The Four Sacred Gifts Podcast with Dr. Anita Sanchez

Help us celebrate 10 years of Be Here Now Network and support the next chapter of Ram Dass Here and Now. Gifts are matched dollar for dollar through June 30. Learn more and give at https://beherenownetwork.com/10years.This time on The Four Sacred Gifts podcast, Community organizer Britt Gondolfi joins Anita to explore the impact of knowing your roots, embracing your story, and becoming a force for good.Anita and Britt explore:What it means to understand the self and the shame we carry with us The importance of tracing where you come fromConnecting to our ancestors in dream life and waking lifeTaking responsibility for the care of ecosystems The beauty of being in community with people who want to do something goodNavigating conflict through love Going to court on behalf of our environment About Britt Gondolfi:Britt Gondolfi, born and raised in Southeast Louisiana, is a children’s book author, community organizer, and mother. Since 2017, Britt has worked with the Bioneers Intercultural Conversation Program, facilitating programming for students from Atlanta, Bogalusa, and Houma. While in law school, Britt supported the Bioneers Rights of Nature initiative by researching the intersection of tribal sovereignty and Federal Indian law, facilitating workshops on the Rights of Nature at the Ho-Chunk and Mashpee Wampanoag nations. She recently took a stand for women’s rights, running a fierce campaign for State Senate in Louisiana. Her first Children’s book, “Look Up! Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution,” is a hilarious social commentary on digital distraction and Nature’s fight to save us from ourselves. “I have to recognize that all of that historical memory lives in me, and within this body and lifetime. How do I alchemize the lessons of all of my ancestors? ” – Britt GondolfiSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Environmental health advocate Mackenzie Feldman reveals how grassroots action and land stewardship can reshape our relationship with the earth, from the grounds of college campuses to the food systems that sustain us all. This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Mackenzie explore:Pesticide testing in Hawaii: ground zero for industrial agriculture Learning about our food systems and grassroots movements against GMOsMackenzie’s work transforming college campuses to not use pesticidesThe fight against Monsanto and cancer-causing chemicals The direct connection between land care and the food we consumeTaking a stand and challenging the dominance of humans over natureTransforming our relationship to the land we live on Following our purpose in life and the natural unfolding of our divine path Connecting our personal life and our professional lifeTaking inspiration from indigenous cultures even if we ourselves are not indigenous  “It’s all connected and now my work is focused on school campuses and getting pesticides out, but it’s also about so much more than that. It’s really about taking a stand on how we want to interact with the land, how we want to be in relationship with land, how we want to challenge this dominance of humans over nature.” –Mackenzie FeldmanAbout Mackenzie Feldman:Born and raised in Hawai'i, Mackenzie Feldman is the founder and co-director of Re:wild Your Campus, an organization that works with institutions to eliminate pesticide use and support groundskeepers in the transition to organic, biodiverse landcare. Re:wild Your Campus has partnered with 100+ schools and trained 800+ students and community members through its Advocacy Bootcamp. They have helped improve thousands of acres of campus landscapes, protecting over half a million students annually from toxic pesticide exposure. Mackenzie is a 2026 Forbes 30 U 30 honoree and a 2025 Obama Foundation USA Leader. She holds a MS from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and is the author of the cookbook, Groundbakers. Contact Mackenzie at www.rewild.org.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From The Four Sacred Gifts Ep. 20 - Co-Creating with the Universe featuring Anita Sanchez & Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn, MaoriIndigenous activist Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn teaches Māori wisdom, guiding listeners to co-create reality and find their place within the universe.This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Catherine chat about:- Catherine’s early life, upbringing, and academic background in law and philosophy- Indigenous rights and Māori negotiations with the Crown in New Zealand- The Māori concept of pure potential and spiritual cosmology- The fractal nature of things, how the micro and macro reflect each other in the universe- How humans and the universe can co-create reality - The tension between science and indigenous spirituality - Expanding awareness: humanity’s role within a greater cosmic intelligenceAbout Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn:Catherine Murupaenga-Ikenn hails from the Ngāti Kurī and Te Rarawa Māoripeoples of Aotearoa (New Zealand). She has been an Indigenous human rights activist, advocate for decolonisation, and environmental defender most of her adult life. Her credentials include a Master of Laws; official roles in both of her tribes' Treaty Claims negotiations with the New Zealand Government; two UN human rights Indigenous Fellowships (representing the Pacific); and as a delegate representing her Māori people at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.A former educator and now proud grandmother, she is currently focused on building climate resilience and food sovereignty in her community through an organisation to which she belongs, Climate Action Tai Tokerau. "That is the infrastructure of the universe. That is the scaffolding of reality, that we as humans are able to interact and somehow engage that scaffolding and co-create reality as we go along." –Catherine Murupaenga-IkennSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leading figure in the fight against human trafficking, Hasina Kharbhih, joins Anita for a powerful talk on feminine leadership and dismantling exploitation. In this episode, Anita and Hasina Kharbhih chat about:A woman’s journey into taking care of the ancestral homeThe joy, curiosity, and responsibility of communityHasina’s nonprofit Impulse NGO Network, combating human trafficking, unsafe migration, and exploitationHow vulnerable populations