On Her Homeland: Chantal Wadsworth

Sometimes, when we travel, it’s to go back home. And Chantal Wadsworth is traveling back to explore her home in a big way, because she grew up on the Navajo reservation in New Mexico. As you’ll hear in this episode, the outdoors hold a special place for Native people, for the Navajo, and for Chantal personally, which is why she and her partner secured remote work, bought a Ford Transit van, converted it into a simple home on wheels, and are currently traveling around the Navajo Nation and 4 Corners area to reconnect with her roots-- the land she loves so much and grew up around, as well as her family who lives in that region.

What we find particularly beautiful about Chantal’s story is not just how much she wants to accept from this experience, but how much she wants to give back-- to the land and her community.

About Chantal:

Chantal Wadsworth is a Navajo woman on the road, traveling the Navajo Nation and Four Corners area, along with her partner and two dogs. On a journey to learn, connect, heal and protect indigenous lands. Follow us as we reconnect to these sacred places.

Sponsored by Outdoor Voices and Otterbox

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The experience that led to Chantal and her partner getting a vanWhy Chantal wanted to return to New Mexico, where she grew upWhat the transition to living in a van with her partner has been likeChantal explains what her grandmother thinks about her campervanStories from Chantal’s childhood growing up on the reservationHow Chantal views sharing information about Native landsWhere you can find more resources on the Native history of local
lands in the USA few of Chantal’s favorite places she’s visited in the Navajo Nation
and Four Corners areaHow we can all care for the lands we visitWhy Chantal thinks it’s important to reach out to Native youth when
it comes to outdoor recreation

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Follow Chantal on Instagram: @rezroads_sw and @cw__Natives Outdoors

Join us in our On the Road, Our Way Facebook Group

Sponsor Websites and Codes

OtterboxOutdoor Voices: use promo code WOTR at check out for 20% off your first order of $100 or more!

Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. You can also share this podcast with a friend. Thank you for your support!

Episodes air weekly on Fridays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode. Follow along with Laura Borichevsky on Instagram (@howsheviewsit) and see more of her work through her website, How She Views It.

Music is by Tomo Nakayama.

Music is also by Jason Shaw, Jazzar, and Hyson via Free Music Archive using a CC by A license.

A production of Ravel Media