"When you have Elder women in your life, there is matriarchy." — Dr. Renee Tsinigine Holt In this episode of Gaia Gossip, host Mary Jane Oatman sits down with Dr. Renee Tsinigine Holt (Navajo/Nez Perce), a Post Doctoral Research Scholar for the Indigenous Resilience Center (IRes). Together they sit at our communal table to discuss the power of matrilineal wisdom, motherhood, and science in land conservation. Dr. Renee brings her experiences as a mother, community leader, and scientist to share ancestral wisdom that reminds us when we stand in our identity with responsibility we create safe spaces for collective care to grow. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: A deeper understanding that matriarchy is not limited to raising children. It includes safety, economic stability, wisdom, and collective strength. A recognition that Indigenous knowledge systems differ from colonial institutions. True learning goes beyond college. It means becoming a student of the world, finding mentors, learning multiple languages, and reclaiming ancestral ways of knowing. Indigenous people are natural-born scientists because knowledge of land is inherited, embodied, and practiced.The land is grandmother, teacher, and caregiver.The reclaiming of women’s leadership, that challenges Western misinterpretations of Indigenous women’s power.Leadership begins in the home but extends into governance, land stewardship, and resistance.An invitation to know yourself deeply—because self-knowledge builds respect. Even internal tension becomes part of growth when guided by ancestral wisdom.About the Guest:Dr. Renee Tsinigine Holt (Navajo/Nez Perce) is a Post Doctoral Research Scholar for the Indigenous Resilience Center (IRes). Prior to joining IRes, she was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the University of Idaho working with the Native American Law Faculty & Student Association and the Indigenous CIRCLES faculty, before joining the University of Arizona. Her research foci centers Indigenous healing & ancestral ways of knowing, resilience, survivance and cultural knowledge, Native-FEWSS (Native Food, Energy & Water Security and Sovereignty), and the protection of traditional gathering places. Renée works in tribal communities along with faculty, staff, students, and community members in environmental resiliency research that further develops and supports local, regional, and national Indigenous environmental sustainability. Dr. Tsinigine Holt was born in LA, but raised on Navajo Nation and is an enrolled member of the Nez Perce Tribe and a Post-Doctoral Research Scholar at the University of Arizona Indigenous Resilience Center. Her Many Voices Gaia Gossip programs empower climate solutions and community connection to be amplified for the betterment of Mother Earth. Our host, Mary Jane Oatman, is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe and a descendant of the Delaware Tribe, as well as a proud mother. She serves as the Executive Director of the Indigenous Cannabis Industry Association (ICIA), founder of the Indigenous CANNabis Coalition (ICANNC), and publisher of THC Magazine. Produced by @bicurean and narrative strategist, Victoria Carrington Chàvez. Technical Production: Peggy McCartha Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
