Tongue Unbroken

We are joined by Dr. Keiki Kawaiʻaeʻa, Interim Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and former director of Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She shares her language journey, and then we talk about the elements that may have made the Hawaiian language movement successful. We also talk about strategies and trying to determine when you decolonize existing systems and when you create your own pathways within those systems, and how to move from teaching about, to teaching of, to teaching through Indigenous languages. Dr. Keiki also shares her views on how to create and maintain safe environments for language learning and to not give up when things are difficult. Learn more about Hawaiian language programs at www.olelo.hawaii.edu, www.ahapunanaleo.org, and www.nawahi.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by multimedia artist Yéil Ya-Tseen Nicholas Galnin, who is from Sheetkʼá (Sitka, Alaska) and performs music as Ya Tseen. He is a 2024 Guggenheim Fellow, can be found on Sub-Pop Records, and has work featured around the world that is in sculpture, jewelry, video, and installation. His works speak to sovereignty, racial, social, and environmental justice, and for Landback initiatives. We talk about his path to becoming a multimedia artist while remaining rooted in Lingít identity, on demystifying the “complexities” of colonization when it comes to returning land, language, and objects to Indigenous peoples, and also his signing to Sub-Pop. He also shares advice for aspiring artists, and then zoomed off to catch a flight. See his work by following https://www.instagram.com/nicholasgalanin/?hl=en, and also read more about his musical releases at https://www.subpop.com/artists/ya_tseen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by Ḵasheechtlaa Louise Brady to talk about the path that led to sobriety and work with protecting the invaluable and threatened herring run to Southeast Alaska. Yaaw (herring) produce a vital food source to the Lingít peoples, and are an indicator species for ecosystem balance within the interconnected worlds of living things in the ocean. Ḵasheechtlaa tells a story about reconnecting to the self and to her Indigenous culture, and how the healing from those reconnections are carried out in her advocacy and stewardship as part of Native Movement (www.nativemovement.org) and the Herring Protectors (www.herringprotectors.org). She also guides us through a conversation on gender balance and equity within Indigenous cultures, and how a rematriation movement can result in increased care for the clan houses of the Lingít and increased ability to protect our lands for the benefit of future generations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by writer T’set kwei Vera Starbard and musician Shaaḵindustóow Ed Littlefield to discuss their path to becoming an Emmy-nominated writer, playwright, editor, professional percussionist, educator, and composer. They also talk about their experiences as the librettist, translator, and composer of an upcoming Lingít opera about Sheetkʼá (Sitka) and battles for land rights and safety that took place in the early 1800s. This episode includes short clips of the opera, which will premiere on stages within the next couple of years. They also discuss their daily creative lives and advice for aspiring Creative Natives. Check out Vera Starbard at https://verastarbard.com and Ed Littlefield at https://edlittlefield.com Songs from the upcoming opera courtesy of Sealaska Heritage Institute.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Iene Vini Olsen-Reeder joins us for a conversation about Individual language journeys and social reclamation movements with the intention of bringing our languages home by being excellent multilinguals. Iene is a co-host of the upcoming podcast  2 Couple to Kōrero, which will talk about bringing languages home from the perspective of a couple committed to language use as individuals and as a family. Some people might think that thousands of miles of ocean separate peoples, but in reality, the ocean connects us, and so do our journeys of recovering from violent and racist colonial practices and behaviors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by Denaʼina scholar and language teacher Łiq'a yes Joel Isaak to talk about language journeys, the ways that being a visual artist can help create visual representations of grammar, Tribal school and programs, and staying strong and focused through dramatic changes. Isaak is an artist and installs large level artwork, and also works in education, which are two traits that combine to create braided perspectives on understanding and teaching Indigenous languages and also Indigenizing education. The journey of the language warrior involves facing the colonial war on Indigenous languages, which requires ceremony and self-care in order to stay focused and positive in your language reclamation work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by Yawdunéi Arias Hoyle, who performs as Air Jazz, to talk about his work as a Hip Hop artist that uses Lingít Yoo X̱ʼatángi (the Lingít language) in his work. We are honored to feature three of his songs: S’áxt’, Nakaaní/Shaax’wsaani, and Ch’áak Waak (ft. Radiophonic), and talk about learning and using Lingít, taking the language into new realms, and maintaining a loving and supportive environment for future generations of Indigenous creators and thinkers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by Rochelle Adams, Language Access Director for the Alaska Public Interest Research Group and Gwichʼin language speaker, learner, and teacher, for a discussion on language journeys, making Indigenous voices count, and brilliant Indigenous futures. Indigenous languages connect with each other across vast time and space to make lasting impacts and connections, and part of our daily work involves making sure our voices are heard in public forms as language reclamation movements continue to gain momentum. Also, Indigenous voices are appearing more in media, and we can gain strength from the increased presence of those voices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Walkie Charles is a Yupʼik language professor and the Director of the Alaska Native Language Center. He joins us to talk about his approach to language teaching, surviving and overcoming horrendous boarding school experiences, and brushing off the terrible parts of life in order to be yourself in language reclamation movements. The Boarding School Era, known as the Residential School Era in Canada, is a horrible and inhumane part of the histories of the United States and Canada. Dr. Charles is a survivor of that era, and has emerged as one of the most powerful voices in Indigenous Language reclamation efforts in Alaska.