Young and Indigenous Podcast
As our organization expands we continue to seek relevant avenues to involve the younger generations in our work. We started by having a youth gathering, where these adolescents expressed the concern that their voices and others in their community were not being heard, both within the Lummi community and to the larger society. Thus was born the Youth Podcast.
Four of our youth ventured to keep the origins of their oral tradition alive by starting a discussion about relevant topics on the rez., introduced in the language. They wrote, recorded, and edited a 30-minute podcast all within two weeks of our planning meeting. From this process, we learned two things, one, that when you let the youth identify their own projects, the role of the organization becomes that of a facilitator. Secondly, we learned that we wanted to build this model into our organization in the long term by creating a youth advisory council that influences our future development. Immediately we recognized that including the youth added reciprocity of strength to our mission of create, share, educate; we were learning as much about the plight of the younger generations as they were learning about the professional world from us.
Thus was born the Youth Podcast Network and as part of that, our Youth Advisory Council. Youth will research, write, interview, record, edit and publish the episodes, learning the requisite skills as they go. Included in this process is learning and practicing the appropriate cultural protocols including respect of elders in interviewing, gift-giving, strengthening their knowledge of the language for introductions, and learning and sharing tribal stories; this process ensures keeping alive ancient oral traditions with modern technologies. Below are the words of Michelle, one of our youth advisors and lead of the Youth Podcast:
“As a community it is our responsibility and duty to come together as one and make important decisions that should only benefit all of us. In order to do that we must first listen to the people of the community for their thoughts and opinions, this includes everyone: the council, the fisherman, the elderly, the youth, and the children.
There is a lack of communication in our community and we need to fix it. It can affect the council, the people, our economy, and our future if we continue to let it grow. Many things contribute to this problem including social media- when people only voice their opinions through a screen. A lot of the younger voters who do not vote can also add to the lack of communication in this community by not influencing the voting system and elected members because it is a chain reaction. And once the people who are elected stop asking the community members for their input, they start deciding things on their own. Therefore creating a division between the council and the people.
The proposal to the solution is asking the community for their opinions and thoughts through an on-the-go podcast group. The group of people would record interviews with members whether it be via telephone or in person. During the interview, many questions will be asked regarding the community as a whole and its future. Once we have heard the ideas of the people we will then go to the council and hear their input as well.
This podcast can help deliver strength and unity within our community and help us know a better and brighter future. One where everyone’s voice is heard and put to thought. The power of communication can bring a community even closer.”
S2 | Ep. 014 | Social Media and Mental Health
Social media. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
S2 | Ep. 013 | The Houses in Our Heads
Meditation can be used as a way to heal trauma. Join us as we follow CSSP team member Amanda Frank in a guided meditation where we explore the houses in our heads. Bekabon, Amanda Frank, from Minto, Alaska. Amanda has dedicated her life to healing through storytelling as a writer and professional email sender.
S2 | Ep. 012 | YAI Gets Real About Mental Health
How are you doing? When you say you’re ok, are you really ok? In this episode we check in with each other; this starts our latest series centered around youth and mental health. At Children of the Setting Sun we start our week off with check-ins, where we speak from our hearts to ensure that we connect with each other before we start the work. This helps to know what our peers are carrying.
The YAI sat down to ask each other, “what are we struggling with? What do we need help with? What strategies have we learned to get through hard times?” It is important to have your heart in the right place before embarking on a new journey, so that is what we are doing here.
S2 | Ep 011 | Welcoming New Peeps
You may have heard these voices in a few episodes. Welcome new team members, Wykeklyaa and Roy!
S2 | Ep. 010 | Sk'ali Ch'elh-Tenaut and the Sacred Sea
In the Lummi language, the term for killer whale is qwe’lhol mechen, meaning “our relatives below the waves”. Once called “Lolita”, then “Tokitae”, and now “Sk’ali Ch’elh-tenaut”, The Sacred Sea organization is working to bring our relative back home to the Salish Sea. She was taken from her home in 1970 and has been at Miami Seaquarium ever since. The Sacred Sea organization is a 501c3 non-profit whose work has been grounded in spirituality and backed by science. The YAI Team sat down with members of the organization, Ellie Kinley, Raynelle Morris, Julie Trimmingham, and Tribal elder Shirley Bob. They discuss their connection to Sk’ali Ch’elh- tenaut and the plan to bring her home. To learn more, visit https://sacredsea.org/skalichelhtenaut/
S2 | Ep.008 | The Cedar Laurels of Rena Priest
“Our stories have to be told. If you have it in yourself at all anywhere to be a writer, do it. Because the world needs your voice, needs your story. You never know who is going to encounter it and whose life it’s going to change.”
