What does it take to restore land and language? A conversation with members of the Ekvn-Yefolecv, Maskoke Eco-Village.

Listen to a Live Panel Discussion with Mary Crowe, LeAnne Howe, and Rev. Chebon Kernell Hosted at Berry College

Before the launch of the podcast, CRBI hosted a live Panel Discussion, at Berry College in Rome, Georgia.  In this recording of the live event you will hear three indigenous leaders from the Muskogee, Cherokee, and Choctaw tribes share their perspectives on the challenges we face to conservation and what we can do to create more informed decisions for the future of our environment and communities.   You can watch a video of the panel discussion on CRBI’s Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@coosariverbasininitiative [https://www.youtube.com/@coosariverbasininitiative] This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia. Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to downstream@coosa.org [downstream@coosa.org]. We’d love to hear from you.  This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp Special Thanks to: Brian Campbell Sandy Meeks  Ryan Simmons  For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin:  Chieftains Museum in Rome New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun  Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

What does it take to restore land and language? A conversation with members of the Ekvn-Yefolecv, Maskoke Eco-Village.

When Marcus Briggs-Cloud began his journey to revitalize the Muskogee language, he realized that a large portion of the lexicon he wanted to revive was no longer viable because the colonial world had evolved so far from his ancestral ways of living. In this conversation, we discover what it takes to return to traditional ways of living, wherein his ancestral language remains relevant. You will hear Maskoke language spoken by  members of the Ekvn-Yefolecv, Maskoke Eco-Village, about the incredible efforts they are undertaking to restore not only the Muskogee language but also 2,000 acres of their ancestral lands through regenerative practices. Learn more about Ekvn-Yefolecv here: https://www.ekvn-yefolecv.org/vlahoke This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia. Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to ⁠downstream@coosa.org⁠ [downstream@coosa.org]. We’d love to hear from you.  This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp Special Thanks to: Brian Campbell Sandy Meeks  Ryan Simmons  For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin:  Chieftains Museum in Rome New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun  Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

The Power of Story: A Conversation with LeAnne Howe

LeAnne Howe is an esteemed novelist, poet, filmmaker, playwright, and member of the Choctaw Nation whose work resonates with vibrant humor and profound insight. In this episode, we delve into the transformative power of storytelling and humor. We explore how meditation and a mindful presence can dramatically influence our approach to new creative endeavors, from writing fiction to tackling pressing environmental issues. Additionally, we discuss the critical role of deconstructing persistent myths surrounding Indigenous people. Through our conversation, we illuminate the vital role that storytelling holds in shaping a nuanced understanding of our collective history and in defining our identities and connections to place.  Order a copy of LeAnne Howe’s book, Shell Shaker: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shell-shaker-leanne-howe/1101059769?ean=9781939904010 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shell-shaker-leanne-howe/1101059769?ean=9781939904010] And, When the Light of the World was Subdued our Songs Came Through, a collaboration between LeAnne Howe and Joy Harjo: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-the-light-of-the-world-was-subdued-our-songs-came-through-joy-harjo/1133972409?ean=9780393356816 [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-the-light-of-the-world-was-subdued-our-songs-came-through-joy-harjo/1133972409?ean=9780393356816] This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia. Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to downstream@coosa.org [downstream@coosa.org]. We’d love to hear from you.  This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp Special Thanks to: Brian Campbell Sandy Meeks  Ryan Simmons  For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin:  Chieftains Museum in Rome New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun  Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

Transitioning to a Sustainable Future: A discussion with Cherokee Elder Mary Crowe

How did colonialism impact our communities and their sense of connection and belonging in the natural world?  ‘Aniyvwiya’, meaning first people, was the name ‘Cherokee’ people gave themselves before colonization.  In this week’s episode we talk to Elder Mary Crowe from the Qualla boundary of the Eastern Band Cherokee about the importance of knowing our history and the transformative power of language. Learn more about the Indigenous Environmental Network : https://www.ienearth.org [https://www.ienearth.org] This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia. Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to downstream@coosa.org [downstream@coosa.org]. We’d love to hear from you.  This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp Special Thanks to: Brian Campbell Sandy Meeks  Ryan Simmons  For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin:  Chieftains Museum in Rome New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun  Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville

The Intersection of Spirituality and Conservation: Pathways towards sustainability with Reverend Chebon Kernell

How does our understanding of origin stories and spirituality impact the way we engage with our environment? In this episode, we talk to Reverend Chebon Kernell, Executive Director at the Native American Comprehensive Plan of the United Methodist Church and former Executive Secretary of Native American/Indigenous Ministries at the General Board of Global Ministries. We discuss how origin stories influence our view of our place within the natural world and the importance of reverence and spirituality in conservation. We also explore pathways towards sustainability through solidarity and how communities can collaborate to make well-informed decisions to address the environmental challenges we face. Learn more  This project was made possible with funding from the Georgia Humanities Council and Patagonia. Coosa River Basin Initiative is a 501c3 non-profit organization in Rome, GA with a mission to protect, preserve, and restore the upper Coosa River basin. To learn more about our work or become a supporter, visit our website at coosa.org or follow us on Facebook @coosariverbasinintiative or Instagram @coosariverbasin If you have thoughts or questions about the show, send us a message to downstream@coosa.org [downstream@coosa.org]. We’d love to hear from you.  This podcast is produced by Brand Red Studios. All episodes were recorded at Darkroot Studios in Rome, GA.  Music, Engineering, and Editing by Austen Earp Special Thanks to: Brian Campbell Sandy Meeks  Ryan Simmons  For local historical resources in the upper Coosa River basin:  Chieftains Museum in Rome New Echota State Historic Site in Calhoun  Etowah Indian Mounds State Historic Site in Cartersville