Mary Ruth Barnes discusses her latest novel “Where Birds Land.” The story details Barnes family history of her great-grandmother, Ella, living in Indian Territory as Oklahoma was becoming a state. She navigates legal battles in fighting for land as she deals with crooked businessman.
Eva Thomas is a Canadia First Nations filmmaker and screenwriter who is from Tucson, Ariz. Her new film “Nika & Madison” just had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The movie explores the lives of two Canadian indigenous women on the run from authorities. It explores sexual assault and the criminal justice system through an indigenous person’s lens. Eva talks to Colton about the shift in natives and indigenous representation in film from “leather and feathers” to more complex characters.
Shondiin Silversmith is hanging up her reporter hat as she enters the world of academia. She’s reported on indigenous affairs for the bulk of career. Shondiin talks with Colton about career highlights and what’s next.
Colton speaks with Ohio Capital Journal reporter Megan Henry in her investigation into Ohio schools that use Native American tribal names or imagery as mascots. She found more than 80 schools use them as many states come up with laws to limit or ban this kind of usage.
Natalie Benally is an OG guest from Colton’s first podcast. From her first interview back in the pandemic, Natalie has added numerous titles to her resume. On top of a recurring role on AMC’s Dark Winds, she now has two films she’s written on the film festival circuit. Listen to the two catch up and talk about her new endeavors.
Jourdan Bennett-Begaye is the first female to become managing editor of ICT News (formerly Indian Country Today). From the Navajo Nation, Jourdan is now based in Washington, D.C. She talks about coverage in Indian Country and the stories that need attention ahead of the Indigenous Journalist Association annual conference.
Students Imani Haven and Carmen Thompson from Dishchii'bikoh Community School are competing in the National History Day. They have advanced to the national competition, using the platform as a way to spread awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis. The students centered their research on Emily Pike, a young Indigenous girl whose life was taken way too soon, to bring attention to the issue. Their teacher Jeron Valasco has been their sponsor.
Shonie De La Rosa is a Native filmmaker who directed “The Arrangement.” The romantic comedy centers on the Navajo culture and arranged marriage with the actors speaking primarily in the Navajo language. The film was supported by Navajo Nation Film to help preserve and revitalize the language.
Arizona-based journalist Patty Talahongva (Hopi) and ASU Howard Center for Investigative Reporting professor Lauren Mucciolo go in-depth on the crisis many Native Alaska villages are facing amid rising temperatures and the fight for survival and relocation. The work culminates in the FRONTLINE/PBS documentary “Alaska’s Vanishing Native Villages” which will air on Earth Day, April 22.
Shuuluk Leo-Retz (Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Nation), an ASU alumnus and starring cast member of Haagua: "An Indigenous Surf Film," explores indigenous culture, surfing, and the importance of water.
Author Brian Young (Navajo) talks about his books for young adult readers that explore Navajo identity paying homage to tradition in modern times. The two-time Ivy League grad discusses Native representation in media and his refusal to water down his work to appeal to a broader audience.
Thomas “Breeze” Marcus is an artist whose murals are displayed all over the Phoenix area. He was raised on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Reservation. “Breeze” ties his modern graffiti art displays with ties to cultural art elements. A featured artists at Scottsdale Ferrari Art Week (March 20-23), he tackles new-wave A.I. (American Indian) art.
Pearl Yellowman (Diné) was the Vice President of Operations at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, N.M. She recently found herself on the list of layoffs at the school, SIPI, among 20 others. Yellowman talks about the impact of cuts to higher learning and Native American students. [We’ve reached out to SIPI’s current leadership for comment, we’ll update when we get a response.]
Federal Indian Law Attorney Julia Kolsrud discusses the tribe’s quest to gain crucial and much-needed resources in what would be the largest tribal water settlement in U.S. history.
Melanie Henshaw (Muscogee Nation) is an indigenous affairs reporter for InvestigateWest. Her recent reporting focuses on Colville tribal members facing higher than average medical debt for bills that aren’t even theirs to pay.
Former Miss Navajo Nation Alyson Shirley recently graduated from Arizona State University with her Master’s degree in Global Health. She plans to work with tribal member to address health disparities and inequities when it comes to HIV and STIs. Shirley also talks about her reign as Miss Navajo.
Gary Farmer is an actor, musician, and activist whose made a career in indigenous media. His performances in television and film have received rave reviews. The1989 film “Powwow Highway”, in which he stars, was just inducted into the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
Rep. Ruben Gallego joins Colton to discuss the Native American Child Protection Act.
Jeffrey Lazos-Fern is the marketing consultant for Arizona American Indian Tourism Association. This year he's had a major hand in putting together the Arizona Indigenous Food Symposium taking place in Old Town Scottsdale mid November. There will be a heavy focus on food sovereignty, environmental justice, as well as preserving cultural food practices. He shares how the indigenous culinary scene has grown in recent years.
Alana Yazzie, aka The Fancy Navajo, is a Diné chef. She started posting recipes online about a decade ago and has cultivated a huge following on social media. Her first cookbook "The Modern Navajo Kitchen" will be released on October 8th. She shares recipes that highlight her Navajo culture.