Fresh Banana Leaves

Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science

De: Jessica Hernandez Ph.D.

Narrado por: Stacy Gonzalez

A 2022 Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist in Science & Technology

An Indigenous environmental scientist breaks down why western conservationism isn't working--and offers Indigenous models informed by case studies, personal stories, and family histories that center the voices of Latin American women and land protectors.

Despite the undeniable fact that Indigenous communities are among the most affected by climate devastation, Indigenous science is nowhere to be found in mainstream environmental policy or discourse. And while holistic land, water, and forest management practices born from millennia of Indigenous knowledge systems have much to teach all of us, Indigenous science has long been ignored, otherized, or perceived as "soft"--the product of a systematic, centuries-long campaign of racism, colonialism, extractive capitalism, and delegitimization.

Here, Jessica Hernandez--Maya Ch'orti' and Zapotec environmental scientist and founder of environmental agency Piña Soul--introduces and contextualizes Indigenous environmental knowledge and proposes a vision of land stewardship that heals rather than displaces, that generates rather than destroys. She breaks down the failures of western-defined conservatism and shares alternatives, citing the restoration work of urban Indigenous people in Seattle; her family's fight against ecoterrorism in Latin America; and holistic land management approaches of Indigenous groups across the continent.

Through case studies, historical overviews, and stories that center the voices and lived experiences of Indigenous Latin American women and land protectors, Hernandez makes the case that if we're to recover the health of our planet--for everyone--we need to stop the eco-colonialism ravaging Indigenous lands and restore our relationship with Earth to one of harmony and respect.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Westerners, [Dr. Hernandez] writes, fall short on including Indigenous people in environmental dialogues and deny them the social and economic resources necessary to recover from 'land theft, cultural loss, and genocide' and to prepare for the future effects of climate change."
—Publishers Weekly

“In Fresh Banana Leaves, Jessica Hernandez weaves personal, historical, and environmental narratives to offer us a passionate and powerful call to increase our awareness and to take responsibility for caring for Mother Earth.” A must-read for anyone interested in Indigenous environmental perspectives.”
—EMIL’ KEME (K’iche’Maya Nation), member of the Ixbalamke Junajpu Winaq’ Collective

“A groundbreaking book that busts existing frameworks about how we think about Indigeneity, science, and environmental policy. A must-read for practitioners and theorists alike.”
—SANDY GRANDE, professor of political science and Native American and Indigenous studies, University of Connecticut

“Inspiring and sobering, philosophically powerful and practically grounded, this book weaves together storytelling, razor sharp critiques of oppression, and liberatory pathways for how we can achieve transformation in solidarity. Dr. Hernandez offers the instructions so many environmental protectors and conservationists need to know.
—KYLE WHYTE, George Willis Pack Professor, School for Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan

“Dr. Hernandez offers many gifts for us to learn, grow, and heal. She shares many details of how settler colonialism has impacted Indigenous people, specifically people of Mexico and Central America. Fresh Banana Leaves is a true validation of the Indigenous knowledge of community.”
—DR.MICHAEL SPENCER, Presidential Term Professor of Social Work and director of Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Oceania Affairs at the IndigenousWellness Research Institute (IWRI),University
of Washington

“While ecological destruction has intensified, many of the approaches intended to minimize cataclysmic harm continue to emerge from the Global North. What has long been ignored are the practices and world views that Indigenous peoples have with our nonhuman relatives. Fresh Banana Leaves offers seeds—through the form of lived experiences and historic practices that come from the author’s own ancestors and relatives. We are invited to take heed, to be part of rebuilding a world that is more dignified and responsive to our environment and nonhuman living relations. Our collective futures hinge upon us abiding.”
—DR. ALEJANDRO VILLALPANDO, assistant professor of Latin American Studies, Cal State LA

A perspective that deserved to be heard!

This was a wonderful listen, I was so grateful to hear the authors perspective and the interviews of other indigenous people. I appreciated that the author acknowledged and rejected anti-Black racism in the front and end of the book. And that the Jessica recognized Black people as indigenous as well.
The stories about what different family members experienced held so much weight. Especially to hear how Jessica's Father's experiences impacted them both immensely.
This book demonstrates, unequivocally, to the Audience that Indigenous wisdom and sciences are valid and vital.

Important message but highly repetitive

I loved listening to Dr. Jessica’ Hernandez’s story and passion for this space. I know it’s a huge and important issue and her intersection between her academic work and indigenous is amazing (though academia is naturally very colonized.) I did find at least a half a down times in the book where she repeat the same information multiple times not just to drive a point but as if it wasn’t mentioned prior? I do wish she provided more organizations and resource to support displaced indigenous people. I know that’s not her job and there are bigger and bigger powers at play :(

Extremely important book. Required reading for environmental scientists.

Hernandez provides an extremely detailed, yet easy to follow, breakdown of how colonialism, white supremacy, and patriarchy have shaped and continue to influence the lives of everyone in the Americas. She provides historical examples, stories of relatives and neighbors, and personal accounts to illustrate the truths of her lived experience for those of us who can choose to ignore these systems if we wish. If you are an environmental scientist, policy maker, or just a person who cares, you should read this book.

Scolding tone not ideal for a reader!

The reader sounds like she’s scolding you most of the time. I was reading and listening to the book, going back and forth, so the awfulness of the reader was apparent. The book content is at times enlightening, particularly the kind of warrior stance the author takes in defense of herself and the land. Other books on this topic are much more well polished than this one, but some of the rawness here is a strength. Other parts of it make sections hard to get through.

Moved like the nice warm wind!

I thoroughly enjoyed the book from beginning to end. I really love how Dr. Hernandez's storytelling moved me to tears, both happy and sad. It was a wonderful insight into her passion for the environment and humanity.