Podcasts about Passamaquoddy

BONUS: Changes are Coming to Auntie on Air The Aunties are joining you on New Year's Eve from their podcast studio in downtown Bangor, Maine! We are preparing to ring in 2025 and want to wish all our listeners a year filled with joy, abundance, and healing! Our team is excited to welcome you to a wonderful “in studio” New Year's Eve celebration where the Aunties reflect on the previous year and share their wishes for the year to come, while remaining grateful to you, our listeners and our “Aunties on Air” guests!  This episode, the Aunties and special guest, Cyril Francis will share a beautiful Passamaquoddy tradition that is often practiced during this special time of year. We are looking forward to joining us in the New Year, as we fill the studios calendar with guests from across Wabanaki Territory and beyond!  Please continue to tune in as we enter the second half of Season 1 of Aunties on Air in 2025!   Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy FlandersGuest: Lauren Stevens 

Aunties on Air Episode 26: Celebrating May & Leaning into JuneWe have many things to honor during the month of May. During this episode we will journey through a few different topic areas. The month of May, when we celebrate our mothers, those that give so much love and care. We bring both Auntie Lisa and Auntie Lauren's mothers to the studio where we celebrate them and we celebrate the gifts they received from their mothers. Honoring moms today and always. The Aunties also lean into June, the month where Pride is celebrated! The joy June brings and our love for our GLBTQ+ relatives is strong. With Pride celebrations right around the corner, we talk to our friend Jayson Hunt, known as Guncle Jayson! Our friend shares the importance of Pride and stories you must hear. The Aunties begin the pod episode with a returning guest, Maulian Bryant. Maulian highlights the beginning of May, where we honor our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). May 5th each year we honor our women and other relatives who have gone missing (taken) or who have been murdered. The rates of violence towards indigenous women is higher than any other demographic group. The Aunties urge you to listen to this difficult, yet important topic of conversation, the violation of indigenous women today.Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:MMIW - Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Crisis | Indian AffairsMaulian Bryant - Maulian Bryant - WikipediaWabanaki Alliance - Home - Wabanaki AllianceMaulian Bryant Testifying on MMIW Crisis - From jurisdictional issues to lack of resources, Indigenous women testify on MMIW crisis • Maine Morning StarGabby Petito Case - Killing of Gabby Petito - WikipediaNative American Boarding Schools/Residential Schools - The U.S. history of Native American Boarding Schools — The Indigenous FoundationReservation Dogs - Reservation Dogs - WikipediaViolence Against Women Act - What Is the Violence Against Women Act? , Violence Against Women Act - WikipediaMaine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980 - Summary of the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims ActRena Newell - Rena Newell - WikipediaGabriela Alcalde - Dr. Gabriela Alcalde, author, What Your Comfort Costs UsGabriela Alcalde, “What Your Comfort Costs Us” - What Your Comfort Costs Us by M. Gabriela Alcalde, MPH DrPH: 9798889842132 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: BooksLGBTQIA+ Pride - Pride (LGBTQ culture) - WikipediaBangor Pride - Bangor Pride | Bangor, Maine, USAMonson, ME - Town of Monson, MaineOutright - Portland OutrightThe Trevor Project - The Trevor Project - Suicide Prevention for LGBTQ+ Young People Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet  Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township  Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation  Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Maulian Bryant, Sharon Jordan, Betty Sockabasin, Jayson HuntProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

As the state of New York works to eliminate school mascots with Native American names and imagery, they have run into a powerful adversary: the federal government. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into whether the state is violating the civil rights of Long Island's Massapequa School District by forcing them to change their “Chiefs” mascot. President Donald Trump personally weighed in, expressing his support for keeping the mascot. A lawyer for the school says the issue is “the battleground for the preservation of our history and values nationwide.” We'll hear about the issues at play in New York and how it affects other efforts by other states and cities to end offensive Native mascots. GUESTS Ted Trujillo (Passamaquoddy), enrolled member of the Passamaquoddy tribe John Kane (Mohawk), Host of Resistance Radio on WBAI in NYC and WPFW in Washington, D.C. David Glass (enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe), president of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media Melissa Candelaria (San Felipe Pueblo), education director of the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and member of the plaintiff's legal team for Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico

As the state of New York works to eliminate school mascots with Native American names and imagery, they have run into a powerful adversary: the federal government. The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into whether the state is violating the civil rights of Long Island's Massapequa School District by forcing them to change their “Chiefs” mascot. President Donald Trump personally weighed in, expressing his support for keeping the mascot. A lawyer for the school says the issue is “the battleground for the preservation of our history and values nationwide.” We'll hear about the issues at play in New York and how it affects other efforts by other states and cities to end offensive Native mascots. GUESTS Ted Trujillo (Passamaquoddy), enrolled member of the Passamaquoddy tribe John Kane (Mohawk), Host of Resistance Radio on WBAI in NYC and WPFW in Washington, D.C. David Glass (enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe), president of the National Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media Melissa Candelaria (San Felipe Pueblo), education director of the New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and member of the plaintiff's legal team for Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico

Aunties on Air Episode 25: Celebrating the Gifts of Mother Earth: Coastal Maine Botanical GardensThe Aunties welcome the love, values, and reciprocity to the studio today! We are forever grateful for all the gifts that Mother Earth provides. We welcome into the studio, Gretchen and Daniel, the leaders of the coastal Maine botanical gardens. These two leaders have been leading the way for many years. We work with them closely to celebrate the contributions of Wabanaki thought and learning. As we continue to grow in both inspiration and strategy, we welcome you to explore all the learnings that are present.Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Gretchen Ostherr - https://www.dsgco.com/placed_leaders/gretchen-ostherr/ Daniel Ungier- Vice President of Guest Experience and EducationCoastal Maine Botanical Gardens - https://www.mainegardens.org/Martha Stewart Living Article with Daniel Ungier- https://www.marthastewart.com/things-never-do-at-botanical-garden-11720318Sheepscot River - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheepscot_RiverBoothbay, Maine - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boothbay,_MaineHorticulture - https://www.britannica.com/science/horticultureHorticulture, Education and Plant Science - https://www.mainegardens.org/plant-science-collections/The Doctrine of Discovery Historical Resources: https://www.gilderlehrman.org/history-resources/spotlight-primary-source/doctrine-discovery-1493https://upstanderproject.org/learn/guides-and-resources/first-light/doctrine-of-discoveryGuardians of the Seeds (Giant Trolls): https://www.mainegardens.org/events-exhibits/giant-trolls/Alfond Children's Garden - https://www.mainegardens.org/learn/family-activities/Butterfly House - https://www.mainegardens.org/gardens/gardens-key-features/#ButterflyHouseFirefly - https://umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum/firefly/Richard Silliboy - https://www.abbemuseum.org/attending-artists-profiles/richard-silliboyThree Sisters Garden - https://www.facebook.com/reel/1034076295236184Shopping with Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - https://shop.mainegardens.org/?_gl=1*lyoecv*_gcl_au*MTIyOTExMDI1OC4xNzQxMjAzODg0Wabanaki Reach - https://www.wabanakireach.org/Darren Ranco - https://umaine.edu/anthropology/faculty-staff/dr-darren-j-ranco/Suzanne Greenlaw - https://schoodicinstitute.org/dr-suzanne-greenlaw-joins-schoodic-institute/Indigo Arts Alliance - https://indigoartsalliance.me/Daniel Minter and Marcia Minter - https://indigoartsalliance.me/about-previous/our-team/#iaa-boardRematriation - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RematriationShane Perley-Dutcher and Anna Tsouhlarakis Artist Statements - https://www.mainegardens.org/events-exhibits/indigo-arts-alliance/the-land-fights-back/Emerald Ash Borer - https://www.invasivespeciescentre.ca/invasive-species/meet-the-species/invasive-insects/emerald-ash-borer/Arisa White - https://arisawhite.com/Vayo Meditation Garden - https://www.mainegardens.org/gardens/gardens-key-features/#VayoNorma Randi Marshall - https://www.normarandi.com/Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences - https://www.bigelow.org/Robinson's Wharf - https://www.robinsonswharf.com/Boothbay Region Land Trust - https://bbrlt.org/Oven's Mouth Preserve - https://bbrlt.org/preserves/ovens-mouth/Barrett's Park - https://www.boothbayregister.com/article/let-s-go-barrett-s-park/182362Ocean Point Preserve - https://bbrlt.org/preserves/ocean-point/The House of Logan - https://www.houseoflogan.com/Dawn Avery - https://www.dawnavery.com/Salt Bay Chamberfest - https://saltbaychamberfest.org/ Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Daniel Ungier, Gretchen OstherrProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Aunties on Air Episode 24: Leaning into Art & Culture: examining our connections & the beauty we create togetherThe Aunties welcome friends, relatives, artists to the studio! Three amazing artists join our Aunties hosts in a deep conversation about art, relationships and the magic of togetherness. Wabanaki culture is rich in art and creativity, during this episode we explore the healing and connecting power of art and culture.  The power of mentorship and seven generational thinking is felt throughout this episode. You will feel the power of love, support, and culture. Kci-Woliwon to all who contributed to this special episode and time together. Please take a listen as we capture the commitment and love for Wabanaki culture.Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Nancy Lacoote – https://www.facebook.com/BluebirdbeadingNL Passamaquoddy Nation - Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPenobscot Nation - Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, MaineSipiyak - Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation - WikipediaMarine Science (UMaine) - Home - School of Marine Sciences - University of MaineBeadwork - Beadwork - WikipediaOrono Farm - J. Franklin Witter Teaching & Research CenterIndian Island - Penobscot Indian Island Reservation - WikipediaAbbe Museum - Current Exhibits — Abbe MuseumBar Harbor, Maine - Visit Bar Harbor Maine and Acadia National Park - Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, MEAnna Tsoularakis - Anna Tsouhlarakis - WikipediaCoastal Maine Botanical Gardens - Maine's Botanical Garden | Coastal Maine Botanical GardensAnna Tsoularakis' Scultpures at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens - ‘You're right! This is Native land': New site-specific sculptures in Maine centre Indigenous experiences and relationships with the landBangor Beautiful - Bangor BeautifulBangor Ground Mural - Bangor Beautiful - Hammond St Ground MuralMT. Katahdin - Mount Katahdin - WikipediaAlewives - Alewife (fish) - WikipediaThree Sisters - The Three Sisters of Indigenous American Agriculture | National Agricultural LibraryPenobscot River - Penobscot River - WikipediaPenobscot Bay - Penobscot Bay - WikipediaMuseum of Beadwork - Museum of BeadworkPenobscot Theater - Penobscot Theatre Company | Bangor's Professional TheatreCaravan Beads - Caravan Beads - Distributor of Miyuki Seed Beads and Delica BeadsCarol Wishcamper - Trained at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Keyana Pardilla, Nancy LaCoote, Caroline SullivanProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Q: What happens when you bring a gaggle of country queers together for a weeklong audio workshop and retreat in rural coastal Maine? A: Rural Queer Maine Audio MAGIC!   In November 2024 a group of rural and smalltown LGBTQ+ folks from across the state of Maine, spent 5 days together in Passamaquoddy territory / Washington County on the coast of Maine at a rural queer audio retreat. The retreat was organized and hosted by Out in the Open -  a multiracial, majority working class, grassroots, movement and capacity building organization based in Wabanaki territory working throughout the states of Vermont and Maine to connect rural LGBTQ+ people to build community, visibility, knowledge and power.  Participants produced short audio pieces, start to finish, over the five days that we spent living, learning, eating, walking, and laughing together. These pieces were produced with support from Out in the Open staff HB Lozito and Grace Johnston-Fennell, Michele Christle of Torchlight Media, and Rae Garringer of Country Queers.   These pieces contain audio that may be challenging to hear or bring up emotions for listeners. Please take care of yourself!

Aunties on Air Episode 23:  Dusting off our Moccs: Spend time with the Aunties at the Wabanaki Spring Social! Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness' 27th Annual Spring Social was a success! A day dedicated to culture, connection and love! The largest event that we hold each year welcomes drum groups, artists, community members and friends from across Wabanaki territory and beyond. The Social opened in a good way with tribal elders from each of our territories beginning with a prayer and acknowledging our ancestors. Song givers, including Auntie Lauren, shared songs with all and provided deep connections to culture. Auntie Lisa shared some words honoring our people, past and present and the history of this amazing event. Uncle Gavin supported the event communications and livestream, providing opportunity for people to join near and far! Kci-Woliwon to all who contributed, supported, and attended this gathering. Please take a listen as we capture the excitement and love from this beautiful day! Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Wabanaki Social - Wabanaki Spring Social 2024 | Wabanaki Public Health & WellnessPenobscot Nation – Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, MaineAnn Pardilla – Ann Pardilla was born in Old Town, Maine (to a Penobscot mother and a Kiowa father) and grew up on the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation. Ann latertravelled the world with her husband George Pardilla and their six children throughout his time in the military.Upon returning to Old Town, Maine in the 1970's, Ann went to work serving her community as a tribal council member as well as Vice Chief for Penobscot Nation. In the late 1990's and into the early 2000's, she worked with Wabanaki Public Health to continue her service to her community and in doing so, helped to create the Wabanaki Spring Social which we are celebrating here today.Smokey's BBQ – www.smokeysbbqbrewer.comCommunity & Land Wellness - Community & Land Wellness | Wabanaki Public Health & WellnessSockalexis Arena – Sockalexis Arena - Penobscot NationPenobscot Nation Youth Program – Penobscot Nation Youth Program - Penobscot NationOrono Rec – Parks & Recreation | Orono, MEOld Town Rec – Old Town Recreation Center - HomeOld Town YMCA – Home - Old Town-Orono YMCARoger Paul - https://umaine.edu/nativeamericanprograms/people/rogerpaul/Cheyenne Arapaho - The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes | HomepageAlbuquerque - Albuquerque, New Mexico - WikipediaNisuwok Wiphunsisok Pottery & Leather - Nisuwok Wiphunsisok Pottery & Leather Petroglyphs – http://equinoxpetroglyphproject.com/History.htmlLeigh Neptune - Beaded Designs by LeighNorman Bernard – (no link) Tawoma Martinez – (no link) Alicia Marie – Litte Bit of SweetgrassNancy Lacoote – https://www.facebook.com/BluebirdbeadingNL  Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Aunties on Air Episode 22: Spring has SprungSpring has Sprung! Join the Aunties for a conversation about all things Spring! From fiddleheads to longer days, the Aunties share the SPRING things they are looking forward to the most and those things they will miss about the storytelling (winter) months. The Aunties hold deep appreciation for Mother Earth during this episode. As the tulips and daffodils peek through the dirt and snow, the excitement for warmth and growth is clear. This time of year, often unpredictable, brings many gifts some gentle and others with force. As we enter spring, let's sit in gratitude for both the gentleness and force she holds.   Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Fiddleheads - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FiddleheadAndrea and Lisa Sautéing Fiddleheads, “Kitchen Vignettes” - https://www.pbs.org/food/stories/appreciating-lisa-and-andreas-sauteed-fiddleheadsMaine Maple Sugar Sunday - https://mainemapleproducers.com/events/maine-maple-weekend/#!directory/mapPassamaquoddy Maple - https://www.passamaquoddymaple.com/Giffords Ice Cream - Bangor Ice Cream Stand | Gifford's Ice CreamAnn Irene Pardilla - https://obituaries.bangordailynews.com/obituary/ann-pardilla-1089466906Wabanaki Spring Social - Wabanaki Spring Social 2024 | Wabanaki Public Health & WellnessRoger Paul - https://umaine.edu/nativeamericanprograms/people/rogerpaul/Botanical Gardens - https://www.mainegardens.org/Morgan Talty, “Fire Exit” - https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Exit-Novel-Morgan-Talty/dp/1959030558Gabriela Alcalde, “What Your Comfort Costs Us” - https://www.amazon.com/What-Your-Comfort-Costs-Leadership/dp/B0D9JFX13W Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy FlandersShow Less

