Talking Leaves: An Indigenous Perspectives Podcast

Podcast transcript (pdf)

Today’s show builds on the discussions of Cultural Appropriation and Cultural Appreciation in our previous two shows.  The goal is to discuss how both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people today can participate and share in the process of Cultural Transformation as we each in our own way seek a new and more sustainable and equitable way of life.

Podcast transcript (pdf)

We discuss challenges, problems and opportunities that can arise when non-Indigenous people seek to borrow, adopt, and work to learn from Indigenous teachings and practices.

Podcast transcript⁠ (pdf)

Today's show directly addresses a question that we are often asked because of our decades of work on international environmental problems - such as desertification in China, the Chernobyl nuclear accident, the disappearing Aral Sea, and climate change. It's a question that seems to be on the tip of the tongue for more and more people in all walks of life. The question is, "are we going to make it?"

Podcast transcript (pdf)

On March 30th, 2023, the Vatican announced that it was renouncing what has come to be known as the Doctrine of Discovery. In this episode, co-host Carolyn Schmidt interviews co-host Randy Kritkausky, asking him to reflect on this development that has huge implications for Indigenous peoples in the Western Hemisphere and indeed for Indigenous peoples around the world. We're calling this show “Sunset for the Doctrine of Discovery.”

Podcast transcript (pdf)

Today we welcome Damian Costello for the third and final show exploring issues raised by the life and legacy of the Lakota Sioux spiritual leader Black Elk. Damian is Director of Postgraduate Studies and a member of the faculty of NAIITS, the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies.

Supplemental article: The Doctrine of Re-Discovery by Damian Costello

Podcast transcript (pdf)

We welcome back Damian Costello, an international expert on the life and legacy of the Lakota Sioux spiritual leader Black Elk. Damian specializes in the intersection of Catholic theology, Indigenous spiritual traditions, and colonial history. His PhD is in theological studies from the University of Dayton in Ohio. He is Director of Postgraduate Studies and a member of the faculty of NAIITS, the North American Institute for Indigenous Theological Studies.

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The first of two shows focusing on Black Elk, a religious leader whose life embodied and transcended the challenges of being on the front lines of conflict between the traditional Indigenous cultures and the Christian cultures of the mainstream newcomers.

Podcast transcript (pdf)

Randy and Carolyn discuss why, and how, Indigenous peoples are organizing around these ideas, and also how their concerns are playing out in this month’s international negotiations on biodiversity – the COP 15, held in Montréal.

⁠Podcast transcript (pdf)

Today’s show is titled “Reciprocity and Gratitude: Beyond the Words.” We’re going to examine how the meaning of these two terms, reciprocity and gratitude, have changed since the European settlers of North America first celebrated a harvest festival in 1621. We will explore the differences between the cultural concepts of reciprocity and gratitude in European and colonial society on the one hand and Native American communities on the other. We’ll examine why people in mainstream society have become increasing interested in Indigenous versions of reciprocity and gratitude. And finally, we will point to practical steps that members of mainstream society can take to incorporate some of the wisdom of Indigenous culture into the ways we give thanks and reciprocate for the bounty we receive and the communities in which we live.

Full Transcript⁠ (pdf)

We welcome Peter d’Errico, discussing issues raised by his new book, Federal Anti-Indian Law: The Legal Entrapment of Indigenous Peoples.