Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicole Bowman (Lunaape/Mohican). We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Nicole, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My purpose is rooted from my Indigenous spirit name, Waapalaneexkweew (wah-pah-lah-nay-wook). This means flying eagle woman, accompanied by the four eagles as my Elders told me/have given me teachings on. This spirit name lives in my values, ethics, and lifestyle. It encompasses all that I do no matter where I am / what contexts I am in (professional, academic, personal, social, etc.). I am learning everyday about who I am and what this spirit name means for me practically, culturally, and otherwise.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
The mission of BPC (www.bpcwi.com) is to use our professional and academic activities intentionally as a way to ground, document, utilize, and advance traditional knowledge, Indigenous scholarship, and the sovereign, human, and cultural rights of First Nations and Indigenous people anywhere on Mother Earth.
The vision of BPC is to develop strategic partnerships to strengthen our influence with networks of humble, innovative, authentic, and plentifully resourced partners who can support, advocate, advance, and sustain the rights, cultural values, and community priorities of First Nation Governments and Indigenous peoples as part of broader equality, social justice, governance, academic, and intergenerational healing programs and initiatives.
This is a special calling because it puts my Indigenous spirit name and cultural teachings, ethics, and philosophy into practice to help others. Being in service to others individually, organizationally, or at a First Nation government or community level is a sacred responsibility.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Humility, hard work, and heart.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
Slowing down, valuing the pauses in life, and purposefully doing less (not more). The western world is all about being fast, producing at a break neck speed, and trying to do too much with too little of resources. I value JOMO – the joy of missing out because I am not “missing” anything. I am able to reconnect with myself, nature, and the things that matter the most to me. With more room in my schedule and my life, there has been much ease and good energy that more naturally flows in. Prayer, meditation, yoga, walking, sitting in nature, resting, and doing “nothing” have all been critical components that I intentionally have been building into my schedule and life. No more than 2-4 zooms per day (4 hours or less), scheduling days with no zooms so I can read, write, rest, reflect and repeat (Weds, Friday – Sun), and measuring how many hours of sleep I get and the quality of sleep nightly so I make better decisions daily / nightly have all helped my quality of life. I also see a functional medicine doctor (quarterly); meet with cultural, clinical, and energy practitioners (monthly or more); and get a massage and meet with a personal trainer (1-2x a week). In spare time I do like podcasts, music, and other art forms to move me out of my mind only and into my body (somatic archaeology work).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bpcwi.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bpcwi/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolebowman/ or https://www.linkedin.com/company/15669983/admin/feed/posts/
- Twitter: @NBPC1 or @BPCWI
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@bpcwi