Aunties on Air Episode 21: Comfort, Safety, & Our Sacred StoriesWelcome to March! The month of spring, growth and transition! The Aunties are digging in deep this spring, learning and growing with each passing season. Today we celebrate a very special Auntie and her book release: What Your Comfort Costs Us by Dr. Gabriela Alcalde. Aunties Lauren and Lisa received a special quick peak at this amazing book of stories. They dove in and came to the surface with many questions about intimacy, equity, sacred storytelling and deep healing in the workplace. This book fills your heart with love and often your head with curiosity and confusion. This curiosity and confusion is what we must continue to grapple with and discuss. Sacred stories of women of color and leadership, providing deep insights on what we collectively must know, what we must do and how to hold love while doing it. Please grab this book, find a comfortable place and begin to get uncomfortable. Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Gabriela Alcalde - https://www.mgalcalde.com/“What Your Comfort Costs Us” by Gabriela Alcalde - Order NowThe Briar Patch - https://linktr.ee/briarpatchbooksNorth Atlantic Books - https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/Peru's Internal Conflict - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_conflict_in_PeruMestizo/Mestiza - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MestizoRichmond, Virginia - https://www.rva.gov/ Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guest: Dr. Gabriela AlcaldeProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 20: For the Love of Our ChildrenWelcome to the final episode of our “for the love of” February series! For the Love of our Children! Today we welcome a champion for our youth. Uncle John Neptune, a tribal council member, father, and leader at the Penobscot Nation and beyond. The aunties spend time with John discussing our future generations, our commitment to their wellness and the love we hold for them. We take the conversation to many places. We discuss all things we hold responsibility for such as our children, animals, and the land we collectively share. We had so much fun with Uncle John, making it clear why our young people are so fortunate to have him in their lives! The Aunties feel pretty fortunate too! Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Olamon - Olamon Insitute of Native American Arts - https://iaia.edu/Penobscot Nation Youth Program - Penobscot Nation Youth Program - Penobscot NationPenobscot Nation - https://www.penobscotnation.org/Chief Clarissa Sabattus - https://www.facebook.com/maliseettribalchief/Sipayik - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Passamaquoddy_Pleasant_Point_ReservationIndigenous Games - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Indigenous_GamesTeam B.C Canoeing - https://isparc.ca/performance-sport/teambcnaig2023/canoe-kayak/Mohawk Tribe - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mohawk_peopleFisher (animal) - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisher_(animal)Pine Marten - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_martenBrain Tanning - https://www.native-art-in-canada.com/braintanning.htmlBarry Dana - https://umaine.edu/hudsonmuseum/barry-dana/ Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guest: John NeptuneProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 19: For the Love of Our Culture“For the Love of.. Series” launches the third episode of the series: For the Love of Our Culture. Auntie Lauren & Auntie Lisa welcome an old friend and family to the studio, our special guest and elder, Roger Paul. Uncle Roger shares his commitment to culture, Wabanaki language, and our future generations. Aunties Lauren and Lisa have the pleasure to sit with Uncle Roger and to hear the stories of our elders and ancestors. The Aunties felt the power of our stories and culture during the time with Roger; reminding all of us of the power of culture. A culture that has remained powerful for over 10,000 years, even in the face of so much trauma and genocide. Please remember to tune in each Tuesday in February for our “For the Love of… Series”. Next week, we bring you another new episode that you will not want to miss! Wabanaki Words Used:Ckuwapon (dawn) - ckuwapon | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalEspotewset (sun) - espotewset | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal'koselomal (He or she like or loves) - 'koselomal | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalMuhsumsol (grandfather) - muhsumsol | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalPihce (long ago) - pihce | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalPokuhulakon (drum) - pokuhulakon, pokhulakon | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalSkinuhsis (boy) - skinuhsis | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalSkitkomiq (earth) - skitkomiq | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal'tatatol (dad) - 'tatatol | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalTupqan (dirt) - tupqan | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalUhkomossol (grandmother) - uhkomossol | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalWaponahkiyik (Wabanaki people) - Waponahkiyik | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalApc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) - https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc***More words were used in this episode check out the Language Portal - Welcome to the Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal Topics Discussed:  Roger Paul - https://umaine.edu/nativeamericanprograms/people/rogerpaul/George's Bank - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georges_BankSeven Generational Thinking - https://www.ictinc.ca/blog/seventh-generation-principle#:~:text=The%20Seventh%20Generation%20Principle%20is,seven%20generations%20into%20the%20future.Small Pox - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/SmallpoxGordon's Island - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/04/native-american-tribe-maine-buys-back-pine-islandBounties for Scalps - https://theconversation.com/indigenous-peoples-day-offers-a-reminder-of-native-american-history-including-the-scalping-they-endured-at-the-hands-of-colonists-214433 Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guest: Roger PaulProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 18: For the Love of Music“For the Love of.. Series” launches the second episode of the series: For the Love of Music. Auntie Lauren & Auntie Lisa welcome a very special guest to the studio, Yo Yo Ma! Uncle Yo Yo shares his commitment to music, stories of childhood, and his love for Wabanaki territory. Aunties Lauren and Lisa sit in conversation with Uncle Yo Yo and talk all things values, service, and love for one another. Our special Uncle has released over 100 albums, played for presidents, and won Grammys! The Aunties and listeners are very fortunate to spend this time with such a special soul. Please remember to tune in each Tuesday in February for our “For the Love of… Series”. Next week, we bring you another new episode that you will not want to miss! Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Yo-Yo Ma - Yo-Yo MaChris Newell - Chris Newell | NEFAWayne Newell - Wayne A. Newell - Friends JournalTime's Most 100 Influential People Article - Yo-Yo Ma Is on the 2020 TIME 100 List | TIMESilkroad Ensemble - Silkroad Artists — SilkroadRoger Paul - Roger Paul - Global Citizens CircleHawk Henries - Hawk Henries' Biography | Hawk HenriesWabanaki Dictionary - Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language PortalWeckuwapok - Weckuwapok | Reciprocity Project Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guest: Yo Yo MaProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 16: For the Love of Healing “For the Love of.. Series” launches the first episode of the series: For the Love of Healing. Auntie Lauren & Auntie Lisa welcome two special guests to the studio, both guests known in Wabanaki territory for their commitment to healing. Chief Clarissa Sabattis and Steve Knockwood talk about their personal stories of healing and how their work provides healing opportunities to others. Our guests' deep commitment to indigenous people and all people who wish to heal, is both apparent and extraordinary. Sacred stories of healing are heard throughout this special episode, providing hope to all who listen. The Aunties could not have thought of a better way to begin our month of LOVE together. Please remember to tune in each Tuesday in February for our “For the Love of… Series”. Next week, we bring to you Yo Yo Ma! This week, sit back, breathe deep, lean and listen, each day healing is so near.Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Chief Clarissa Sabattis - Chief SabattisSteve Knockwood - A Cultural Connection Drives Personal Transformation Journey MagazineHoulton Band of Maliseet Indians Tibe - Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Littleton, MEMi'kmaq Tribe - Mi'kmaq Nation Presque Isle, MEResidential Schools - The U.S. history of Native American Boarding Schools — The Indigenous FoundationMeduxnekeag River - Meduxnekeag River - WikipediaSharon Tomah Jordan - Meet Our Team | Wabanaki Public Health & WellnessImelda Pearly - Dr. Imelda Perley, OpolahsomuwehsResmaa Menakeem, “My Grandmother's Hands” - My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies: Menakem, ResmaaUnmarked Graves Discovery - Canada: 751 unmarked graves found at residential school , Why So Many Children Died at Indian Residential SchoolsMIECHV - Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting ProgramUnity - Unity, Inc. – United National Indian Tribal YouthPenobscot Nation Youth Council - Penobscot Nation Youth Council Opportunity House - Wabanaki Recovery HomesWabanaki Care Line – 1-844-844-2622 Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Chief Clarissa Sabattis, Steve Knockwood Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 16: Leaning in.. to forgiveness, reconciliation & healingWabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Commissioner Liberty - Randall Liberty | Office of Governor Janet T. MillsMaine Department of Corrections - Home | Department of CorrectionsClinton, Maine - Clinton, Maine - WikipediaMaine State Prison - Maine State Prison | Department of CorrectionsSommerset County - Somerset County Maine | Sheriff's OfficeFairfield Police Department - Town of Fairfield, Maine - Fairfield Police DepartmentKennebeck County Sheriff's Office - Kennebec County Sheriff's OfficeJanet Mills - Janet Mills - WikipediaEarned Living Units (Maine State Prison) - Maine state prison officials say they've reduced solitary confinement to a memorySeoul, South Korea - Seoul - WikipediaFalluja, Iraq - Fallujah - WikipediaMaine Department of Agriculture - Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and ForestryUniversity of Maine Cooperative Extension - Maine Compost SchoolFedco - About Fedco - FedcoJohnny's Selected Seeds - Johnny's Selected SeedsMark McBrine - Leadership Team — Maine Farm to InstitutionMOFGA - Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners AssociationMaine Grains - Locally grown, organic, heritage grains – Maine GrainsMaine Criminal Justice Academy - Maine Criminal Justice Academy | Department of Public SafetyPRIMO (Muslim Education Program) - Maine State Prison pilots program to give Muslim inmates a faith-based path to rehabilitation | Maine PublicFort Benning - Fort Moore - WikipediaFort Leonard Wood - Fort Leonard Wood - WikipediaWest Point Academy - United States Military Academy West PointMaine Military & Community Network - Maine Military & Community Network – Supporting Maine Military Members, Veterans, and their families in their local communities.Maine State Prisons Veteran's Services - Veterans' Services | Department of CorrectionsUniversity of Maine at Augusta Veteran's Services - Veterans & Military Personnel at UMA - University of Maine at AugustaVeteran Brian L. Buker - Veteran of the Day U.S. Army Veteran Brian L. Buker - Aerotech News & ReviewLong Creek Young and Development Center - Long Creek Youth Development Center | Department of CorrectionsSecond Chance Pell-Grant - Everything You Need To Know About Second Chance Pell Grant - Pell Grants Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Commissioner Randy Liberty Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 15: Reflecting on the Run! We did it! Our run is DONE! And boy was it FUN! The Millinocket Marathon & Half did not disappoint! Our Team showed up with the energy to run, cheer, and serve! It was a cold start to the morning, just over 0 degrees, but warm with love! Auntie Lauren started the race with a traditional song, honoring Wabanaki history and recognizing our connection to the sacred territory, Mt. Katahdin. Race day was filled with excitement, the crowd was ready to cheer and did so every mile of the race! The runners, including Auntie Lisa and Auntie Saige, came with commitment and smiles on their faces despite the frigid temperatures! And.. the race organizers, a dynamic team which includes Uncle Gary Allen (episode 11), who amaze us every year, we thank you! Kci Woliwon! Please sit back or take a walk and listen to our reflections from the run and hear from other Team Wabanaki runners! Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Millinocket Marathon - Millinocket MarathonGary Allen - Gary Allen (runner) - WikipediaMile Markers -Millinocket Marathon and HalfKtaadn Resorts - https://www.neoc.com/“Run Millinocket” by Jenn Schott - Run Millinocket Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Team Wabanaki Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

BONUS - Gratitude & Forgiveness: Leaning into 2025The Aunties are joining you on New Year's Eve from their podcast studio in downtown Bangor, Maine! We are preparing to ring in 2025 and want to wish all our listeners a year filled with joy, abundance, and healing! Our team is excited to welcome you to a wonderful “in studio” New Year's Eve celebration where the Aunties reflect on the previous year and share their wishes for the year to come, while remaining grateful to you, our listeners and our “Aunties on Air” guests!  This episode, the Aunties and special guest, Cyril Francis will share a beautiful Passamaquoddy tradition that is often practiced during this special time of year. We are looking forward to joining us in the New Year, as we fill the studios calendar with guests from across Wabanaki Territory and beyond!  Please continue to tune in as we enter the second half of Season 1 of Aunties on Air in 2025!  Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Downtown Bangor - Why Downtown Bangor - Bangor DowntownMillinocket Marathon - Millinocket Marathon & Half: Race Overview — Crow AthleticsCarol Wishcamper - Trained at the Gestalt Institute of ClevelandKimberly Crichton - Transform. LLC | The quest to build a bigger, more beautiful world with art and words. Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy FlandersNew Years Tradition Translation: Cyril Francis 

Episode 14: Celebrating the Season & Each Other The “Aunties on Air” Team wishes all of our listeners a joyous holiday season! Our entire team is around the table for a holiday celebration. We wish for comfort and love for every person. For any of you that feel struggle at this time, we pray, light smudge, and hold you close today and always. Please stay to the end of our holiday celebration, Auntie Lauren shares a very special rendition of Silent Night with a special guest. It's not to be missed.. your heart will thank you! Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Merlin Sheldrake, “The Entangled Life” - The Entangled LifeThe Katahdin General Store - https://www.katahdingeneral.com/Millinocket Marathon - Millinocket MarathonBangor Beautiful - https://www.bangorbeautiful.org/Robin Wall Kimmerer , “The Serviceberry” - The ServiceberryRobin Wall Kimmerer, “Braiding Sweetgrass” - Braiding SweetgrassRobin Wall Kimmerer, “Gathering Moss” - Gathering MossMorgan Talty, “Fire Exit” - Fire ExitPassamaquoddy Maple - https://www.passamaquoddymaple.com/ Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Gavin Allen, Macy Flanders Producer: Gavin Allen 

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the ocean.  In this episode of In Hot Water, Maine, we meet with Plansowes Dana, a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Indigenous Communities Partnership Manager at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Her goal is to build relationships between the Wabanaki communities and GMRI to incorporate Indigenous knowledge with Western science. There's no quick fix for seafood harvesters in the Gulf, but climate solutions do exist. From encouraging species diversification to actively involving frontline communities, changemakers are leading a new path for seafood in Maine Produced by Seafood and Gender Equality (SAGE) and Seaworthy, the “In Hot Water” podcast explores SEAFOOD and CLIMATE JUSTICE in distinct regions. Episode Guide :00 Intro to In Hot Water, Maine Edition 01:57 Meet Plansowes Dana, a member of the Peskotomuhkati Tribe and Indigenous Partnerships Manager at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute 03:07 As a child, Plansowes would seek out storytellers who would share stories about the changing landscape  07:04 The Jay Treaty and what it means for the Wabanaki people 08:04 Plansowes' passions—food sovereignty and food security—and what they mean for the Passamaquoddy 11:52 The incredible story of Plansowes' uncle,a POW in the Korean War 13:24 The Passamaquoddy have fished with weirs for generations but a changing climate is making it more and more difficult 17:46 Coastal erosion is happening on a large scale in the Passamaquoddy Bay 20:36 Plansowes' advice about how to adapt to a changing climate 22:43 The community does not have access to clean drinking water and the pandemic put this situation in the spotlight The Emerald ash borer, an invasive insect that's wreaking havoc on the trees 31:02 “Moving at the speed of trust”—building partnerships with Wabanaki communities takes time 33:18 Plansowes' hope for the future in a changing climate 33:47 Discussion: Colonialism is a driver of environmental exploitation and degradation.To build a future capable of withstanding the immense challenges posed by the climate crisis, we must first acknowledge and address our colonial, genocidal, white supremacist, and patriarchal past and present. 36:17 What Plansowes loves about living in the area Resources Recommend this series to anyone who enjoys seafood and is curious about how climate change is affecting our seafood-producing regions.  