become trapped in cycles of trafficking and systemic abuseCommunity-based strategies for preventing crime and addressing social injusticeThe “Six R’s” framework for human trafficking intervention: report, rescue, rehabilitation, repatriation, reintegration, and restitutionReducing exploitation by training other nonprofits in human trafficking interventionsCultivating hope, resilience, and the belief that social change is possibleNurturing as a transformative model of women’s leadership and ethical social impactAmplifying the life-giving forces that all of us haveAbout Hasina Kharbhih:Hasina Kharbhih of the Khasi Tribe in Northeast India is an Ashoka Fellow and Aspen ILI Fellow. Ms. Kharbhih created the nationally and internationally acknowledged Impulse Model (formerly known as The Meghalaya Model), a holistic method to address human trafficking. On the basis of the model, key stakeholders from the public and private sectors work in collaboration to combat human trafficking and strengthen each other’s work by incorporating some fundamental components. Karbhih is also the founder and managing director of Impulse Social Enterprises which aims to promote local artisans and create sustainable livelihood that helps prevent unsafe migration, which often leads to human trafficking. She is also founder chair of the board of Impulse NGO Network, a significant force against human trafficking today. For 31 years now, she has been working to provide sustainable livelihood in a safe environment for women and children. What started out as a mission in her home state of Meghalaya, has today evolved into a global program that aims to put an end to human trafficking and exploitation worldwide. Keep up with Hasina on Instagram."Shared leadership is the strength of addressing any development challenges or a crime as human trafficking. When we all stand together, we respond much more efficiently." –Hasina KharbhihSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Speaking to our spiritual hunger, Kahontakwas Diane Longboat invites listeners to transform the world by reclaiming sovereignty of the mind and uncovering our unique gifts.In this inspirational episode, Anita and Kahontakwas Diane Longboat discuss:A special blessing for listeners and offering praise to mother earthThe three elements of a good mind according to the Haudenosaunee Today’s challenge: to take great care of our mindsStabilizing and nurturing our young people for the next Seven GenerationsHow sovereignty of the mind creates the foundation of true communityDeep spirituality and praying for our teachersKnowing your self, your gifts, and your purpose in the worldForgiveness as the first step towards unityThe Great Awakening as an inner process, one person at a timeThe spiritual evolution of humanity and the healing of mother earthContributing to the river of change through our unique destinies Remembering that everything is sacred and that we all are born from the earth and starsReleasing old mindsets and beliefs that hinder our growth“Today, our challenge is to take care of our minds, to be mindful of what we say, what we do, what we allow to come into our minds. The movies we watch, the music we listen to, the kinds of folks that we allow within our family boundaries. That sovereignty of the mind is critical because there are forces that are at work in the world, cosmic forces, forces outside of our human consciousness, that are trying to program us to hate, to be greedy, to make war, to fear each other” –Kahontakwas Diane LongboatAbout Kahontakwas Diane Longboat:Kahontakwas Diane Longboat, B.A, B.Ed, M.Ed is a member of the Turtle Clan, Mohawk Nation at Six Nations Grand River Territory, Canada and a citizen of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Diane’s work has been situated for decades at the intersection of health, education and systems metamorphosis based on traditional Indigenous epistemology. Born of vision, in 1994, Diane founded Soul of the Mother, a healing and teaching Lodge of Nations, on the shores of the Grand River. It is the home of international teachers of peace and healing and a refuge for those seeking healing and strengthening of their own gifts. Diane also founded First Nations House, the Office of Indigenous Student Services and Programs at the University of Toronto. Working alongside gifted leaders, Diane is the President/Founder of the Institute for the Study of Spirit, a national Indigenous women-led charity dedicated to supporting international ceremonial gatherings through a global network of spiritual leaders and healers. Get a hold of Diane through email at [email protected]. “Deep spirituality is not signing up for a course or a workshop. Deep spirituality means that you're going to first and foremost pray for your teacher. When you're ready, that teacher will appear and will hopefully be connected to community, to lodges that will assist you on the journey of your own healing and self-development.” –Kahontakwas Diane LongboatSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anita Sanchez and Joannah Tindongan have a soulful conversation on Ifugao wisdom, ancestral lineage, and keeping traditional culture alive in the modern world.This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Joannah Tindongan talk about:Joannah’s experience growing up between two cultures The Ifugao people of the Philippines and Joannah’s indigenous paternal lineageGetting young people interested in traditional ways of living Ifugao creation stories and keeping the lineage alive through storytelling Respecting women, elders, the land, and all beings The importance of connection both with community and the natural world around us Communicating with our ancestors in sleeping and waking lifeThe gift of being a student of life and approaching all things with curiosity Remembering that time is not linear and that we have the power to heal “To cook on a fire, to plant the rice, to do the rituals, to pick food from the garden, to fetch drinking water, All those things are part of the way that we used to live. That’s one of the biggest impacts we can have, to relearn how to do the simple living in this crazy, busy world that we’re in now.” –Joannah TindonganAbout Joannah Tindongan:Joannah was born in the Philippines and raised in Appalachian Ohio, in the United States. She is an Indigenous Filipina-US community organizer and culture bearer with passion for Indigenous advocacy, social justice, and defense of IP land and water sovereignty. A former community organizer for many years in the US, she now lives in the Cordillera mountains of the Philippines, in neighboring tribal lands. She works with her father and community to revitalize and teach Indigenous culture & traditional living through the Ifugao Center for Living Culture, which they founded together, and she loves traveling to teach and learn with Indigenous siblings around the world.