Turning Points Magazine

Resuming our discussion on #SheRepresents with Sun Devil alumnae, Representatives Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren and Christina Haswood, this episode highlights the power of the Native vote in the United States. Check out our newest segment called “Indigi-know” where ASU students Lucilla Taryole (Kiowa) and Coral Tachine (Diné) share fun facts about the Native vote.“She Represents” is a podcast series where ASU doctoral student Nicholet Deschine Parkhurst (Húŋkpapȟa & Diné) and Turning Points Magazine editor Taylor Notah (Diné) interview two distinguished Sun Devil alumnae who are breaking glass ceilings in politics. Representatives Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, D-Red Mesa, and Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, are two Diné politicians making herstory as they are changing what leadership looks like in our governments and communities. Sko Devils!Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpointThe music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

Did you know that a hooghan (a traditional Navajo home) provided the best Wi-Fi signal for Rep. Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren (Diné) as she studied for the bar exam in 2020? Or that as a grad student, Rep. Christina Haswood (Diné) simultaneously defended her master’s thesis in public health and ran for public office amid the pandemic?Continuing our discussion on She Represents, we chat with Reps. Blackwater-Nygren, D-Red Mesa, and Haswood, D-Lawrence, about the struggles of navigating “Zoom University” during the COVID-19 pandemic. From struggling with Indian Country’s notorious internet connectivity and electricity issues while pursuing school, this episode sheds light on common issues that continuously impact Native students and families across the country.Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts. Find Turning Points Magazine on social media and give us a follow! The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

Reps. Jasmine Blackwater-Nygren, D-Red Mesa, and Christina Haswood, D-Lawrence, are Diné ‘asdzání (Navajo women) leaders who made national waves in 2021 when they became the youngest sitting legislators in Arizona and Kansas respectively. Kickstarting the first of four podcast episodes, Taylor Notah (Diné) and Nicholet Deschine Parkhurst (Húŋkpapȟa & Diné) of Turning Points Magazine have a Zoom discussion with the fellow Native Sun Devil alumnae about our place-based connections on the Navajo Nation and why we chose Arizona State for our higher education journeys.Stay tuned into the rest of this podcast episode series where we dive further into discussion with the representatives about navigating Zoom University during the pandemic, Indigenizing spaces, and the power of the Native vote and She Represents. Sko Devils!Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpointThe music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

In part two of our semester wrap-up, a few of the Turning Points team members shared insight on what it was like to work with the magazine this Spring 2020 semester. Tune in as editor Taylor Notah (Diné) shares insight on what the magazine production process entails and the importance of Native college students sharing their stories. Also hear from our storytellers Savannah Jacobs (Oglala Lakota), Mariah McGhee (Yankton Sioux) and KaLynn Yazzie (Diné) on the narratives that they wrote for the upcoming fifth issue, an edition that highlights the coronavirus pandemic impacting Native Sun Devils at Arizona State.Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Find these and other links at http://bit.ly/turningpointsmagazinepodcast.Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/.The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

It is finals week at Arizona State! In part one of our semester wrap up, the Turning Points Magazine and podcast team reflect on the rollercoaster semester of Spring 2020. Tune in where editor Taylor Notah (Diné), storytellers and contributors Nicholet Deschine-Parkhurst (Húŋkpapȟa/Diné), Savannah Jacobs (Oglala Lakota), Mariah McGhee (Yankton Sioux), resident cartoonist Danielle Lucero (Isleta Pueblo), intern KaLynn Yazzie (Diné), and graphics team Ravenna Curley (Diné) and Brittany Gene (Diné) all sit down in our final Zoom meeting of the semester and share how we’ve been taking care of ourselves in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.Tune into part two of this episode where we each share the stories that we contributed in our upcoming new fifth issue and where we share what our individual roles are with the magazine and what that all entails!Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Find these and other links at http://bit.ly/turningpointsmagazinepodcast.Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/.The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has turned the Spring 2020 semester upside down for many students at Arizona State University. Nearly 55,000 on-campus ASU students have transitioned to the 14,000-plus online classes the week following spring break in mid-March. The global response to this pandemic has sparked the masses to social distance themselves and loved ones inside their homes, practice social distancing, and work remotely. What are the stories from our #NativeSunDevils during this social change, and how are they doing? Social distancing in her two-bedroom apartment, Turning Points senior editor Taylor Notah (Diné) calls in with fellow social distancing Native Sun Devils Tyler Miller (Tohono O’odham) and Ceyshe Lee (Diné) who are facilitators of ASU’s student coalition Alliance of Indigenous Peoples. Tune in as they discuss not only the impacts that COVID-19 has had on the Spring 2020 semester and their own studies, but the numerous ways Native student leaders are showing resilience and leadership by uniting communities digitally and remotely. Stay tuned as the Turning Points Podcast continuously covers stories of COVID-19 at ASU and Indian Country. Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Find these and other links at http://bit.ly/turningpointsmagazinepodcast. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

