Original Instructions: Indigenous Teachings for a Sustainable Future

Linda Tuhiwai Smith recommends in her book Decolonizing Methodologies—Research and Indigenous Peoples.

for humans to get along with each other and to respect our relations on the earth, we must embrace and practice cognitive and cultural pluralism (value diverse ways of thinking and being). We need to not only tolerate difference but respect and celebrate cultural diversity as an essential part of engendering peace.

Original Instructions refer to the many diverse teachings, lessons, and ethics expressed in the origin stories and oral traditions of Indigenous Peoples. They are the literal and metaphorical instructions, passed on orally from generation to generation, for how to be a good human being living in reciprocal relation with all of our seen and unseen r

In this way, Indigenous education is more about observing things in action, understanding things in their context, and listening to the reflective rhythms and inherent wisdom that spiral through a story.

His miss takes show us what not to do.

Nanabozhoo is the Anishinaabeg culture hero and trickster figure who uses primal fire to ignite the Sun.

He has also served as executive editor and editor of the Bioneers anthology books series and executive producer and cowriter of the award-winning radio series: Bioneers: Revolution from the Heart of Nature.

Kenny cofounded Seeds of Change, a leading national biodiversity organic seed company that received widespread recognition for its innovative market partnership with backyard gardeners to create backyard biodiversity as a conservation strategy.

These stories are seeds. It’s our deepest wish that they land in fertile ground to sprout and spread.