“One of my biggest dreams is that folks realize that there are less barriers to connecting with our surroundings and with our ancestors than we think.” –Joannah TindonganSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Indigenous scholar Apela Colorado, Ph.D., joins Anita Sanchez to explore the power of dreamwork and practical ways to reconnect our inner and outer polarities.Grab yourself a Ram Dass inspired dream journal and start on your own heart-centered dreamwork journey.This week on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Dr. Apela Colorado discuss:A loving prayer for all of those who are suffering around the worldInner connection between the self and larger reality Dr. Apela’s experience growing up embedded into nature Facing the shadowy parts of ourselves and the worldHow Dr. Apela moved through the traumatic parts of her childhoodRe-indigenizing reality and looking for ways that our inner polarities can be brought togetherDreamworkers, dream ceremonies, and Dr. Apela’s prayer to her ancestors  How dreams can do so much for us, and are actually very influential to our waking reality “Before you go to bed at night, just ask your ancestors to allow you to have a dream—to sense whatever it is, and just leave it at that. Open your heart. Say it truly not just from your head, but from your heart.” –Anita SanchezAbout Apela Colorado, Ph.D.  Founder of the Worldwide Indigenous Science Network, Apela Colorado, Ph.D.(Oneida-Gaul) is a pioneering scholar, educator, and cultural bridge-builder whose work spans Indigenous knowledge systems, social policy, and spiritual ecology. A Ford Foundation Fellow, she earned her Ph.D. in Social Policy from Brandeis University in 1982, with additional studies in Federal Indian Law and Child Welfare at Harvard University. She has served as a representative to the United Nations Earth Summit, a delegate to the Conference on Religion and Environment hosted by the President of Indonesia, and an advisory board member for the South African Research Chair in Development Education. Her scholarly publications explore the intersections of Indigenous wisdom, spirituality, and science. She is the author of Woman Between the Worlds: A Call to Your Ancestral and Indigenous Wisdom (Hay House, 2021), and co-author of numerous academic works on cultural revitalization and sacred ecology. Learn more HERE. “I found out if you want to do revolutionary work, for me it means work that sustains life, it means the sacred feminine, it means the connection of feminine and masculine, the polarities and bringing them together through love.” –Apela Colorado, Ph.D.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Holding gratitude for the ways Mother Earth supports all beings, Spiritual Healer Taita Pacha Kanchay describes the indigenous mission to be a voice for the land. This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Taita Pacha Kanchay chat about :The profound indigenous connection to Mother Earth and the wisdom of listening to her deeplyHealing the planet by embracing unity and recognizing all beings as brothers and sistersHow to transform the world through indigenous systems of knowledge The sacred power of indigenous ceremonies and honoring our ancestors with reverenceOpening your heart and mind in order to spread goodness in the worldThe practice of forgiveness—releasing resentment and anger to free ourselves from negative energyLiving in harmony with the Earth and understanding why indigenous wisdom endures through generationsGratitude for Mother Earth’s gifts and the importance of living in reciprocityListening to nature as a way to remember our deep interconnectedness with all lifeAbout Taita Pacha Kanchay: Taita Pacha Kanchay is a healer whose ancestral name means "the sun-glint that penetrates the earth." As a Yanakuna Yachak, also known as a "spiritual authority," Pacha has devoted his life to studying and practicing the spiritual traditions passed down by his ancestors and elders.Today, he serves as a speaker and the Coordinator of the Great National Council of Indigenous Elders in Colombia (ONIC), representing a remarkable alliance of 115 tribes. He is also a representative of the Worldwide Indigenous Science Network, a United Nations Delegate, and an activist for Indigenous Sovereignty and environmental justice. A carrier of the sacred medicine of Yagé (Ayahuasca), Pacha's driving purpose is to exemplify and share the knowledge of coexistence in harmony with Mother Earth's spirit and wisdom. Affectionately known as “the healer of the healers” in Colombia, he offers healing on every level—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Pacha's transformative work inspires individuals worldwide to embrace the interconnectedness of all beings and rediscover their innate connection to nature and tap into the endless wellspring of wisdom that resides within. You can reach him at [email protected]. “This is the time when indigenous tribes need to guide and share the wisdom of our Mother Earth because us as indigenous tribes, we have the mission to be the voices of the lands.” –Taita Pacha KanchaySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lawyer and activist, Pooven Moodley, reveals how individual transformation can help guide the entire planet toward a new frequency and energetic direction.This week on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Pooven discuss :A brief grounding practice to meet each other in the present moment Pooven’s journey into activism, joining the anti-apartheid struggle as a youth leader in South AfricaPooven’s initial experience receiving messages from the beyond: planetary energy points, his life’s path, and ways to transform the earthHow the planet is urging us to embark on our own transformational healing journeysKundalini awakening of the earth and the shift in frequency of our planet Piercing through the veil of our identities and deconstructing what we think we know about ourselvesTaking a deeper look at who we are, where we come from, and why we are hereHow each of