Young and Indigenous Podcast
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 one of our founding podcasters:
"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.”
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.
S2 | Ep. 026 | A YAI Christmas Special
Gather round! In this special Christmas episode, immerse yourself in the spirit of the holidays with a collection of short stories created by the Young and Indigenous team. Join us by the virtual fireplace, from tales of Sasquatch and the Basket Lady to setting a trap for Santa Claus, each story will put you in the holiday spirit!!!
S2 | Ep. 025 | The Love for the Game
Jaiyah Saelua is the first openly trans athlete to compete in a FIFA sanctioned qualifier. Tune in to our discussion about soccer, fa’afafine, working on Next Goal Wins with Taika Waititi, and advocating for transgender rights in the sports world.
S2 | Ep. 024 | Jason LaClair | My Gift From the Past
Bella gets deep with Jason LaClair, learning about his life creating Coast Salish art and his journey to wellness. Jason’s story is an example of strength, hope, inspiration, and belief that you can climb out of the darkness of addiction. Honoring his ancestors, he healed and transformed his life and you can now see his art all around Bellingham and the Lummi Community. We are all so proud of you.
S2 | Ep. 023 | YAi's Giving
Join us for an authentic conversation on Thanksgiving with Noelani Auguston. We’ll discuss history, personal stories, and embracing cultural diversity in this holiday reflection.
S2 | Ep. 022 | YAI Talks Love Languages
The YAI Team sat down to take a Love Language Quiz and discuss our love languages. Tune in to find out how we show ourselves and others love:)
To take the quiz we did, click here!
https://5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/love-language
S2 | Ep. 021 | Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates and honors our history and culture. It represents a recognition of our resilience, heritage, and the ongoing struggles we continue to face. It’s a day to raise awareness about the rich diversity and enduring traditions of Indigenous cultures while also acknowledging the historical injustices and challenges we continue to face.
S2 | Ep. 020 | Elwha Friends on Canoe Journey
The YAI team got to sit down with a couple of our friends from The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe to talk about their experiences, hear their stories, and learn what Canoe Journey means to them.
S2. | Ep. 019 | Journeys & Tats
A week after getting done with Tribal Canoe Journey Paddle to Muckleshoot, the YAI team sits down to reflect on our time, our favorite canoe journey stories, and, oh, did we mention Free got new tattoos? Shout out to the West Shore Canoe Family!
S2 | Ep.018 | Wykeklyaa
Oonugwito (greetings), today’s episode starts a new introduction series for our YAI team members starting with Wykeklyaa Curleybear, a kwinayl (Quinault) Tribal member. We learn who she is and where she comes from, and how she got to where she is today.
S2 | Ep. 017 | Preserving Our Culture Through Language
Tina Joe is a language teacher here in Lummi. She speaks to Bella about the importance of language, culture, and passing it down to the next generation. We learn more about language as it ties to ceremony, and how it connects us to our ancestors.
S2 | Ep. 016 | Welcome Free!
You may have heard this voice before. Welcome to our newest Yai-Team member, Free
S2 | Ep. 015 | Painting Pictures (feat. Lil Jim)
Descending from Nooksack and Lummi heritage, musical artist Lil Jim talks to Roy about fitness, mental health, and weaving together culture and music. Listen in to hear how influencing indigenous youth kept him in the music game, what defines native hip hop, and what is in store for the HGS SAVAGE Fam!
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