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14: Why the Leaves Change Color

For many people, the most exciting part of fall is when the leaves change color. Cultures from around the world have many different explanations for why this occurs.

Stands Among Elk (Meherrin Nation) tells the story of why the leaves change color, according to the Meherrin peoples. This magical story provides an otherworldly explanation for a natural phenomenon. However, the Indigenous philosopher Vine Deloria Jr. (Dakota) points out that you can believe science and myth at the same time.

How do stories about nature impact the way we think about the environment?

Type: Audio

Topics: Indigenous Land Relationships: Tour