Indigenous Nature Teachings: Stories, Symbols, and Sustainability

Skywoman Falling

Creation story about how the world is built from gifts, not competition

Council of Pecans

They show survival through sharing with their community.

Gift of Strawberries

Symbolizes gift giving

Asters and Goldenrod

beauty comes from relationships in nature

Grammar of Animacy

Language that treats nature as alive helps us respect it.

Maple Sugar Moon

Maple trees teach balance: take only what you need.

Witch Hazel

Plants teach survival and healing.

A Mother's Work

Caring for land is like caring for children.

Consolation of Water Lilies

Nature comforts us when life is hard.

Allegiance to Gratitude

A daily thanks to everything in nature.

Epiphany in the Beans

Gardening teaches humility and thankfulness.

Three Sisters

Corn, beans, and squash grow better together, like teamwork.

Black Ash Basket

Making baskets shows connection between people and trees.

Teachings of Grass

Sweetgrass teaches respectful harvesting.

Maple Nation

Belonging comes from caring for the land.

Honorable Harvest

Rules for taking: don't waste, don't take too much, give thanks.

Nanabozho

A story-teacher shows how to live kindly with Earth.

Two Ways of Knowing

Science + Indigenous wisdom together are powerful.

Sound of Silverbells

Nature and memory remind us of what matters.

Sitting in a Circle

Circles symbolize fairness and community.

Burning Cascade Head

Fire heals the land when used wisely.

Putting Down Roots

Belonging means caring for your place.

Umbilicaria

Lichens symbolize patience and teamwork.

Old-Growth Children

Old trees and elders teach wisdom.

Witness to the Rain

Rain brings cleansing and healing.

Windigo Footprints

Greed destroys people and nature.

Sacred and the Superfund

Healing damaged land is spiritual and physical.

Collateral Damage

Nature suffers when humans take without giving back.

Seventh Fire

Our generation must choose respect or destruction.

Defeating Windigo

Fight greed with gratitude and restraint.

Returning the Gift

We must give back to Earth as it gives to us.