In today’s episode, we hear from Turning Points Magazine member KaLynn: I was shown a FaceBook post by my mother who was also upset with an event, this event, about a 4th grader who obtained a reading book at his school, which contained foul words and strong descriptions of ladies. The teacher who posted the photo of the words which is in a poem, showed the cover of the book and the Biography of the Author. It was Rex Lee Jim, former Vice President of the Navajo Nation and his book, SAAD LÁ TAH HÓZHÓÓN a collection of Dine Poetry. Understanding why my Elders were upset with why this book is inappropriate for children. The book is suited for a mature audience. I agree it shouldn’t be allowed in the reading list or library at the school, however, there is a deeper conversation that needs to be talked about, about the replies on Facebook: Social Hierarchy: how we expect someone who is of high social status Generational Differences Creative Writing aspect of the poem It’s more than just a child who shouldn’t read this book. It’s that Rex Lee Jin shouldn’t have written the book. Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Find these and other links at http://bit.ly/turningpointsmagazinepodcast. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

In today’s episode, the Turning Points team chat about owning pets while in college. From our pets getting sick or injured, making emergency vet visits, or caring for your pet(s) while also trying to budget college funds, we share stories that break down the many aspects of pet ownership that aren't often talked about. Whether you are a college student interested in getting a pet or are a college student who already has a pet or pets, this episode is for you. Tune in as we share insight on the responsibilities of owning pets, some resources to consider, and hear stories of why our pets mean the world to us! Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Find these and other links at http://bit.ly/turningpointsmagazinepodcast. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

There are many reasons why film is considered a powerful art form and medium: it is a universal power of communication that educates people and brings ideas to life. For Diné filmmaker, activist, writer, artist and Native Sun Devil Lejend Yazzie, filmmaking allows her to reclaim her voice and also carves spaces for herself and others in this world. Tune into this empowering episode as we hear from Lejend on how she is decolonizing the film space and how fellow Diné filmmaker Shandiin Tome’s short film “Mud (Hashtł'ishnii)” influenced her trajectory in her undergraduate studies. We also talk (and tear up) about Taika Waititi’s historic Oscar win at this year’s Academy Awards for his film “Jojo Rabbit” and what his win signifies for all Indigenous peoples. Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Find these and other links at http://bit.ly/turningpointsmagazinepodcast. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

In today’s episode, Turning Points Magazine senior editor Taylor Notah speaks with playwright and graduate student Esther Almazan (Yaqui), who is in the Dramatic Writing MFA program at ASU. Graduating this Spring 2020 semester, Esther shares insight about her applied project, a play titled “Indian School” that has received the Kennedy Center Latinx Playwrighting Award, Distinguished Achievement and had a staged reading at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Esther shares the turning points in her life that led her to theatre, the beauty of seeing her playwrights go from written ideas to the performance onstage, and how “Indian School” allowed her to take control in Indigenous storytelling. “Indian School” debuts on the ASU Tempe campus February 21, 2020 - March 1 at the Nelson Fine Arts Center 133. Then, in ‘My Take,’ Nicholet Deschine Parkhurst shares her experiences that helped to shape her perspective on land acknowledgements -- the practice of recognizing the lands of territories of Indigenous peoples where we live and work. Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

It’s February, which is Financial Aid Awareness Month! In our Fall 2019 issue of Turning Points Magazine, ASU doctoral student and financial aid outreach specialist Delphina Thomas (Diné) graced our pages with her invaluable stories on financial literacy titled “FAFSA: Friendly Advice From Student Aficionado” and “Th!nk Smart With Your Refund.” Tune in as Taylor Notah (Diné) and Nicholet Deschine-Parkhurst (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe/Diné) get into the nitty gritty of FAFSA where Delphina breaks down the application process, defines what “special circumstances” are, and why she encourages students to check the work study box when applying. We even discuss resisting the urge to splurge on non-academic items when aid comes in (disclaimer: we’ve been guilty of this). Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

When you think of cooking in college, do the words “budgeting” and “microwave chef” come into mind? Many college students today rely heavily on scholarship funding and family aid to survive hectic semesters. And when it comes to keeping your fridge stocked, the healthiest foods can be the most expensive. For this episode, we sit down with special guest Sean Sherman (Oglala Lakota), founder and CEO of the Sioux Chef. Tune in as Sherman chats about his passion for bringing back Indigenous ways of cooking, the turning point in his life that led him to be a chef, and his advice for students cooking on a budget (hint: lots of veggies and potluck with friends!). Arizona State University students: did you know that there are several foodbank resources available to you on campus? The Borderlands Produce Rescue allows students to purchase 35 pounds of fresh produce for $6 (must have ID). For specific campus information, visit the links: Tempe Specific: links.asu.edu/BorderlandsTempe Poly Specific: links.asu.edu/BorderlandsPoly West Specific: links.asu.edu/BorderlandsWest The ASU Pitchfork Pantry, Student Foodbank is available at the Tempe and Downtown Phoenix campuses. This resource is a foodbank on campus for students struggling with food issues or lack of food. Website: https://www.facebook.com/asupitchforkpantry/ Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil Drumtie Circle.

