Sacred Land Speaks

Sacred Land Film Project
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Monthly

We are currently on our summer pause; we will be back on September 19th with a new episode about Hopi Messenger, Thomas Banyacya. Over four decades of filmmaking, we’ve had the honor of interviewing visionary Indigenous leaders, scholars and activists who offer soulful words on the kinship of humans and nature, the profound importance of protecting sacred places, and pathways toward global healing and reconciliation. In the editing process, we used many 30-second gems but left most of those interviews on the cutting room floor—until now! Sacred Land Speaks brings you extended interviews with some of our world’s most insightful thinkers.

  1. Jun 19

    Barry Lopez – Part Two (rebroadcast)

    Our 2011 film interview with author Barry Lopez for the Standing on Sacred Ground series yielded an embarrassment of riches. Barry’s written works explore the relationship between nature and human culture and include Arctic Dreams, for which he received the National Book Award, Of Wolves and Men, and his most recent masterwork, Horizon. Barry Lopez was a master storyteller, though for project director Toby McLeod, he was also a close friend and ally. In Part Two of this two-part podcast, Barry reflects on the future of sacred sites, the role of technology in our lives, and the importance of following the leadership of the elders. For more information visit Barry’s website. This episode was produced and written by Hannah Wilton and Toby McLeod, edited by Callie Shanafelt Wong and recorded by Isaac Butler-Brown at Dirt Studios. Our film interview with Barry was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger, along with co-producers Jessica Abbe and Jennifer Huang. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

    49 min

  2. May 19

    Barry Lopez – Part One (rebroadcast)

    Barry Lopez left us with so many gifts—messages from the road, stories that help—written beautifully by a cultural bridge, a runner who risked his life out there on the edge and returned over and over to craft a stirring tale. Barry alarmed us and gave us hope us with Arctic Dreams, Of Wolves and Men, The Rediscovery of North America and Horizon. Join project director Toby McLeod for our first Audio Archive, a 2011 conversation with friend and advisor, the late Barry Lopez (1945-2020). In Part One of this two-part podcast, Barry reflects on deep listening, the meaning of sacred lands, and the importance of maintaining an ongoing conversation with the Earth. For more information visit Barry’s website. This episode was produced and written by Hannah Wilton and Toby McLeod, edited by Callie Shanafelt Wong and recorded by Isaac Butler-Brown at Dirt Studios. Our film interview with Barry was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger, along with co-producers Jessica Abbe and Jennifer Huang. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

    55 min

  3. Apr 19

    Marcia Langton – Part Two

    In Part 2 of our interview with Professor Marcia Langton, an anthropologist and geographer of Yiman and Bidjara heritage in what’s now known as Australia, she shares contemporary stories of the Aboriginal Land Rights movement, the often tense negotiations with mining companies, and how Aboriginal Australians finally received an apology from the government. This episode was produced and written by Toby McLeod and Callie Shanafelt Wong. Our video interview with Marcia Langton was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. Sacred Land Speaks is brought to you by the Sacred Land Film Project of Earth Island Institute, based in the Lisjan Ohlone territory of Huchiun, otherwise known as Berkeley, California. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

    52 min

  4. Mar 19

    Marcia Langton – Part One

    In 2010 we interviewed Professor Marcia Langton, an anthropologist and geographer of Yiman and Bidjara heritage in what’s now known as Australia. She is the Foundation Chair of Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne, and a fearless activist speaking out about Aboriginal land rights, with a nuanced approach to mining. When we met in 2010, Professor Langton generously gave us two hours of her time, as she thoughtfully explained the Aboriginal worldview, the particular form of settler colonialism in Australia, and the many ways the first peoples of the land continue to resist threats and protect their sacred sites. This episode was produced and written by Callie Shanafelt Wong and Toby McLeod. Our interview with Marcia Langton was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. Sacred Land Speaks is brought to you by the Sacred Land Film Project of Earth Island Institute, based in the Lisjan Ohlone territory of Huchiun, otherwise known as Berkeley, California. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

    52 min

  5. Feb 19

    Vine Deloria Jr. – Part Two (rebroadcast)

