We live in a time where current economic thought is destroying us and the planet. There are incredible economic principles embedded within Indigenous cultures and within our languages that can help us today. For example, did you know that the Menominee Nation has one of the world’s most successful sustainable logging companies? They have exported 2.5 billion board feet of lumber, and yet the tract of land they supervise has doubled its weight in biomass. How do they do this? It’s simpler than you think and you can find out on our online class.

Did you know that the world of music we know is only one of many worlds? The Celebrity-Performance-Fan paradigm of music was virtually unknown in Pre-Columbian culture. Rather, music was steeped in community, ceremony, togetherness and prayer. For example, look at the pow-wow drum. We never sing alone, but join many voices to make a powerful song. The drum is only one instrument. There is no high hat, no piano, no guitar, and yet, we manage to generate a sound so powerful, everything around us can feel it’s profound beauty.

We are fortunate to have a guest presentation by Nicolle Gonzalez, founder of The Changing Woman Initiative (this will be a hyperlink to this: www.changingwomaninitiative.com). This organization is actively revitalizing traditional Indigenous birthing and midwifery practices for native people. 100% of proceeds from our class will provide scholarships for Diné women to take her Indigenous doula training in Window Rock, NM. I will interview her about Indigenous birthing practices and how they differ from America’s way of doing things. We are sure to learn many interesting things about different ways babies can be brought into the world.