us has a specific mission and purpose in this lifetime Opening ourselves through ceremony and releasing the patterns of the past Transforming ourselves individually to co-create a transformed worldPutting one foot into the dance of creation as we end the dance of destructionSeeing ourselves as sacred beings and tapping into our full potential About Pooven Moodley:Pooven Moodley is an international human rights and environmental lawyer from South Africa and a social justice activist. Pooven co-founded the Earthrise Collective which weaves ancient wisdom, activism and alternatives.He was previously the Executive Director of Natural Justice, a human rights and environmental justice non-profit law firm, representing indigenous and local communities across Africa in their struggles to stop the violation of rights and the destruction of their territories of life. He has contributed to a range of struggles across the globe starting with the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa when he was 14. Pooven is a Council member of the ICCA Consortium (a global movement of indigenous and local communities protecting their territories) and the Chair of the Defending the Territories of Life stream working with environmental and land defenders. He is on the Board of Awana Digital which backs up indigenous communities and their territories combining ancient knowledge with other technologies. Keep up with Pooven on Instagram.  “What we do need to focus on is our own inner transformation in order for the world to be transformed.” –Pooven MoodleySee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sharing stories from his life on St. Paul Island, Indigenous elder Ilarion ‘Kuuyux’ Merculieff reflects on freedom, community, and the resilience of Mother Earth.This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Ilarion chat about:Learning how to be present as a core feature of Ilarion’s island upbringing Taking in the power of nature and silently  integrating all deep experiences before discussing them aloudBeing raised by a village, spiritual mentorship, and learning how to revere nature, wildlife, and all thingsTrusting the innate wisdom we are all born with—especially the natural intuition of childrenHow Ilarion learned from sea birds and developed a deep relationship with the natural world The importance of feminine energy and the gift of feeling deeplyIlarion’s experience of being treated as a slave by the United States governmentReclaiming freedom, moving to traditional teachings and a consensus-based way of governanceThe illusion of individualism and how we can exist fully in community The resilience of Mother Earth and our responsibility to purify ourselves and the world around us“When you have something that hits you so wonderfully in your heart, you don’t voice it out. You integrate it in yourself. Voicing it out will lose its power. The power of nature is to be taken in first and you use few words. Words are considered superfluous or even dangerous by my people.” – Ilarion ‘Kuuyux’ MerculieffAbout Kuuyux (Ilarion) Merkelieff:Kuuyux (Ilarion) Merkelieff was raised in a traditional Unangan (Aleut) way on St. Paul Island.  At age 18, he started his career in modern western society, both as an advocate for his tribe, and representing Native-American students at the University of Washington. Then, went on to head up many boards, councils, and organizations and visited and shared with many Indigenous cultures world-wide. Kuuyux is the founder of GCILL: Global Center for Indigenous Leadership. He dropped out of his establishment roles and ever since then he has been living the legacy of his traditional name and role—Kuuyux, which is given to one person in each lifetime, meaning: a carrier of ancient knowledge into modern times, a messenger. His present work revolves much around the council of Elders he co-founded, called the Wisdom Weavers of the World, to bring the messages of Elders from throughout the world to global attention. Kuuyux can be reached by email at [email protected]“The thing that saved us was we went back to traditional teachings and discarded all the western ways which includes one man one vote. We went to consensus and respecting each other. We understood that process is more important than goal.” – Ilarion ‘Kuuyux’ MerculieffSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Highlighting The Great Peace Law, Indigenous grassroots organizer, Serena Mendizabal, discusses preserving and protecting indigenous wisdom and land rights.This week on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Serena delve into:Serena’s experience growing up on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory and its deep cultural significanceThe story of The Great Law of Peace and Serena’s family title: It Touches the SkyIndigenous land defense and sovereignty conflicts with the Canadian government Supporting Indigenous people across the globe through understanding their protection of land and riversThe power of intergenerational storytelling and preserving ancestral indigenous wisdomResidential school survivors and maintaining peace through maintaining families and ceremoniesUplifting youth voices and Serena’s grassroots, community-driven changeFinding collective hope in cultural restoration, environmental protection, and access to ceremony Renewable energy sources as a path to healthiness in indigenous communities Sacred Earth: Serena’s work with getting solar power supplied to First Nations people “We’ve always been on these lands. We hold relationship to these lands. The lands govern us, we govern them, and that relationship surpasses settlers arriving here.” – Serena MendizabalAbout Serena Mendizabal, Cayuga Wolf Clan-Panamanian from Six Nations:Serena Medizabal (she/her) is a Cayuga Wolf Clan-Panamanian woman from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. Serena is a community-based researcher, grassroots organizer, and environmental advocate. Serena began her journey in climate justice and clean energy when she was 18 finding gaps in community consent for renewable energy projects and further explored what climate justice and a just transition can look like in a community of over 28,000 members. From then on, Serena has dedicated her life toIndigenous self-determination, climate justice, environmental health impacts, and clean energy transitions through studies, work, and extracurriculars. Serena is passionate about self-determined community development, action, and futures led by sovereign,healthy nations. Serena is the Director Manager at Sacred Earth Solar, Co-Chair at SevenGen National Indigenous Youth Energy Council, Climate Action Strategy Co-Lead at Protect the Tract, and Course Collaborator for Connecting for Climate Change Action, as well as Board of Director at Student Energy. Learn more HERE or on Instagram.