Young and Indigenous

In this special series, the Young and Indigenous podcast team dives into conversations with 16 Indigenous and allied environmental leaders, recorded over three days at the 2025 Bioneers Conference. With a crew of eight young Native changemakers, this marks our most ambitious series yet — capturing voices from across Turtle Island and beyond. From water protectors to culture keepers, the interviews span a rich diversity of Tribes, geographies, and movements, offering powerful insight into what it means to lead, heal, and resist in today's world. In these times, we look to these leaders — young and old — to shine light on the solutions we need now. Guest voices in this trailer include: Eriel Tchekwie Deranger, Baratunde Thurston, and Amy Cordalis.

Wykeklyaa, Haley, and Santana get into what it's like navigating the world as Indigenous women — from the people who shaped them to the stereotypes they're still breaking down. We've been calling this the women's episode and honestly… what if every month were Women's History Month? It's real talk on growing up on the rez, pushing back on expectations, and finding your own way. Oh, and did we mention that we love Noelani?

Tune in as a powerful group of Young and Indigenous women share their raw, real, and deeply personal stories as caregivers. From being sisters, aunties, and cousins to navigating love, loss, and legacy — they open up about the humor and hard truths of caring for those they love most.

Frances Charles is a proud member of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. She has served as the chairwoman for over two decades. She is a dedicated advocate for dam removal, salmon restoration, and the protection of Mother Earth and traditional homelands. Listen as we discuss her leadership as Chairwoman, the Elwha Dam removal, and how she takes care of her mind, body, and spirit.Healing Women Heals Mother Earth is a podcast series highlighting the unique role Indigenous women play in cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and leadership. Most importantly, we will share how women take care of themselves while being involved in high level advocacy work.

Kayeloni Scott is a proud member of Spokane who also descends from Nez Perce. She is the director of the Columbia and Snake River Campaign working to recover salmon populations and a free flowing Snake River. Listen in as we discuss the work she's involved in, the power of supporting each other as women, and how she takes care of her mind, body, and spirit. Healing Women Heals Mother Earth is a podcast series highlighting the unique role Indigenous women play in cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and leadership. Most importantly, we will share how women take care of themselves while being involved in high level advocacy work.

Vanessa Castle is a proud member of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and Tribal Engagement Coordinator at Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group. Listen as we discuss the work she's involved in, the Elwha Dam removal, and how she takes care of her mind, body, and spirit.Healing Women Heals Mother Earth is a podcast series highlighting the unique role Indigenous women play in cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and leadership. Most importantly, we will share how women take care of themselves while being involved in high level advocacy work.

Tune in with Alyssa Macy, a proud member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and CEO of Washington Conservation Action. Listen as we discuss the work she's involved in, overcoming cancer, and how she takes care of her mind, body, and spirit.Healing Women Heals Mother Earth is a podcast series highlighting the unique role Indigenous women play in cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and leadership. Most importantly, we will share how women take care of themselves while being involved in high level advocacy work.

Tokala Tatum is a writer, director, producer , and overall creative descending from the Yakama and Rosebud Sioux tribes. Tune in to see how he is continuing to push Native American storytelling through different mediums, and how his culture and upbringing has influenced his art.

Do you vote?Setting Sun staff members from different backgrounds all answer one question: Does voting matter? Discussion from both tribal and non-tribal backgrounds, tune in to find out why we vote!

Dionisio or “Nish” Romero is a Coast Salish artist, carver, and canoe paddler from the Nooksack Tribe in Bellingham, Washington. After almost 2 years in industry, Nish is a gallery-level carver at just 24 years old. Nish takes after his great grandfather, Spud Cooper, another master carver. Listen in as we discuss the carving life, cultural teachings, and how he follows in his grandfather's footsteps.

During the Bioneers Conference in March of 2024, YTLP members Roy, Free, Raven, and Cyrus were blessed with the opportunity to sit down with Oren and Rex Lyons. Oren Lyons is the Faithkeeper of the Wolf Clan of the Onondaga and Haudenosaunee Nations. A lacrosse Player, Father, climate activist, and a highly respected elder across Indian Country, Oren Lyons joins us with his son Rex to speak on traditional sports, environmentalism, traditional stories, and politics.

Kimmerrer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled tribal member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants, which has earned Kimmerrer wide acclaim. Her first book, Gathering Moss: A Natural and Cultural History of Mosses, was awarded the John Burroughs Medal for outstanding nature writing, and her other work has appeared in Orion, Whole Terrain, and numerous scientific journals. In 2022, Braiding Sweetgrass was adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith. This new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth's oldest teachers: the plants around us. As a writer and a scientist, her interests in restoration include not only restoration of ecological communities, but restoration of our relationships to the land. She holds a BS in Botany from SUNY ESF, an MS and PhD in Botany from the University of Wisconsin and is the author of numerous scientific papers on plant ecology, bryophyte ecology, traditional knowledge and restoration ecology. She lives on a farm in upstate New York, tending gardens both cultivated and wild.

Alexander is the policy lead for RE Sources' land use and water protection programs. Alexander completed a graduate program in Environmental Policy at Western Washington University in 2022, where his research focused on how community-driven forest stewardship can help restore the Nooksack watershed. Having grown up in southern Oregon, Alexander graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in Philosophy and Political Science. Alexander has worked for numerous conservation nonprofits on various policy issues ranging from public forest management and wildfire mitigation to ecological forest management and climate mitigation. Alexander and his partner spend most of their free time homesteading, floating the river, or rambling through the woods. Alex recently co-created a consortium of activists and advocates called the Whatcom Forest Watch, who worked hard to protect the remaining legacy old growth forests in Washington State. After months of emailing politicians, rallying and campaigning, the WFW saw a victory and the rest of the old growth legacy forests were finally protected. But keeping that victory permanent is what we need to ensure, so spreading more awareness and telling more stories are crucial.

