88: The Story of a Wildcat: Community Resilience and Cultural Connection

Our latest LiveWell podcast episode features an enlightening conversation with Dr. Dan Wildcat, a professor at Haskell Indian Nations University and a profound thinker on Indigenous perspectives of ecology, technology, and community. Dr. Wildcat shares his transformative journey from Sociology to Environmental studies, deeply influenced by his mentor, Vine Deloria Jr. In his book co-authored with Vine Deloria Jr., Power and Place (2001), covers the challenges that Native American students experience throughout educational systems and professions. Additionally, in his most recent book, Red Alert! Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge (2009), Dr. Wildcat uses Native American wisdom and a perspective that is centered in nature for modern solutions to global warming.  In this episode, we discuss:·       His unique approach to understanding the relationship between nature and culture through an Indigenous lens·       The concept of eco-kinship and moving beyond anthropocentric thinking·       His experience writing "Red Alert" and finding hope in the face of climate change challenges·       The power of storytelling, gratitude, and generosity in creating resilient communities·       The importance of reframing technology to enhance life for all living beings, not just human convenienceWhether you're an environmentalist, educator, or anyone interested in Indigenous wisdom and sustainable living, this episode offers profound insights into reimagining our relationship with the natural world. Listen now and subscribe for more stories that challenge conventional thinking and inspire holistic well-being.Today’s podcast was brought to you by UCLA’s Semel Healthy Campus Initiatives Center. It really means a lot to our team when you rate and review LiveWell on your preferred listening platform. Thank you so much for supporting our storytelling. We also have links in the show notes on our website: https://healthy.ucla.edu/ If you have any questions or want to suggest a guest to be interviewed, please reach out at: [email protected]  To stay up to date with our latest podcasts, make sure to follow us on Instagram @healthyucla