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Yoruba Elder Iya Tahirah Abubakr offers wisdom on the profound medicine of suffering and how we can transform personal and ancestral pain into a beautiful expression of creation. This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Iya discuss:Iya’s upbringing as the daughter of a sharecropper and how indigenous ways of living offered wisdom beyond sufferingThe beauty of village life in rural Mississippi—growing up connected to the land, nature, and communityThe loss of outdoor play and imagination in today’s children, and how this disconnects them from nature and spiritIya’s transformative encounter with Native American culture and how it deepened her understanding of ancestral wisdomRedefining suffering as a sacred teacher and a gateway to spiritual growth and resilienceProcessing trauma and emotional pain so that we are not trapped in the wounds of the pastThey ley lines of truth in the world and remembering that truth doesn’t lie Remembering our ‘indigenality’ as individual and collective beings on this earthHonoring the bloodline of our ancestors and stepping into our full expression as sacred beingsDissolving the illusion of separation by becoming a compassionate, unified world communityAsking why our souls chose to incarnate now—and discovering what sacred gifts we’re here to offerThe vital importance of initiating youth into indigenous wisdom and holding a new vision for the next generationAbout Iya Tahirah Abubakr:Iya Tahirah Abubakr is a Black American with Yoruba ancestry, born River Lee Adams in Pocahontas, Mississippi. Iya was initiated by Ifa Priestess Yamaya in the ancestral traditions of the Yoruba people of western Africa and studied and trained with Malidoma Some' in shamanism. She is a medicine woman, diviner, shamanic practitioner, She provides initiatory guidance and trainings for those who seek greater wisdom in the mystery, she is founder & co-founder for the St. Croix Council of Elders. Iya’s life purpose and dedication are to the service of humanity as a whole and to leave the earth in a greater place than she found it. You can reach Iya at [email protected]. There's a richness to the fact that I grew up as a daughter of a sharecropper. I realize that underneath that was a deep love and protection. Had I not had that, I would not be the person I am today, because beyond the suffering was the indigenous way that we lived in life. That's why I like to bring African people back to understand that closeness to land and living, no matter what we're going through, when we have that connection to land, to nature, that is your friend, mother, that is what carries you." – Iya Tahirah AbubakrSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cultural astronomer and ethnoecologist, Geraldine Patrick Encina, offers a rediscovery of Mesoamerican cosmic calendars and discusses how we can realign with the cosmos and the earth. In this episode, Anita and Geraldine explore:Geraldine’s past life memories and receiving sacred spirit names from ceremonies and eldersMesoamerican use of sacred songs and alchemy to invoke rain and connect with natural elementsThe role and personification of the planet Venus for Mesoamerican peopleRecovering the original ancestral calendars to reconnect with cosmic time cyclesThe impact of modern mechanistic society in creating fear, scarcity, hyper-competitiveness, and a perpetual sense of being rushedThe transformative practice of letting go and detaching from habits, beliefs, and energies that no longer serve usReconnecting with the nurturing embrace of Mother Earth and the expansive wisdom of Father Sky to savor the present momentEmbracing our interconnection and interdependence with others, nature, and the planet as a wholeCultivating personal and collective responsibility for our role within the greater natural ecosystemSacred sites in Mexico and how holding ceremonies there reconnects us with the moment of creationLooking to the sky, namely Venus and the moon, for environmental answers and cosmic alignment About Geraldine Patrick Encina, PhD:Geraldine lives in the Highlands of Mexico in the sacred landscape of the Otomi Peoples, originally called Zanbatha, the Valley of the Moon. As an Ethnoecologist and a Cultural Astronomer, Geraldine has generated extensive knowledge about the astronomical, ecological, agricultural and spiritual underpinnings of ancient Mesoamerican cosmos and timekeeping systems in the form of calendars and monuments within urban layouts that are aligned to Sun, Moon and Venus appearing in the horizon on dates that are highlighted in the original calendars that she has recovered. Her Mesoamerican timekeeping theory and practices are helping indigenous peoples revitalize long-forgotten calendars and astronomical almanacs. It is also helping people from traditional communities to re-signify the holistic approach to life of their elders by way of honoring and understanding their ancestors’ scientific legacy. Read more about Geraldine on Oneearth.org or check out her blog HERE. You learn more about Geraldin's work and get in touch with her at Earthtimekeepers.org “We're breathing in oxygen that (among other elements) is coming right from that tree and the plants I am looking at. I can start connecting on a deeper level and be thankful that it exists, that it is thriving, and that it is able to give us this oxygen. Not just me, but also the birds that are enjoying the presence of the tree and all the little insects.” – Geraldine Patrick EncinaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Anita Sanchez and Indigenous social entrepreneur, Hasina Kharbhih, explore matrilineal leadership, climate justice, and the prevention of human trafficking through culturally rooted, community-based innovations.In this episode, Anita and Hasina explore:Growing up as an Indigenous woman in a matrilineal societyThe loss of land and how vulnerability gets createdThe 12 pillars of Hasina’s Impulse ModelCombating human trafficking effectively across South and Southeast AsiaThe connection between climate change, migration, and human