PhD Journey: The Culture Hero's Blueprint: Slaying the Global Monster of Waste with Indigenous Wisdom

"Turning Trash into Triumph: A Journey of Resilience and Renewal"

A Note from the Author

Navigating the complex terrain between global economic systems and the specific needs of Indigenous communities has been the defining work of my life. My career has been one of practice and partnership: serving twice as a Division Director of Economic Development for the Navajo Nation, leading government development initiatives, and working extensively with neighboring tribes like the Hopi, Kaibab Paiute, and many others. As an entrepreneur in renewable energy and a consultant in strategic planning and impact investment, I've operated at the nexus of market forces and community needs. This experience has given me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities we face. This on-the-ground experience is complemented by over a decade of leadership in regional conservation and grassroots NGO work, all focused on stewarding our natural and cultural resources.

Now, as a PhD candidate in Sustainable Development Education, I am entering a vital period of synthesis. This blog series is inspired by my weekly writings and research—a real-time journey of connecting decades of practical experience to a deeper academic and philosophical framework. I am incredibly excited to share this process, as the insights emerging are not for academia alone.

They reveal a powerful truth: the wisdom to heal our planet and our communities already exists within Indigenous knowledge systems.

Through these posts, I will explore a fundamental thesis: that sustainable development is not a new set of rules to be imposed, but an ancient principle to be rediscovered and adapted. It is the Diné principle of Hózhǫ́—of walking in beauty and balance—applied to the urgent challenges of our time. By combining lessons from the Navajo Nation, our tribal partners, and global resilience models, we can find a path to a more harmonious and prosperous future for all.

The Trash Monster is Invading All Our Homeland

Remember the Tearful Native American from the Commercial?

Picture this: A serene landscape, a proud Native American standing tall, and then—trash. Everywhere. Cue the iconic tear sliding down his cheek. It's like the universe decided to photobomb a sacred moment with garbage. If that scene from the old commercial hit a nerve, it’s because it speaks to a truth we’re still grappling with today. The "take-make-dispose" economy is more than just a nuisance; it’s a full-blown monster, and it’s time we call it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0sxwGlTLWw

Across the globe, this isn’t just an abstract concept. It’s the illegal dumps desecrating sacred sites, the plastic waste washing up on remote shores, and the hard-earned money spent to bury trash in distant landfills. It’s as if we’re all extras in a bad movie we didn’t sign up for, and the plot twist is that we’re paying for the privilege.

This linear system is a modern monster—a spirit of disrespect and imbalance. It treats our homelands as sacrifice zones, directly attacking our core values of reciprocity, responsibility, and kinship with the Earth. From the Diné concept of Hózhǫ́ (walking in beauty) to the Andean Ayni (reciprocity) and the Lakota Mitákuye Oyás’iŋ (we are all related), our philosophies stand in total opposition to this monster. It’s time we fought back together, armed with humor, wisdom, and a good dose of determination.

We Come from a Long Line of Monster-Slayers

Every Indigenous culture has its heroes. The Maya have the Hero Twins, Xbalanque and Hunahpu. The Haudenosaunee have the Peacemaker. And let's not forget the modern-day duo of Michael Jordan and Dennis Rodman, who, much like the Hero Twins, one was wild and the other a warrior, took on the chaos of the basketball court with flair and a touch of drama. If they had Instagram back then—#MonsterSlayer would be trending! And let's not forget the epic selfies with mythical beasts—or in Rodman's case, perhaps a few with his ever-changing hairstyles.

These heroes are our blueprints. Our modern monster—the waste crisis—won’t be defeated by just building bigger landfills. We must outsmart it. We must remember our innate power to restore balance. After all, if our ancestors could handle mythical beasts, surely we can tackle a bit of trash. Think of it as a modern-day quest, minus the dragons, but with a lot more recycling bins.

Learn More: Explore the rich tapestry of Indigenous hero stories with resources like Native Languages of the Americas, which provides a collection of legends and myths from various tribes.

Global Ingenuity: Lessons from Cuba’s "Invento"

When crisis hits, innovation thrives. After the Soviet Union collapsed, Cuba was forced to survive without imports. Almost overnight, they became a living laboratory for a circular economy. Talk about turning lemons into lemonade—or in this case, turning old cars into modern miracles! It's like a masterclass in making do with what you've got, with a side of salsa.

• Inventiveness: They kept 1950s cars running for decades through pure ingenuity. It’s like the ultimate DIY project, but with a bit more rust and character. If cars could talk, these would have stories to tell.

• Urban Farming: They turned city lots into productive urban farms, reducing waste and building food sovereignty. It’s like a community garden on steroids, with a dash of revolutionary spirit.

This looks familiar, doesn’t it? It’s the same spirit of resourcefulness that our grandparents embodied. Cuba’s story proves that when the dominant system fails, the solutions that rise up look a lot like Indigenous wisdom—just with a Caribbean twist.

Learn More:

• Cuba’s Urban Farming Revolution - A National Geographic article exploring how Cuba's urban farming practices have become a model for sustainable agriculture.

• Cuban Innovation in Sustainability - A BBC article on how Cuban inventors are revolutionizing recycling and sustainability.

The Battlefield: Our Communities, Our Economies

The monster’s toll is felt by all our nations:

• Economic Strain: We pay to export our "waste," draining scarce resources from our communities. It’s like buying a ticket to a show you don’t want to see, and the popcorn’s stale.

