5 Ways to Honor Our Green Spaces with Watson Whitford

5 Ways to Honor Our Green Spaces with Watson Whitford

Episode Summary

In this powerful episode, Frank Oscar Weaver is joined by Watson Whitford (Wapanatak), co-president of UNITY and member of the Chippewa Cree tribe and Navajo Nation. Together, they explore five essential ways to be a mindful visitor in parks and natural places, weaving together traditional wisdom and practical guidance for honoring our green spaces.

The Five Ways to Honor Green Spaces

1. Become a True Steward

• Connect with the issues affecting natural spaces
• Educate yourself about environmental challenges
• Take action in your community

Leave It Better Than You Found It

• Take responsibility for keeping spaces clean
• Think of future generations
• Protect the beauty of our lands

Honor Ceremonial Spaces

• Recognize the sacred nature of many parks
• Respect ongoing ceremonies
• Seek permission and guidance

Respect Wildlife Boundaries

• Avoid disturbing animal behavior
• Maintain appropriate distances
• Remember every creature has its place

Get in the Right State of Mind

• Ask permission before entering natural spaces
• Practice mindful visitation
• Show gratitude through offerings

 

Notable Quotes

"We're a part of this circle of life. I'm no higher than a ladybug. I'm no higher than a buffalo. And we're all the same. We all come from the same place." - Watson Whitford

"I want this place to be beautiful. I want there to be clean water, clean air to breathe, to be healthy animals and healthy plants. Not just for my relatives that are here with us now, but for people that will be coming in the future that aren't even here yet." - Watson Whitford

"Our traditional ways of ceremony are good... we don't talk down about other people's way of religion or talk down about the way other people pray. You know, because we want to be uplifting. We want to help each other." - Watson Whitford

Special Offer

Visit indigenousearth.org to receive an exclusive video prayer from Watson Whitford, guiding you in practicing mindful visitation to green spaces.

Connect with Watson Whitford

• Email: copresident@unityinc.org
• Instagram: @watson_whitford05
• Role: Co-President of UNITY

 

Support UNITY

UNITY (United National Indian Tribal Youth) supports Indigenous youth leadership across the nation. Your donation helps:

• Support Indigenous youth programs
• Preserve traditional knowledge
• Foster environmental stewardship
• Develop future leaders

Donate at: unityinc.org/donate

Stay Connected

• Subscribe to our newsletter: indigenousearth.org
• Follow Indigenous Earth Community on Instagram at @frankoscarweaver

 

Credits

• Host: Frank Oscar Weaver - Pai Tavytera - Tribe of Paraguay
• Guest: Watson Whitford -Navajo/ Chippewa Cree 
• Sound Engineer: Jake Kelch 

 

This podcast acknowledges that many parks and natural areas are on ancestral Indigenous lands that have been stewarded by Native people for thousands of generations.

 

Topics: mindful visiting, indigenous lands, environmental stewardship, wildlife respect, ceremonial spaces, leave no trace, climate change, indigenous wisdom, nature connection, community engagement