    In this second part of our 1997 interview with legendary lawyer, theologian and scholar, Vine Deloria Jr., the renowned author breaks down national policy in relation to native people, discusses his cultural identity, and makes predictions about the future of technology. This interview originally aired January 19, 2025 This episode was produced and written by Callie Shanafelt Wong and Toby McLeod, and recorded by Isaac Butler-Brown at Dirt Studios. Audio sweetening by Leroy Clark at Sirius Sound. Our film interview with Vine was recorded by Will Parrinello and Andy Black along with co-producers Malinda Maynor Lowery and Jessica Abbe. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

    51 min

  6. Jan 19

    Vine Deloria Jr. – Part One (rebroadcast)

    Legendary author, legal and religious scholar, professor and activist, Vine Deloria, Jr. shares profound insights into the function of ceremony in community, the meaning and importance of sacred places, the dangers of New Age appropriation, the environmental impact of Western religions, and the urgent need to re-weave spirit and matter if we hope to avert catastrophe. This interview originally aired on December 19, 2024. This episode was produced and written by Callie Shanafelt Wong and Toby McLeod, and recorded by Isaac Butler-Brown at Dirt Studios. Audio sweetening by Leroy Clark at Sirius Sound. Our film interview with Vine was recorded by Will Parrinello and Andy Black along with co-producers Malinda Maynor Lowery and Jessica Abbe. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

    51 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    Winnemem Top Doctor Florence Jones (rebroadcast)

    Native California healer Florence Jones (1907-2003), was the top doctor of the Winnemem Wintu and a fierce protector of Mt. Shasta, known to the Winnemem as Buliyum Puyuk—the Great Mountain. In 1994, Florence gave the Sacred Land Film Project unprecedented access to film her conducting ceremony, healing her people and protecting her territory. In this episode we return to that footage to tell the story of this powerful medicine woman. This story originally aired on November 19, 2024. This episode was produced and written by Callie Shanafelt Wong and Toby McLeod, with research and editing assistance from Jessica Abbe. Our film footage with Florence Jones was recorded by John Knoop, Andy Black and Will Parrinello. Our theme music was composed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. Thanks to Claire Cummings, Dorothea Theodoratus and John Veltri for interviewing Florence on Mt. Shasta and to Chief Caleen Sisk for reviewing this Audio Archive episode. We welcome you to download and play this podcast for personal use. However, you may not reproduce, distribute, or commercially exploit this copyrighted content without express written permission from the Sacred Land Film Project and the Winnemem Wintu Tribe.

    49 min

  8. 11/20/2025

    Edward Abbey

    On the spring equinox in 1981, Toby McLeod interviewed the reclusive, rabble-rousing author Edward Abbey as the founders of Earth First! staged their first guerrilla theater, direct action at the much-despised Glen Canyon Dam. The footage was edited into Toby's first film, The Cracking of Glen Canyon Damn—with Edward Abbey and Earth First!  In this episode of Sacred Land Speaks we bring you Toby's interview with Abbey, and the dramatic tale of a real life Monkey Wrench Gang. Also included are highlights from Jessica Abbe's 1985 interview with the renowned author, one of the few other on-camera interviews Abbey ever gave. This episode was produced and written by Toby McLeod and Callie Shanafelt Wong. Our interview and film footage of Edward Abbey was recorded by Randy Hayes, Glenn Switkes and Toby Mcleod. Jessica Abbe’s interview was shot by Jim Hurwitz. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. Audio sweetening by Leroy Clark at Sirius Sound. We welcome you to download and play the podcast for personal use. You may not, except with our express written permission, reproduce, distribute or commercially exploit this copyrighted content.

    52 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

We are currently on our summer pause; we will be back on September 19th with a new episode about Hopi Messenger, Thomas Banyacya. Over four decades of filmmaking, we’ve had the honor of interviewing visionary Indigenous leaders, scholars and activists who offer soulful words on the kinship of humans and nature, the profound importance of protecting sacred places, and pathways toward global healing and reconciliation. In the editing process, we used many 30-second gems but left most of those interviews on the cutting room floor—until now! Sacred Land Speaks brings you extended interviews with some of our world’s most insightful thinkers.

Information

  • Creator
    Sacred Land Film Project
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Sacred Land Speaks

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