traffickingThe Journey with Purpose Initiative and showcasing Indigenous resilienceReviving Indigenous Wisdom Through Land and ArtShared farming on reclaimed Indigenous land, seed banking, and traditional textile production as migration-prevention and cultural preservationThe rise of female voices and matrilineal leadershipHow ancient Indigenous wisdom offers real-world solutions to global crisesJoin Buddhist Teacher David Nichtern and Duncan Trussell for a conversation about finding our own voice, our own expression, and our own way of connecting with people. Learn more about this FREE online gathering - AUTHENTIC PRESENCE: FINDING YOUR OWN VOICEAbout Hasina Kharbhih:For 36 years now, Hasina has been working to provide sustainable livelihoods in a safe environment for women and children. What started out as a mission in her home state of Meghalaya has today evolved into a global program that aims to put an end to human trafficking and exploitation worldwide. Hasina’s work stands on two pillars: the first is Impulse NGO Network which was conceptualised in 1987 and is a significant force against human trafficking today; the second pillar is Impulse Social Enterprises which aims to promote local artisans and create sustainable livelihood through its artisan brand Impulse Empower, that helps prevent unsafe migration, which often leads to human trafficking.You can read more about Hasina’s work by visiting the websites linked above, or read about some of the incredible people and ideas that have enriched her life over the years by exploring her blog here.“The economy of movement is the vital importance of giving choices to women who are the custodians of taking care of the land, the property, nature, and the family, where we capitalize on the traditional skills of these women, where they have a choice to be entrepreneurial from their home. Everywhere in the world, you’ll find indigenous people rich in craft, textiles, and all kinds of beautiful art. What we try to do is revive, restore.” – Hasina KharbhihSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cherokee activist Abraham Bearpaw encourages listeners to take back their power and live a life of balance through gratitude, intention, and more.Grab a copy of Abraham Bearpaw’s book, Walking in Balance, to learn more about living a fulfilled life of balance.This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Abraham discuss:Abraham’s parents and Cherokee lineageThe low life expectancy within the Pine Ridge ReservationThe tough times of Native activist Willa MankillerWhat it means to return to the center and live in balanceThe demands and pressures of societySubstance abuse and suicide prevention through Cherokee lessons in well-beingGratitude as a central tenant of ceremonyAspiring to be spiritually, mentally, physically, and socially wellUsing positivity for motivation instead of self-criticismConsidering why the creator made us the way we areSetting an intention for our day, every day, and taking back our powerShowing ourselves and others graceAbout Abraham Bearpaw:Abraham Bearpaw is an author, motivational speaker and creator of the Walking In Balance wellness program. Mr. Bearpaw is also a cultural activist and shares traditional teachings so that others can live fulfilled lives of wellness. In recovery for over 10 years, Abraham Bearpaw is a living example of the effectiveness of the Walking In Balance program. Through the Walking In Balance program, he has helped many individuals and families in their recovery and wellness journeys.  “How do we live a life where we can feel fulfilled when we’re bombarded every day, adults and children alike, by social media, by all of these things? The world has gotten a lot noisier. I say, return to center. For Cherokee people, we believe in 7 directions. Center, for me, is where I am and where my heart is. My center is love. That is where I return to.” – Abraham BearpawSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Taking wisdom from her Cherokee ancestors, leadership expert Cynthia Ruiz explains how values like harmony and balance make conscious leaders.This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Cynthia explore:Honoring the first peoples of the land we are onHaving wisdom from all sides of our ancestryGratitude for all the experiences we are givenHow we are all called to leadershipLeadership as the power to influence others, for better or worseBeing conscious of how we are influencing othersThe Cherokee value of the 7 generations of the past and futureStriving for balance within the realm of genderServing people and having integrity as core values of leadershipIndividual and collective methods of healingThe duty to help our communityBeing confident while maintaining humilityThe importance of ceremony for staying groundedOther dimensions within dream-states and dreams as messengersCurious about the land you are on? Go to Native Land Digital to find out who the first people are of your destination.About Cynthia Ruiz:Cynthia Ruiz Lion Mother (Cherokee Name) is an award winning professor, best selling author, commissioner, leadership expert, executive coach and personal development speaker. Receiving over 78 accolades and awards for her leadership and service to the community, she spent seven years as the president of the LA City multibillion-dollar pension fund. Cynthia holds a Masters of Science Degree in Counseling and has completed a Leadership Course at Harvard University, John F Kennedy School of Government. Coming from blended cultures (Latina and Native American), she enjoys a passion for life and an appreciation of the gifts of Mother Nature. Her passion is teaching others to rise to their power. Her Cherokee values have inspired her to share lessons she has learned from her ancestors. ynthia has authored or co-authored a total of eight books. She is the author of “Finding Sane Relationships in a Crazy World” (English & Spanish) a personal development book and “Cherokee Wisdom- 12 Lessons for becoming a Powerful Leader”. She appeared in Discover the Gift (movie/book) with such notables, as is Holiness the Dala Lama, Michael Bernard Beckwith, Jack Canfield and many more. Read more about her books on her website.