Episode 13: Water is Life (Samaqan nit Pomawsuwakon)The Aunties welcome two honored Passamaquoddy guests to the studio, Chief Pos Bassett and Attorney Corey Hinton. This is the first time a Wabanaki Chief has been in the studio and the Aunties are honored. Both Corey and Chief Bassett will discuss the history of the Sipayik Passamaquoddy water crisis, where have we been and where are we now. Maine, “the way life should be” is often how you see this state described. Maine has a brand, it is a brand that includes vast forests, beautiful coastlines, robust rivers, and clean air. While Wabanaki Territory (what some now call Maine) is a sacred home to Wabanaki people and has been for thousands of years, we know the risks deep within the land and created by the people. Passamaquoddy people have lived with dirty water for generations, poisonous water entering the community and homes of the people. Throughout the state of Maine, when water is unsafe, the response is fierce, and the problem is mitigated. For the Passamaquoddy people, the story has been different. Why?  Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Corey Hinton - Corey Hinton Chambers ProfileChief Bassett - Pos_Bassett – Sipayik Tribal GovernmentMaine Public Radio Clip - Clean drinking water bill for Passamaquoddy tribe draws a crowdRead more about Clean Water for Passamaquoddy tribe in Sipayak - Support LD 906: Clean water for Passamaquoddy Tribe at SipayikSamaqannihkuk Well - https://wabanaki.com/samaqannihkuk_well/Passmaquoddy Water District - Passamaquoddy Water District – InformationalCarbon Filter - New filters to improve PWD water qualityMaine Public Radio/Chief Maggie Dana - Passamaquoddy Tribe Hopes New Solutions — And Sovereignty — Can Help Address Longstanding Water Problems | Maine PublicWabanaki Public Health and Wellness Water Quality Program - The Water Quality ProgramBrunswick, Maine Drinking Water Testing -  DEP tests drinking water from Brunswick homes after toxic spillRena Newell - Representative Rena NewellSusan Collins - Susan CollinsSmokey's BBQ - Smokey's BBQ Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Chief Pos Bassett, Corey Hinton Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 12: Sovereignty: What We Hold Sacred A conversation not to miss! As we wrap up Native American Heritage Month and enter a holiday week for some, this episode has perfect timing! Wabanaki Territory, or what some call the State of Maine, is a sacred place. A place that has provided Wabanaki people abundance for thousands of years. A place that desperately needs her people to heal. Wabanaki territory and Wabanaki people are deeply connected, holding knowledge that provides the nourishment for both to thrive. Ambassadors Maulian Bryant and Zeke Crofton-MacDonald join the Aunties in the studio to discuss all things SOVEREIGNTY! From the Land Claims Settlement Act of 1980 to present day, you will hear the importance of recognizing the sovereignty of Wabanaki people and correcting the harms that have occurred to heal generations to come. The Aunties and Ambassadors talk about the difficult journey Wabanaki nations and people face while trying to advocate for the same freedoms that all other indigenous nations have within United States. Maine is an outlier, a state like no other, taking the freedom of indigenous people. This conversation is filled with curiosities and calls to action, calling all “Aunties” listeners to demand change! Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Wabanaki Alliance - Wabanaki Alliance Website1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Settlement Act - Summary of the 1980 Maine Indian Land Claims Act Penobscot Nation Tribal Council - Tribal Council, Penobscot Nation Chief Kirk Frances - Tribal Chiefs Timeline, Penobscot NationMaine Indian State Tribal Commission - About MITSCOromocto First Nations - Oromocto First Nation Skowhegan Mascots - Change of Skowhegan MascotState House (Maine) - Visiting the State House Donna Loring - Donna M. Loring Morgan Talty - Morgan Talty Penobscot Nation Tribal Youth Council - Penobscot Nation Youth Council Unity Youth Council - All About Youth CouncilsBlood Quantum - Blood Quantum LawsShubenacadie – Residential School - Former Shubenacadie Indian Residential School National Historic Site Wolastoqiyik - Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) AboutCensus - Indian Census RollsMorgan Talty Esquire Article - Blood Quantum: What It Means to Be IndigenousBarry Dana - Barry DanaGreat Northern Paper v. Penobscot Nation - Great Northern Paper v. Penobscot Nation, 2001 Me. 68 (2001) Norridgewock Massacre - Norridgewock Massacre Sipayik Drinking Water Crisis - Sipayik Drinking Water Crisis Robin Wall Kimmerer, “The Serviceberry” - Amazon.com: The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World  Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Maulian Bryant, Zeke Crofton-MacDonaldProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Bonus: Milestone and Magical Moments! The Aunties & Team celebrate!Aunties on Air… and some Uncles too has something to celebrate! You all know we like to celebrate, find joy, and recognize accomplishments as much as possible. We also know that despair and difficulty is near each of us and there are many things that may get us down. Aunties on Air strives to be that space where yes, we can talk about difficult things and as importantly, where we find joy, laughter, and support. In this episode, you will hear that laughter and feel that joy as we celebrate our podcast reaching double digit episodes! While we know we are babies in the pod world, starting  just 6 months ago, we are proud that we have shared deeply important stories with our listeners. Reaching the 6 month (and double digit episode) milestone is when we thought… why not.. Let's throw a party! This shorter in length pod episode is not short of celebration! Please join us while we have a conversation with many of those involved with the Aunties podcast! We talk about our lessons learned so far, our hopes for the future, and much more! Shows Posted:Trailer - Aunties on Air…and some Uncles too TrailerEpisode 1 – IntroductionEpisode 2 – Aunties Visit the Studio Bonus - Coming Up Next on Auntie; Our Young People are in the Studio!Episode 3 – Our Young People are in the StudioEpisode 4 – Uncles Visit the Studio Episode 5 – The Arts: Essential to Healing Episode 6 – Mother Earth: Our History, Our Healing, Our ResponsibilitiesEpisode 7 - Mother Earth: Our History, Our Healing, Our Responsibilities - Part TwoBonus – Coming Next on Aunties; Exploring Our Relationships: Our Allies, Our FriendsEpisode 8 - Coming Next on Aunties; Exploring Our Relationships: Our Allies, Our FriendsEpisode 9 – Exploring Identity, Exclusion, & HealingBonus – The Aunties & Others Celebrate Morgan Talty Episode 10 – Wabanaki Food Systems: Healing our Past, Present, and Future Bonus – Voting, Voices, & Visibility Episode 11 – Community Healing & the Millinocket Marathon  Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:  Franks Bakery – Frank's Bake Shop - Bangor, MEYo-Yo Ma – Yo-Yo Ma - WikipediaJeremey Dutcher - Jeremy Dutcher - Wikipedia Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 11: Community Healing & the Millinocket Marathon The Aunties welcome Gary Allen to the studio! Gary, the founder of the Millinocket Marathon and runner extraordinaire, is a human with love in his heart and fire in his feet! Throughout this episode you will hear a consistent theme of love and service, making ripples to make big changes. The passion Gary holds for community, all communities, is felt with each story he tells. Gary has a lifetime of accomplishments, from running to D.C. from Maine to finishing dozens of marathons, each a hard feat providing awareness and care. The joy in the studio is infectious, the Aunties know the listeners will feel the joy when they tune in!  Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell)  https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:Register for the Millinocket Marathon Here - Millinocket Marathon & Half: Reg InfoArtisan Fair - Millinocket Marathon & Half: Schedule of Events — Crow AthleticsMillinocket Paper Mill Industry - Great Northern Paper Company TimelineNew England Outdoor Center - New England Outdoor CenterBoston Marathon - Boston MarathonNew York City Marathon - TCS New York City Marathon Central Park - Central Park - WikipediaMt. Desert Island Marathon - Run MDI: Mount Desert Island Marathon, Half & RelayCadillac Mountain - Cadillac Mountain - WikipediaPellitier Manufacturing - Pelletier Manufacturing Inc.Maine Sports Commission - Maine Sports CommissionMills Award - Allen honored by Mills | Archives | mdislander.com7th Generation Thinking - Seven generation sustainability - WikipediaMobile Food Pantry - Mobile Food Pantry: Wabanaki Public Health & WellnessHike Katahdin - 10 Best trails near Mount Katahdin | AllTrailsAppalachian Trail - Appalachian Trail Interactive MapTara Dower - Tara Dower Appalachian Trail Speed Record: How She Did It Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guests: Gary AllenProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

BONUS: Exploring our Responsibilities: Voting, Voices, & Visibility Calling all listeners to this BONUS Episode: Voting, Voices, & Visibility. Our conversation with Maine's Secretary of State, Shenna Bellows provides our listeners with voting tips, important history about elections in Maine, and how to be ready for Election Day! Tomorrow is election day, an important day to celebrate democracy! Indigenous people have had a difficult history related to voting and visibility in this country. This history must be told, the truth telling is long overdue. The Aunties share stories and perspectives related to voting in Maine and their hopes for the future. The Secretary and the Aunties also discussed their upcoming race they will be running together, the Millinocket Marathon. The time spent together is a mix, of both difficulty and joy.   Topics Discussed:Shenna Bellows - Shenna Bellows Secretary of State - What is a Secretary of State?Upcoming Sovereignty Episode (Featuring Maulian Bryant and Zeke Croft-Macdonald)State House - Maine State House Hancock, Maine - Town of Hancock, MaineBill of Rights - Bill of Rights, U.S. ConstitutionLegislative Debates Around Sovereignty - Maine Legislature to Debate Tribal SovereigntyCitizenship Law (1924) in Maine - Coolidge Signs Indian Citizenship ActNative Suffrage Granted (1954), Natives Gain Right to Vote in Local and State Elections (1967) - Native Americans' Long Journey to US Citizenship and Voting RightsUniversity of Southern Maine - University of Southern MaineMaine Citizens Guide to Referendum Questions - Maine Citizen's Guide to Referendum QuestionsMillinocket Marathon - Millinocket Marathon & Half: Race OverviewKatahdin Resorts/New England Outdoor Center - New England Outdoor CenterJulie Flynn - Julie Flynn: Deputy Secretary of State, Work Organizing ElectionsPassamaquoddy Maple - Passamaquoddy Maple Passamaquoddy Wild - Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberry Co. A Taste of Two Worlds (Cookbook) - "A Taste of Two Worlds" Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/Woliwon: Guest: Shenna BellowsProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 10: Wabanaki Food Systems: Healing our Past, Present, and FutureOur release today is compelling and takes us on a journey! A journey that is lengthy and begins to address indigenous food systems, colonization, fear, and hopes for the future. The Aunties are super excited to invite Wabanaki Chefs, Joesph Robbins and Jasmine Thompson-Tintor to the studio to talk about all things Wabanaki food! Joe and Jasmine talk about their work, passions, and hopes for the future. Listening to this conversation will make your tastebuds active and bellies growl, a must listen for sure! Just bring along a snack! The Aunties recommend snacking on freeze dried blueberries from Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberry or perhaps some moose jerky- all abundance that our Mother Earth provides when we provide security and love to her. Please be sure to play the GIVE-AWAY and win some tastes from Wabanaki Territory!! Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell)  https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:Katahdin Kitchen - Katahdin Kitchen InstagramKorean Dad - Korean Dadssipsis (Jazz's grandmother, poet, homesteader, activist, author of“Molly Molases and Me”) - ssipsisPortland Museum of Art - Portland Museum of ArtBissell Brothers in Milo, ME - Bissell Brothers - Taproom & KitchenDene - Dene NationNavajo Taco - Navajo Tacos RecipeNorth American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems - North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (natifs.org)Three Sisters Succotash - Three Sisters Succotash RecipeRoger Paul - Roger PaulNiweskok - Niweskok Wabanaki Food SovereigntyWild Rice (food) - How to Cook Wild RiceDenver Omelet (dish) - The Denver Omelet RecipeReservation Dogs - Reservation DogsSoul Fire Farm - SOUL FIRE FARMPassamaquoddy Maple - Passamaquoddy Maple SyrupPassamaquoddy Wild - Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberry CoA Taste of Two Worlds (Cookbook) - "A Taste of Two Worlds"University of Southern Maine - University of Southern MaineNiweskok - https://www.niweskok.org/Presente Maine -https://www.presentemaine.org/Land Trust- https://www.bomazeenlandtrust.org/Bonnie Newsom- https://umaine.edu/anthropology/dr-bonnie-newsom/Jennifer Neptune- Jennifer Neptune – artist – Indian Connections Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaqMi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe-Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Guests: Jasmine Thompson-Tintor, Joe RobbinsProducer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

The Aunties are back to celebrate Morgan! Every chance we get, Aunties on Air celebrates people, their accomplishments, and their efforts! Morgan has published two award winning books, The Night of the Living Rez and Fire Exit and completed many other writings for anthologies, magazines, and online publications. A Penobscot author and professor at the University of Maine, Morgan is a gift to the Wabanaki Nations and beyond. As we are all aware, our world is experiencing great divisiveness and intolerance, turning to celebration and responsibility will move us to a world where we are all proud, visible, and thriving.  Special Thanks/Woliwon: Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Aunties on Air Episode 9: Exploring Identity, Exclusion, & Healing Summary: Listeners, you are in for a treat! This conversation with Morgan Talty will set you up for deep thinking, reflection and some laughter. Morgan, an indigenous (Penobscot) author, public speaker and an amazing Dada to his son, Charlie. He will share his works of art with you, describing his process for his newest book “Fire Exit”, a novel that tackles the complexities of living in a world where culture, blood quantum and colonization have had its impacts. The Aunties felt their hearts expand during this episode, cementing their commitment to healing, inclusion, and love. Please come back this Thursday for a special 10-minute episode where the Aunties celebrate Morgan and all his accomplishments! Morgan TaltyCurrent Books:Night of the Living Rez -Night of the Living Rez — Morgan TaltyFire Exit -Morgan TaltyFeatured In:Never Whistle at Night -Anthologies — Morgan Talty Morgan's Upcoming Non-Fiction:“Year of the Frog Clan” Morgan's Upcoming Fiction:“Doomsday”AndrewSockalexis (Inspiration for “Doomsday”) Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell)  https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-oc Topics Discussed:UMaine -The University of Maine (umaine.edu)UMaine Professor - Morgan Talty - Department of English - University of Maine (umaine.edu)Native American Studies UMaine - Home - Native American Programs - University of Maine (umaine.edu)Native American Program Dartmouth- Home | Native American Program (dartmouth.edu)Eastern Maine Community College-emcc.eduThe Briar Patch - The Briar Patch BookshopLouise Erdrich- Louise Erdrich - WikipediaLouise Erdrich, “The Round House” -The Round House a book by Louise Erdrich (bookshop.org)N. Scott Momaday- N. Scott Momaday - WikipediaTommy Orange- Tommy Orange - WikipediaTommy Orange, “There, There”- There There a book by Tommy Orange (bookshop.org)Tommy Orange, “Wandering Stars”- Wandering Stars a book by Tommy Orange (bookshop.org)Jack Kerouac, “On the Road”- On the Road a book by Jack Kerouac (bookshop.org)Audrey Lorde - Audre Lorde - WikipediaKaren Russell, future release of work (March), “The Antidote”- The Antidote a book by Karen Russell (bookshop.org)MacArthur Genius Grant- Karen Russell - MacArthur Foundation (macfound.org)Oliphant vs. Suquamish Nation - Oliphant v. Suquamish Indian Tribe - WikipediaMaine Indian Claims Settlement Act- Maine Indian Claims Settlement Legislative HistoryBlood quantum/census- Blood Quantum and Sovereignty: A Guide - Native Governance CenterNew York Times Review-Book Review: ‘Fire Exit,' by Morgan Talty - The New York Times (nytimes.com)Morgan's Esquire piece about blood quantum -Blood Quantum: What It Means to Be Indigenous (esquire.com)Leslie Marmon Silko- Leslie Marmon Silko - WikipediaJohn Bear - https://umaine.edu/nativeamericanprograms/people/john-bear-mitchell/PTC Gluskabe Story- My Story is Gluskabe | Penobscot Theatre CompanyUniversityof Maine at Augusta- Augusta • Bangor • Online • Statewide - University of Maine at Augusta (uma.edu)Jennifer Shepard Penobscot Theatre -Jen Shepard | Penobscot Theatre CompanyCarol Dana - Carol Dana (dawnlandvoices.org)Geo Neptune- Geo Soctomah Neptune - WikipediaCarol & Kim Episode EPISODE 8 Aunties of AirPenobscot Youth Council - https://wabanakiphw.org/penobscot-nation-youth-council-recognized-as-2022-youth-council-of-the-year/Wells, Maine Mascot - https://www.wearethewarriorsfilm.com/Unity, Youth Council - https://unityinc.org/about-unity/Carmella Bear (25 under 25) -https://unityinc.org/united-national-indian-tribal-youth-announces-25-under-25-youth-leaders-2/Therese Marie Mailhot, “Heart Berries” -Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot: 9781640091603 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books“Smoke Signals” - Smoke Signals (film) - Wikipedia“What do we do with the Art of Monstruous Men” - The Paris Review - What Do We Do with the Art of Monstrous Men?  Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Guests: Morgan Talty Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders

Episode 8: Exploring Our Relationships: Our Allies, Our FriendsToday is the day! We welcome our friends Carol Wishcamper and Kimberly Crichton and we release a special song by Lauren Stevens and the late Allen Sockabasin, Amazing Grace. Spending time with two special people in our (the Aunties) lives, a conversation not to miss. Our two friends dedicated to serving our tribal communities in so many ways! This conversation will be filled with laughter, insights and deep connections. You will hear the passions of both of these special women and the fierceness they provide to those they love. Remember to stay till the end for a special song by Lauren and Allen.  Wabanaki Words Used: Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell)  https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-ocTopics Discussed:Bangor Beautiful - Bangor BeautifulThe Rock & Art Shop - Bangor — The Rock and Art ShopTruth and Reconciliation Commission -Truth & Reconciliation - Wabanaki REACHPineland - https://shadowsofpineland.org/ Malaga Island - Malaga Island: An Overview of its Cultural and Natural History – Maine Coast Heritage Trust (mcht.org)Charlie Howard Murder - https://www.mainepublic.org/news/2024-07-07/sunday-marks-40th-anniversary-of-brutal-murder-of-charlie-howard-in-bangor Indigenous Queer Authors - https://nativemaxmagazine.com/5-books-written-by-two-spirit-indigiqueer-authors/ Land Back Movement - First Light Learning Journey | Peter Forbes Adrienne Maree Brown - adrienne maree brown – awe. liberation. pleasure.Dawnland Film - https://upstanderproject.org/films/dawnland Wabanaki Alliance - Home - Wabanaki AllianceThanks to the Animals by Allen Sockabasin - Thanks to the Animals a book by Allen Sockabasin and Rebekah Raye (bookshop.org)Penobscot Theater Company Gluskabe - My Story is Gluskabe | Penobscot Theatre Company Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Guests: Carol Wishcamper, Kimberly Crichton Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin

We are so excited for next Tuesday, October 1st! We want our listeners to know what is upcoming, a conversation with two special people in our (the Aunties) lives, our friends Carol Wishcamper and Kimberly Crichton. Two friends dedicated to serving our tribal communities in so many ways! Our conversation was filled with laughter, insights and deep connections. We know you will enjoy this conversation, please listen to the quick clip that describes our next episode and hear Auntie Lauren and late Allen Sockabasin share a special song. Also-please remember to tune in next Tuesday for the full episode! Special Thanks/Woliwon: Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin

Episode 7: Mother Earth: Our History, Our Healing, Our Responsibilities –PART TWOJoin us back for more time with Dr. Darren Ranco!  The Aunties and Uncle Darren will continue to dive into discussions about Wabanaki land, the connection we have to this land we collectively share, and our responsibilities to our Mother Earth. Uncle Darren displays his commitment to young people and shares exciting work he is helping to lead, the Wabanaki Ways Program. Listeners will continue to hear stories from Darren and learn about two amazing products that the Aunties brought in to share! Passamaquoddy Wild Blueberries https://www.pquoddyberries.com/Passamaquoddy Maple https://www.passamaquoddymaple.com/Please tune in to part 2 and try these amazing products!Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell)  https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-ocTopics Discussed:Molly Denali- https://pbskids.org/molly/videos Wabanaki Commission of Land Stewardship- https://dawnlandreturn.org/wabanaki-commission/about-usTurtle Island- North America Two Eyed Seeing- https://youtu.be/bA9EwcFbVfgSoutheast Sustainable Partnership- https://sustainablesoutheast.net Robin Wall Kimmerer- https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/Passamaquoddy maple- https://www.passamaquoddymaple.com/Passamaquoddy Blueberries- https://www.pquoddyberries.com/UMaine Wabanaki Youth in Science (WaYS)- Wabanaki Youth in Science (WaYS) - Native American Programs - University of Maine (umaine.edu)UMaine Penobscot Language signs- Penobscot Signs at the University of Maine (umaine.edu)UMaine Native American Programs - Wabanaki Center - Native American Programs - University of Maine (umaine.edu)Gathering Sweetgrass Acadia- Gathering Sweetgrass and Renewing the Past: How Science at Acadia Is Making a Course Correction (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaqMi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe-Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Guests: Darren Ranco Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin 

Episode 6: Our Earth: Our History, Our Healing, Our Responsibilities -PART ONEJoin us for our episode with Dr. Darren Ranco! Land Back, Land Return, Land Stewardship are words many of us have heard before. In this two-part episode (part two released this Thursday, September 19th), the Aunties and Uncle Darren will dive into discussions about Wabanaki land, the connection we have to this land we collectively share, and our responsibilities to our Mother Earth. You will meet our friend, Darren, a professor at the University of Maine and a champion for Indigenous students. Uncle Darren will talk about exciting work he is helping to lead here in Wabanaki Territory, all focused on land protection and stewardship. Please tune in to this episode and part 2, you will feel the powerful connection our land has to our healing.  Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell)  https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-ocTopics Discussed:Molly Denali- https://pbskids.org/molly/videos Wabanaki Commission of Land Stewardship- https://dawnlandreturn.org/wabanaki-commission/about-usTurtle Island- North America Two Eyed Seeing- https://youtu.be/bA9EwcFbVfgSoutheast Sustainable Partnership- Woven peoples + place in Southeast Alaska. - (sustainablesoutheast.net) Robin Wall Kimmerer- https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/Passamaquoddy maple- https://www.passamaquoddymaple.com/Passamaquoddy Blueberries- https://www.pquoddyberries.com/UMaine Penobscot Language signs- Penobscot Signs at the University of Maine (umaine.edu)UMaine Native American Programs - Wabanaki Center - Native American Programs - University of Maine (umaine.edu)Gathering Sweetgrass Acadia- Gathering Sweetgrass and Renewing the Past: How Science at Acadia Is Making a Course Correction (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaqMi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe-Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Guests: Darren Ranco Producer: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin

Episode 5: The Arts: Essential to Healing Woliwon (Thank you) for joining us for this essential episode on healing! The healing of our bodies, relationships, and Mother Earth is the focus of the Aunties on Air Pod! Healing is hard work. It takes commitment, love for self, and support from those who care for us. It also takes the ARTS! We heal through music, literature, photography, painting, and all forms of creative expression. For thousands of years, Indigenous people from across our world have recognized the deep connection between the arts and healing. In this episode you will hear how collaboration and the arts have transformed the experiences and healing of many. You will meet our friends, Jen and Annette, both stars in the Bangor, Maine area. They both lead vibrant organizations that promote the abundance art brings to a community. The Penobscot Theater, Bangor Beautiful, and the Rock and Art Shop- all critical when discussing community healing within our territory. Both Wabanaki people and non-indigenous people living Wabanaki Territory will feel the love and commitment to community through this episode! Please sit back and take in the healing power of the ARTS!Wabanaki Words Used:Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell)  https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-ocWoliwon https://pmportal.org/dictionary/woliwon Topics Discussed:Rock and Art Shop-  Bangor — The Rock and Art ShopBangor Beautiful- https://www.bangorbeautiful.org/homePenobscot Theatre- Penobscot Theatre Company | Bangor's Professional TheatreDonna Brown- https://www.wabanakiwomenscoalition.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/WWC-Announcement-of-Executive-Director.jpgBee Mural- Bangor Beautiful - Good of the Hive MuralPTC Gluskabe Performance- https://www.penobscottheatre.org/project/my-story-is-gluskabe/Carol Dana Quote-https://www.bangordailynews.com/2024/03/01/bangor/penobscot-theatre-gluskabe-play-joam40zk0w/Carol Dana- Carol Dana (dawnlandvoices.org)WPHW Mural- New Hammond St. ground mural brightens Downtown Bangor (wabi.tv)Fiddlehead Mural- The Man Behind Bangor's Newest Mural; Maine's 'Color Wizard' (i95rocks.com) Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet-Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq-Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township- Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe Sipayik- Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation-Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Guests: Annette Dodd, Jen Shepard Editor: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin  

Episode 4: Uncles Visit the StudioThe day is finally here! Our Uncles join us in the podcast studio! And just like our Auntie episode, our time with our Uncles extended beyond our normal episode length. While we could have broken this episode into 2, we decided to keep this conversation together. The Uncles had many stories to tell, wisdom to share, and community resources to talk about! The Aunties/Hosts (Lauren, Lisa, and Saige) gathered in the podcast studio to welcome two very special Uncles Chris Newell (Passamaquoddy) and Ralph Cammack (Maliseet). These two Uncles are leaders in education, service, and culture. They are both full of love and wisdom. The Uncles take us on a journey where they share their childhood dreams, mentors, and experiences as indigenous boys growing up in both indigenous and non-indigenous communities. We learn from the Uncles that career paths are sometimes clear and often murky. The importance of mentorship, sharing culture and story are highlighted throughout this important conversation. The Aunties and Uncles talk about the difficulty indigenous and students of color face when entering academia and reaching for academic success. While the difficulty is shared, Chris and Ralph also share numerous resources with our listeners (found in the show notes). The Aunties encourage all to look and dig in more. In this episode and all future episodes, you will experience indigenous languages spoken, Wabanaki culture celebrated, and healing happening through conversations and love. Wabanaki traditional music is shared by the amazing Lauren Stevens and Allen Sockabasin. Wabanaki Words Used:Qoss (son) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/qossolApc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell)  https://pmportal.org/dictionary/apc-ocTus (daughter) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/tusol Topics Discussed:Wayne Newell- https://www.friendsjournal.org/wayne-a-newell/Lauren Stevens Performance with Yo Yo Ma- https://vimeo.com/752751830Ralph's Band- Sons of AlfondPequot Territory- https://www.mptn-nsn.gov/Rebecca Sockbeson- https://www.rebeccasockbeson.com/Indigenous Research- The Center for Wabanaki Research, Knowledge & Innovation | Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (wabanakiphw.org)A New Era of Indigenous Research: Community-based Indigenous Research Ethics Protocols in Canada - Ashley Hayward, Erynne Sjoblom, Stephanie Sinclair, Jaime Cidro, 2021 (sagepub.com)Project Venture- Project Venture | Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (wabanakiphw.org)Morgan Talty- Morgan TaltyChris Newell's Book Link-https://www.akomawt.org/store/p1/If_You_Lived_During_The_Plimoth_Thanksgiving_by_Chris_Newell_(Paperback).htmlDangers of anti-DEI efforts- https://abcnews.go.com/US/map-impact-anti-dei-legislation/story?id=108795967Saige Phillips - Penobscot Nation grad student gets national recognition for Indigenous advocacy (bangordailynews.com)Deeping Our Relationships for Healing: Our Land, Our People, Our Freedom by Lisa Sockabasin- Deeping Our Relationships for Healing: Our Land, Our People, Our Freedom | Health Equity (liebertpub.com)Hawk Henries- Hawk Henries' Biography | Hawk Henries Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaqMi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe-Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Guests: Chris Newell, Ralph CammackEditor: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin 

Episode 3: Our Young People are in the Studio Aunties Lisa and Saige took over the studio as they welcomed our Wabanaki summer college interns Caroline, Gavin, and Kristen, and their coordinator Jillian! Each student is working on a project that supports healing in our Wabanaki nations. WPHW is grateful for their energy, commitment, and passion! In this session, you will hear the students discussing their hopes, dreams, and experiences this summer. This is an episode not to miss! Wabanaki Ship https://wabanakiphw.org/departments/research/internship-programs/Bigelow Labatory Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences - Bold Science for Our Blue Planet Special Thanks/ Woliwon:Editor: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, and Reanna Sockabasin 

Aaron Dana is a prominent member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and currently serves as a Tribal Representative in the Maine State Legislature. As a non-voting member, he represents the interests of the Passamaquoddy people and advocates for their rights and sovereignty. Dana has been active in legislative efforts to extend federal benefits to the Wabanaki tribes, which include the Passamaquoddy, Penobscot, Maliseet, and Mi'kmaq tribes in Maine. These efforts aim to rectify the exclusion of these tribes from federal laws that benefit other tribes across the United States due to a unique 1980 settlement agreement​.

