As an environmental educator and outdoor leadership trainer for over 50 years, I have tried to access the best of Earth-based teachings and experiences to prepare people to live and model sustainable and regenerative lives. As I did my research, I always came back to the teachings and wisdom of Indigenous peoples, who, in our region, lived and thrived for well over 8,000 years by living in concert with the natural world.
In my over 50 years at Greenfield Community College’s Outdoor Leadership Program and teaching human ecology courses, then the Earthlands Community in 1993, and now the University of the Wild in 2000, I have not found the right combination of models to override the tragic results of climate disruption, cultural fragmentation, environmental and social injustices, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
What I have learned is that we all must relearn our connection and interrelationship to the Earth and all forms of life. It is only by living in concert with universal laws of the natural world that we can overcome the human-centered world views that have brought forth the personal and corporate ways of toxicity, consumption and fragmented living.
One asks, where does such a cosmology exist? Such a way of life is right here and it has been here for thousands of years — the worldview of the original Indigenous peoples. In addition to ancient wisdom here in the Valley, we now have well researched works like Richard Louv’s “Last Child in the Woods” and its nature deficiency theme and Sherri Mitchell’s “Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-based Change” that will help guide us into the future.
To return to this Earth-connected lifestyle it is not only about recycling more, watching some videos, and driving less, it is about deep personal work to override the colonial/settler and privilege ways that have been culturally embedded in the dominant culture for eons. We each must confront our own environmental and cultural fantasies, lies and practices, passed down to us over the centuries, that have erased Indigenous cultures and histories and drive our disconnection.
For me, as a privileged 6-foot, 7-inch white male who has always had what I wanted, I now acknowledge that privilege and am accepting my own settler capitalist roots. That is my work.
My patriarchal grandparents, 15 generations ago, traveled out the “Old Connecticut Path” from Boston in 1630 to take land from the Algonquin people near the present day Bradley Airport. Today, I have built my own dreams on some of the 40,000 acres of land taken from the Nipmuc people for a mere two bushels of snap beans in 1733. Historical documents show how the first 66 proprietors of Petersham received property for their paid bounties to kill-off Indigenous people in the 1700s.
I have done some token actions like returning some of the original land to the Nipmuc in the Quabbin/Nichewaug bioregion, studied the pre-European history of my town, and tried to be a good ally to Indigenous people — this has not been enough!
No community is removed from the tragedy of the devastating Indigenous dystopias and genocide. In fact, one of the major events to recognize the prevailing colonial/capitalist culture is about to happen right in our area. On Wednesday, April 6, at 2:30 p.m. at the Barre Town Hall, Chief Henry Red Cloud, Manny Iron Hawk, and other Indigenous leaders will discuss the return of more than 100 artifacts, remains, and sacred objects stolen at the massacre at Wounded Knee, South Dakota in 1890 and now held in the Barre Public Library.
The Barre event also will recognize the dawning of a new era of Native American social justice, reparations and resilience. The Indigenous people’s journey to full sovereignty and a return to their spirituality and cultural birthrights will not be easy. We, as allies of their journey, must begin to take full responsibility for what has come to pass and confront our own long held worldviews that define our privileged intentions and actions. As we enter the age of the Indigenous 8th Fire Prophecy, it is time for all people of the world to work together for the good of the planet.
To witness and hear the messages of Chief Henry Red Cloud, Manny Iron Hawk, descendants of those massacred at Wounded Knee and others about the return of the artifacts to the Dakota tribes on Wednesday will be a start on the journey we all must take to enhance our understanding, support and solidarity with all people and life on planet Earth.
Dr. Larry Buell is professor emeritus of human ecology and founder of the Outdoor Leadership Program with over 53 years of service to Greenfield Community College. He co-founded the Earthlands Community in 1993 and created the alternative higher education program, University of the Wild, in 2000. You can contact Larry Buell at Larry@UofWild.org.