Sacred Land Speaks

Sacred Land Film Project
  • 5.0 (10)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 10/19/2025

    Davianna Pomaika`i McGregor – Part Two

    Native Hawaiian historian and land protector Davianna Pomaika`i McGregor is a leader in the Protect Kaho`olawe Ohana. In this second part of our interview, Davianna relates the history of settler colonialism and the impact of Christian missionaries as she delves into Native Hawaiian spirituality and traditional cultural practices. This episode was produced and written by Callie Shanafelt Wong and Toby McLeod. Our film interview with Davianna was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger. Our theme music was composed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. This episode 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.

    1 hr

  7. 09/19/2025

    Davianna Pomaika`i McGregor – Part One

    Native Hawaiian historian and land protector Davianna Pomaika`i McGregor is a leader in the Protect Kaho`olawe Ohana. In this episode, we discuss the U.S. military occupation of Kaho`olawe and the movement to return the sacred island to Native Hawaiian stewardship after 50 years of bombing by the Navy. This story of cultural and ecological restoration offers hope to indigenous people around the world. This episode was produced and written by Callie Shanafelt Wong and Toby McLeod. Our film interview with Davianna was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger. Our theme music was composed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. This episode 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.

    56 min
  8. Remembering Malcolm Margolin

    08/27/2025

    Remembering Malcolm Margolin

    For more than five decades, Malcolm Margolin was a fixture at the heart of Berkeley’s intellectual community. As the founder of Heyday Books, he was instrumental in publishing hundreds of titles. Most significantly, in 1978 he published his own groundbreaking book, The Ohlone Way, which woke an entire region up to the amazing natural and human history of the greater Bay Area. Malcolm helped establish many cultural revitalization projects, including Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival, Heyday’s groundbreaking magazine, News from Native California, and most recently the California Institute for Community, Art & Nature (which shares our office). He passed away from complications with Parkinson’s disease on August 20, 2025 at the age of 84. In our podcast episode, we talked with Malcolm about writing The Ohlone Way, the lessons he learned from Indigenous peoples, and the battle to protect the historic West Berkeley Shellmound and Village site. This episode was produced and written by Callie Shanafelt Wong and Toby McLeod. Our interview and video footage of Malcolm Margolin was recorded by Andy Black and Dave Wendlinger. Our theme music was composed and performed by Stefan Smith and Charles Johnson. Special thanks to the Executive Director of the California Institute for Community, Art & Nature, Claire Greensfelder, for reviewing this episode. 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.

    46 min
See All (18)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

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
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Sacred Land Speaks

You Might Also Like