Rachel Heaton: Recognizing Our Place

"Standing Rock was like the beginning and the end of various parts of my life. I feel like I was asleep before Standing Rock. When I took my children out there it became more about recognizing our place on Earth as human beings and realizing that if we don't have our children in those spaces, how are we going to pass that knowledge on, or how do we expect them to stand...as much as I would love to say that our youth didn't have to stand on the frontlines, but they're inheriting what's been created already, and so unfortunately we are left to create warriors to continue this work that we're doing."

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Today I have the pleasure of talking with someone a little closer to home than most of my guests. Rachel Heaton is a Muckleshoot tribal member, a founder of the Indigenous-led divestment group Mazaska Talks, a mountain climber, a cultural educator, a naturalist, and mother to 3 beautiful children, Mercedes, Nylah, and Dahnahhi. I’ve been lucky enough to work with her on and off over the last several years, and I can honestly say there are few people I’ve appreciated more. Her kindness, intelligence, and dedication shine through in all she does.

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Links:

Mazaska Talks