Traditional ecological knowledge is a key solution to many of our modern struggles. Political leaders who acknowledge this level of cultural and environmental understanding when making policy decisions could open a way of life in America that would empower all people and encourage healthy, sustainable landscapes. A modern mind that has great influential power in this realm of thought is Dina Gilio-Whitaker, an educator, surfer, journalist, author, and member of the Colville Confederated Tribe.
Dina uses the power of verbal and written word to expand human knowledge of indigenous life in the Americas and the power decolonization can have on our modern living practices. Knowledge is a powerful source of conscious living for all humans. Dina has spent time documenting and sharing her experiences, wisdom, and opinions through lectures, articles, and books. At California State University San Marcos, students have the chance to absorb the valuable awareness she has gained in a formal classroom setting.
Dina Gilio-Whitaker takes the Storytellers Stage at the 2023 Ohana Festival in Dana Point, CA. Photo by Greg Federman
Sharing Her Work
Her most notable work is her latest book, As Long As Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock. This book lays out the indigenous experience of social and political resistance in America, including the fight for natural resources and cultural survival that remains a current issue. Other influential pieces include a book she co-authored with Roxane Dunbar-Ortiz called All the Real Indians Died Off and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans, a Sierra Club article "What's in a Name? What it Means to Decolonize a Natural Feature", and a book chapter titled "Appropriating Surfing and the Politics of Indigenous Authenticity."
Honoring Connection
Conscious awareness of land, resources, and the interconnectedness of the surrounding environment is embedded in the way of life for indigenous people, while it's a major weak point for modern colonized behavior. An important focus of Dina's work is to capture attention and focus on what it means to honor an indigenous way of life by bringing back original native names of landmarks and places, as well as decolonizing sports lifestyles such as surfing. She describes genocide not only of the people but also lifestyles and landscapes. Western cultures often can feel entitlement and sense of ownership over lifestyles and areas of land, which cuts out people they feel are unworthy.
One way of pushing people out and making them feel like they don't belong is the "localism" behavior of surfing culture. There is a difference between local surfing behavior of natives and the descendants of colonizers. This is an important thought process that Dina acknowledges with the comparison of native Hawaiians protecting the landscapes of their coasts versus violent localism specified to make people feel unwanted and unwelcome. Intention is everything, along with the genuine desire for balanced access to resources.
Her Fight Is For Everyone
Dina is not one to put herself on a pedestal, even when she deserves recognition; she documents the work of other native activists throughout American history. She is a powerful storyteller, and in possession of knowledge that must be shared with current and future generations. Environmental justice struggles that the native people have faced since the beginning of colonialism are essential stories to be understood. She offers insight into important fights such as the "Save the Trestles" campaign, protecting the beachfront that is sacred to indigenous surf communities, the activism at Standing Rock pushing for secured access to safe drinking water and essential natural resources, and creating solutions to the vulgar colonial terms that are present throughout natural landscapes, and countless more.
Being part of the solution by expanding scholarly information and developing an outlet for governments to have access to a proper approach to include native knowledge in policies is how Dina is forging a successful sustainable path for everyone. Today, she offers consultancy for governments at all levels wanting to incorporate native histories in their policies and plans. She knows that this information is vital to the future of our natural environment and social environments. We are lucky to have someone like her so passionate about keeping information available for all of us today and in days to come.
Traditional ecological knowledge is a key solution to many of our modern struggles. Political leaders who acknowledge this level of cultural and environmental understanding when making policy decisions could open a way of life in America that would empower all people and encourage healthy, sustainable landscapes. A modern mind that has great influential power in this realm of thought is Dina Gilio-Whitaker, an educator, surfer, journalist, author, and member of the Colville Confederated Tribe.
Dina uses the power of verbal and written word to expand human knowledge of indigenous life in the Americas and the power decolonization can have on our modern living practices. Knowledge is a powerful source of conscious living for all humans. Dina has spent time documenting and sharing her experiences, wisdom, and opinions through lectures, articles, and books. At California State University San Marcos, students have the chance to absorb the valuable awareness she has gained in a formal classroom setting.
Sharing Her Work
Her most notable work is her latest book, As Long As Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock. This book lays out the indigenous experience of social and political resistance in America, including the fight for natural resources and cultural survival that remains a current issue. Other influential pieces include a book she co-authored with Roxane Dunbar-Ortiz called All the Real Indians Died Off and 20 Other Myths About Native Americans, a Sierra Club article "What's in a Name? What it Means to Decolonize a Natural Feature", and a book chapter titled "Appropriating Surfing and the Politics of Indigenous Authenticity."
Honoring Connection
Conscious awareness of land, resources, and the interconnectedness of the surrounding environment is embedded in the way of life for indigenous people, while it's a major weak point for modern colonized behavior. An important focus of Dina's work is to capture attention and focus on what it means to honor an indigenous way of life by bringing back original native names of landmarks and places, as well as decolonizing sports lifestyles such as surfing. She describes genocide not only of the people but also lifestyles and landscapes. Western cultures often can feel entitlement and sense of ownership over lifestyles and areas of land, which cuts out people they feel are unworthy.
One way of pushing people out and making them feel like they don't belong is the "localism" behavior of surfing culture. There is a difference between local surfing behavior of natives and the descendants of colonizers. This is an important thought process that Dina acknowledges with the comparison of native Hawaiians protecting the landscapes of their coasts versus violent localism specified to make people feel unwanted and unwelcome. Intention is everything, along with the genuine desire for balanced access to resources.
Her Fight Is For Everyone
Dina is not one to put herself on a pedestal, even when she deserves recognition; she documents the work of other native activists throughout American history. She is a powerful storyteller, and in possession of knowledge that must be shared with current and future generations. Environmental justice struggles that the native people have faced since the beginning of colonialism are essential stories to be understood. She offers insight into important fights such as the "Save the Trestles" campaign, protecting the beachfront that is sacred to indigenous surf communities, the activism at Standing Rock pushing for secured access to safe drinking water and essential natural resources, and creating solutions to the vulgar colonial terms that are present throughout natural landscapes, and countless more.
Being part of the solution by expanding scholarly information and developing an outlet for governments to have access to a proper approach to include native knowledge in policies is how Dina is forging a successful sustainable path for everyone. Today, she offers consultancy for governments at all levels wanting to incorporate native histories in their policies and plans. She knows that this information is vital to the future of our natural environment and social environments. We are lucky to have someone like her so passionate about keeping information available for all of us today and in days to come.
Key Takeaways
Governments, from local to federal, have an amazing resource of information with Dina.
We have people like Dina Gilio-Whitaker as valuable knowledge holder who offers solutions to many modern struggles.
Expand your understanding with her award-winning book, As Long As Grass Grows: The Indigenous Fight for Environmental Justice from Colonization to Standing Rock.
