Standing on Sacred Ground: Jane Jacobs of the Skaroreh Katenuaka Nation

            Season 2 closes with one of the most powerful conversations we've had.    In Episode 38, I sit down with Jane Jacobs of the Skaroreh Katenuaka Nation in North Carolina — founder of Eastern Woodland Protectors, water protector, seedkeeper, and advocate for ancestral land. This episode runs just over an hour. Part of that time includes a reflection on Season 2 — the growth, the numbers, and the voices shared — but the heart of this finale belongs to Jane and her story. Jane speaks about the deep connection between land, water, language, and people — how they are not separate things, but one and the same. She shares the history of her Nation's presence in North Carolina, the legacy of Indian Woods, and the responsibility to protect the land for seven generations. We talk about the Cape Fear River, once a traditional trade and fishing route for her people — now polluted with PFAS and GenX chemicals released by Chemours, a DuPont spin-off. Jane explains how these “forever chemicals” entered the waterway and what it means for elders who still rely on that river for food. The story of corporate pollution in this region was portrayed in the film Dark Waters starring Mark Ruffalo. Ruffalo also produced the documentary GenX, examining the ongoing contamination of the Cape Fear River and the human cost of industrial waste: The Good Mind Project — a plan to use hemp to filter toxins from water and soil, create sustainable housing materials, and restore balance. The conversation then turns to the 2024 confrontation at the Cedar Point / Bridge View archaeological site, one of the most significant Native archaeological discoveries in North Carolina in over 30 years. Jane and others gathered in ceremony to honor ancestral remains uncovered during construction. What followed was a violent assault and a legal battle that is still unfolding. She shares what happened that day, the trauma that followed, and the strength it takes to forgive. This episode is not just about activism. It is about responsibility. It is about water. It is about memory. It is about what we owe the generations coming after us. If you want to reach Jane Jacobs or support her work, you can contact her at:    [email protected]