About this episode
What can a bear, an eagle, or a flowing river teach us about how we live?
Ivan shares personal stories and Indigenous teachings passed down through his family, exploring the responsibilities that connect people, animals, water, and the Earth. Beginning with a mother bear and cub entering a pharmacy in Hope, British Columbia, he reflects on what he understands as a message about protecting water and the future we are leaving our children.
He discusses traditional teachings he calls “taboos,” including why he was taught not to whistle at night or point at rainbows. He also shares experiences involving smudging and spiritual beliefs, and recalls an encounter with an eagle shortly before a frightening incident on an icy road—a moment he understood as a warning to slow down.
Throughout the recording, Ivan returns to gratitude: acknowledging animals, thanking a river when crossing it, and giving thanks to the Creator for the water that sustains life. His reflections invite listeners to consider how respect, attentiveness, and the teachings of earlier generations can guide our care for the world today.