We are so excited for next Tuesday, August 6th! We wanted our listeners to know what is upcoming, a conversation with our young people, dedicated to serving our communities during their summer! Our conversation was filled with laughter, insight, and responsibilities. We know you will feel inspired by this young talent who are deeply committed to healing! Tune in next week!Wabanaki SHIP https://wabanakiphw.org/departments/research/internship-programs/Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Editor: Gavin AllenPodcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin

This special episode is an extended Auntie conversation! While we could have broken this episode into 2, we decided to keep this conversation together. Please join us for more time together than usual, when the Aunties are in town- you let them talk! The Aunties/Hosts (Lauren, Lisa, and Saige) gathered in the podcast studio to welcome two very special Aunties, Cyril Francis (Passamaquoddy) and Pat Knox-Nicola (Penobscot). These two Aunties are leaders, elders and full of love and wisdom. The Aunties dive in deep, discussing topics such as community, belonging, pride, culture, trauma, movies, and books! The format of the show, as described in the introductory episode, the Aunties (Lauren, Lisa, & Saige) will ask guests seven questions, honoring our seven generations. This episode and all future episodes, you will experience indigenous languages spoken, Wabanaki culture celebrated, and healing happening through conversations and love. Wabanaki traditional music is shared by the amazing Lauren Stevens and Allen Sockabasin.  Wabanaki Words Used: Tan kahk (How are you?) tan kahk | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Psi-te wen (everyone, everybody) psi-wen, psi-te wen | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Woliwon (thank) woliwon | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Ktoliwis (name)  liwisu | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Peskotomuhkat nil peskotomuhkat | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Nuceyew Sipayik Sipayik | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Cihkonaqcik cihkonaqc | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Yalahsehniket yalahsenike, alahsenike | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Kinalokittiyena kinalokittiyena (Pesk), kinalokitt (Wol) | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Apc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farewell) apc-oc | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Woliwon (thank you)  woliwon | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org) Topics Discussed:WPHW Website Home | Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (wabanakiphw.org)CISM CCISM Trifold Brochure.pdfWabanaki Public Health and Wellness Mobile Food Pantry FAQ's  https://wabanakiphw.org/departments/wabanaki-public-health/community-land-wellness/mobile-food-pantry/mobile-food-pantry-faq/Mobile Food Pantry ScheduleMobile Food Pantry | Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (wabanakiphw.org)Alcoholics Anonymous Have a problem with alcohol? There is a solution. | Alcoholics Anonymous (aa.org) Show Highlights: Morgan Talty @ Morgan TaltyIsabelle Knockwood Out of the Depths, 4th Edition: The Experiences of Mi'kmaw Children at the Indian Residential School at Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia – Fernwood PublishingKillers of the Flower Moon — Official Trailer | Apple TV+ (youtube.com)Allen Sockabasin https://g.co/kgs/KhBQsR5Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe-Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Guests: Cyril Francis, Pat Knox-NicolaEditor: Gavin Allen, Tiana Aurelio  Podcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin

Episode No. 663 features artist Jeremy Frey and curator Sarah Humphreville. The Portland Museum of Art is presenting "Jeremy Frey: Woven," a twenty-year survey of Frey's basketry and printmaking. The exhibition features more than fifty baskets made from natural materials such as black ash and sweetgrass, as well as prints and video. The exhibition is in Maine through September 15, when it will travel to the Art Institute of Chicago. It was curated by Ramey Mize and Jaime DeSimone. The excellent catalogue was published by Rizzoli Electa in association with the PMA. Amazon and Bookshop offer it for $35-46. In 2011, Frey became the first basket-maker to win Best of Show at the Santa Fe Indian Market, in 2011, a feat he repeated in 2014. His work has been included in exhibitions at institutions such as The Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, and the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Lincoln, Mass. Frey, a seventh-generation Passamaquoddy basket-maker, makes his baskets from ash trees, which are threatened by an invasive species called the emerald ash borer. The exhibition also presents this threat to Wabanaki cultural traditions and northeastern forests. Humphreville is the curator of "Eastman Johnson and Maine," at the Colby Museum of Art at Colby College. The show celebrates the bicentennial of Johnson's birth with a presentation of works Johnson made in Maine, his home state. It is accompanied by a gallery of works made by Johnson's peers. "Johnson and Maine" is on view through December 8. Instagram: Jeremy Frey, Sarah Humphreville, Tyler Green.

Episode: Intro The Aunties/Hosts (Lauren, Lisa, and Saige) gathered in the pod cast studio to discuss their hopes for Aunties on Air… and some Uncles too. You will hear the Aunties discuss their passions, work, and love for their indigenous communities. The format of the show is discussed in this introductory episode. Each episode, the Aunties will ask guests seven questions, honoring our seven generations. This episode and all future episodes, you will experience indigenous languages spoken, Wabanaki culture celebrated, and healing happening through conversations and love. Wabanaki traditional music is shared by the amazing Lauren Stevens and Allen Sockabasin.Wabanaki Words Used: Tus (daughter) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/tusolQoss (son) https://pmportal.org/dictionary/qossolApc-oc (again in the future, parting, good-bye, farwell) apc-oc | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Tan kahk (How are you?) tan kahk | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Psi-wen (everyone, everybody) psi-wen, psi-te wen | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Pihce (long ago) pihce | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Woliwon (thank you)  woliwon | Peskotomuhkati-Wolastoqey Language Portal (pmportal.org)Topics Discussed:WPHW Website Home | Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (wabanakiphw.org)WPHW Social https://www.facebook.com/WabanakiPHWCISM CCISM Trifold Brochure.pdfThe acronym CISM stands for, critical incident stress management. It is the most widely used crisis intervention system in the world started in 1988. Our Wabanaki Nations Wampum CISM focuses on our culture and traditional healing ways, combined with core components to guide us through a crisis. The WNW CISM Support Network is comprised of 5 mobile crisis response teams throughout all Wabanaki Tribal territories. Our mission is to provide peer assistance to all affected members of a community during or after a critical incident. Our philosophy is to offer intentional supports and maintain a high level of integrity, confidentiality, and to do no harm. The Network seeks to lessen the impact of stress reactions through a variety of interventions provided by our fully trained peer support personnel.Wabanaki Ship https://wabanakiphw.org/departments/research/internship-programs/WCCC WCCC Onepager (2).pdfShow Highlights: Ann Pardilla- Ann was born and raised on Indian Island, with extended family in Kingsclear, NB and Mountain View, Oklahoma. She Married George Pardilla and during his Air Force career they were stationed in the U.S and overseas. In 1975 they returned to Indian Island, Maine where they re-established Chief Poolaw's Trading Post. Ann Irene was active in community and government affairs on Penobscot Tribal Council and as Lieutenant Governor. She was a Penobscot Culture Keeper and was a leader and mentor for Wabanaki traditional ceremonies.Lauren Stevens Performance with  Yo Yo Ma https://vimeo.com/752751830Salt bay Chamber & WPHW Concert  Salt Bay Chamber Performance (3).pdfAllen Sockabasin https://g.co/kgs/KhBQsR5Wabanaki Tribal Nations:Houlton Band of Maliseet Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians | Littleton, ME (maliseets.net)Mi'kmaq Mi'kmaq Nation | Presque Isle, ME (micmac-nsn.gov)Passamaquoddy Tribe-Indian Township Passamaquoddy Tribe @ Indian Township | Peskotomuhkati MotahkomikukPassamaquoddy Tribe-Sipayik Sipayik Tribal Government – Sipayik (wabanaki.com)Penobscot Nation Penobscot Nation | Departments & Info | Indian Island, Maine Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Editor: Gavin Allen, Nate Brown Podcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin  

Your Hosts Lauren, Lisa & Saige welcome listeners to Aunties on Air... and some Uncles too. The hosts are delighted to begin creating sacred space for all guests and listeners to connect to culture, community and each other. The Aunties will take you on a journey where every listener will experience the healing powers of connection. Please come join the hosts and guests as they deliver good medicine through a traditional story telling way.  Special Thanks/ Woliwon: Editor: Gavin Allen, Nate Brown Podcast Team: Becky Soctomah Bailey, Macy Flanders, Reanna Sockabasin

by Moira Donovan • As dams come down on the Skutik River, the once-demonized alewife—a fish beloved by the Passamaquoddy—gets a second chance at life. The original story, along with photos, can be found on hakaimagazine.com.

A story that encourages humbleness told by the sacred fire at a Wabanaki Midwinter Gathering. This story was shared by Wolastoqiyik and Passamaquoddy knowledge keeper and linguist Roger Paul, who spoke with CBC's Sis'moqon.

The bid to build a new Passamaquoddy Lodge in St. Andrews is well underway. It has designs, a parcel of land to build on and capital estimates. The project has ground to a halt, organizers say because the provincial government is dragging its feet on signing off on the project. Host Julia Wright speaks with Caroline Davies, chair of the development committee for the new Passamaquoddy Lodge.

This episode starts with a story. In 1604, 79 members of an expedition from France, including Samuel de Champlain, came to Saint Croix Island off the shores of Maine and New Brunswick to set up a colony in the new land. They called it l'Acadie—Acadia. Over the severe winter of 1604 to 1605, 35 of the settlers died, likely of scurvy. In the spring, members of the Passamaquoddy Tribe befriended the French survivors and brought them food; and, ultimately, their health improved. In the summer of 1605, the survivors moved the Acadia settlement to Port Royal, Nova Scotia, and the rest is history. The Acadians went on to play an integral part in the histories of Canada, the United States, and France. Today, that 6.5-acre uninhabited island and its very significant history is threatened by high tides, shoreline erosion, powerful winter storms, and more—all exacerbated by climate change.In Season 6, Episode 6, host Sarah Thorne is joined by cohost Jeff King, National Lead of the Engineering With Nature Program, US Army Corps of Engineers, and the USACE Project Lead for collaboration on the Saint Croix Island activities; Donald Soctomah, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Passamaquoddy Nation; Becky Cole-Will, Chief of Resource Management for Acadia and Saint Croix Island National Parks, US National Park Service; and Amy Hunt, Senior Project Manager at EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. in New Hampshire. They are working together to figure out how to use nature-based solutions to protect and preserve Saint Croix Island and its unique historical significance. Each of the guests speaks to the unique nature of Saint Croix Island and their personal affinity to it. Donald notes that “Saint Croix has always been a special place, not just for the one winter that the Acadians spent on it but also for the last 15,000 years of Passamaquoddy history.” The guests also note the Island's importance as a symbol of the impacts of climate change. As Donald notes, “When I look at the Island I see a symbol of the change that's going on related to climate. Because right before your eyes, you can see the rising ocean, the erosion, the shrinking of the Island. Every time I look at that Island, I think about climate change and the importance of trying to make other people aware of it.”In June of 2023, the National Park Service hosted a workshop that brought together about 25 participants—biologists, geologists, engineers, planners, policymakers, and Tribal officers—to discuss the challenge and the opportunity and learn more about the history of the Island. The purpose, as Amy describes it, “was to ask the right questions and cast a really wide net then whittle it down to a few specific priorities.” Becky adds, “The first day we spent thinking about what could be done. Then people had an opportunity to get out there and see the Island and say, ‘I get it now.' There was a lot of reality checking and ground truthing that was fascinating to hear.”Jeff appreciated the guests sharing their insights and perspective. He noted that the work is ongoing: “We're just getting started. Brian Davis at the University of Virginia has been working collaboratively with the project partners to come up with designs and renderings that we want to discuss with Donald and the Passamaquoddy Tribe to ensure that we're integrating traditional ecological knowledge along the way. I'm excited about where we're headed and the opportunities this project will offer.” For more information and resource links, please visit the EWN Podcast page on the EWN website at https://www.engineeringwithnature.org/ • Jeff King at LinkedIn• Amy Hunt at LinkedIn• Rebecca Cole-Will at LinkedIn• Donald Soctomah at LinkedInThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5872676/advertisement

Feeling like an “outsider” can be isolating, and sometimes you don't even realize the weight you're carrying until you find yourself in a place of belonging. In Episode 4, a circus performer, Shakespearean actor, classical musician, and Native storyteller share their journeys from “outsider” to “insider,” exploring representation, safe spaces, embracing identity and confronting privilege. Introduction: “In The Spotlight” with Chris Rooney, a circus performer and founding member of the BIPOC Circus Alliance Midwest in Chicago, Illinois. Act One: “Barred from The Bard ” with Farah Merani, an actor, writer and arts educator in Los Angeles, California. Act Two: “Into the Fold” with Mari Lee, the CEO and artistic director of Salon Séance in New York, New York. Act Three: “Walking Between Worlds” with Leland Faulkner, a performing artist and arts educator. He lives in Maine on Mi'kmaq‎, Penobscot‎, Passamaquoddy‎ and Abenaki‎ tribal land. You can find a full transcript and more on APAP's website: https://apap365.org/podcast/ Are you a performing arts worker with a story to tell? Submit it here: https://bit.ly/AWLpodsubmit

