“Michigan in Books” reviews “Honor the Earth” by Phil Bellfy

Honor the Earth: Indigenous Response to Environmental Degradation in the Great Lakes edited by Phil Bellfy.
Review by Tom Powers, Michigan In Books
This book of updated essays grew out of an environmental conference at MSU on Earth Day, 2007. The essays, as the subtitle suggests, are responses by Native Americans to the miserable record of pollution, overconsumption of natural resources, and the all too evident triumph of greed over maintaining a livable environment in the Great Lakes and the world. Readers should not be put off by what appears, at first glance, to be a book intended for a scholarly audience. Yes, the format, extended bibliographies, and chapter headings such as, “Grassroots Indigenous Epistemologies: Native, Non-Governmental Organizations, and the Environment,” are a little off-putting. Don’t be.

Phil Bellfy

At the heart of most of the essays is the difference between Indigenous Peoples’ attitude to the earth and environment which is best summarized by living in balance with nature as opposed to modern society’s exploitation of the environment.  The essays address a wide range of environmental concerns and the writing is often sharp, critical and outraged. One essay I found especially interesting and biting was on overpopulation and how Japan is so overpopulated many of her people are “literally tumbling into the sea.” Yet they are worried that their declining birthrate means in the future they will have fewer workers to “produce,’ and thus ‘consume’ whatever it is that’s produced.” The author then goes on to say, “Think about it. I suggest that this attitude signifies nothing so much as stark, staring madness. It is insane: suicidally, homicidally, ecocidally, homicidally insane.”

The book is a deep dive into indigenous culture, beliefs, and their close relationship to nature and the environment. It is provocative, disturbing, and to the point. And the point is that humanity is “killing the natural world, and thus itself. It’s no more complicated than that.”
Honor the Earth: Indigenous Response to Environmental Degradation in the Great Lakes edited by Phil Bellfy. Ziibi Press, ISBN 978-1-61599-625-4, $24.95.
Beyond the Clouds
+3

Beyond the Clouds

978-1-61599-672-8
$24.95
An Autoethnographic Research Exploring Good Practice in Crisis Settings
In stock
1
Product Details
UPC: 978-1-61599-672-8
Brand: Loving Healing Press
Binding: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Author: Claudio Mochi
Illustrator: Isabella Cassina
Pages: 136
Publication Date: 07/01/2022

Beyond the Clouds explores the constituent elements of good practice in crisis work, providing theoretical foundations and practical tools in the context of a metaphorical journey through the clouds. Byinvestigating and sharing his own worldwide experience in crisis contexts developed over more than 20 years, the authorstimulates-through metaphors, anecdotes, and personal reflections--the reader's internal exploration.
Beyond the Clouds focuses on the conceptualization of crisis intervention as a co-constructed process, presents the innovative concept of MAP (My Awareness Process),contextualizes the role of the therapeutic power of play and play therapy in crisis settings, and underlines the relevance of symbols,writing, and metaphors in processing experiences and expanding self-knowledge and awareness. Readers will:

  • Explore the dimensions of good practice in crisis work, providing theoretical foundations and practical resources.
  • Appreciate the expressive power of symbols, writing, and metaphors in processing experiences and expanding self-knowledge and awareness.
  • Engage in conceptualizing crisis intervention as a process of co-construction specifying the role of professionals in the field.
  • Start developing the reader's own MAP as a personal guide in crisis work by undertaking a path of introspection.
  • Recognize and uphold the use of the therapeutic power of play and play therapy in crisis settings.
Beyond the Clouds is key reading for students and experienced professionals in the field of humanitarian work and international cooperation who wish to grasp the potential of play and play therapy in crisis contexts, as well as students and professionals from the world of play therapy and creative therapies who are interested in crisis work. Learn more at www.crisisplaytherapy.com (English) or www.play-therapy.ch (Italian)


"Beautifully blending science and theory, Mochi is a master storyteller who, with his vast experience, takes us on his personal journey working in crises intervention. In this highly accessible volume, enhanced by his use of metaphor and stories, Mochi outlines core dimensions of best practices in crisis intervention. A must read-I could not put it down!"
-- Sue C. Bratton, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, Professor Emerita and Director Emerita, Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas

"Beyond the Clouds is a beautiful gift, an inspiration, and a call to action. The premise of pausing long enough to process the reciprocity between those of us 0who want to be of service and those who are recipients is profound. Claudio is purposeful in his work, and he shares what he has learned 0with great generosity and humility. It transported me; I highly recommend it!"
-- Eliana Gil, Ph.D., Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery & Education, Fairfax, Virginia

From Loving Healing Press www.LHPress.com

Save this product for later
Display prices in: USD

 

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.