In this deep and wide-ranging interview, I sit down with world-renowned Indigenous scholar and author Four Arrows (Wahinkpe Topa) to explore the core principles of Indigenous worldview, the sacred role of ceremony, the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and the dangers of colonial ideologies like blood quantum and utilitarianism.

We open the conversation by discussing place-based wisdom—why it’s critical to protect Indigenous knowledge rooted in language, ceremony, and land stewardship—and the distinction between Indigenous worldview and tribal-specific place-based knowledge.

Four Arrows shares profound insights from decades of work with Native and Indigenous communities around the world, including the Kogi of Colombia, Lakota ceremonies, and the powerful role of humor and non-binary thinking in traditional cultures. He challenges common assumptions around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) from an Indigenous lens and discusses his critiques of top-down leadership models, drawing from his book The Authentic Dissertation and his work on ProvenSustainable.org.

We also dive into controversial topics such as:

Should ceremony be shared with outsiders? How can settlers reconnect to their own lost Indigenous roots?

The colonizing impact of blood quantum and federal recognition

The dangers of misusing spiritual practices without proper guidance

As a Yurok tribal member working in river restoration, I also share how Indigenous worldview shapes ecological restoration in my community—particularly around the historic Klamath River dam removal and revival of salmon runs.

Whether you’re a student, educator, reconnecting Native, or settler ally seeking to learn and grow—this is an essential conversation that centers truth, humility, and healing through story, relationship, and respect.

📚 Recommended For: Students | Indigenous leaders | Environmental activists | Educators | Allies | Cultural workers | TEK practitioners | Ceremony stewards