“Despite all the challenges and the climate grief you may be experiencing, stay true to who you are and remember where you come from, and keep moving forward as best as you can.”  ~ Colleen Cooley

Individual and ecological grief are two separate streams flowing into the same interconnected waters.  

In Chapter 10, The River Runs Through Us, I share a time of deep connection with the beautiful landscape of the Green River in the Southwest, as well as the first time as an adult I allowed my tears to flow in the presence of another human without any substance or medicine.

The episode then gently moves into my conversation with Colleen Cooley. 
Colleen grew up wandering the washes, mesas, and sandstones in Shą́ą́ʼtóhí, a small community located on the Navajo Nation in northeast Arizona.  She is from the communities of Shonto and Blue Gap, Arizona and this is how she identifies herself as a Diné (Navajo) woman.  

Colleen is passionate about the protection and conservation of the diverse landscapes, cultures, and waters that she is surrounded by because it is part of who she is and where she comes from. It is instilled in the stories, teachings, and clans that have been passed down to her. 

In addition, she is an advocate and raft guide on the San Juan River and Green River, a facilitator, Indigenous Consultant, an educator, and trail runner.  The short film “Water Flows Together” is a film highlighting Colleen’s life story as a River Guide and Diné woman while raising awareness to the challenges that many in her culture face as far as not having easy access to drinkable water.   

Colleen offers necessary perspective and ancient wisdom on the sacredness of water, and her own journey home back to sense of belonging and herself when connecting with wild rivers.  She also shares her hope for Earth through telling stories of guiding young people on the River, and calls us all to action to connect and protect the Earth’s waters.     

Links:

Colleen Cooley

https://colleencooley.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ccoolio2/

https://colleencooley.com/media/films/

Follow me:

www.rootawareness.com

https://www.instagram.com/root_awareness/

 This podcast was co-created with award winning media midwife Ahri Golden.  www.ahrigolden.com