trauma, and waking up to the pervasive grief of patriarchal colonialism, among other things.

Outline

• 00:00 - 02:23 — Introduction
• 02:23 - 07:50 — Origins of the Cannibal Giant story
• 07:50 - 10:41 — Demonstrating the truths we see in our lives
• 10:41 - 14:43 — Trauma and people’s susceptibility to consumerism
• 14:43 - 20:24 — Helping people wake up to the impacts of consumerism
• 20:24 - 25:11 — The connection between depression, anxiety and grief
• 25:11 - 30:05 — How trauma is cumulative
• 30:05 - 33:46 — Sherri’s approach to healing collective trauma
• 33:46 - 39:18 — The wounds we carry from patriarchal colonialism
• 39:18 - 48:56 — Amplifying emotional intelligence
• 48:56 - 50:56 — Exploring our inner landscapes
• 50:56 - 52:59 — Episode wrap-up

Links and Resources

• Quillwood Academy
• Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, by Sherri Mitchell
• Sacred Instructions (Sherri’s website)
• Columbus and Other Cannibals, by Jack D. Forbes
• Report: Murder and Extremism in the United States in 2018 (Anti-Defamation League)
• Sacred Instructions Facebook Page

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