Ep. 49 Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson

In this episode I sat down with Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson (Hopi), who is an Assistant Professor/Extension Specialist of Indigenous Resilience at the University of Arizona’s School of Natural Resources and the Environment and a core faculty member of the Indigenous Resilience Center. Dr. Johnson is a Hopi tribal member and avid Hopi dryland farmer. He is a 250th-generation Hopi farmer, embodying generational ancestral knowledge learned through cultural practice, observation, and honoring what sustains life. His research focuses on Indigenous Land Use Management while integrating cultural and scientific expertise, such as Indigenous agriculture and the intersections of policy, science, and law. 

Photo of Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson with handful of different corn types. Photo courtesy of Dr. Johnson

During our conversation Dr. Johnson not only discusses his work in academia but proudly shares stories of his ancestors, homelands, and planting heritage. As he reflects on his research, mentors, and experiences that shaped his work, he also opens up in a heartfelt way sharing vivid stories of the homelands that nurtured his family and the rich planting traditions he learned from spending  time with his grandparents on the Rez during summer breaks as a kid. Together, these stories reveal not only the foundations of his scholarship but the cultural lineage that continues to inspire his life and work today.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Johnson The image features a corn field cultivated and cared for by Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson. Photo courtesy of Dr. Johnson.

Tune in to this powerful conversation with Dr. Michael Kotutwa Johnson, where we explore Indigenous knowledge, food systems, and community-centered futures.

Graphic created by T. Andrew

Here is a brief version of the interview that offers key highlights and insights from the full conversation.

https://kxci.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/12-10-25-to-12-24-25-CultivatingIV-Dr-Michael-Kotutwa-Johnson.mp3