On Indigenuity: Learning the Lessons of Mother Earth

by Daniel R. Wildcat

An exploration of the concept of Indigenuity and Indigenous Thought. Leading Indigenous thinker Dan Wildcat synthesizes several related ideas, including science, the environment, biology and our culture, arguing that restoration of Native knowledge is essential for saving humankind and the planet. On Indigenuity is a part of the Publisher’s Speakers Corner Books series.

Genres: Indigenous, Environment, Nonfiction, Nature

144 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2023

About the author

Daniel R. Wildcat (Yuchi, Muscogee) is the director of the American Indian studies program and the Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. He is the coauthor with Vine Deloria Jr. of Power and Place: Indian Education in America, and the coauthor with Steve Pavlik of Destroying Dogma: Vine Deloria Jr. and His Influence on American Society.

Reviews

[Daisy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

my education is my biggest gift. being able to read the wise words of such brilliant people like Daniel Wildcat is so moving. I feel so grateful to have experienced such a wonder of a book.

Thank you for new perspectives. Thank you for opening my eyes, for making me see things I hadn’t before. Thank you for helping me to be a better conscious human alongside my relatives and kin.

[Sharon Velez Diodonet · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We cannot successfully address the physical global climate change facing us until we have a cultural climate change."

Thanks to @fulcrumpublishing for the gifted copy. This is perfect for Indigenous Heritage Month.

In 'On Indigenuity: Learning the Lessons of Mother Earth' Daniel R. Wildcat provides a framework with which to start the work of restoring our relationship to the Earth through environmental activism. He posits that viewing humanity as separate from the Earth and viewing the Earth as a transactional space where humans get to extract resources without ever replenishing is essentially the root of the problem. Wildcat throughout the book reminds us that Indigenous ways have always honored the sanctity of all living beings on the planet, not just humans. Because of this interconnected personal relationship with the Earth, Indigenous peoples have always been protectors of the planet and makes their unique perspectives essential for reversing the damage done by settler colonialism, empire and capitalism.

Wildcat believes that in order to save the planet, their needs to be a cultural shift where humans once again begin to view the natural world as their relative and will therefore consider that relationship most important when living life. To care for the Earth is to be one with it and not think oneself superior to non-human organisms and destroy resources and habitats for profit without considering the consequences for the future generations. Wildcat also identifies that it is the settler colonialist that has created the climate emergency we are living everyday, which he calls the era of Anthropocene aka global burning.

The book is brief and concise and is a great overview of Indigenous knowledge and some cultural lenses, which have always informed their life ways. He references other relevant works and offers different tribal perpsectives. It does become repetitive after a while but it does provide a good foundation with which to begin to understand the work of climate change and to understand the immense cultural shift that has to take place.

As I was reading, I couldn't help but think about how the plight of Palest*ne directly relates to this work. I think about the pictures of olive trees being bulldozed and non-native plants being planted. I think about what the effects of all the bomb*ing will have on the environment and on people's health. I think about the cactuses that refuse to die no matter how much they build settler colonies on the land. I think about how the extraction of natural resources will devastate the area. I think about the wildlife that lives in water and how all this chemical waste will cause decline in populations of people and animals. I can't help but keep reflecting on the question of what will happen to the Earth if the genoc*de of Indigenous people, who are the protectors of the land, continues to occur. These are the some of the questions that Wildcat wants us to think about while also reminding us that Indigenuity must be at the forefront of the work.

[Trish Remley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Puts forth several critical ideas/mindset that the Indigenous learned/follow a long time ago. Have read these ideas other places, but Daniel R. Wildcat explains in a concise, straight to the point manner with not a wasted word. The world needs to pay heed, catch up, get outside. Plan to purchase a few more copies and start to circulate these ideas/solutions as well as continue to incorporate into where I live. The poetry equally telling.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated learning more about the Land Back movement and how things could be improved if we view Earth's resources as relatives rather than strictly as commodities. The author uses studies and statistics to illustrate his points about how mistreatment of these relationships is causing harm to others on Earth as well as humans. I especially like the poem near the end of the book "Out of Doors".

[Jim Dickie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wonderfully showing there is hope.

I'm 81 years old and this book has taught me more than any of my schooling years. I particularly liked his statement "unalienable rights and unalienable responsibility". I'm glad I see someone else thinks like me. Only problem I had were trying to remember all the abbreviations, but that's just old age.

Great book, thank you

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent choice for seekers of wisdom and a fresh perspective on environmental solutions amid our current climate challenges.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific.

[Kimbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great content, the structure of the first chapter is confusing and the use of acronyms is confusing and unnecessary but worth the read overall