Claimed by the Earth: Native Navajo Wisdom & Biocosmology with James Skeet

EcoJustice Radio

We sat down with James Skeet, Executive Director of Covenant Pathways on his Spirit Farm in New Mexico. Along with our host Carry Kim and a group of fifteen people from Los Angeles, we visited Spirit Farm near Gallup, New Mexico in May of 2024. It was an amazing education in the Navajo-Diné World where we connected with the land, our hosts, and each other through the guidance of James and his wife Joyce. In the interview, we delved into the concept of Indigenous Regenerative Intelligence from a Navajo perspective. Discover how ancient Native wisdom and biocosmology can reconnect us to the land, foster soil health, and promote a sustainable future. We learned about the challenges and triumphs of integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern practices to heal both the Earth and human communities. And the discussion went deeper into history of colonization, spirituality, sustainability, and the power of regenerating both ancestral traditions and the land in today's world. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio LINKS Video Featuring James Skeet from New Mexico Community Capital https://youtu.be/ZrhK1-DlOZk?si=wIWlwrZYxHQYWGi7 The Six Sacred Stones of Indigenous Regenerative Intelligence https://youtu.be/QYqjOYygQdU?si=kWfUobfNscpLt1bs Interview with James Skeet in 2023: https://soundcloud.com/socal350/indigenous-regenerative-intelligence-a-navajo-perspective James Skeet and his wife Joyce are the co-founders of Covenant Pathways [https://covenantpathways.org/], a 501c3 non-profit organization, and they operate Spirit Farm [http://spiritfarmnm.org/]. James is passionate about reconnecting all peoples to the land through Indigenous Regenerative Intelligence that integrates the ancient Native wisdom of the bio-cosmology to create a haven where soil health, nutrient rich foods, human health, and free markets can prosper for another 10,000 years. James’ heritage has assisted in grounding him in the work he does as a full-blooded Navajo – also known as Diné – Native American from Vanderwagen, New Mexico. James’s Diné (Navajo) clan name means “Red Cheek, Born of Leaning Tower.” He is full of energy, life, and wisdom. James worked for NGOs fostering childhood development and then served as a financial watchdog for the tribal government. In all of his systematic work with programs and regulations, he began to seek ways to express his spiritual understanding that “all things are sacred.” Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt Hosted by Carry Kim Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 223 Photo credit: Sue Hudelson