Although the planet is always changing and moving, human beings are accelerating some changes by objectifying Earth and exploiting her as if Earth was ours to possess. This is happening due to a view of separation and disconnection, among other things. In this Masterclass, Tiokasin Ghosthorse, member of the Cheyenne River Lakota Nation of South Dakota with a long history in Indigenous activism and advocacy, will help us see how Earth languages can help us move beyond an anthropocentric worldview. He will share reflections and examples on the meaning of living WITH Earth rather than ON Earth and how the language and words we use influence the way we think and live.

This Masterclass will offer an opportunity to learn about indigenous cosmovisions and spirituality and how this can help humanity move from an exploitative to a more cooperative approach to life. It will also offer an opportunity to expand understanding on non-extractive thinking from the perspective that extractive thinking is not Native, for instance, there wasn’t a word or concept for “want” in the old Lakota language. Extractive thinking often goes hand in hand due to the Greek-Latin lexicon.

This masterclass will offer a space to reflect on the following question: 

• How do the language and words we use influence the way we think and shape our worldviews?

• What does it mean to live WITH Earth rather than ON Earth?

• What can we learn from the Native American cosmovision and spirituality to help us address the current challenge humanity faces?

• How can we take a look at climate justice beyond the lenses of anthropocentrism?