Earth-Mother, a workshop between American and Iraqi indigenous nations

Dr Rubin Bet Shmouel with Ninos Emmanuel and on the left Mr Warda, an indigenous Iraqi showing off his pottery skills. Credit: SBS Assyrian

This weekly segment explores a workshop project initiated by Assyrian American artist, Ester Elya, where two indigenous Americans meet Iraqi indigenous Assyrians. They exchange ideas, methods, and centuries-old traditional food, bridging cultures between indigenous nations.

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In this episode, we meet Dr Robin Bet Shmuel, an academic, linguist, historian, and advocate for the Earth-Mother project, which strongly emphasises the significance of exploring indigenous communities' culture, history, and shared experiences.

According to Dr Bet Shmuel, understanding and appreciating indigenous people's traditions, language, and heritage is crucial for fostering mutual respect and preserving their unique identities.