Ilarion Merculieff discusses what Mother Earth is saying about the trials and tribulations of the world, what it means, and what the Indigenous Elders say we must do. 

We have more environmental organizations in existence today all over the world than there were thirty years ago, and yet Mother Earth's life support systems as we know it are coming to the edge and no one asks why. Ilarion argues that we need to examine the cause and realign ourselves in terms of the way we deal with the trials and tribulations of humans today. Business as usual is simply not going to work.

Ilarion Merculieff has more than forty years of experience serving his people, the Unangan (Aleut) of the Pribilof Islands, and other indigenous peoples in a number of capacities—locally, nationally, and internationally. Throughout his entire career, Merculieff has been a passionate advocate for indigenous rights, and for a harmonious relationship with Mother Earth. He has received a number of awards for his work, including the Environmental Excellence Award for lifetime achievement from the Alaska Forum on the Environment. Ilarion is currently an independent consultant, president of the Global Center for Indigenous Leadership and Lifeways and serves as a Senior Advisor to the World Wilderness Congress and advisor to the Native Lands and Wilderness Council.

Moderated by Andrei Gheorghe.

Going Beyond The Land Acknowledgement with Elder Dr. Dave Courchene

Recording of a visual conversation with Elder Dr. Dave Courchene — Nii Gaani Aki Innini (Leading Earth Man) — a respected Elder and Knowledge Keeper of the Anishinaabe Nation who has devoted his life to sharing Indigenous knowledge, carrying a message of hope, peace and environmental stewardship. In 2002, Elder Dr. Courchene founded the Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness, a sacred lodge recognized internationally and by Indigenous Knowledge Keepers as well as the Assembly of First Nations and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs as one of the most important gathering places for Indigenous Peoples in Canada.

In this video Elder Dr. Courchene shares the knowledge on how we can form deeper connection to the land that we move on. The conversation is followed by Q&A.

To support the efforts of the Turtle Lodge please donate via http://www.turtlelodge.org/donate/

Anton Treuer explains the origin and function of the clan system in Ojibwe culture and how it has changed over time. Narration is in English with some Ojibwe vocabulary. March 28, 2021

Called From Darkness is a six-part documentary series that explores the spiritual dimensions of addiction recovery with an emphasis on finding community and recovering one’s own meaning and purpose.

All in the series represent a range of communities in rural, suburban and urban settings and include former gang members, recovering addicts, Native Americans, Hispanics, and Homeless Veterans. Produced by Paul Steinbroner and David Okimoto, TouchPoint Productions, Inc.

Contact Paul at (541) 941-5317 to arrange a screening. And thank you for your interest and support. 

JustUs is the story of a family in the Española Valley of New Mexico ministering to their community during an epidemic of heroin addiction and political corruption.  This location is the homeland of a variety of Indigenous tribes.  In 1598 Spanish Conquistadores attempted to colonize this area. The Pueblo rebellion of 1680 was a reaction to enslavement that resonates with historical traumas that even remain today.  Most of the people here are bi-racial. The Spanish language is a dominant cultural influence.  Though the land is enchanting, poverty is endemic and the State of New Mexico is ranked 49th in educational achievement.  Job training facilities and job opportunities are nearly nonexistent with the distribution of heroin and methamphetamine being the primary source of income.  Produced by Paul Steinbroner and David Okimoto and directed by Paul Steinbroner of Touchpoint Productions, paul@touchpointproductions.com at (541) 941-5317 to schedule a preview.

Thank you for your interest and support.

Panel Discussion with Knowledge Keepers – Part 1/ June 23, 2020

(Canada)

In honour of National Indigenous Peoples Day, Anishinaabe Elder Dr. David Courchene, Métis Cree knowledge keeper Maria Campbell, and Inuk professor and Elder Dr. Karla J. Williamson participated in a panel discussion with Canadian Ministers Carolyn Bennett, Marc Miller, and Dan Vandal. This first installment in a two-part conversation touches on a variety of important topics to Indigenous peoples across Canada.(transcript)

Wolf Joe is an exciting and brand-new animated series that follows the daily adventures of Joe, a young First Nations boy who, with his two best friends, is inspired by the universal values of The Seven Teachings Wheel to explore his Indigenous culture, heritage, and identity. Premiered January 8, 2021. 

The Turtle Lodge Presents a Special Winter Solstice Presentation: “Lighting the Sacred Fire.”

Highlighting Turtle Lodge Knowledge Keepers Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Jane Meader, Hereditary Chief Stephen Augustine, and Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud.  

Featuring Entertainers Buffy Sainte-Marie & Serena Ryder, and Music by Melissa Etheridge & Archie Roach!

We hope you enjoy it.