Happy Mother's Day! Join Wykeklyaa and Roy as they sit down with their mothers to talk about the true essence of motherhood. From cherished memories to the joy and challenges, its a heartwarming episode you won't want to miss!

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/

Challenge your growth and establish your roots in this all new series: PLANTS! PLANTS is a podcast series dedicated to sharing indigenous plant knowledge and values. Come learn and grow with us on this journey, as we delve further into the world of PLANTS!

Challenge your growth and establish your roots in this all new series: PLANTS! PLANTS is a podcast series dedicated to sharing indigenous plant knowledge and values. Come learn and grow with us on this journey, as we delve further into the world of PLANTS!

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.

We'd like to welcome the newest member of the YAI team, Cyrus James! Join us as we get to know our newest member of the team in this short episode!

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

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 is has dedicated her life to healing through storytelling as a writer and professional email sender.

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.

You may have heard these voices in a few episodes. Welcome new team members, Wykeklyaa and Roy!

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/

What does it mean to be a woman? What does it mean to be a Tribal woman? Selena or Hailey? Join us as we discuss identity and inspirations with the YAI team. Featuring voices of our female mentors Frances Charles and Amy Cordalis. Thank you to Apple Podcasts for featuring Young and Indigenous during Women's History Month.

“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.

“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.

Buffy Sainte-Marie, a Cree musician, artist and activist, has always been ahead of the curve. For six decades, she's fought for Indigenous rights and visibility through her work. Today, we're sharing a special episode from the folks over at PBS' Webby Award-winning podcast American Masters: Creative Spark. Their host Joe Skinner sits down with Sainte-Marie for a compelling conversation about her creative process and inspiration, and how she brought the song “Carry It On” to life. Listen to the full episode with Buffy Sainte-Marie and follow American Masters: Creative Spark for even more interviews here: https://link.chtbl.com/VqMug88H?sid=YoungIndigenous

During the month of September, CSSP embarked on filming the pilot for our first narrative series titled “Canoe Journey”. 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. During this time we sat down to speak with a few of the actors. This is the first of those interviews. Sam Bob speaks on his time spent at a residential school and how it has affected his life now and the impact that experience has had upon his children. He discusses how he has learned to heal from that trauma. Sam talks about how love based behavior is key to prevent passing on trauma and also to mend relationships. Intergenerational trauma is prevalent in our people today due to colonization and Sam's wisdom can be learned and shared to start or continue on a healing path. Breaking into the acting world and all the steps leading up to it is another talking point in this episode, with his advice of: “falling into belief,” or really believing in the story you are portraying. We are grateful to Sam's dedication to healing and his craft of acting which have landed him gigs in Northern Exposure, The X Files and in scenes with Anthony Hopkins. Hope you enjoy the interview as much as we do.

Skelotses is our ancestral territory, it is our homeland. In the final part of our series with the Lummi Summer Youth Program we travel by boat through our homeland, the San Juan Islands; we are reminded how culture and community are used as preventative tools for positive youth mental health. We listen to youth tell us what they learned, and elders explain origin stories as well as more recent tribal history since the Point Elliot Treaty. It was a beautiful day full of whale watching, rich storytelling and togetherness traveling the traditional highways our ancestors once took. Join us as we embark on the final leg of the ‘Walking With Our Ancestors' journey.

In the second part of the Walking with our Ancestors event, we highlight local Native artists. On this day various local artists came in to instruct the youth on language, beading, cedar weaving, wool weaving, and traditional medicines. We listen to them as they speak on their experiences both in life and with their practice, as well as the youth while they are soaking in all the knowledge.  In the second part of the Walking with our Ancestors event, we highlight local Native artists. On this day various local artists came in to instruct the youth on language, beading, cedar weaving, wool weaving, and traditional medicines. We listen to them as they speak on their experiences both in life and with their practice, as well as the youth while they are soaking in all the knowledge. 

Walking with our Ancestors is an event we are documenting with the Lummi Summer Youth Program. Centered around youth prevention, this event is in collaboration with the Northwest Indian College and the purpose is to instill the importance of cultural identity. This is the first episode in a three-part series and in it we highlight Aunt Ernestine talking about her life living on Portage Island along with some interviews with the youth while they participate in the cultural practice of clam digging. This Podcast is brought to you by the Northwest Indian College Center for Health and the LIBC Native Connections Project, a grant funded by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) 5H79SM063454. Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and content expressed in this podcast do not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, or policies of the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (CSAP), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).

Welcome back to Young and Indigenous Season 2! We're super excited to continue through our journey of storytelling and also to introduce two new members to the team. Santana and Haley join-in alongside Isabella and are eager to get this new phase of the podcast started. We can't wait for you to see what we have in store for the future!

As season one of Young and Indigenous wraps up, we come together to give thanks to everyone who has been involved in our podcast so far. Hy'shqe to each and every person who shared their words with us and stay tuned for the next phase of our work! Special thanks to Michelle and Kyla Polasky and Eliza Julius for their hard work and beautiful spirits. Your contributions will always shine in the podcast, and we wish you well in your future endeavors.