Q&A with Cetan Wanbli Williams

In honor of Earth Month, we spoke with Cetan Wanbli Williams (Oglala, Santee, Cheyenne & Ojibwe), a distinguished environmental strategist, about integrating traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary conservation practices and what it means to stay grounded in community.

As we know, American bison were brought to the brink of extinction not long ago, with lasting impacts still felt across our communities today. What has it meant to you to be part of the effort to restore their populations and to see buffalo return to your homelands? How do you envision this restoration furthering food sovereignty across Indian Country?

Reason. Purpose. Following the Buffalo makes you think differently, and therefore live better. Ingesting the high concentration of the B vitamins found in Buffalo stimulates cognitive function through triggering brain synopsis that will provide energy, regulate mood and influence genetic sequencing, essentially unlocking epigenetic code. This means that Buffalo provides spirit in the form of physical energy, mental health treatment by making us happy and unlocks genetics that might otherwise stay dormant, thus allowing us to be our whole, true self. The ability to reason — combined with the knowledge of happiness, the wisdom of self and the spirit to act — is a measure of sovereignty. Indigenous knowledge is powered by Indigenous food.

Can you talk about your experience organizing and working alongside various community partners throughout your career? Why is it important to you to work in collaboration with and center Tribal voices?

Buffalo live in a herd, lead by the mothers. Their effort is the work of many partnerships who collaborate to center the needs of the youth. My mother worked for the Native American Fish and Wildlife Society. As a young man I spent my after-school hours in her office, witnessing the ideas, discussions and actions that eventually lead to the establishment of the Intertribal Buffalo Council. I saw firsthand how the Buffalo brought together people of Tribes who were traditional enemies, allowing them to put aside differences and collaborate as one voice. The importance is evident in the impact. The prophecy is being fulfilled. But we are not bringing the Buffalo back, they are bringing us back. From within, from the center. 

What has been like working at the intersection of technology and your Lakota teachings? How did your journey into this work begin? What guidance would you share with Native youth looking to balance cultural values with cutting-edge tools?

Lakota have been using cutting edge technology since they first sharpened flint. Even our ceremonies use technology. White Buffalo Calf Woman brought us the canupa (pipe), instructed us how to heat up the stone element and produce energy that can be used to communicate. Fundamentally, our iPhones use the same process. What we choose to do with the technology is a matter of sovereignty.

My guidance to the youth is: Be Native to Now. 

What advice would you offer to Native youth who are passionate about environmental justice? Where can they turn to deepen their knowledge of sustainable practices to advance their communities? 

Passion needs a pathway. Walk with purpose. Find your medicine. Listen to the Elders. Keep the knowledge. Share wisdom. 

How does a flower know when to bloom? The answer is Indigenous Knowledge. The flower knows how to be Native to Now. 

Look to the center. In the middle of the herd is the protection you seek. Sustainability. 

Follow the Buffalo, who only advance as fast as the slowest one, often stopping to ruminate. Progress with purpose. Always onward, facing any oncoming storm. 

In spaces that aren’t always designed for Indigenous ways of knowing, how do you stay grounded in your teachings and community? What words of encouragement do you have for Native youth trying to navigate those spaces?

Being Indigenous means being connected to a place. Despite valiant efforts to leave and permanently occupy other space, we remain futile earthlings. Being such, I encourage youthful Native humans to ritually renew and celebrate this connection beyond a casual acknowledgement of the occupied spaces. Do so with the spirit of sovereignty. Be free in the way envisioned seven generations prior. We are always here. There is purpose in your place, reason in your being. 

In his current role as Innovation Manager, he focuses on the intentional and meaningful inclusion of Tribal, rural and farming communities in co-creating a blueprint for the future.

Guided by Lakota principles of respect for the land and relationality, Cetan Wanbli continues to champion initiatives that uplift Native communities, restore cultural ties to the land and foster a sustainable future for all.