Episode Summary This week on Live Like the World is Dying, Burdock and Margaret talk about the overlap between Earth Skills and preparedness as well as going over the basics of how to preserve animal hides, how to process road kill for food, and why you probably don't want to eat roadkill. Trust your nose on that one Guest Info Burdock (she/they) can be found on Instagram @Scagetywocket Host Info Margaret can be found on twitter @magpiekilljoy or instagram at @margaretkilljoy. Publisher Info This show is published by Strangers in A Tangled Wilderness. We can be found at www.tangledwilderness.org, or on Twitter @TangledWild and Instagram @Tangled_Wilderness. You can support the show on Patreon at www.patreon.com/strangersinatangledwilderness. Transcript Live Like the World is Dying: Burdock on Earth Skills and Road Kills Margaret 00:14 Hello and welcome to Live Like the World is Dying, your podcast for what feels like the end times. I'm today's host, Margaret Killjoy. And I'm really excited to be talking about this stuff that we're gonna be talking about today because it's something I've been wanting to talk about since I first started the show. We're going to be talking about the primitive skills scene. And in specific, we're going to talk a bit about roadkill and we're going to talk about tanning hides of animals that have been destroyed by the mechanisms of industrial civilization. And I'm excited to get into that. But first, this podcast is a proud member of the Channel Zero Network of anarchist podcasts. And here's a jingle from another show on the network da da duh duh da daa. [Singing a melody] Margaret 01:38 Okay, we're back. Okay. So if you could introduce yourself with your name, your pronouns. And then I guess a little bit about how you got into the stuff that we're going to be talking about today? Burdock 01:48 Yes, Hi. I'm Burdock. And I use she/they pronouns interchangeably. No preference. And I got into this stuff about 10-11 years ago, living in a city my whole life and being like, "This is not working for me at all. And I want to live in a completely different way." And I went to crazy intense primitive skills school because that was like, the thing I found that resonated the most with me, and it was really traumatizing. But I also learned a lot. And since then, I've been continuing to explore communities and practice those things on my own largely. Margaret 02:30 Okay. What's primitive skills? To start at the like, super basic, right? This the thing where YouTube influencers get money out of people to fake build things in the woods? [Said with dry sarcasm] Burdock 02:45 [Laughing] Totally. That is definitely one of the things. That is one of the many ways that it manifests in the world. And also, like, a lot of people hate the term "primitive skills." I think it's not great. [Margaret makes an affirmative sound] But it is like, the most known term for this realm I'm talking about. And so I usually use it just so people understand what I'm talking about, that I don't have to be like, "Earth skills, ancestral skills, primitive skills," and I don't know, I think "earth skills," is like, the best in a way. But yeah, acknowledging right now that this whole thing is like rife with cultural appropriation. And there's definitely like conversations happening around that in parts of the primitive skill scene, earth skills scene. Margaret 03:45 No, it's called Earth skills. [Said jokingly, but seriously] Burdock 03:47 Yeah, I'm gonna go with Earth skills from here forward. It feels it feels better. Anyway. So, Earth skills broadly refers to all of the ways that humans lived for most of our time here on Earth. Like pre pretty much pre....I don't know there's even metal smithing included in a lot of like Earth skills gatherings and stuff...So, but like, usually very, still very, like, land-based, like wood forges and stuff, but pre-agriculture, pre industrial revolution. But, there is some agriculture stuff because like, I think it's a bit of a myth that like, agriculture equals industrial society equals capitalism equals bad, right? Margaret 04:38 Yeah, no. Okay. So that is like, kind of my question is like, what skills are included in this kind of place? Like so Earth skills, I assume it's like hunting, gardening--I mean, in my mind, I'm so used to like survival stuff, so I'm like building emergency shelters filtering your water--but I assume it's also like, building more permanent structure and making your own clothes? Like like what? What kind of different stuff are people doing? Burdock 05:07 Yeah, I'd say the standbys are fire by friction, like ways of making fire from only materials you're harvesting from the land, foraging for food and medicine and other useful plant materials, animal processing, so, you know, post post hunting, what do you do with the body of the animal that you killed? Hunting is definitely there. And weapon making as well, making weapons just from what's on the landscape around you, just from what you can find. Shelter building. And I think the theme, the theme that runs throughout all of these is "Just from the land around you and maybe you have a knife." But I teach friction fire with no knife, so that varies a lot. There's pottery with local wild clay and how to process that clay so you can actually make pots with it. Basket making--which is also something I do--with materials you're foraging and how to forage for those materials or how to propagate them, how to process them. Totally different from, you know, the materials being prepared for you and you're just going for it. Yeah. Yeah. And I'm sure I'm forgetting tons of stuff. Margaret 06:38 Yeah, no, I'm, I'm sure, too. And I...it's been a while since I've been around people who are particularly into this, but I it's been interesting to be around. Okay, I have a bunch of questions about it, though. So one of them is, what role does this have in the modern world? Like, what? And I'm sure that's something that people talk about within this, you know, scene or community and stuff, but like, what...or like, sell me or the listener on getting into this kind of stuff? Like, what's it about? Burdock 07:10 I think it's about different things to different people. And what it's about, to me is resilience and becoming a more resourceful kind of creative person, having more options of ways to live. I get to disengage from a lot of the kind of modern society stuff when I choose to engage in those skills, which for my life has been important because I have like sensory processing stuff. And so being able to, like, escape from the barrage has been really important. And I think different people have different reasons for needing to get away from that. Even just traveling, like it's making my traveling life easier. Even stuff, like being able to pee stealthily or find like spots in the woods to like, have an anxiety attack. Like, all of these skills are really practical in just surviving the modern world the way it is now. Like, even if things stay exactly how they are. And, you know, there is this idea of, "Oh, if stuff gets worse I'm going to be prepared in all these ways. And I can like, share these...I can teach the skills that I know to other people so that they can deal with whatever's happening." And, you know, including just stuff like blackouts that are short or natural disasters. Like that's definitely part of it, too. But a huge part of it for me is just the selfishness needed to protect my senses. Margaret 09:01 That makes a lot of sense to me. And one of the things that's kind of come up more recently on this show as I interview different people is realizing there's all of these different means by which people engage in nature, right? And I know that...I kind of at some point, I don't know if I have the brainwidth to do it, the brain space to do it right now, I want to problematize the idea of nature, problematize the idea that nature is this separate thing that is distinct from humans, and even--if you want to piss off people--it's even a separate thing that it's not separate from industrial society, right? Like anything that humans make. But there's all of these different ways that people interact with nature. And it's like really interesting to see which ones are useful for people now in the world to learn how to disengage and which ones are useful for people in different kinds of collapse scenarios, different disasters and things and so it's like...You know, I haven't had on someone to talk specifically about bushcraft, but It seems like bushcraft is almost the like step more modern than like what you do, right? Like, because like bushcraft would be like, "Well, you have your saw on your axe and you can build your log cabin, right?" Which is in some ways, I think the least sustainable way for modern people to go interact with nature. But maybe I'm only saying that because I haven't interviewed a bushcraft person who's gonna sell me on it really well. And then you have Earth skills, which is like the least--not necessarily the least impactful--but the least, requires the least resources, right? Versus you have the ways that outdoor athletes, like hikers, and skiers, and snowboarders--I don't know, I don't know anything about winter--interact with it, versus the way that like hunters interact with it, right? And there's like all of these different ways that people interact with and I'm really interested about it. So that's like...what you're talking about, like, here's how to go... Like, I don't know how to start a fire by friction. I've seen people do it. I still don't really believe it. It doesn't seem real because I've tried. But it's really, really hard, I think. I don't know, Burdock 11:07 It's really hard because these skills need to be passed down from person to person. And in a lot of cultures it's like cultural information. It's encoded in the songs, and in the stories, and it's encoded in everything. And so even as a child, if no one's showing you how to do it, you know from the stories and the songs maybe what plants on the landscape are useful for that. And you've seen people around you do it. Most people when they're trying to start friction fire they maybe have never even seen people do it before. They just have this concept in their mind of like rubbing sticks together, or like they saw it a little bit in a video, or they even watched a tutorial on how to do it. But, that's not enough because you learn these things through the senses. You have to be able to see and touch and hear. And when you can't do that, it's really hard to learn them. Margaret 12:01 Ya, no. That makes sense. Also, usually I here now make a joke about how everything that I don't understand is fake. But, I actually don't want to here. I do it about fishing usually. Usually my joke is that fishing is fake. But, I've seen people start friction fires and it's cool. So, one of the main reasons to learn this is for the here and now, is like ways to disconnect, and ways to you know, go out and engage in nature, again, the loaded word, "nature." Okay, so one of the things I think that we talked about wanting to talk about now is where earth skills fit within the sort of subset of prepping. Like, I am under the impression that the Earth skills scene, for example, is like kind of a prepping scene in some ways, just not the same as the one that most people know about. Burdock 12:50 Yeah, it's a lot like bushcraft, and it's a lot like even like backpacking, and it's a lot like homesteading, and it's a lot like all these things. And then the core difference is like basically starting from scratch-scratch. Like you're making all the tools that you're using to do all these projects. You're...If you have a backpack, you're like making that backpack and you have to make the material that the backpack is made out of like... Margaret 13:22 You have to make nylon. [Laughing]. Burdock 13:25 Right, you have to make the nylon. You have to go harvest the oil and process it. [Probably said jokingly] Margaret 13:29 [Incredulously] Do people do that? Burdock 13:30 I recently went to a gathering where you had to drive past this like oil well thing that was just like actually actively pumping oil from the Earth. Margaret 13:40 Oh my God. Burdock 13:41 It was actually a great reality check, though. Because it's like, "Oh, we're going to this gathering. We're all pretending that we live in this like beautiful, ideal community where everybody wears natural clothes and stuff." And it's like, yeah, this is...We're all driving here. Like we're all involved in this. Margaret 14:00 Well, and it gets into this--I want to come back to the prepping thing, but I want to follow on this tangent really quick--It gets into this thing that I think about a lot. I've been like camping and hiking more a lot recently--mostly because I realized I can because I work on a computer on my own schedule for living. And like mostly I read history books for a living and I'm like, "I can do that in a hammock in the woods." And so I've been trying to do that. And one of the things that's like been really striking me is this reminder that there like is no outside. And I mean that--like I mean there's like outside the house--but there's like no outside of society, like there's no...Like the closest we have are like wilderness areas, at least in continental US you know is where I hang out, right, but there's like...You're not...Like, we're like choosing to not bring Fritos with us, right? It's not that the Fritos aren't available to us, you know. And like...And at least the way I do it, I'm like driving there and stuff, but also it's like, even when I go find like the free dispersed camping and stuff, there's like tons of other people around, which is actually fine. It helps break--So I kind of wonder whether Earth skills falls into this a little more than it should--it helps break the like frontiersman mentality, the like, "I'm going to go tame nature," and that's like something that's always kind of...Not rubbed me the wrong way about all Earth skills, but like seemed like a danger available to the Earth skills community. But maybe I'm completely off base. I don't know how people handle that or talk about it. Burdock 15:26 No, that's really on point. I think there's a lot of like...There's a lot of bizarre ways...I feel like within the Earth skills community, what I see the most is people having this like reverential, like, "I have this spiritual connection with the Earth and with these plants." And there's this kind of disconnect, in a way, with like..Yeah, I don't know how they're actually living their lives, how they're actually behaving. Like, I feel like people don't acknowledge enough, like, "I regard the world and the earth in this way, but I also am exploiting it in the way that I live, too. And I'm playing a part in..." You know, like, some of these people are rich. Some of the people who do this stuff, they have land and that's why they have enough time to learn how to tan hides, like as a hobby, you know? And there's no acknowledgment there of like, that's contributing to this, like, apocalypse thing that's being foretold in like Tom Brown's--he's a primitive skills teacher guy--prophecy, doomsday stuff, like... Margaret 16:54 No, that makes sense. Because it's like most people...Most people who are making money through Capitalism or whatever like at large scale--not like people who work at Starbucks or whatever because they have to--the people that like own Starbucks. The person who owns Starbucks might be able to have like, a million acres somewhere that they can keep pristine so they can go around and build huts or whatever, but they're doing that by like, destroying the shit out of Central America or whatever, you know? Burdock 17:19 Right! Margaret 17:21 It's interesting. And, okay. I'm actually really interested in Earth skills stuff and so it sounds like I'm talking shit, but I really don't mean it this way. Burdock 17:29 No, you gotta talk shit about it. I talk shit about it because I love it and I want it to be good. Margaret 17:33 Yeah, no, it makes sense. I wonder whether how much--at least again, in the continental US--settler people, like white people in the United States, how much there's like this, like...I kind of hate framing things....I hate publicly framing things this way because I don't know how to do it better. But, like, I feel like there's this curse, where people like want to have a certain type of connection and almost just like can't because it's just cursed to them. Because...Not because of blood or something, but because of being a settler of a culture that has come and destroyed this place. You know? And so it feels like trying to...It's not...It's still worth trying to engage in stuff. But it feels like there's this like insurmountable or very hard to surmount curse that disconnects us. And when I'm using us, I--I actually don't know anything about you--it disconnects me and other white people from connecting in certain ways with this specific land. And I...I don't know how to say it better than that because I'm not trying to make this like...Well, I mean, I believe in the decolonization of the US, like, on a political level, right, I believe that the United States is an empire that should not exist and occupies stolen land that should be, you know, returned. But, I'm still not trying to make a like permanent proclamation about something on a spiritual level. But I just I feel like there's like this thing that has to be overcome. And I don't know whether it's possible. I think I gave you a really easy question there. [Jokingly] Burdock 19:08 I love it, because this is what I think about all the time. And I agree with all of those...like everything you said about this country, basically. Like, I'm on the same page. And it's been something I've been thinking about a lot because when I started doing this 11 years ago, that stuff wasn't on my mind. Like, I was just like, "I'm 19. I don't like living in a city." And as I've...You know, and the school, I went to appropriated a lot. And I've been to gatherings where there's a lot of appropriation and it wasn't on my radar. And then it's been thanks to a lot of the work that indigenous people are doing and black people are doing in that I've like, come into this awareness like...But, it's also been through the plants and the land themselves. Burdock 20:00 It had to come over time. Like when I was at that school 10 years ago, we harvested wild rice. And that...that's like a real...it's the cornerstone of the traditions of all of the people who live where wild rice lives. And then I moved, and I was trying to continue harvesting wild rice and there were a lot of layers about it. Like, it kept not working out for me. And then it was like...I like...It kept not working out until in one way or another I accidentally gave tobacco to the water. And then it would be like, "Oh, now it's working." And so I figured that out. And then after I figured that out, I was really hearing from the land, like, for the first couple of years, it was like, "It's great that someone's here. It's great that someone's like, seeing us and acknowledging us. Like, we're the wild rice and we missed people." And the longer I listened, the more I was like, "Oh, you don't miss like me. You miss "the" people. Like, you miss "your" people and the songs and the stories and the way that those people live and the way that those people live with you. You miss them and I will never be able to be that for you." All I can do is hear that. And that doesn't really answer your question. But, it takes time and a lot of listening and moving at the speed of relationship. Margaret 20:00 No, that makes sense. Margaret 20:02 Okay, that makes sense. And I, you know, and I don't want to like specifically call out this community more than any other community, right? Like, I think that people engaging in a lot of this kind of stuff...Well, I don't know, I'm not in a place to make any kind of judgment about that. I'm not part of either the things that I'm talking about, but to people...Okay, so let's go back a step. We were talking about how Earth skills are a subset of prepping or of the prepping world. And I'm wondering if you want to talk more about that. Like, how does it engage with your own preparedness? How can communities use this kind of knowledge to become more resilient is like one of the big questions I have. Burdock 22:22 Yeah, I think most of the people who engage in Earth's skills aren't thinking very hard about how it actually applies to prepping, but they do believe in some kind of like, apocalyptic future. And that's one of the reasons that they do it. But they're like not thinking about it that hard. They're not thinking about it in real terms. Margaret 22:42 It's just a utopian thing for them. They're like, "Industrial civilization will collapse. And we'll all be free"? Burdock 22:46 There like, yeah there will be a lot of suffering, but like, you know, and then we'll be free and it'll be fine. Well, I'll live in huts in the woods. And nothing will be problematic anymore. Margaret 22:59 Yeah. Because there's...Then you get to have an outside once everyone's dead. That's one of my problems with it. Burdock 23:05 It doesn't make sense. It doesn't make sense. And like, I used to kind of think that way before I really thought about it. And I'm like, I have too much like, compassion for human beings to wish for anything like that. Like some people want this, like doomsday type thing to happen. But yeah, natural disasters happen. Things happen all the time that we want to be prepared for. And, I just feel like me existing and having like this little library of skills in my brain and my body, it makes it so that anywhere that I am, all the people around me have that skill. And so if we're stuck in a situation where like, we don't have matches, we don't have a lighter. All this stuff happens spontaneously. Like, I know of more than one way to start fire without those things. And so yeah, just having any one person knowing any of those skills, it makes you more prepared for things...Like you can only prepare for so many things. Margaret 24:11 Yeah, totally. Burdock 24:12 Like you cannot like, "Oh yeah, I brought matches, but I didn't think about water filtration, or I dropped my water filtration device and it's never to be found again or." And also just like even if you have all those things, if you're in a long term situation, like you're gonna run out of matches. You're gonna run out a lighter fuel. Your clothing is gonna deteriorate. Like you do need to...Even if you even if you like have access to warehouses of this modern stuff, it's important to be passing down these skills person to person. And I think it changes the way that you engage with the world as it is presently, which I think needs to happen. Margaret 24:59 That It makes a lot of sense that. So, teaching these skills and learning these skills both makes you more prepared in the sense that you know how to start a fire if shit goes bad for a couple days and you know how to repair clothes or fix clothes or make clothes from scratch if shit does stays bad, but that also--I'm just saying back what I think what I think you're saying--but also, people learning these skills also teaches people like, nicer ways to engage with the environment that they're in and like more useful ways to...like less destructive ways of being. Is that kind of what you're saying? Burdock 25:35 It's having a different mindset, like... Margaret 25:41 A grind-set kind of deal. Burdock 25:42 I process a lot of roadkill. Margaret 25:43 The road kill grind set. Burdock 25:44 Yes, I process a lot of roadkill deer, the roadkill grind set next, and it's just changed the way I've thought about them a lot. Like, and how I think about all animals but particularly deer, like they're no longer just this, like, being I see in the distance in the land or like a see their dead bodies around, I'm just like, they, each one of them has a unique personality. Each one of them has led a life of like, that we cannot comprehend as humans, you know? And, and each one of them holds in their bodies, like the things that can keep us alive. And I mean that both on this like strictly physical level where it's like, there's bone tools, and there's meat to eat, and fat to eat, and there's connective tissue for bag making. And, like, there's that but it's also...it's also on an emotional level. It's also on a, on a spiritual level, if you're into that. Margaret 26:53 Okay, well, let's talk about roadkill because that's probably what's going to be the title of the episode. Maybe not. Maybe you all are listening to "Earth skills with Burdock," instead of "Roadkill with Burdock." I'm not sure. But yeah, okay, so like, so I see a dead thing. How rough should we start here? Like, cause some of the questions that people have about roadkill. right, one of the main questions is, "Can you eat that? Is that safe?" Right? That's like...And then there's like "How to?" Right? There's the like, "Can you?" and then "How to." And I guess there's two different things, there's the eating and then there's.... Burdock 27:35 Assessment. Margaret 27:36 Oh, okay. Oh, I was gonna say, well, there's the eating the animal and then there's the making stuff with the animal. Burdock 27:44 First there's the assessing of the animal. Margaret 27:47 Okay, so let's hear how to assess. I got really embarrassed once. I was...There was a roadkill deer on my property and my neighbor... Burdock 27:55 Oh, on your property. Margaret 27:56 Yeah. I live rurally. Or, I don't know if you're just taking us a jab at the fact that I'm referring to it as "my property." Burdock 28:02 No, no, I just mean that that happened. Like right there. Margaret 28:06 Oh, yeah. No, I, there's deer all around where I live. And. And, you know, all I know is that there's a dead deer intact on my property. And we're like, I don't know how this thing died. And I was like, "Hey, neighbor, do you want this?" And my neighbor was like, "That's no good." And I'm like, "How do you know?" And they just like, look at me and they're like, "Well, it's just no good." And I'm like, "Oh, you grew up knowing how to assess a deer." Because in my mind, well, it's not it's not rotting. I don't know anything about this besides that it's not rotting, you know? Burdock 28:41 Yeah, well, and I think different people also have different ideas of what is and isn't good, even people who have experience with processing roadkill, with picking up and working with roadkill. Some people think all roadkill is just not good to eat. And there is something in that because the impact does damage the tissues and sometimes even a fresh deer is just...it's just pulverized on the inside in a way that like even if it's not their stomach contents in the meat--that's something people worry about--but like the muscle tissue itself has just kind of exploded interiorly and it does...Injured tissue doesn't taste good. And so if you've assessed the deer and you've said "This deer. I'm going to continue processing this deer. I think there might be food for me inside of this deer," having a framework in your mind for what is and isn't normal tissue is important. And a huge way of how you learn that is just doing it a lot. But, I think the main way that you're going to assess a deer, and the way I assess them, is smell. And, like, if an animal smells really bad, they're rotting and you shouldn't eat them. And if but if you can, like getting them off the road a little farther, so scavengers aren't putting themselves at risk when they're going to eat the deer is nice. It's really nice to do. But yeah, another thing that I do, if I come upon a roadkill deer or other roadkill animal, is you can, super simple test, just pull on the hair of the belly. And if it comes out, just like with no effort at all, that rotting is really set in. And you don't want to use the hide. You don't want to eat the meat. Margaret 30:52 You don't want to use to hide if it's rotten? Burdock 30:54 Yeah, I mean, particularly for first because the fur is all going to slip, but at that point, like if the hair is slipping, there's enough bacteria present in even the hide that it's a health risk to move forward with processing them, especially like you know, bacteria from a rotting hide getting into any kind of open wound on the hand. I get cuts on my hands a lot because I do lots of my hands. People you can get infections and they're really bad. Margaret 31:29 What if I have Earth skilled myself like a nitrile hazmat suit? Burdock 31:35 Then you're fine. Or I mean, even, if you really wanted to tan that deer skin, you could like wear some gloves and get the hide and flush it and get it into like a alkaline solution, like a wood ash solution. And that would actually neutralize things. And from that point forward, the hide would be fine to work with. But you know, until then, you gotta you gotta put on your earth skills latex gloves. Margaret 32:01 Yeah. Well, and it's probably worth pointing out that if you are learning how to do this from a podcast, do not try the expert level thing. Burdock 32:09 No. Even putting a hide in wood ash has