Episode Details

To contact our guest directly, go to: www.earthwalks.org or e-mail Doug: earthwalks1@yahoo.com
Keywords

Earthwalks, Geomancy, Ecotourism, Indigenous Cultures, Chaco Canyon, Land Acknowledgment, Nature Connection, Community Engagement, Spiritual Wisdom, Environmental Education

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Doug Conwell, founder of Earthwalks, shares his journey to Santa Fe, his connection to the earth, and the principles of geomancy. He discusses the importance of ecotourism, the mysteries of Chaco Canyon, and the significance of land acknowledgment in addressing social injustices. Doug also highlights upcoming workshops and the essence of giving back to the community through service and respect for indigenous cultures.

Takeaways

Doug Conwell emphasizes the importance of connecting with the earth.
Geomancy involves understanding earth energies and their impact on our lives.
Ecotourism should focus on reciprocal relationships with nature and communities.
Chaco Canyon is a site of astronomical significance and ancient wisdom.
Land acknowledgment is crucial for recognizing historical injustices.
Listening to nature can enhance our awareness and connection to the environment.
Service projects are a way to give back to indigenous communities.
Earthwalks promotes a journey of personal and communal growth.
Understanding indigenous education can inform modern environmental education.
The essence of Earthwalks is about our life’s journey and connection to the earth.

Sound Bites

“You have to desire.”
“Thank you for coming.”
“There is a star map.”

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Earthwalks and Community Engagement
03:01 The Journey to Santa Fe and Connection to the Earth
05:50 Understanding Geomancy and Earth Energies
09:01 The Principles of Ecotourism and Respect for Nature
11:54 Exploring Chaco Canyon and Its Mysteries
15:02 Land Acknowledgment and Social Justice
17:49 Upcoming Workshops and Closing Thoughts

Sam Berne (00:00.248)
Hey everyone, welcome to the podcast today. So we have a very special guest, my good friend, Doug Conwell. And Doug does amazing things here in the community. He’s also founder of Earthwalks, which he will talk about. So Doug, I would love for you to introduce yourself, tell us who you are, and we want to know about you. Thank you, Sam. Thanks for inviting me to be here. I really appreciate that.

And I really want to give thanks to the Tehuah people and Carah’s people on whose land that we are living and where we’re working right now, which is called Santa Fe, New Mexico now. And I want to read the acknowledgement that I make on my website for that. Acknowledging the deep connections of indigenous peoples to the land and their significant contributions of past, present, and future.

In acknowledging these connections, we express our gratitude for the opportunity to live, work, and learn on this land. And I have to say that Earthwalks is committed to helping reconcile the injustices, restoring voices, and realizing the well-being of all members of our community, and especially those whose land this really was, the first peoples who were here. So yes.

Where do we go from here? Well, tell us a little bit about how you came to Santa Fe, where you came from and what inspired you to move here. Well, guess I was it was almost 50 years ago. It’s hard to believe, but in 1979, I kind of heard a calling. I was living in Colorado, my home state, Sam, and I was feeling disconnection from the earth, from myself. I didn’t feel like I had any real

connection to my own family or history. And I used to live on the border in El Paso when I would come through Santa Fe and back and forth from Colorado and always loved this area, this part of the world, New Mexico. And