Ep 21. Nature Protects Us When We Protect Nature with Dr. Jessica Hernandez (Author Fresh Banana Leaves)

My guest this week is Dr. Jessica Hernandez (Maya Ch’orti’ & Binnizá), the author of the new book “Fresh Banana Leaves - Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science”. Jessica is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Washington Bothell, a Climate Justice Policy Strategist at the International Mayan League and the Environmental Justice Representative of the City of Seattle Commission of Urban Forestry.

In this episode, Jessica helps us understand how indigenous and western science can be complementary, and what we need to know about colonialism, eco-colonialism and ecological grief if we want to tackle climate change. Jessica shares the wisdom she has gathered on her leadership journey, particularly around framing and tackling imposter syndrome. 

The topics we cover in our conversation are:

• The fascinating story behind the title of her book “Fresh Banana Leaves”

• What it means to be an indigenous scientist

• How settler colonialism impacts indigenous communities

• What eco-colonialism means and why it is important

• What people working in the field of sustainability need to understand about indigenous science

• How Jessica is integrating her experiences as an indigenous and western scientist and how both approaches can complement each other

• The concept of ecological grief

• The restorative agricultural practice of Milpas

• Spirituality and our relationship to nature

• How Jessica found the courage to pursue her path integrating indigenous and western science

• How Jessica frames and navigates imposter syndrome

• What it means to her to be good ancestor

• What we can learn from leadership in matriarchal pueblos of the Zapotec nation

• Indigenous-led movements that inspire Jessica

• What the food system would look like if it were returned to indigenous peoples

• How Jessica stays grounded and manages her time and energy

Find more information about Jessica Hernandez on her website and twitter.

Order your copy of Fresh Banana Leaves - Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science here.

Find the book trailer here.

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