The Spring 2020 semester has just started at Arizona State University. Natuve Sun Devils Brittany Gene, Mariah McGhee, Savannah Jacobs and Taylor Notah sit down and share their advice to fellow students on starting off a new semester right. Take it from us: we know how demanding college can be. Pulling all-nighters, cranking out research papers and trying to stay on top of deadlines is the tune for many students. Tune in as we talk about utilizing our planners and technology, taking the time to explore resources and spaces on campus, and encouraging students to make time for themselves! Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. If you are an Indigenous student attending Arizona State University and want to contribute, contact us at TurningPoints@asu.edu! The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil DRUMTIE Circle.

The Turning Points team recently had the opportunity to speak with First Nations award-winning author Terese Marie Mailhot. From the Seabird Island Band, Mailhot is author of the New York Times bestseller “Heart Berries: A Memoir” whose work has also appeared in Guernica, Pacific Standard, Granta, Mother Jones, Medium, the Los Angeles Times, and elsewhere. On a recent visit to Arizona State University, Mailhot sat down for lunch with the Center for Indian Education staff to discuss Indigenous representation, persistence in academia, unapologetic storytelling, and ways in which colleges can better listen to Native students. Read Mailhot’s essays and more of her work on her website https://teresemailhot.com/ and follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TereseMarieM Featured in this episode are the thinkers at ASU's Center for Indian Education: Jeremiah Chin - Postdoctoral research fellow Cecilia Marek (Diné, Nimiipuu, Hopi) - M.S. candidate in American Indian Studies, administrative assistant Nicholet Deschine-Parkhurst (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Diné) - 2nd year PhD student, Justice & Social Inquiry at ASU's School of Social Transformation Danielle Lucero (Pueblo Isleta) - Graduate research assistant and doctoral student in Justice & Social Inquiry at ASU's School of Social Transformation Taylor Notah (Diné) - senior editor of Turning Points Magazine Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/. If you are an Indigenous student attending Arizona State University and want to contribute, contact us at TurningPoints@asu.edu! The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil DRUMTIE Circle.

We speak with an ASU professor who, like Dr. Bryan Brayboy, was integral in the creation of Turning Points Magazine: Dr. Amanda Tachine (Diné). In this episode, Dr. Tachine shares her journey as a postdoctoral scholar at Arizona State University’s Center for Indian Education where she was able to nourish her research in supporting Native college students in higher education, and ultimately her role in the formation of a magazine by, for Native students. Check out stories from our previous issues on: https://medium.com/@turningpointsmagazine The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil DRUMTIE Circle. If you are an Indigenous student attending Arizona State University and want to contribute, contact us at TurningPoints@asu.edu! Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/.

The month of November is Native American Heritage Month (NAHM). In episode 3, we highlight just how universities, particularly Arizona State University, implement NAHM celebrations on campuses. We sit down with an ASU NAHM coordinator Sedale Sanden (Kaibab Paiute/Seneca) who is majoring in Supply Chain Management. Tune in as we dive into how student-led coalitions are taking the reins on event-planning and ensuring that Indigenous identities are celebrated and recognized in institutions of higher learning. Check out stories from our previous issues on: https://medium.com/@turningpointsmagazine The logo for this episode was created by Kyle Secakuku.

Turning Points Magazine is a college publication that is truly written, created, thought about and designed by Native students, for Native students. And that is what the all-Indigenous female team discuss in Episode 2. In this episode, we chat about how our individual pathways connected with Turning Points and our publication celebrating its second anniversary this year. Lastly, we dive into how our newest edition (nicknamed the “legacy issue”) connects with the Indigenous student body at ASU in different avenues. If you are an Indigenous student attending Arizona State University and want to contribute, contact us at TurningPoints@asu.edu! The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil DRUMTIE Circle. Subscribe to the Turning Points Magazine Podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher Pocket Casts and wherever you listen to podcasts! Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/asuturningpoint/.

For our inaugural episode, the Turning Points Podcast speaks with Dr. Bryan Brayboy, a President’s Professor of Indigenous education and justice in the School of Social Transformation at Arizona State University. At ASU, he is senior advisor to the president, director of the Center for Indian Education, associate director of the School of Social Transformation, and co-editor of the Journal of American Indian Education. He is also one of the reasons Turning Points exists! Dr. Brayboy explains the history of the magazine, and where he thinks it could go in the future. The music for today's episode was provided by Christopher Luna and the Sun Devil DRUMTIE Circle.