• Cultural Impact: The contamination of our land, water, and air is an attack on our health and cultural integrity. From the Arctic to the Amazon, Indigenous lands bear a disproportionate burden of the world's pollution. It’s like being the designated driver at a party you didn’t even want to go to, but everyone’s spilled their drinks on you.

This is not our fault. It is the result of a system imposed upon us. But the solution lies within our hands—and perhaps a bit of elbow grease.

Learn More:

• Navajo Nation EPA - Insights into current environmental challenges and initiatives within the Navajo Nation.

• Indigenous Environmental Network - A resource for understanding how Indigenous communities are leading environmental change globally.

A Warrior's Strategy: Building a Circular Future

Inspired by our heroes and global examples, here is a battle plan we can adapt from the Navajo Nation to Māori Aotearoa, from Sápmi to Turtle Island:

1. Forge New Gathering Places: Zero-Waste HubsLet’s transform dumpsites into community hubs. Imagine a place that combines:

   • A Repair Café: Where elders teach youth to fix everything from engines to electronics. It’s like a tech support line, but with more wisdom and less hold music.

   • A Swap Shed: A modern potlatch where items find new homes instead of becoming waste. It’s like a yard sale, but with fewer awkward negotiations.

   • A Composting Center: Turning food scraps into fertile soil for community gardens, closing the loop just as nature does. It’s the circle of life, but with less singing and more digging.

2. Change the Rules of the Game: Tribal Policy as a ToolOur tribal governments have immense power to create change. We can:

   • Champion a ‘Right to Repair’ and support our local artisans, welders, and makers, creating green jobs rooted in our communities. It’s like a job fair, but with more creativity and less paperwork.

   • Lead by Example by using our nation’s purchasing power to buy reusable items and source from artists who use recycled materials. This creates a market for circularity and a bit of friendly competition.

Learn More:

• Right to Repair Movement - An organization advocating for policies that empower individuals to repair their own electronics and machinery.

• Zero Waste Home - A guide to living a zero-waste lifestyle, providing tips and resources for reducing waste at home.

Our Generation's Sacred Journey

This is more than waste management. This is our generation's sacred journey to reclaim balance. It is an act of sovereignty—a declaration that we will no longer allow our homelands to be treated as landfills.

By weaving together the strands of our distinct knowledge systems, we can build an unstoppable movement. We can turn waste into resources, problems into opportunities, and challenges into a testament to our resilience. It’s like a giant puzzle, and we have all the pieces. And maybe a few extra pieces, because puzzles are like that.

This is the path of our ancestors. It is the path of the warrior. It is the path forward, together.

Learn More:

• Sacred Land Film Project - Documentaries and resources about Indigenous peoples' efforts to protect sacred lands.

• Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature - An organization working to implement the rights of nature into legal systems worldwide.

💬 Let’s Discuss!This is a conversation for all nations. How is the "trash monster" showing up in your community? What stories of resourcefulness and heroes inspire your people to fight for balance? Share your wisdom in the comments—and maybe a joke or two. After all, laughter is one of the best tools we have.

copy_a

About the Author: Tony Skrelunas, MBA, PhD Candidate

Tony Skrelunas, MBA, PhD Candidate in Sustainable Development Education, is a visionary Diné leader who has spent 30 years proving that the most powerful solutions for our planet's greatest challenges are found when ancient wisdom guides modern innovation. Raised by his great-grandparents on Big Mountain, Navajo Nation, Tony's journey was shaped by the values of hard work and stewardship, deeply rooted in the sacred lands of Dził Yíjiin (Black Mesa).

Educational and Professional Background:

• Education: Tony holds an MBA and graduated at the top of his class with a Bachelor's degree in Small Business Management from Northern Arizona University. He is currently a PhD candidate, focusing on Sustainable Development Education.

• Leadership Roles: Tony has served two terms as the Economic Director for the Navajo Nation, the largest and most complex Indigenous nation in the United States. His leadership spans over 9 years as Executive Director within the Navajo Nation and 14 years as a director in a non-profit organization, demonstrating stable and impactful leadership.

• Innovative Projects: As a co-founder of Navajo Power, Tony has been instrumental in utility-scale solar development. His work has facilitated major changes in governance, co-created that sales tax system, and improved trust land-based leasing models.

Community and Cultural Impact:

Tony's approach centers on fostering powerful, practical solidarity between tribes, having facilitated intertribal exchanges and supported economic planning for communities from the Hopi and Kaibab Paiute to those across the Colorado Plateau, Canada, and Peru. As a sought-after motivational speaker and founder of the Red Road Journey https://www.redroadjourney.org/ Tony translates timeless tribal success principles into powerful strategies for modern leadership and resilience.

Vision for the Future:

Tony Skrelunas offers the world a vital blueprint: a future where economic vitality and planetary health are woven together, just as they have been for millennia in Indigenous cultures. His work on the Board of Trustees for Prescott College and his ongoing PhD research highlight his commitment to integrating Indigenous knowledge systems with modern sustainable development practices.

Tony's career is a testament to the power of combining ancient wisdom with modern innovation to address today's most pressing challenges. His insights and leadership continue to inspire and guide efforts towards a sustainable and equitable future for all.