Elder Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Dr. Dave Courchene), a respected Anishinaabe Elder and Knowledge Keeper, shares a vision of hope for Mother Earth and Humankind. He emphasizes ancient teachings, particularly the Seven Sacred Laws, as a foundation for living with kindness and fostering a change of heart.

As the founder of the Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness and Chair of the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers, Elder Nii Gaani Aki Inini promotes reconnecting with the Earth and ancestral knowledge.

Learn more about the Turtle Lodge and the National Turtle Lodge Council of Knowledge Keepers by visiting their website: www.turtlelodge.org. Follow them on social media: Facebook (@turtlelodge), Twitter (@turtlelodge), and Instagram (@theturtlelodge).

Ilarion Merculieff shares Mother Earth's message on global challenges and Indigenous Elders' guidance. He notes that despite numerous environmental organizations, Earth's life support systems are failing. Merculieff urges a fundamental realignment in how we address human issues, stating "business as usual" is unsustainable.

With over forty years serving Indigenous peoples, Merculieff is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights and a harmonious relationship with Mother Earth. He leads the Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways and advises other key organizations. The discussion was moderated by Andrei Gheorghe.

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene presented "Returning to the Beginning" on July 23, 2021, sharing insights on finding truth and a way forward amidst current global crises.

This presentation was part of the free Shamanic Wisdom Summit and is copyrighted by The Shift Network. View the full transcript here.

The Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education & Wellness fosters reconnection to Earth and shares ancestral knowledge. Learn more at turtlelodge.org or follow them on social media: Facebook (@turtlelodge), Twitter (@turtlelodge), and Instagram (@theturtlelodge).

This recording features Elder Dr. Dave Courchene (Nii Gaani Aki Innini), a respected Anishinaabe Elder and Knowledge Keeper. He shares Indigenous knowledge, promoting hope, peace, and environmental stewardship. In 2002, he founded the internationally recognized Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness, a vital gathering place for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

In this video, Elder Courchene discusses forming deeper connections to the land, followed by a Q&A session.

To support Turtle Lodge's important work, please donate via http://www.turtlelodge.org/donate/.

Elder Dave Courchene delivered a Convocation Address at the University of Winnipeg on June 13, 2019, where he was honored with a Doctor of Laws.

He urged humanity to confront the reality of its impact on Earth and ourselves. Courchene emphasized the critical need for good leadership, asserting that everyone possesses the capacity to lead.

On November 18, 2016, Anishinabe Elder Dave Courchene hosted a gathering at the Turtle Lodge in Sagkeeng First Nation, Manitoba. The event focused on Indigenous perspectives regarding pipeline development in the province.

Attendees represented a diverse cross-section, including federal and provincial government officials, energy companies, environmental organizations, legal professionals, and other Indigenous Elders and leaders.

News media must actively address climate change. Over 150 outlets, including Columbia Journalism Review and The Nation, dedicated a week (September 16-23) to reporting on humanity's devastating impact on the planet.

Veteran journalist Bill Moyers shared his perspective within this initiative. For the complete series, visit CJR's website.

On July 14, 2011, Ilarion Merculieff addressed the Earth and Spirit Council. He shared insights into indigenous elder wisdom and the highly evolved spiritual cultures rooted in Mother Earth.

Merculieff's presentation also explored the concept of the womb as the Center of the Universe, emphasizing the sacredness of women.

Can shopping truly save the world? *The Story of Change* challenges this notion, urging viewers to reconsider their consumer habits.

It advocates for exercising "citizen muscles" to build a more sustainable, just, and fulfilling world, emphasizing collective action over credit card spending.

Discover more at http://storyofchange.org.

Ilarion "Larry Merculieff" (Aleut), President of the Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways, is a prominent indigenous leader.

At the AASHE 2015 Conference and Expo, he shared his life, culture, and knowledge, offering a vision for transforming sustainability education through an indigenous perspective.

Mr. Anderson challenges the idea that there is a necessary conflict between economic development and environmental protection, asserting this presents a false choice.

This discussion was published on April 14, 2016.

Paul Hawken's "The Ecology of Commerce" profoundly impacted Ray Anderson, leading him to grasp the environmental damage caused by corporations, including his own company.

To purchase "The Ecology of Commerce," visit Amazon, your local bookstore, or library.

Dr. Kimmerer is a distinguished environmental biologist, author, and mother. She serves as a Distinguished Teaching Professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York.

She is also the founding Director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment. The Center's mission is to develop programs that integrate indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge to advance shared sustainability goals.

Indigenous cultures worldwide revere plants as ancient teachers, offering lessons in generosity, creativity, sustainability, and joy. Their living examples inspire how we might live.

Blending Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with botanical science, Potawatomi professor Robin Kimmerer explores what plants teach us and how we can become better students.

Since 1990, Bioneers has served as a vital hub for social and scientific innovators, providing practical solutions for pressing environmental and social challenges.

This excerpt presents Dr. Kimmerer's speech from the Center for Humans and Nature's 2014 Forum on Ethics & Nature. Originally published on EarthSayers.tv on March 15, 2016, the full address is available here.

In her speech, Dr. Kimmerer explores "The Honorable Harvest," offering it as a crucial framework for sustainable living.

Ilarion (Larry) Merculieff, an author and native community connector, has dedicated nearly four decades to serving the Aleuts of the Pribilof Islands and other indigenous peoples. His extensive experience includes leadership roles as City Manager of St. Paul Island, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Commerce and Economic Development, and CEO of Tanadgusix Corporation.

Merculieff also chaired The Aleut Corporation and managed the Central Bering Sea Fishermen's Association. As Director of Public Policy and Advocacy for the Rural Alaska Community Action Program, he notably led Alaska's largest subsistence rights march.

This excerpt features an interview with Aleut elder Larry Merculieff from the Native Perspectives on Sustainability project. Merculieff critiques the term "sustainability," advocating for humanity's inherent intelligence to live in alignment with all creation.

This series, "Native Perspectives on Sustainability," is produced by David Hall of Portland State University.

Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace U.S.A. and creator/board member of the Story of Stuff Project, emphasizes Greenpeace's commitment to environmental and social justice.

She outlines their core values: peacefully "bearing witness" to destruction, using non-violent confrontation to elevate public debate, seeking solutions without permanent allies or adversaries, ensuring financial independence, and promoting informed discussion on environmental choices.

Leonard was interviewed at the 2014 AASHE Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon, on October 28, 2014. The video was produced by Ruth Ann Barrett of EarthSayers.tv and Barry Heidt of GeoSpirit.tv.

Annie Leonard, Executive Director of Greenpeace U.S.A. and creator of the Story of Stuff Project, advocates for a bias towards Mother Earth, arguing it's beneficial unless driven by financial gain.

She was interviewed on October 28, 2014, at the 2014 Annual Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) in Portland, Oregon. The interview was produced by Ruth Ann Barrett (EarthSayers.tv) and Barry Heidt (GeoSpirit.tv).

Her book, *The Story of Stuff*, is available from Amazon or your local bookstore.

Greenpeace USA welcomes Annie Leonard, creator of The Story of Stuff Project, as our new Executive Director. She is eager to collaborate with you in building a greener, fairer world.

Join us in welcoming Annie to the team by leaving a comment. (Published May 7, 2014)