Indigenous leaders and other visionaries suggest solutions to today’s global crisis
• Original Instructions are ancient ways of living from the heart of humanity within the heart of nature
• Explores the convergence of indigenous and contemporary science and the re-indigenization of the world’s peoples
• Includes authoritative indigenous voices, including John Mohawk and Winona LaDuke
For millennia the world’s indigenous peoples have acted as guardians of the web of life for the next seven generations. They’ve successfully managed complex reciprocal relationships between biological and cultural diversity. Awareness of indigenous knowledge is reemerging at the eleventh hour to help avert global ecological and social collapse. Indigenous cultural wisdom shows us how to live in peace--with the earth and one another.
Original Instructions evokes the rich indigenous storytelling tradition in this collection of presentations gathered from the annual Bioneers conference. It depicts how the world’s native leaders and scholars are safeguarding the original instructions, reminding us about gratitude, kinship, and a reverence for community and creation. Included are more than 20 contemporary indigenous leaders--such as Chief Oren Lyons, John Mohawk, Winona LaDuke, and John Trudell. These beautiful, wise voices remind us where hope lies.
By:
Melissa Nelson
Imprint: Bear & Company
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 228mm,
Width: 152mm,
Spine: 23mm
Weight: 1g
ISBN: 9781591430797
ISBN 10: 1591430798
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 16 January 2008
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Acknowledgments About Bioneers Bioneers and Editor’s Statement on Indigenous Knowledge and Intellectual Property Rights Preface: Remembering the Original Instructions Kenny Ausubel Introduction: Lighting the Sun of Our Future--How These Teachings Can Provide Illumination Melissa K. Nelson Part One UNCOVERING THE ECO-SPIRITUAL VALUES OF THE ORIGINAL INSTRUCTIONS 1 Listening to Natural Law Chief Oren Lyons 2 First Nations Survival and the Future of the Earth Rebecca Adamson 3 Acoma Coexistence and Continuance Petuuche Gilbert 4 Ethics from the Land: Traditional Protocols and the Maintenance of Peace Marlowe Sam 5 Indigenous Knowledge as the Basis for Our Future Priscilla Settee 6 Clear Thinking: A Positive Solitary View of Nature John Mohawk Part Two INDIGENOUS DEMOCRACIES 7 The Iroquois Confederacy John Mohawk 8 A Democracy Based on Peace Chief Oren Lyons 9 An Okanagan Worldview of Society Jeannette Armstrong 10 Peace Technologies from the San Bushmen of Africa Megan Biesele, Kxao =Oma., and /’Angn!ao /’Un Part Three THE ART AND SCIENCE OF KINSHIP 11 Where Is the Holy Land? Leslie Gray 12 Restoring Indigenous History and Culture to Nature Dennis Martinez, Enrique Salmón, and Melissa K. Nelson 13 Protecting Water Quality and Religious Freedom at the Isleta Pueblo Verna Williamson-Teller 14 The Art of Thriving in Place John Mohawk Part Four INDIGENOUS FEMININE POWER: IN HONOR OF SKY WOMAN 15 She Is Us: Thought Woman and the Sustainability of Worship Paula Gunn Allen 16 Ethiopian Women: From Passive Resources to Active Citizens Bogaletch Gebre 17 Powerful Like a River: Reweaving the Web of Our Lives in Defense of Environmental and Reproductive Justice Katsi Cook Part Five YOU ARE WHERE YOU EAT: NATIVE FOODS AND TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURE 18 From the First to the Last Bite: Learning from the Food Knowledge of Our Ancestors John Mohawk 19 Re-Indigenizing Our Bodies and Minds through Native Foods Melissa K. Nelson 20 Dancing for the Apus: Andean Food and Farming Julio Valladolid Rivera 21 On the Importance of Our Connection to Food Jacquelyn Ross 22 Protecting the Culture and Genetics of Wild Rice Winona LaDuke 23 Cultural Change, Climate Change, and the Future of Civilization John Mohawk Part Six DECOLONIZATION AND GLOBAL INDIGENOUS STRUGGLES FOR JUSTICE 24 Protecting the Web of Life: Indigenous Knowledge and Biojustice Tom Goldtooth 25 Return of the Ancient Council Ways: Indigenous Survival in Chiapas Ohki Siminé Forest 26 Front Line of Resistance: Indigenous Peoples and Energy Development Clayton Thomas-Muller 27 Speaking for the Voiceless Richard DeerTrack Part Seven RE-INDIGENIZATION 28 Re-Indigenization Defined Greg Cajete, John Mohawk, and Julio Valladolid Rivera 29 El Poder de la Palabra/The Power of the Word: Toward a Nahuatl/Mestizo Consciousness Francisco X. Alarcón 30 Mending the Split-Head Society with Trickster Consciousness Melissa K. Nelson 31 Re-Nativization in North and South America Tirso Gonzales 32 Taro Roots Run Deep: Hawaiian Restoration of Sacred Foods and Communities Mark Paikuli-Stride, Eric Enos, and Nalani Minton 33 The Power of Being a Human Being John Trudell Indigenous Resources Notes Bibliography Contributors
Melissa K. Nelson, Ph.D., is an ecologist, writer, educator, and social activist whose work is dedicated to indigenous revitalization and cross-cultural reconciliation. She is a professor of American Indian studies at San Francisco State University and president of The Cultural Conservancy, a nonprofit indigenous rights organization. She also coproduced the award-winning documentary short film The Salt Song Trail: Bringing Creation Back Together. She is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians and lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Reviews for Original Instructions: Indigenous Teachings for a Sustainable Future
Original Instructions shows how human beings can actually play a richly positive role in the web of life as a keystone species that creates conditions conducive to life for all beings. Here is the sacred geography of a world where all life is revered and animated by spirit. , . . a remarkable reminder that there are people out there doing critical work to safeguard our very existence. This book contains detailed information about the current programs and teachings from some of the best minds on the subject. I highly recommend this book. It's the dawning of an era and we must do our part to ensure a positive future for our children. The general themes running through the writings . . . are all very applicable to current problems, and thought provoking. The book has a wealth of information, and many resources for further research and study. These indigenous activists have much to share, and they serve as crucial voices in the worldwide effort to restore our ailing planet. . . . a remarkable reminder that there are people out there doing critical work to safeguard our very existence. This book contains detailed information about the current programs and teachings from some of the best minds on the subject. . . . this book presents 'How To' earth wisdom that should be at the forefront of global efforts to restore the planet. . . . will appeal both to New Age and Native American collections . . . an eye-opening survey of sacred geography and a spirit-driven world. Original Instructions shows how human beings can actually play a richly positive role in the web of life as a keystone species that creates conditions conducive to life for all beings. Here is the sacred geography of a world where all life is revered and animated by spirit. Melissa Nelson, in collaboration with Bioneers, has produced an invaluable resource of Indigenous wisdom. This book is a must-read for every socially conscious political leader, member of the clergy, educator, activist, community worker, and entrepreneur interested in participating in the creation of a new and more ecologically sound worldview, one that will be capable of sustaining society in an era of significant global climate change. Buckminster Fuller once complained that the earth had come without a good operating manual. In fact, though, there are an awful lot of instructions that have stood the test of time. Since we're clearly making a mess of things at the moment, it might be wise to pay some attention. . . . cogent advice on how people in the world's old growth indigenous societies conduct their relations with each other and the Earth--are couched here in starkly modern terms as questions of sustainability become global fare. . . . The subject matter of this book is eclectic, ranging from toxic chemicals to global warming, changing roles of women, revival of Native languages, bio-justice, bio-ethics, and bio-democracy.
