Lessons from Abya Yala: The Indigenous Peoples of Suriname with Sherlien Sanches
Mother Earth Medicine PodcastShow Notes
In this episode, we speak with Sherlien Sanches of the Kaliña Nation of Suriname, a country in Abya Yala (South America). Her peoples were colonized and enslaved by the Netherlands starting in the 1500s. She currently lives in Amsterdam to advocate and educate for her people, where she helped create the Indigenous Knowledge Center. There are currently the bodies of Kalina babies in the basements of Dutch museums in preserved water. Part of her work is to rematriate their bodies to proper plac...
More from Mother Earth Medicine Podcast
In Episode 6, co-host Dr. Lyla June Johnston (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese) speaks with Margo Robbins (Yurok), Co-founder and Executive Director of the Cultural Fire Management Council, Co-lead of the Indigenous People’s Burn Network, and member of the International Indigenous-led Fire Network. Margo is a mom and a grandma, and lives on the Yurok Reservation in far Northern California, United States. Margo shares how carefully working with fire can help water return to the land, create healthier hab...
In Episode 5, co-host Dr. Lyla June Johnston (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese) speaks with Dr. Nelly Masayi (Luhya), an Indigenous academic from western Kenya, about the role of Indigenous knowledge in protecting biodiversity, addressing climate change, and sustaining communities. Together, they explore the impacts of colonization on Indigenous cultures, land ownership, food systems, and women’s roles. Don't miss this conversation! Listen to “Indigenous Kenya: The Power of Luhya Knowledge to Protect Bi...
In Episode 4, co-host Lyla June Johnston (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese) speaks with Tanaya Winder (Shoshone, Ute, Diné, and Paiute), an accomplished author, singer-songwriter, poet, and motivational speaker, about burn out and working from our heart’s purpose. Tanaya combines storytelling, singing, and poetry to delve into themes of healing, love, and discovering one's purpose—what she calls "heartwork," as a form of medicine and encourages individuals to harness their voices as a source of power. &n...
In Episode 3, co-host Aimee Roberson (Chahta/Chikashsha) speaks with Alicia Moncada (Wayuu) and Avexnim Cojtí (Maya K'iche') about what it means to be Indigenous, how all of humanity has Indigenous roots, and the fierce love needed to care for and ensure the continuance of our cultures, communities, and connections to Mother Earth. Don't miss this conversation! Listen to “Fierce Love: Balancing Nurture and Defense of Our Communities.”
In Episode 2, one of our hosts, Dr. Lyla June Johnston (Diné/Tsétsêhéstâhese), speaks with Burhan Sönmez about the revitalization of the Kurdish language. Listen to “Healing Our Future: Mother Earth Medicine with Lyla June and Aimee Roberson”.