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by Yaayuk Bernadette Alvanna-Stimpfle, a high fluency first language speaker of Iñupaq, the director of the Kawerak, Inc. Heritage Program, and a doctoral candidate at Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. She shares her wisdom as an Indigenous language teacher, developer of teacher preparation methodologies, and as a member of the Alaska Native Language Preservation and Advisory Council. Her methodologies focus on safe learning environments and incorporating Indigenous language child rearing methods and love into language learning and use environments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Northwest Coast is well known for totem poles, bentwood boxes, Chilkat blankets, wall screens, and many more items that are significant cultural property of Indigenous peoples of the area. We are joined by master Lingít artist Yéil Yádi Nathan Jackson, who has been a practicing artist for over six decades and whose works have been installed worldwide. He shares his journey of becoming an artist, how we witnessed the artwork returning to production and advises future generations of carvers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are joined by the talented and wonderful Princess Daazhraii Johnson, who is an actor, producer, writer, and concerned citizen of the universe. She is the former Creative Producer and still is a writer for the Emmy-nominated PBS series Molly of Denali, which features a Native American female as the lead character. She shares about her journey in becoming a content creator, current projects and motivations, and what it takes to move from dreaming about film and television to become a contributor on large level projects. The future of Indigenous content creation is bright and shiny, and we are thankful to all who have helped Native American voices break into the mainstream of film and television.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we visit with Dr. Náakw Latseení Tina Woods, Senior Director of Community & Behavioral Services at Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. Dr. Tina shares her perspective on Indigenous healing centers, living in wellness, and dealing with historical and personal traumas while on a lifelong language journey. This episode contains sensitive material that may trigger traumatic responses within folks, so while healing is needed for decolonization and language reclamation movements, listeners are encouraged to take care of themselves and reach out for help when needed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 2, we are joined by Shodzi'dzo:wa:’ Damian Webster and Montgomery Hill who do amazing work in the Seneca and Tuscarora languages. We talk about their languages, communities, and work, and then give perspectives on what it takes to create speakers, and then talk about what it takes to keep going and not quit while doing this type of work. Keep on going, keep on believing, keep being the dream of your ancestors.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the first episode of season two, we are joined by Dr Kauanoe Kamana and Dr William “Pila” Wilson, who were both instrumental to the Hawaiian Language Reclamation movement. They collaborated with a courageous and amazing group of changemakers to create the ‘Aha Pūnana Leo (language nest) and Ke Kula ʻo Nāwahīokalaniʻōpuʻu (language medium school). They talk about what helped them create change and what it take to keep a language movement going. Thanks for joining us for season two!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Season 2 of the Tongue Unbroken is coming out on January 16th. Please join us for conversations on language revitalization and decolonization in North America. We will be covering a wide range of topics this season that are relevant to everyone in North America, because if you live in North America, you live in Native America. Indigenous lands, Indigenous peoples, Indigenous stories, Indigenous thoughts, Indigenous perspectives. This season will look at concepts that are artistic, creative, healthy, theoretical, practical, and that help all of us to be transformational in our work and our day to day lives. No matter who you are and what you are doing, you can contribute to the health of Native American languages and help ensure that colonial nations are something other than killing machines. Join us on January 16 on the iHeart Media Network, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

La quen náay Liz Medicine Crow and Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins join X̱ʼunei to look back on the spring of 2014 when they worked together with each other and others to pass a law that made Alaska Native Languages the co-official languages of Alaska. They talk about the process and how to create change through political methods, including how to defeat those with racist ideologies. Follow Tongue unbroken on social media at https://twitter.com/tongueunbroken, https://www.facebook.com/tongueunbroken, and http://tongueunbroken.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with the brilliant and powerful Saankaláxtʻ Ernestine Hayes. Listen to her lecture titled, “An Alaska Native Memoir: Our Lives are Stories Telling Themselves” which was recorded by the Sealaska Heritage Institute during their fall lecture series. During her talk, she addresses the many harmful tactics of colonialism and ponders what Native America would be like now if colonialism had not happened. Here’s to wonderful Indigneous futures! Follow Tongue unbroken on social media at https://twitter.com/tongueunbroken, https://www.facebook.com/tongueunbroken, and http://tongueunbroken.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Executive Director Stephanie Witkowski and Board Chair Dr. Bill Rivers from 7000 Languages join X̱ʼunei to talk about technology and language learning, and how a commitment to bringing technology to language learning communities can help language movements. They talk about the history of the organization, current projects, the benefits and limitations of technology in language learning, and how to protect data sovereignty. Check out 7000.org to learn more, to get help, or to help out! Follow Tongue unbroken on social media at https://twitter.com/tongueunbroken, https://www.facebook.com/tongueunbroken, and http://tongueunbroken.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shiggoap Alfie Price and Barbara Belk from the Juneau Smʼalgya̱x Language Learners join to talk about how they started a grassroots learning group when they were far from home and did not have birth speakers around them. They talk about who they are, about their language, and how they got started and maintained a group of teachers and learners that are led by the language and respect. They also give advice on how people can get started, how to keep going, and how to build a movement when no one thinks you can. Follow Tongue unbroken on social media at https://twitter.com/tongueunbroken, https://www.facebook.com/tongueunbroken, and http://tongueunbroken.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.