In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations: Conversations about Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being in Nature

In August, Braided River launched In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations: Conversations about Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being in Nature - an Indigenous-led book and engagement campaign that draws on ancestral knowledge to further empower and inspire Indigenous-led environmental campaigns with non-Indigenous allies, partners, and supporters.

The lands, waters, and skies of the Pacific Northwest have been stewarded by Indigenous peoples since time immemorial. The Mountaineers commitment to outdoor education and conservation is inseparable from the recognition that the places where we adventure are the ancestral lands of Indigenous peoples. These lands carry deep histories, ongoing cultures, and treaty rights, and educating the public on these important concepts can lead to deeper connection to and relationship with the natural world. 

To walk more faithfully in this recognition, Braided River, the conservation imprint of Mountaineers Books, is honored to co-publish this powerful new project in partnership with Se’Si’Le - an Indigenous-led nonprofit based in Bellingham. Se’Si’Le works to protect Indigenous areas, resources, sacred sites, and to amplify Indigenous narratives and stewardship.

In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations is grounded in conversations about Indigenous ways of knowing and being in nature, and is as much a spiritual and relational journey as it is a call to action for readers.

Drumming photo Courtesy of Se’Si’Le Indigenous Forest Forum.

Writer Kurt Russo shares stories on behalf of many Indigenous partners to draw on ancestral knowledge as a foundation for action. Values of the project include: empowering Indigenous-led environmental campaigns with non-Indigenous allies, increasing understanding of Indigenous perspectives, inspiring restoration of lands, waters, and lifeways, and planning for long-term caretaking to the seven generations. The book includes a foreword by Se’Si’Le’s Jay Julius W’tot lhem of the Lummi Nation and illustrations by Fiorella De La O.

Right and Respectful Relations

The book is arranged under seven thematic sections: Right & Respectful Relations with: 

• the Reader
• the Creation 
• History & the Law 
• Nature 
• Empathy & Identity 
• Honor 
• Technology Desired 

The genesis of the project can be explained from this excerpt:

There was a consensus that right relations are those that are held between us in a good way by the spirit that connects everything that is a part of all-that-is. 

Respectful relations come into being from a good heart and mind. The two in combination “lead to our Xa xalh Xechnging (sacred obligation) to all that is part of all-that-is- both the seen and the unseen.” 

This is a book about identity and voices and vision; romancing paradigms and an ancient love affair with nature; decolonializing the imagination; deep history and deep relationalities; and what it means to be human- and other-than-human.

-Right and Respectful Relations, Chapter 1

Salmon illustration from the book, titled “Abundance,” by Fiorella De La O.

Honoring Public Lands as Native Lands

At The Mountaineers, our conservation and stewardship work has always occurred in landscapes that are public lands - places whose histories and ongoing life are tied to the original stewards. We uplift these places as Native lands: territories long inhabited, stewarded, governed, and loved by Tribal Nations under treaty and law. This means: 

• Honoring and uplifting treaty rights and Tribal sovereignty as the foundation for how public lands should be protected, governed, and restored.
• Working with Tribes as partners in the care, planning, and decision-making about lands, waters, and natural resources.
• Understanding that healing environmental damage, restoring public lands, protecting sacred places, biodiversity, watersheds, and native species require Indigenous leadership, knowledge, and perspective.

Over the last several years, The Mountaineers has focused more intentionally on efforts to engage with Tribes and educate our community about the importance of Native lands and peoples. Our work in these areas includes:

• Creating and amplifying an organizational land acknowledgment statement, recognizing that our programs, courses, and trips occur on the lands of Pacific Northwest Indian Tribes, who live here and steward these lands and waters as they have since time immemorial. 
• Striving to go beyond acknowledgment by listening to, amplifying, and centering Native traditions and values through respectful engagement. 
• Working to support Tribal rights, cultural lifeways, treaty rights, and co-management wherever possible, and to ensure our conservation efforts respect Tribal sovereignty and leadership.

Sea Otter Illustration from the book, titled “Sea Otters of Hope,” by Fiorella De La O.

Promoting the Understanding of Indigenous Ways of Knowing

In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations is more than a book - it’s an invitation and call to deeper learning and action. We invite you into dialogue, into listening, into changing how we see ourselves in relation to place and each other. We invite you into  partnerships grounded in respect, humility, and reciprocity. And we encourage you to be part of the conversation.

• Order the book. In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations is now available through Mountaineers Books. Purchasing and reading it supports Indigenous authors, illustrators, and organizers.
• Attend the launch event: We will host a special event at Town Hall in Downtown Seattle on Thursday, October 16 to celebrate the kickoff of this book! With an incredible speaker line up of Jay Julius, Lynda Mapes, and John Vechey, facilitated by Jeff Renner, this is an event you do not want to miss. 
• Learn more: Visit the Se’Si’Le online to learn more about their programing and additional engagement opportunities. 

We are excited for The Mountaineers community to read, learn, reflect, and act alongside Indigenous Peoples in relations with the places we love. To learn more about how The Mountaineers is encouraging our community to honor and uphold Tribal rights and cultural lifeways of Native peoples - including through the practice of mindful and respectful recreation - check out our Honoring Native Lands and Peoples page.

The Mountaineers appreciates the work of Braided River to fund and produce In the Spirit of Right & Respectful Relations. We look forward to utilizing the book as a resource in our ongoing work to honor these commitments.