Darren Parry is the former chairman for the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation and teaches Native American History at Utah State University. He currently serves as practitioner and residency at the University of Utah in the environmental humanities program.
1. Your work highlights the deep connection between the Shoshone people and the land. How do traditional Shoshone practices reflect principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship?
Traditional Shoshone land practices are rooted in respect and reciprocity, recognizing the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. The Shoshone people view themselves as caretakers, taking only what is necessary and ensuring resources are preserved for future generations. By prioritizing balance with the environment and integrating sustainable practices, we embody a deeper understanding of ecological balance, which aligns closely with modern principles of environmental stewardship.
2. As an advocate for preserving Indigenous history, you’ve spoken about the importance of remembering events like the Bear River Massacre. How can we learn from these histories to better approach modern environmental challenges?
Remembering the Bear River Massacre is important not only for honoring those lost but also for understanding the broader impacts of displacement and loss on indigenous communities and the land. These tragic histories teach us the importance of respect, resilience, and stewardship. By learning from the past, we can approach today’s environmental challenges with a renewed commitment to responsibility and justice, working towards healing both communities and ecosystems.
3. Food sovereignty is an important issue for many Indigenous communities. Could you share what food sovereignty means to the Shoshone Nation and how these practices contribute to sustainable living?
For the Shoshone Nation, sovereignty represents self-determination and the right to maintain traditional ways of life and knowledge, including food sovereignty. Through practices like cultivating native plants and reestablishing traditional food systems, the Shoshone people not only nourish their communities but also reinforce sustainable practices that are deeply connected to the land. Food sovereignty empowers the Shoshone to live sustainably, preserving biodiversity and reducing dependence on unsustainable food systems.
4. The Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation has taken steps to reclaim and restore land, including the Bear River Massacre site. How does this tie into broader efforts of environmental sustainability and community resilience?
Restoring the Massacre Site is a profound act of resilience, and a commitment to healing and preserving the land. This effort supports environmental sustainability by maintaining the area as a sacred and protected space, while also fostering a sense of identity, connection, and stewardship within the community. Reclaiming such spaces allows the Shoshone to honor their ancestors, ensuring that these lands sustain future generations as well.
5. In what ways do you see Indigenous knowledge systems offering solutions to today’s global environmental crises? How can we integrate these wisdoms into mainstream environmental movements?
Indigenous knowledge systems bring a holistic approach to environmental care, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all living things and prioritizing balance and respect. Integrating these systems into mainstream environmental movements involves not only adopting practices like sustainable land management but also valuing indigenous voices as equal partners in shaping policy. By uplifting these perspectives, we can foster a more inclusive, effective, and compassionate approach to environmental preservation.
6. Climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous communities. What strategies do you believe are most effective for ensuring that Indigenous voices are heard in climate policy discussions?
To amplify indigenous voices in climate policy, we must prioritize direct representation, create formal consultation processes, and establish protections for indigenous land and knowledge. Indigenous communities are often on the frontlines of climate change, and their insights are invaluable. Ensuring these voices are central to decision-making processes allows for policies that are not only inclusive but also more responsive to the needs of both people and ecosystems.
7. As a storyteller, how do you think sharing Indigenous stories about the environment and sustainability can inspire broader change in how people relate to the Earth?
Sharing Indigenous stories offers a powerful way to reconnect people to the earth by illustrating the values of respect, gratitude, and interconnectedness. These stories convey lessons of sustainability, showing how every action has a ripple effect on the whole. By engaging people’s emotions and imaginations, storytelling can inspire a deeper commitment to environmental care, encouraging broader communities to adopt practices that honor and protect our shared home.
Storytelling is an important part of indigenous culture. It is how we teach values. By incorporating storytelling into our discussion about the environment and sustainability we teach people and they learn with their heart and not necessarily their mind. True learning takes place when you engage people with feelings and values.
8. What projects or initiatives are you most excited about that focus on the intersection of Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and sustainability?
Right now the project I'm focused on the most is what I call, Indigenizing the Academy. Native Americans look at learning as a holistic approach and we view everything is connected. When we indigenous the Academy, we inject Native American wisdom and thought into every school of action. From business to the social sciences. As we view the world from a different lens, we will realize the importance of protecting the environment and living sustainable. It's all related. It's all our relatives.
9. Looking ahead, what do you envision as the biggest challenges and opportunities for Indigenous communities in leading the way towards a more sustainable future?
The biggest challenges and opportunities have the same answer. We need to give indigenous people a voice. We need to value their wisdom and expertise, just as we do western ways of doing. The biggest challenge is getting a seat at the table. The greatest opportunities are collaborating with western science and Western education to make everything possible. We have the opportunity to save the world if we can combine both knowledge systems.