just taken me years to figure out, like, "How much water to mix with the wood ash," and "How much...How to assess like when do you even want to do that?" And yeah, yeah, most of the information about that out there is really bad. And the way I learned it was my friend just being like, "Here, this is how it should feel," and me being like, "Oh, okay, it should feel slippery like this. And that, that means it's the right amount of wood ash and the right amount of water" Like dammit, yeah. Margaret 32:41 Yeah, that makes sense. That's the kind of thing that you can't get from YouTube or a podcast, you know? Burdock 32:48 No, you can't. Margaret 32:51 Okay, okay, so, you've done the initial assessment. Burdock 32:54 No, you've done the actual assessment. Margaret 32:56 It's, it smells fine, the hair on the belly doesn't slip, and you've...so then you cut into it. And I'm so grossed out by it, but I'm going to do this for out listeners. I think everyone who listens knows that I'm vegan, but also have no ethical qualms with roadkill or hunting, personally. But, so I'm going to try my best. So then you like cut it up, right? And you're like, "Oh, there's meat in here?" Is that the? Burdock 33:24 Yeah, well,... Margaret 33:26 It's like a video game, right? Burdock 33:28 Usually you have to--unless they die on the road right outside of your house and even then--you need to move their body to where it's safe for you to process them. And so there have been times in Maine where all I've had to do is move the deer off the road because it's wooded and there's not going to be some person coming over and being like, "This is my land. What are you doing here with this dead deer?" But sometimes you have to put the deer in your car. That's a whole thing. But after you're at a place where it's safe to do that process...Yeah, I mean, do you want me to really get into...the details of it? Margaret 34:05 Yeah, I mean, like maybe not like totally blow-by-blow but like...Okay, like how much am I willing to disassociate for this? Maybe don't tell me how to like...You know what, let's let's cut to the...I'm sorry everyone you're gonna need a different teacher...We'll cut to once you've got the meat and the skin and they are separate things. I don't need to know about the organs as much, but maybe there's like big, like, "Don't rupture the such and such." I think there's like some organ that if you rupture, it's like all over. Everything smells awful. Burdock 34:40 It's really, it's not hard to not do that. I think people make a really big deal about the gallbladder. Yeah, I feel like if you're just starting out, like if you're just starting out, if you're picking up a deer, they should smell neutral. Like if they smell a little bit like a horse to you or like like grass, like that's what you want. Sometimes I pick up deer who smell different, but it's because I've had time to figure that out. And you want to just, for roadkill, remove all guts. Just don't deal with that. And then you're dealing with a clean body and a skin. There's lots of skinning videos on YouTube. And there's lots of different ways to do it. You know, like, you know, the different ways to... Margaret 35:29 Not allowed to how a 30 round magazine. Burdock 35:31 Yeah. [Laughing a little confused] Margaret 35:32 YouTube, you're not allowed to do a 30 round magazine, but you can watch some animal get removed from its skin. It's bad. Burdock 35:38 Totally and it's, it's not considered violent or anything. Margaret 35:42 Yeah. I mean, whatever, I'm completely fine with it. But anyway, Burdock 35:45 It's just different standards. But yeah, and I like to just quarter the animals and just what that means is having a back leg, and another back leg, and a front leg, and another front leg, and then the torso and you can break that down however much you want. But you just have these kind of large chunks. And from that point, if it's good, if it's the right weather for it, you can just hang the meat. And the meat is okay just hanging outside. And I have to do that a lot because I often am not living with refrigerators and freezers. Some people, when they get a roadkill deer, they either choose to or they need to process all the meat right then and there and like wrap it in plastic or paper and put it in the freezer and it takes like all day. Yeah, but it's...I think it's more ideal if you just get to hang up some legs and a torso. Margaret 36:48 What's the legality of taking roadkill? Burdock 36:48 It varies from state to state. Margaret 36:49 Okay, great. Burdock 36:50 So, you got to look up what your state says about that. Margaret 37:00 Don't break and then point to us about it. Burdock 37:03 Don't break the law. But also different cops have different feelings about it. Like some of them secretly think that you're really cool for doing that. And so even if they like see you doing it there, they ignore it. Margaret 37:19 Yeah, fair. Okay. Okay, so. And for anyone who's listening, the reason that there's...Like a slight lag. And so that's like, why my dumb interjections aren't always working. Otherwise, they would be incredibly funny and everyone would be laughing all the time. It'd be a laugh track. [Joking] And so, okay, so you've got your drawn and quartered animal where you've tied it between four horses and pulled it all four directions and then...Sorry, wait, that's the medieval torture. So, we've quartered the animal. Alright, so the meat. We don't talk about cooking meat and stuff. Right? That's meat. Alright. So yeah, but you want to talk hide, right? Burdock 37:59 Yeah. Hiiiiides. [Excitedly inflected upwards like singing] I love having the honor and privilege to work with animal skins. And I think that it's a huge thing to do because like with the meat you're eating, it's gonna be back in the earth pretty soon, but with the skin, you're suspending a part of the animal away from the Earth where they normally go when they die for like a long time. And that requires this huge effort. And it takes a long time to learn. And it takes a lot of infrastructure, especially for larger skins like deer skins, if you're making brain tanned leather or bark tanned leather--and we can get into all the different kinds of tanning if we want--but yeah, you need physical infrastructure. And, you can make all that stuff pretty easily. But then that also takes time. So...Uhhh...I've gotten to a place where I can improvise a lot, but there's also...it's, way easier to work with a skin when I just have like, the physical infrastructure already there. Like if I'm traveling and I show up at a friend's place and they have all that stuff ready to go, I don't have to think about it. Like a scraping beam. That's the first thing you need because when you remove the skin from the animal, they usually have some muscle tissue and maybe fat still on the skin, and you need to remove that because that's what's gonna be starting to rot the soonest. And you do that by...I mean there's other ways to do it, but I do it by draping the skin over like a log and pinning the skin between my body--which I have like an apron of some sort on--and the log and I use a metal scraping tool. It's quite dull--you don't want it to be sharp because you don't want to puncture the skin--to push the muscle and fat tissue off of the skin. You got to do that for every skin you're working on. A lot of it...From there, there's a plethora of options, but every skin needs to at least be fleshed, as they call it, just the process of removing muscle and fat tissue. Margaret 40:27 Okay, so where does the skill tree build up from there if you're playing a video game? I don't know. So, you said there's a bunch of different options. So there's like--I'm going to make them up--so there's like rawhide, and there's brain tan--there's natural tannins--and then there's vegetable...Wait no, and then there's mineral tanning, which means chemical tanning. And which means it'll never rot into the Earth and therefore is unholy by the standards that I personally hold. In a similar way as plastic, which I totally use, and so I'm not actually casting judgment here. Okay, those are the only three I know of. Burdock 41:03 I love that you said rawhide first. Margaret 41:07 Well, that seems like the most...It's the one where you do the least...I don't know. Burdock 41:11 Yes, I love rawhide. And I think that people don't give rawhide enough credit. Because you can use rawhide in a lot of ways. And people use tanned skins for a lot of things you can just use rawhide for. Like, please save yourself the effort. Like, it's a great place to start if you want to work with skins. And it's a great place to start. It's just making rawhide and using it. Margaret 41:37 Okay, but what are people using it for that...What are people using a tanned leather that they could be using rawhide for? Burdock 41:43 Like hides that you're going to sleep on, or sit on the ground with, or even put on a chair, like they don't need to be softened the way that hides that you're going to put on your body and wear as clothing needs to be. Margaret 42:02 So it's about softening them not about preserving them? Burdock 42:06 Well, it's also about preservation because...I'll use the example of using a hide to sit on the ground. I prefer rawhide for sitting on the ground,because it takes rawhide a lot longer to absorb moisture from the grounds. At least in the places where I live, the ground has moisture in it. And if you're putting pressure on a hide you're sitting on it's going to be sucking up that moisture. And a tanned hide, like a brain can hide especially, it is more like a towel. It will it will take in moisture faster and more easily. Even on a really humid day, if it's like foggy or it's really humid, a brain tanned buckskin, for example, is just going to pull moisture in from the air and just become wet. Margaret 43:04 This sounds awful. You're describing a nightmare. You are trapped in another creature's moist skin. Burdock 43:09 And that's and that's why like I lament, for a lot of reasons, but with you know, with the genocide of so many people, you lose these, like finer details. Like if people who lived in the territory of the Penobscot, for example, wore buckskins, how did they deal with it when they absorbed moisture from the air? Like what? Yeah, did they? How did they prevent that from happening? Or like, how did they deal with that? Or did they just...was it not a big deal and they dealt with it? I don't know. And it's...it's hard. It's hard to even like mentally process how much of that finer detail, more land specifics information, is if not lost, unmoored and difficult to to find. Yeah. Margaret 44:24 Okay, so the three methods...Am I wrong that it's the three methods? There's rawhide, vegetable tanning, which is brain and bark, any natural tannin--I'm literally making this up--and mineral tanning which is chemical stuff. Burdock 44:41 Yeah, so your your close. Margaret 44:44 Okay. Burdock 44:45 Rawhide. And then I categorize brain tanning and vegetable tanning differently, but I consider those both natural tanning methods. And a lot of people just say naturally tanned, though, and then they don't go into details. And when they can't tell you more information it's usually chemically tanned anyways. Margaret 45:07 Oh, I thought you could tell by like cutting the leather. I was like in the leather working for this brief moment. Like, I wasn't very good at it. I thought you could like tell by like cutting the leather and it was like darker if it was...I'm expecting I'm wrong. I thought was like darker if had been mineral tanned inside. Burdock 45:25 Honestly, I think it's hard for me to tell even now as a tanner, sometimes, like, what, in what manner hide was tanned. It's usually pretty obvious, but sometimes it's a little unclear. Yeah, those are kind of the two natural tannings and then there's alum tanning, which I know nothing about it, but it does seem kind of in between natural and mineral tanning. Or maybe it's...You know, some people would say, "That's a natural method." And some people will say, "That's not natural." But I don't know anything about it so I'm not gonna talk about it. And then yeah, there's all the more industrial methods of tanning where they're constantly using new chemicals to do it because either the old ones got outlawed or they can't find those chemicals anymore. Or, you know, they have to like put everything...they have to put the whole tanning station on a boat and put that boat into waters where there aren't regulations about these things so that they can dump the caustic stuff that they're using, just you know, into the ocean, like it's that...It's that level. So yeah, commercial tanning is is bad, y'all. Margaret 46:40 Well, no. Okay, so this makes me feel better about...the weakest part--I don't really proselytize veganism, people will do whatever they want--but the weakest part of veganism in general is when people are like "Use vegan leather instead," because what they mean is use plastic instead. Right? Yeah. And like using plastic instead of leather is like not actually doing anyone except possibly the factory farmed animal any favors, right? But if the way that commercial leather is treated is also fucking evil then it like moves a point back over. Anyway.... Burdock 47:17 Over to the vegan side. Margaret 47:20 Yeah, I totally... Burdock 47:24 I mean, watch out. Someday they're gonna figure out cactus leather, or mushroom leather, or kombucha scobi leather. Margaret 47:31 They're working on mushroom leather. Burdock 47:35 I don't think that any of those leathers are ever going to be able to do animal-based leather can do. Margaret 47:48 I have no counter argument. Okay, so I'm guessing that you're a proponent of vegetable tanned leather, or naturally tanned leather and not chemically tanned leather. Is that an accurate assessment? Burdock 48:03 Yeah, yeah. But there are...you can get vegetable tanned leather commercially, too. And it's different from the home tanned stuff. It is often still done in pretty shitty and unsustainable ways. But at least there's less like chemicals involved. Some of the barks that are used in the commercial vegetable tanning are like from the Amazon rainforest and they're byproducts or products of like deforestation that shouldn't be happening. So there's that too. I like the home tanned stuff because you know what's going into it? You don't have to ask those questions. "Where did this come from?" "Oh, I found this deer on the road." "Where did the bark come from?" "I found the bark that had just fallen up the street,that just fallen. I took the bark. I boiled the bark, I put the hide in the bark. I waited a long time. I kept changing the water and then I took the hide out and I put oil in it and I softened it while it was drying and now, now it's my shoes." Margaret 49:15 I really liked the speed run of tanning and you just did. Burdock 49:20 Well that but that's just vegetable tanning. Brain tanning is a little different. Margaret 49:24 Okay, so is brain tanning and vegetable tanning both using something called tannin, which is some kind of chemical thingy that naturally occurs in a bunch of different stuff including acorns and some bark and apparently brains to do stuff to the leather? Is that the big idea? Burdock 49:48 Vaguely Yes. So brain tanning involves no tannins. At that point...And pretty much at any point tanning is like a colloquialism. It's a word that we say that doesn't necessarily have an association with tannins anymore. And what people mean when they say tanning is they just mean that the hide has been softened and preserved. Margaret 50:11 Okay. Burdock 50:12 But the only method in which that's happening with tannins is the vegetable tanning method. And vegetable just means plant matter in that context. So it can be leaves, it can be bark. I don't want to get into the acorns thing because I've never successfully like boiled acorns or acorn shells and gotten tannins that I'm happy with. I think it's a myth. But maybe other people have other experiences with that. And if you have, tell me how you do it. Margaret 50:48 Okay, but why would someone pick brain tanning? Because in my mind, I'd be like, "Oh, well, the thing you got comes with the thing you need," like so it seems like brains are gross as shit but like a natural--I mean you're already doing something gross as shit--so whatever. It seems like a natural thing. Like why? Why do you fuck around with leaves and bark when the brains right there? Or like what are the...how do you decide how you're going to tan your shoes? Burdock 51:18 Yeah, different leathers for different purposes. And they behave differently as well. Brain tanning...And it really shouldn't be gross. Like, if there's bad smells going on, something's wrong and you need to figure that out. It shouldn't. It shouldn't smell bad even though the concept of like, "I'm touching a skin. I'm touching a brain," might be...uncomfortable Margaret 51:44 Yeah, yeah. It's not gross because of the smell. It's gross because you're inside something. It's gross. Yeah, but this is my own...I don't like the inside of my own body. Like this is fine. Burdock 51:56 Yeah, yeah, outside it's fine. Margaret 51:59 Yeah, well like half the reason I'm vegans is I'm like, "Well, that's just gross so I just don't fuck with it." I don't know. Anyway, Burdock 52:07 Um, yeah. So I like brain tanned leather for clothing that's going to be against my skin, for example. Margaret 52:19 Makes you smart. Burdock 52:21 Yeah. It's always going to be softer and more supple in general, more flexible. But, it absorbs water, it absorbs moisture the most quickly from out of all of the leathers. So, it's not great for for instance, shoes in a climate where the ground is wet a lot. Right. Even though buckskin moccasins are incredible footwear, it's really nice to be able to feel the Earth while your feet are protected. But, if they got wet, it feels really gross. And it just like it deteriorates quickly. Like if you wear your buckskin moccasins and they get wet and you continue wearing them, they are going to get holes and wear out very soon. You know? Vegetable tanned leather doesn't absorb moisture as quickly. And it's it's generally a little tougher. And I think rawhide doesn't absorb moisture...It takes the longest to absorb moisture. It's the toughest. Okay, yeah, yeah. And what brains do to the hide is it's just it's just a softening agent. It does the same thing. Oil for vegetable tanned leather is also just a softening agent. The preservative agent and brain tanning is smoke. It's the woods smoke. After the softening process, you can stitch the whole hide up like a balloon and fill it with wood smoke by making a super smoky fire and like funneling all the smoke into it. I'm oversimplifying a lot. And you turn it inside out and smoke the other side. And it's the aldehydes in the smoke that are acting as the preserving agent. Margaret 54:20 Okay, that...Yeah, that makes sense. You can smoke meat. So yeah, to preserve it. Okay, okay, I know about meat. [Said skeptically. Then laughs] Burdock 54:35 Yeah, whereas with vegetable tanning, the preservatives, the actual tannins that are in the plants, you're boiling or cold leaching them so that they come into the water and then from the water they go into the hide and they bind with the fibers of the hide. But tannins, the way that you know something is tannin right, is like tasting it. You put in your mouth and it's like, it feels horrible. It has this drying quality. It's more astringent than bitter. It's more about the astringent action. And the astringency, it's like...it's like this drying, puckering thing. And so when you put a hide and tannins, it's stripping it of moisture, it's very drying. And it actually causes the whole hide to kind of pucker up a little bit so it gets a little smaller and it gets thicker. Margaret 55:33 Everyone who's listening, I'm very sad that you didn't get to see Burdock enact what happens to the hide. You're just gonna have to imagine at home. Burdock 55:44 The little dance. Margaret 55:48 Anyway, sorry. Burdock 55:49 I have to get my brain back into science mode. So yeah, once you've...once all the tannins have bound all the fibers in the hide, and it can't absorb any more tannins, you need to replace all of the like glubons and stuff that have been stripped out with oil. If you don't oil a vegetable tanned hide...like if you don't oil a hide that's full of tannins, it's really brittle because of the drying astringent quality of tannins. Margaret 56:24 Are you getting that oil from animal fats? Because, I'm under the impression that oil is like one of the harder things to source in the wild. Burdock 56:31 It can be. It can be any kind of fat. It could even be, yeah, egg yolks or brains. It can be...but it can be like plant fats, you know, olive oil. Some people use olive oil. Some people use Neatsfoot oil, it's like this really specific thing. I still don't really fully understand what it is. You can use coconut oil. You could use...but I use bear fat. That's really abundant in the places I've been living. And a lot of it is discarded every year during bear hunting season. And I try to...I keep in connection with the local game processor. So he gives me the fat and I render the fat and I gift a lot of that fat to the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot and pretty much any local indigenous folks who want it. And then the stuff that's like not quality enough to gift. I keep for myself and use for hide and other stuff. And because that's like the abundant fat of the landscape I've been living on. Margaret 57:43 Yeah, as compared to like something like olive oil, which is basically people being like, here's the thing that I think is cool that applies to a very different climate than... Burdock 57:52 I mean if you dumpster dived that olive oil, you know, good on you. Margaret 57:58 Okay, well, we're almost out of time. But actually, one of the things I find so interesting about this is that like, rather than replicating, like just what was done before civilization or whatever...What was done before civilization was using available resources. And so we have such different available resources now. And so that's why I love the inclusion of something like dumpster diving, or even like roadkill, right? Roadkill is not a very natural process. And again, it's complicated, "natural," but whenever I'm using it. Yeah, you know, like things getting hit by the fact that I drive a giant fucking truck, like, I hate that but whatever. And, and so that's actually one of things that's really interesting to me. I really liked this thing that you're talking about, like, "Okay, we find what is discarded and work with it." That's like the part that really appeals to me the most, besides a preparedness point of view, the idea of working with refuse in a society that throws too much away, has always appealed to me. I no longer subsist off of dumpster diving, but I did for a very long time. And I really liked the idea of like dumpster diving the roads, you know? It's interesting to me. Burdock 59:11 That's some major raccoon energy right there. Margaret 59:14 Yeah, totally. Um, okay, well, what is the...Okay do you have any like final thoughts either about Earth skills, or about tannins, or why tannins are overrated, or anything like that? Burdock 59:31 I love tannins and I love vegetable tanning, but it is definitely the highest effort kind of tanning because you need so much plant matter. So so so so so much. And it takes a lot of physical labor to process all of that. So if you can use rawhide, use rawhide, and if you can't use rawhide, use buckskin, and if you can't...or brain tan, and if you can't use brain tan leather, then vegetable tan leather is is a good option. That's kind of how I tried to approach it. And my other note is just that it takes way, way, way, way, way longer than you think it's gonna take. And that's a good thing. Learning any of these skills and doing any of these things. Margaret 1:00:25 Because one of the things that...I was gonna leave the last word and then I keep thinking about things. I'm sorry. One of things I was thinking about I remember, because there's this whole argument about like, did vikings wear leather. If you want to like fall down a weird rabbit hole, look at the fucking Norweeboos and arguing about that. Burdock 1:00:42 [Squealing] The Viking discourse is so weird. Margaret 1:00:47 Yeah. And when I try and...I really like writing Dark Age fantasy, right? I know [incoherent] Dark Ages, but I don't like high medieval, I like low medieval. So I like writing early Middle Ages fantasy as...That is my sweet spot, right, Because they have the cooler helmets and swords barely exists. Anyway, whatever. Yeah. And arguments about leather and like leather clothing. Right? And. And there's not a lot of historical record of people wearing leather clothing in Norweeboo land. What is that called? Norway, Sweden? And some of my listeners are there. I'm sorry. I'm a terrible person. So and, and so there's all these arguments about it. But then I learned how much work was involved in making a yard of linen. Like to sew into clothes. And you're talking about--I'm gonna get this number wrong because it's been a while since I looked this up--it was like a week's worth of work for someone to make a square yard of linen fabric. And so when I look at that, I'm like, "Yeah, of course they fucking wore leather. What the fuck? Why wouldn't you?" But and then, I mean, you've gone over some reasons why you might not want it for some of your clothing. But, um, yeah. But that is an interesting thing that you're bringing up about it takes way longer than you think. That was my train of thought. Sorry. Burdock 1:02:13 Yeah, I mean, what if I told you that it also takes a week to manufacture a square foot of leather. I mean, that's, that's not necessarily true. For vegetable tanned leather, though, it takes longer than that. And that's why I'm saying that's a way bigger investment. And that's something you don't want to make every single thing out of. But, for like brain tanned leather, yeah. I guess in a week, you could produce six square feet. I mean, depending on who you are. Some people are fast, some people are slow. And if you've been doing it for a longer time, you can do it faster. And the weather conditions. And what the hide is doing. There's so many factors. Margaret 1:02:53 Fine. Back to linen I go. I mean, that's more what I like wearing anyway. But anyway, okay, okay. Well, if people want to...I don't even know whether, I can't remember whether you do like...Should people try to find you on the internet? Would you prefer to not be found? What...Do you have anything that you want to plug here at the end of all things? Burdock 1:03:14 [In a low and ornate voice] I don't want anybody to find me? I just live secluded in the forest. [Switches to normal] No, I have an Instagram. My handle @scragetywocket and it's all one word. Great. But if you can't find me, that means I've changed my instagram handle to @huge_racc. [said like "Huge Rack"] And that's RACC. I did a poll and everybody thinks I should change it to that. So I'm considering it. Which is referencing raccoons by the way. Margaret 1:03:51 Yeah, of course. Totally. Burdock 1:03:58 Okay, yeah. You can cut that out if you want. Margaret 1:04:05 No, no, it's staying in. Alright. Well, thank you so much for coming on. And explaining all of these things that I'm both incredibly interested in and incredibly terrified of learning. So thank you. Burdock 1:04:19 Thank you. It's been great to chat about all this stuff. Thanks for being open to it. Margaret 1:04:23 Thank you so much for listening. If you enjoy this episode, then you should go live like a raccoon. That was the one takeaway that you should have had from this. Or, you should tell people about this episode and other episodes of Live Like the World is Dying. And you can also support us, you can support us by telling people about it, which is already covered, and you can support us on Patreon. Our Patreon is patreon.com/liveliketheworldisdying. And no, that's not true. Our Patreon is patreon.com/strangersinatangledwilderness because I have to give everything long, complicated names. And Strangers in a Tangled Wilderness is an anarchist publishing collective that publishes a ton of stuff, including this podcast and including some other podcasts that you might like. If you back us, we will send you a zine in the mail. If you back us enough. I'll read your name out right now. I want to thank Princess Miranda, BenBen, Anonymous--hell yeah, Anonymous--Funder. Also a good choice. Jans, Oxalis, Janice & O'dell, Paige, Aly, paparouna, Milica, Boise Mutual Aid, theo, Hunter, Shawn, S.J., Paige, Mikki, Nicole, David, Dana, Chelsea, Cat J., Staro, Jenipher, Eleanor, Kirk, Sam, Chris, Michaiah, and of course, Hoss the Dog. And that's pretty much it. Everyone should take care as best as they can and don't fall into an apocalyptic cult. Even though you listen to an apocalyptic podcast I run. Find out more at https://live-like-the-world-is-dying.pinecast.co