This inspiring interview with Rena Priest flows through the beauty of childhood, the nurturing hand that is culture and some uplifting encouragement to future writers. As a Washington State Poet Laureate and an enrolled member of the Lummi Nation, Rena walks WyKeklyaa Curleybear, a newly joined Young and Indigenous member, through a tour of her life.
S2 | Ep.007 | On Acting and Laughing with Benairen Kane
“Doubt isn't always a bad thing but it becomes a bad thing when you let it override what you are capable of.”-- Hidatsa Tribal Member Benairen Kane and Bella have a conversation about acting, his identity growing up as an urban Native outside his reservation, and the importance of humor to get you through life.
This interview took place on the set of “Canoe Journey” where CSSP embarked on filming the pilot for our first narrative series. This coming of age story centered around youth mental health and finding your identity places an emphasis on immersing yourself in culture as a preventative tool. It was a 10-day shoot and the YAI team was there on set during all of production playing various roles within. We were production assistants, talent handlers, and set designers; it was truly the best experience. Stay tuned for more info on the series.
With music by Quisol
S2 | Ep. 006 | PBS American Masters: Buffy Sainte-Marie
Buffy Sainte-Marie, a Cree musician, artist and activist, has always been ahead of the curve. For six decades, she’s fought for Indigenous rights and visibility through her work. Today, we’re sharing a special episode from the folks over at PBS’ Webby Award-winning podcast American Masters: Creative Spark. Their host Joe Skinner sits down with Sainte-Marie for a compelling conversation about her creative process and inspiration, and how she brought the song “Carry It On” to life.
Listen to the full episode with Buffy Sainte-Marie and follow American Masters: Creative Spark for even more interviews here: https://link.chtbl.com/VqMug88H?sid=YoungIndigenous
S2 | Ep. 005 | Falling Into Belief
During the month of September, CSSP embarked on filming the pilot for our first narrative series titled “Canoe Journey”. This coming of age story centered around youth mental health and finding your identity places an emphasis on immersing yourself in culture as a preventative tool. It was a 10-day shoot and the YAI team was there on set during all of production playing various roles within. We were production assistants, talent handlers and set designers; it was truly the
best experience. During this time we sat down to speak with a few of the actors. This is the first of those interviews.
Sam Bob speaks on his time spent at a residential school and how it has affected his life now and the impact that experience has had upon his children. He discusses how he has learned to heal from that trauma. Sam talks about how love based behavior is key to prevent passing on trauma and also to mend relationships. Intergenerational trauma is prevalent in our people today due to colonization and Sam’s wisdom can be learned and shared to start or continue on a healing path. Breaking into the acting world and all the steps leading up to it is another talking point in this episode, with his advice of: “falling into belief,” or really believing in the story you are portraying. We are grateful to Sam’s dedication to healing and his craft of acting which have landed him gigs in Northern Exposure, The X Files and in scenes with Anthony Hopkins. Hope you enjoy the interview as much as we do.
S2 | Ep. 004 | Skelotses
Skelotses is our ancestral territory, it is our homeland. In the final part of our series with the Lummi Summer Youth Program we travel by boat through our homeland, the San Juan Islands; we are reminded how culture and community are used as preventative tools for positive youth mental health. We listen to youth tell us what they learned, and elders explain origin stories as well as more recent tribal history since the Point Elliot Treaty. It was a beautiful day full of whale watching, rich storytelling and togetherness traveling the traditional highways our ancestors once took. Join us as we embark on the final leg of the ‘Walking With Our Ancestors’ journey.
S1 | Ep. 013 | Season One Celebration
As season one of Young and Indigenous wraps up, we come together to give thanks to everyone who has been involved in our podcast so far. Hy’shqe to each and every person who shared their words with us and stay tuned for the next phase of our work! Special thanks to Michelle and Kyla Polasky and Eliza Julius for their hard work and beautiful spirits. Your contributions will always shine in the podcast, and we wish you well in your future endeavors.
S1 | Ep. 012 | Storytime with Elaine Grinnell
Chatting with S'Klallam and Lummi tribal member, Elaine Grinnell, we are immersed and captivated by her singing and storytelling. She shares stories with important life lessons like the whale story but also the salmon story that teaches the origin of the salmon's hooked nose. These lessons, and many more, are shared along with the importance of bringing back the old ways, eating healthier foods and taking care of Mother Earth. She also speaks on another key principle, balance, balance in diet and balance in your life in general. You can check out Elaine’s Spotify channel for more stories!
