Young & Indigenous

NSEA is the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association. Darrell Grey has been the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA) Project Manager for nearly 30 years leading conservation projects and managing restoration efforts in his time with the organization.  James Vanderhoort joined NSEA after graduating from Western Washington University and will step into the role of co-project manager as one of Darrell's predecessors. James has spent quite a while following Darrell’s leadership and learning about how to manage conservation projects while they are underway and maintaining the project so that it has a higher chance of being successful. James and Darrell share that this recent year (2023) NSEA planted just over 30,000 Native plants, shrubs and trees in hopes to help combat effects of climate change and habitat loss. 

We continue our PLANTS series with Sadie Olsen, a proud member of the Lummi Nation. Sadie is also a co-founder of Whiteswan Environmental (WE), an Indigenous led 501(c)(3) whose mission is to support community healing through the natural, cultural and historical restoration to the Salish Sea for 7th generation sustainability as a measure of ecological health protection for all. Sadie shares about how WE utilizes plants for programs and tools such as their Field to Classroom Program Curriculum, Digital Ecological Mapping, Stewardship Corps, 13 Moons Food Sovereignty, and Indigenous Public Health. Sadie also gives the audience insight on her own personal experience with plants and how these amazing beings helped her in a time and place where there were no other options. Sadie Olsen is known for her advocacy for the environment, her passion for revitalization of the traditional language of the Lummi People and traditional ways of being. Learning from her elders how to weave cedar and wool and learning about the ecological knowledge which has been passed down, Sadie hopes to help reestablish ancient values in these territories as well as pass on this knowledge to the next generations. Sadie says “I don’t like being called an activist, because for me it is just a way of life.”

Continuing on from our last episode, Morgan Brown is a Tsimshian mother, auntie, sister, and daughter. Morgan works as the Environmental Education Coordinator and Indigenous Science Educator for the Swinomish Tribe. She considers her students to be some of her biggest teachers. Morgan’s inspiration and knowledge fall in the realms of traditional plant medicine, first foods, seed keeping and seed reMatriation, weaving, Sm’algyax language revitalization, poetry, birth keeping, motherhood, advocacy for and protection of Indigenous youth, and healing generational trauma through partnering with plants, animals and ancestors. Morgans current passions are reviving ancestral trade routes and trade based gatherings, Chilkat weaving and natural dying, as well as cultivating an educational ethnobotanical garden with Indigenous youth that centers the teachings of kinship ecosystems, seed and plant stewardship, and Lushootseed language. 

Morgan Brown is a Tsimshian mother, auntie, sister, and daughter. She primarily works in the public high school with Indigenous youth. Morgan considers her students to be some of her biggest teachers. Morgan’s inspiration and knowledge fall in the realms of traditional plant medicine, first foods, seed keeping, seed reMatriation, weaving, Sm’algyax language revitalization, poetry, birth keeping, motherhood, advocacy for and protection of Indigenous youth, and healing generational trauma through partnering with plants, animals and ancestors. Morgans current passions are reviving ancestral trade routes and trade based gatherings, Chilkat weaving and natural dying, as well as cultivating an educational ethnobotanical garden with Indigenous youth that centers the teachings of kinship ecosystems, seed and plant stewardship, and Lushootseed language.

Anna Cook is a member of the Swinomish Tribe in the Pacific Northwest of Washington state. Anna grew up in and around the Swinomish community learning about what it means to be Swinomish. Living with her parents and grandparents, Anna learned to live off the land, and to be grateful for everything provided by it. Anna continued her passion for plants after school, making her way back home to help her own community, the Swinomish. Anna worked with 13 Moons Garden in Swinomish and recently helped host a 13 Moons Series, promoting safe harvesting practices, uses of traditional medicines such as Stinging Nettle, foods for substance like Camas bulbs and encouraging healthier habits in her community. https://www.goodgrub.org/https://settingsunproductions.org/

Young and Indigenous Podcast welcomes local author, musician, and professor, Sasha taqwšəblu LaPointe! Her memoir Red Paint: The Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk, is the topic of discussion in this great episode as she weaves together themes of trauma, connection to the land and the healing power of culture.

Thank you for your support this past year, here’s some of our favorite moments from 2023! Thank you to everyone who helped and supported us on this journey, we look forward to another year of sharing indigenous knowledge and values:)

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!!!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

You may have heard this voice before. Welcome our newest YAI team member, Free!

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!You can listen to more Lil Jim and the HGS Savage Fam here:https://open.spotify.com/artist/0kQZHq5VI9QM8NpCvQ9Zet?si=b03rbiuUQ_qwyPyAE6UgaA