The homeland ecologies that have sustained Indigenous communities for countless millennia are essential parts of their identities, cultures and well-being. Indigenous photographer Joe Whittle, an enrolled citizen of the Caddo Nation and descendant of the Delaware Nation, has been documenting Indigenous People connecting with and caring for their homelands for over 25 years. He believes the original stewards of the land are still its best stewards today.
Whittle says every Indigenous community he’s known still honors the “Natural Laws” of reciprocal and sustainable relationships with nature that have allowed their societies to thrive for thousands of years. He believes Indigenous leadership and land return can help reverse the degradation our planet’s ecologies and climate have experienced. As America honors Native American Heritage Month and celebrates another Thanksgiving holiday, it’s a good time to reflect on the connection Indigenous People have had with this land since time immemorial, and what the world can learn from that.
The following images depict some of Whittle’s favorite moments from his time spent with Indigenous People maintaining their ancient relationships with their homelands.
