The Nature of Language and the Language of Nature

Over 7,000 languages are spoken around the world. Each one reflects a rich ecosystem of ideas - seeds that grow into a multitude of worldviews. Today, many of these immeasurably precious knowledge systems are endangered - often spoken by just a handful of people. We hear from two Indigenous language champions, Jeannette Armstrong and Rowen White. They reflect on the words, stories, songs and ideas that influence our very conception of nature, and our place within it.

This is an episode of Nature’s Genius, a Bioneers podcast series exploring how the sentient symphony of life holds the solutions we need to balance human civilization with living systems. ⁠Visit the series page to learn more.⁠

Featuring

Jeannette Armstrong, Ph.D., (Okanagan) is an Indigenous author, teacher, ecologist, and a culture bearer for her Native language. She is also Co-founder of the ⁠En'owkin Centre⁠.

Rowen White (Mohawk) is a seed keeper and farmer, and part of the Indigenous Seed Keepers Network. She operates a living seed bank called ⁠Sierra Seeds⁠.

Resources

⁠En’owkin Centre⁠

⁠Indigenous Seed Keepers Network⁠

⁠Sierra Seeds⁠

⁠Language Keepers: The Struggle for Indigenous Language Survival in California⁠

⁠Hand Talk, Native American Sign Language⁠

⁠Native Seed Rematriation⁠

Credits

Executive Producer: Kenny Ausubel

Written by: Cathy Edwards and Kenny Ausubel

Produced by: Cathy Edwards

Senior Producer and Station Relations: Stephanie Welch

Associate Producer: Emily Harris

Host and Consulting Producer: Neil Harvey

Program Engineers: Kaleb Wentzel Fisher and Emily Harris

Producer: Teo Grossman

Graphic Designer: Megan Howe