“For me, it’s really important as a leader to be aware and to be conscious of how I am influencing others. I always go back to my core values. In Cherokee, our core values are living in harmony and balance. We believe that we’re not only connected to each other, but to everything that’s ever been and to everything that ever will be.” – Cynthia RuizSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Grandmother Helene joins Anita Sanchez to help bring humanity home to their ancestral calling and connection to the world.This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Grandmother Helene discuss:Helene’s upbringing and carrying the gift of her ancestorsThe lineage that Helene comes fromAllowing the collective to go in peace and be healedReciprocity for the planet, nature, and climateAllowing yourself to be in a silent spaceBeing gentle with ourselves along our healing journeyTransforming pain and listening to the call of mother earthAllowing ourselves to ask for help and moving away from shameHealing the past and making room for the futureComing home to our own sacrednessAbout Grandmother Helene Lindmark:Helene Lindmark, a guardian of Sápmi’s timeless traditions, intricately weaves their essence into the vibrant tapestry of modern society and guides you home to your own origin, the source within you. As a trauma specialist, Helene works to shift from the collective trauma to the present, helping move from your trauma presenting your limitations to embracing them as gifts. She bridges the voice between traditional knowledge and the contemporary understanding of sustainable practices. Learn more about Grandmother Helene’s work HERE.“I say often that I am a wisdom mother and my role in this world is to bring humanity home to the heart and to learn to listen within ourselves, to the silence, to the water, the pain. Give yourself five minutes everyday and just be.” – Grandmother Helene LindmarkSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Synthesizing Western and indigenous paradigms, Rutendo Ngara and Anita Sanchez discuss how we can start healing the earth’s wounds.This week, Anita and Rutendo Ngara journey through:A guided practice to connect with ancient wisdomThe importance of rivers and waterHow African rivers contribute to biodiversity and nourishment of lifeThe power of allowing wounds to healHealing the pain afflicted on mother earthHow harmony is the natural course of lifeThe process of healing as a stimulus to become a healerIndigenous views on interconnectionBreaking down the language of self and otherUniting the masculine and feminine, heart and mind, north and southWorking to establish councils for earth stewardshipThe importance of feedback and the flow of past, present, and futureAbout Rutendo Ngara:Rutendo Ngara is an African Indigenous Knowledge Systems practitioner and transdisciplinary researcher whose professional interests have spanned from clinical engineering, healthcare technology management, socio-economic development, mathematics, leadership and fashion design; to the interface between science, culture, cosmology, nature and paradigms of healing. Holding a M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, her transdisciplinary focus centres on synthesizing Western and Indigenous paradigms – particularly between medical knowledge systems. and is a member of a number of organisations dedicated to ancient wisdom, activism and the protection of sacred sites and bio-cultural regions. She has a passion for weaving art, science and spirituality towards healing of the Collective and restoration of the Whole. Learn more about Rutendo’s work with Ancient Wisdom, The Council of the Eagle and the Condor, and the Earthrise Collective.“If we are taken into disharmony, the natural course of life from natural law is to take us back into harmony. Then we continue this dance. The wounding, if we interact with it carefully, with awareness and mindfulness, is there to take us back into a higher state of consciousness.” – Rutendo NgaraSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Confronting the impacts of racism and stress on Indigenous health and culture, Dr. YellowBird and Anita explore healing through ceremony.Learn more about Dr. Yellowbird’s work on neurodecolonization and Indigenous mindfulness HEREThis week, Anita and Michael YellowBird delve into:An opening meditation from Dr. YellowBirdIndigenous creation stories and calling on a divine powerDeep relationships with wild plantsThe inevitability of struggling and over-valuing comfortThe racism Dr. YellowBird experienced growing up in the 60’sDr. YellowBird’s research into indigenous mindfulness and decolonizationHow belief in something changes our brainHow the government destroyed collectivist cultureThe strain that stress, racism, etc. has had on indigenous healthReversing generational trauma through mindfulness practiceGiving as well as receiving in our relationship to the earthThe healing power of connecting with natureAbout Michael YellowBirdDr. Yellow Bird, MSW, PhD, is a Professor at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba, where he is the former Dean. He is an enrolled member of the MHA Nation (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara) in North Dakota, USA. He has held faculty and administrative appointments at numerous universities. Dr. Yellow Bird’s research focuses on the effects of colonization and methods of decolonization, ancestral health, intermittent fasting, Indigenous mindfulness, neurodecolonization, mindful decolonization, and the cultural significance of Rez dogs. He serves as a consultant, trainer, and senior advisor to several BIPOC mindfulness groups and organizations who are seeking to incorporate mindfulness practices, philosophies, and activities to Indigenize and decolonize western mindfulness approaches in order to address systemic racism and engage in structural change. Dr. Yellow Bird is the author of numerous scholarly articles, book chapters, research reports, and the co-editor of four books: For Indigenous Eyes Only: The Decolonization Handbook, 2012; Indigenous Social Work around the World: Towards Culturally Relevant Education and Practice, 2008; and Decolonizing Social Work, 2013. He is also the co-author of two recent books: A Sahnish (Arikara) Ethnobotany (2020) and Decolonizing Holistic Pathways Towards Integrative Healing in Social Work (2021). “Stress, racism, hate, fear, isolation, being marginalized, poverty, all these things have an effect. It exposes us to more diseases of aging sooner than we should be. These are the things that our ancestors were doing: dancing, singing, eating traditional foods, supporting one another. They were living very healthy lives.” – Dr. Michael YellowBirdSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Highlighting the medicinal significance of food, Chef Brave Heart joins Anita for a heartfelt discussion on food sovereignty and protecting traditions.In this episode, Anita and Chef Brave Heart explore:The special meaning of Chef Brave Heart’s namePreserving lineage and traditionThe Run for Freedom and living life with intentionFood sovereignty and sensing love through foodChef Brave Heart’s first time cooking with her grandmaMaking beautiful meals out of what we haveThe Lakota’s symbiotic relationship with buffaloThe health crisis on the Pine Ridge ReservationRegaining cultural identity and connection to spiritThe urgency to protect our planet and stop harming itChef Brave Heart’s passion for sharing the story and history of the Lakota peopleAbout Chef Kimberly Brave Heart:A citizen of the Oglala Lakota Nation of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Chef Brave Heartinstinctually embraces both her Indigenous and Jewish heritage. She has always held a deep respect for her people and has the ability to tell the history and stories of her people through her food. Chef Brave Heart strives to combine the power of storytelling, cultural preservation and gastronomy to create unique experiences that educate and delight audiences. As a professional inspirational speaker and Indigenous Chef, Chef Brave Heart leverages her expertise in the culinary arts, her cultural heritage, and entrepreneurial expertise to deliver captivating presentations, cooking demonstrations and immersive dining experiences. Chef Brave Heart has received numerous awards and has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Food Travel Magazine, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and The New York Times. To learn more about Chef Brave Heart, visit her website or follow her on social media @chefbraveheart.“My mom would tell me: ‘You don’t ever cook if you are angry. You don’t ever cook if you are crying. This is medicine you are preparing.’ When you cook this food even if you don’t know the people, you pray for them. You pray that their homes and their children and themselves, you pray health and well-being over them and you get blessings in return.” – Chef Kimberly Brave HeartSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Focusing on environmental impacts, Toltec elder Mindahi Bastida shares wisdom on biocultural diversity and protecting all forms of life.This time on The Four Sacred Gifts, Anita and Mindahi discuss:The impact of industrialization and over-exploitation of water in MexicoSpiritual and material destructionWetland restorations and a mermaid entityWhy Indigenous wisdom is so importantThe earth as our first motherLearning how to live in a sacred relationship with all beingsListening to nature and realizing our onenessSacred sites around the world that contain special energyMaking an effort to protect sacred areasTaking care of all life sources so that the earth can thrivePlanting seeds for a better futureInterrelation and the collective way of ancient peoplesAbout Mindahi Bastida:Mindahi Bastida (Otomi-Toltec) is the director of the Original Nations Program of the Fountain and was the director of the Original Caretakers Program at the Center for Earth Ethics, Union Theological Seminary in New York until 2020. He has done general coordination of the Otomi-Toltec Regional Council in Mexico, is a caretaker of the philosophy and traditions of the Otomi-Toltec peoples, and has been an Otomi-Toltec Ritual Ceremony Officer since 1988. He is a consultant with UNESCO around Sacred Sites and Biocultural issues and for other UN programs. Mindahi has served as a delegate to various commissions and summits on Indigenous Rights and Sustainability, including the 1992 Earth Summit and the World Summit on Sustainable Development. He has written on the relation between State and Indigenous Peoples, intercultural education, collective intellectual property rights and associated Traditional Knowledge, bicultural sacred sites, and other topics. Mindahi is the author of Ancestors: Divine Remembrance of Lineage Relations and Sacred Sites. For more information, visit theearthelders.org.“We have worked with science, with culture, and with spirituality. It is possible to work in that way everywhere around the world. That’s the only way we can protect life, protect species, biocultural heritage, biocultural memory, and biocultural diversity.” – Mindahi BastidaSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For the first episode of The Four Sacred Gifts Podcast, Anita Sanchez sits down with Māori healer Donna Kerridge for a conversation about re-connecting to Mother Earth and healing the land and the people who live on it.In this episode, Anita Sanchez dives into:Biodiversity and the lands of Indigenous peopleThe interconnectivity of nature and humansIncorporating modern medicine with Indigenous knowledgeHow losing connection to Mother Earth and community can cause anxiety and other health issuesThe individual gifts that we bring into the worldBeing inclusive and finding our sense of home and belonging in the worldHealing the vitality of people and placeTalking to people, not corporationsHow laws will never change the lore that underpins human lifeMaintaining a balance between appropriation and welcoming others into Indigenous communitiesAbout Donna Kerridge:Donna Kerridge is a Rongoā Māori (traditional Māori healing) practitioner from Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand who is deeply connected to our Earth and her wisdom. She is a humble advocate, healer and leader, passionate about Indigenous practices that focus on healing and restoring our people and our Whenua (land). Donna is able to walk with ease in corporate and policy circles, bridging Western approaches with Indigenous Māori approaches to enable us to bring the best of our collective gifts forward. She advises the New Zealand Ministry of Health to shape policy, lectures, and educates people of all ages in Rongoā, has studied Western health science and a range of Indigenous healing practices, and is a sought-after leader. Learn more about Donna Kerridge HERE.“I want to remind everybody that we are all indigenous somewhere; some of us have just become disconnected. I think it is the job of all of us to connect to our roots, even if it is through the roots of the land that you now reside upon.” – Donna KerridgeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.