Collective Water Stewardship Series Conversation
Exploring Our Relationships With Water
In this nuanced dialogue, we unpack the deeper impacts of our perceptions about water and it’s role in our histories, cultures and lives. The stories and insights shared are informed by Kogi and Patuxent Riverkeeper representatives.
Featured Guests Include
Alan Ereira — A liaison for the Múnekaň Masha project. He’s also a professor of Practice at the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, and the Founder/chairman of the Tairona Heritage Trust, that’s working to amplify the voice of the Kogi (Kaggaba) people of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Colombia. His documentary films about the Kogi: The Heart of the World: Elder Brother's Warning and Aluna made by an indigenous film crew and the Kogi Mama’s in collaboration with Alan.
Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows) — Formerly the Director of Education at Oglala Lakota College, Four Arrows, aka Don Trent Jacobs, Ph.D., Ed.D., is currently Professor of Educational Leadership for Change at Antioch University. He is the author of 24 books and numerous other publications on Indigenous Worldview, including the most recent co-authored with Darcia Narvaez, PhD. He spent time with the Kogi as well learning about their practices and worldviews. Four Arrows also recorded a solo conversation with us, which delves into his background, research and mission.
Fred Tutman — Founder of the Patuxent Riverkeeper Center. Before becoming the Patuxent Riverkeeper, Fred Tutman enjoyed a broad and varied career in media, civic advocacy, law, and legal education. Fred is adept at helping people explore their own values with regard to nature and stewardship of the earth. Fred was born and raised, along the Patuxent, as were seven generations of his ancestors. He still lives on the farm where he grew up. The river has always been a spiritual talisman of his farm upbringing and life in rural southern Maryland. To learn more about Fred, you can listen to another conversation we recorded with him and Rabiah.
Grandmother Rabiah Nur — An indigenous medicine woman who views the river through the eyes of her ancestors, Rabiah embraces centuries-old traditions instilled in her. After meeting and speaking to Fred Tutman, the Patuxent Riverkeeper, about how she could help support the river, they decided she should assume the role of property caretaker, and in the spring of 2020, she moved into the caretaker residence at the Patuxent Riverkeeper Center in Upper Marlboro. To learn more about Grandmother Rabiah, you can listen to another conversation we recorded with her and Fred Tutman.
Support the Kogi and Patuxent Water Stewardship Projects
The Kogi's Munekan Masha Project
A three-year, collaborative restoration initiative endorsed by the UNESCO BRIDGES Coalition between the Kogi Mamas (spiritual leaders) and non-indigenous scientists intended to put Kogi indigenous ecological practices and natural scientific conservation into dialogue.
The Patuxent Riverkeepers
An initiative focused on conserving, protecting and replenishing Maryland's longest and deepest intrastate waterway through strategic advocacy, restoration and education
The Proven Sustainable™ Conversation Series is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Transformative Action, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Any funding directed towards the Conversation Series will go towards production efforts to ensure the the recorded discussions are diligently captured and meaningfully distributed. This Conversation Series and website are not-for-profit and created with the intent of channeling support directly to the Peoples represented.