On "Right Relationship" -- an interview with Janene Yazzie
Janene Yazzie is a Diné Asa Navajo entreprenuer, community organizer and human rights advocate. She has worked on development and energy issues with Indigenous communities across the United States for over 12 years. Among her many outstanding accomplishments, Janene is co-founder/CEO of Sixth-World Solutions, a co-convener of the Indigenous Peoples Major Group to the United Nations High Level Political Forum, a program manager for the International Indian Treaty Council, and a co-founder of the Navajo Nation Little Colorado River Watershed Chapters Association.
In Part 1 of these interviews, Janene talks with Cherokee citizen, Vance Blackfox, about her background and identity, steps for personal and societal transformation, and how to stay "in a good way." Click to listen to Part 1.
In Part 2, Janene talks with Vance about the importance of rights-based solutions, community-led efforts to regeneratively care for Creation, ways the world religions are related and connected to Mother Earth and our non-human relatives, and offers some words of encouragement. Click to listen to Part 2.
“As much as I'm seeing the non-Indigenous world really get overwhelmed and experience new things like climate grief — what we’re seeing as Indigenous Peoples are all the necessary signs that are telling us, “A new way is coming. A new way is possible.”
“If we’re not able to tap into something deeper, into a deeper connection and a deeper imagination based on where we’re connected to, to place, then we’re gonna continue to be limited in our solutions.”
“We’re here to re-establish and remember our deep connection to our Mother and what a gift that is.”
“What are the social/cultural structures that need to be created so that we’re creating communities that are sustainable and regenerative?”
"Don't give up. Don't give up. A beautiful world is possible and it’s being birthed right now, and it needs all of us to be there to help guide it into existence.”
###
These interviews are part of our Fall 2021 collection, Sacred Relationship, guest edited by Vance Blackfox, exploring the Native American sense of sacred relationship with Earth’s other living creatures.
