Indigenous wisdom is reframing the conversation on climate change. It’s time we listened.

As the climate crisis continues to wreak devastation on ecosystems around the world, there has been no shortage of proposed action to ameliorate the damage done, prevent further harm, and heal habitats. That said, despite thousands of years of history linking Indigenous peoples to the protection and preservation of the natural world, their perspectives on environmentalism have not always been centred.

Katłı̨̀ą, a Dene writer, lawyer, and Indigenous rights advocate from the Northwest Territories, has dedicated much of her career to not only securing environmental justice but to amplifying the history and knowledge systems of the Dene. In Mother Earth Is Our Elder, she shares the principles and natural laws that have defined the community’s harmonious relationship with the planet—from sustainable and ethical food sourcing to use of renewable energy sources. Exploring an Indigenous perspective on climate change through conversations with tribal Elders, Katłı̨̀ą presents a path forward that we can all share in paving. In this conversation, she shared thoughts on why she wrote this audiobook now, what she hopes listeners will take away, the deep significance of oral storytelling, and more.

Alanna McAuliffe: Mother Earth Is Our Elder serves as both a testament to the power of Indigenous natural law and a manifesto to protecting and finding balance with a planet driven to the point of catastrophe by our own hands. Why did you choose to write this book now, and what do you hope listeners will ultimately take away from tuning in?

Katłı̨̀ą: I chose to write this book now because human-made climate change is something that impacts us all now and into the future. I hope that listeners will learn from Dene Elders and knowledge carriers in the North with an open mind and heart, because the North is where we are seeing the most change to Mother Earth.

This book draws on the wisdom of the Dene people, who have long lived alongside and safeguarded the natural world in Dënéndeh, Canada’s Northwest Territories. What did you want to relay about Dene history and culture through your conversations with Elders and knowledge carriers? Did you learn anything new about yourself, your ancestors, or the land?

Dene history is ancient and has been passed down orally for thousands of years, and our culture is thriving despite efforts to destroy our people. I have learned that I still have a lot left to learn before I can be considered a knowledge carrier myself. Through this writing journey, I have learned that the teachings I have been so graciously gifted with are a small part of a larger story that takes a lifetime to learn. Much of our culture and history needs to be taught while out on the land and in our languages, but for the purposes of sharing this knowledge, a very small fraction of it has been condensed into the pages of this book.

In addition to Mother Earth Is Our Elder, you’ve published four other books, including three works of fiction and a memoir. How did the ideation and writing process vary across genres?

Writing non-fiction takes a lot more time and effort to make sure you are factually correct, whereas fiction is more freeing as a creative endeavour. Getting myself back into writing fiction has proven challenging because it takes a lot more imagination, whereas with non-fiction I am able to rely on memory and experiences and interview recordings for prompting.

What was the process of transforming your written word into audio like, especially considering the significance of storytelling and oral tradition in many Indigenous communities? Do you have thoughts or insights you’d like to share about the recording of this audiobook?

It is very important to ensure that our languages are spoken, so it was nice to see the time and effort made for the pronunciations to be correct. It is also nice to know that the book can be represented orally in an homage to the way that Indigenous peoples naturally passed down stories. I am hopeful that the audio version of the book will be more accessible to the Elders in my community who are unable to read the English language.

Are there any other books or resources you’d recommend to listeners interested in learning more about climate justice or Indigenous histories and cultures? ‘

We Remember the Coming of the White Man by Elizabeth Yakeleya, Sarah Simon, and other Sahtu and Gwich'in Dene Elders.