strong connection with nature, and one in particular believes indigenous values are crucial to reducing humanity’s impact on the environment.
Daniel R. Wildcat, author of “Red Alert!: Saving the Planet with Indigenous Knowledge” and director of the University of Idaho’s American Indian studies program, will speak to students and faculty at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the UI Law School Courtroom as part of the Distinguished American Indian speaker series. This event is free and sponsored by UI American Indian Studies Program, which is led by Janis Johnson.
“There’s a disconnect between facing realities and living sustainably,” Johnson said. “‘Red Alert!’ is realistic in its ideas about solving human and environmental problems.”
Wildcat said his book and upcoming lecture discuss how the U.S. has adopted a “one size fits all” type of culture.
“What we really need to do is think about indigenizing world views, to begin to understand that biological, economical and environmental diversity is deeply connected to people that reflect that in their cultures,” Wildcat said.
In order to do that, Wildcat said, we must reconnect to our surroundings like Native Americans have.
“Indigenous people can still remind us the power that resides in that kind of thinking — that we’re not in any way above nature,” Wildcat said.
Wildcat plans to use examples of local environmental impacts, such as the effect of traffic and megaloads in addition to well-extraction processes.
“Look at traffic we’re seeing and what’s happening there in Moscow,” Wildcat said. “You start asking yourself, ‘What’s the cost of this?’ Is this something that we want and that landscapes and the environment can afford?”
Wildcat said there are three easy ways for UI students to reduce their carbon footprints. These include reaching out to the university to reduce mechanical and building energies, as well as walking or riding a bike, and creating interdisciplinary entrepreneurships and businesses that can solve global and local issues.
“People get so fixated with technologies, get so caught up, that they don’t see the exact place they’re standing, sitting or looking and take that for granted,” Wildcat said. “I’m not saying we don’t value it … (but) we become neglectful.”
The Native American Student Center will host a luncheon Wednesday in preparation for the series. All students and faculty are invited. The law school is partaking in the evening event as well as the Native American Student Association, which will sell Native gear and clothing.
Johnson encourages students of all disciplines to attend.
“This is a chance to hear a point of view that is not commonly heard,” Johnson said.
Wildcat believes students are up to the task of positively affecting the planet.
“There’s a challenge to figure out how we can live in an environment and a life-enhancing manner not at the expense of other lives,” Wildcat said.