Dialogue 7 of "Reconciling Ways of Knowing," titled "Connecting Spiritually with the Land and Each Other," featured Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair

Dialogue 7 of "Reconciling Ways of Knowing," titled "Connecting Spiritually with the Land and Each Other," featured Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair Stonechild, moderated by Shaunna Morgan Siegers, MSc. They discussed the essential spiritual connection between people and the land, a foundational Indigenous understanding often absent from dominant worldviews influencing Canadian environmental policy.

This session explored the fundamental connection to the world and each other, emphasizing its spiritual dimension for Indigenous Peoples, maintained through ceremonies. Convenors Miles Richardson, OC, Dr. David Suzuki, and Dr. Nancy Turner later shared insights, followed by audience Q&A. The dialogue originally aired on Tuesday, January 26.

After a 2011 march against strip-mining, Jackson Koeppel became committed to exploring alternatives to an extractive economy. That same year, he found his cause in Highland Park, MI. The

After a 2011 march against strip-mining, Jackson Koeppel became committed to exploring alternatives to an extractive economy. That same year, he found his cause in Highland Park, MI. The Detroit-area city had lost 80% of its population, and in 2011, 1,000 of its 1,500 streetlights were decommissioned due to a $4 million municipal debt, leaving residential streets in darkness.

In response, Koeppel co-founded Soulardarity. This community organization is installing 200 solar streetlights and forming a cooperative of residents, businesses, and institutions to maintain them through annual dues. These affordable, eco-friendly lights foster community resilience and sustainability discussions.

On October 23, 2009, City Club welcomed former Oregon Board of Higher Education members Kirby Dyess, John von Schlagell, and Donald Blair.

Appointed by Governor Kulongoski

On October 23, 2009, City Club welcomed former Oregon Board of Higher Education members Kirby Dyess, John von Schlagell, and Donald Blair.

Appointed by Governor Kulongoski in 2004, they served until 2008, tasked with creating an innovative, entrepreneurial system to stabilize university income and costs. They discussed their experiences and how outdated organizational structures reportedly hindered their ability to achieve these higher education goals.

A local news story provides further context: Higher Education Leaders Say Structures Hindered Goals.

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair Stonechild, moderated by Shaunna Morgan Siegers, MSc, engaged in a dialogue about our essential and spiritual connection

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair Stonechild, moderated by Shaunna Morgan Siegers, MSc, engaged in a dialogue about our essential and spiritual connection with the land and each other. They were joined by Reconciling Ways of Knowing Convenors Miles Richardson, OC, Dr. David Suzuki, and Dr. Nancy Turner.

This dialogue originally aired on Tuesday, January 26 at 9:00 am Pacific / 11:00 am Central / 1:00 pm Atlantic.