In one episode of the docu-series Reciprocity Project, Connecticut-based educator and member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe Chris Newell teaches acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma a pow-wow song. Together, they play at sunrise, "singing up the sun" in the tradition of the Wabanaki or People of the Dawnland, a confederation of four tribes in Maine including Passamaquoddy. This hour, we hear about this film series from Newell and executive producer Tracy Rector, and about the increasing urgency of centering Indigenous perspectives on our planet and the climate. The series is intended to inspire conversation and action on climate; "to create a paradigm shift that reframes our relationships to the Earth, other living beings, and one another." Plus, a conversation on the Native food movement with Navajo journalist and podcaster Andi Murphy. GUESTS: Chris Newell: Co-Founder and Director of Education, Akowmawt Educational Initiative; Member of the Passamaquaddy Tribe; Museum Educator; Children's Book Author Tracy Rector: Managing Director of Storytelling, Nia Tero; Executive Producer, Reciprocity Project Jennifer Kreisberg: Composer; Member of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina Andi Murphy: Navajo Journalist; Host, Toasted Sister Podcast Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired February 10, 2023.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In one episode of the docu-series Reciprocity Project, Connecticut-based educator and member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe Chris Newell teaches acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma a pow-wow song. Together, they play at sunrise, "singing up the sun" in the tradition of the Wabanaki or People of the Dawnland, a confederation of four tribes in Maine including Passamaquoddy. This hour, we hear about this film series from Newell and executive producer Tracy Rector, and about the increasing urgency of centering Indigenous perspectives on our planet and the climate. The series is intended to inspire conversation and action on climate; "to create a paradigm shift that reframes our relationships to the Earth, other living beings, and one another." Plus, a conversation on the Native food movement with Navajo journalist and podcaster Andi Murphy. GUESTS: Chris Newell: Co-Founder and Director of Education, Akowmawt Educational Initiative; Member of the Passamaquaddy Tribe; Museum Educator; Children's Book Author Tracy Rector: Managing Director of Storytelling, Nia Tero; Executive Producer, Reciprocity Project Jennifer Kreisberg: Composer; Member of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina Andi Murphy: Navajo Journalist; Host, Toasted Sister Podcast Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode! Cat Pastor contributed to this show which originally aired February 10, 2023.Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In one episode of the docu-series Reciprocity Project, Connecticut-based educator and member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe Chris Newell teaches acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma a pow-wow song. Together, they play at sunrise, "singing up the sun" in the tradition of the Wabanaki or People of the Dawnland, a confederation of four tribes in Maine including Passamaquoddy. This hour, we hear about this film series from Newell and executive producer Tracy Rector, and about the increasing urgency of centering Indigenous perspectives on our planet and the climate. The series is intended to inspire conversation and action on climate; "to create a paradigm shift that reframes our relationships to the Earth, other living beings, and one another." Plus, a conversation on the Native food movement with Navajo journalist and podcaster Andi Murphy. GUESTS: Chris Newell: Co-Founder and Director of Education, Akowmawt Educational Initiative; Member of the Passamaquaddy Tribe; Museum Educator; Children's Book Author Tracy Rector: Managing Director of Storytelling, Nia Tero; Executive Producer, Reciprocity Project Jennifer Krausberg: Composer; Member of the Tuscarora Nation of North Carolina Andi Murphy: Navajo Journalist; Host, Toasted Sister Podcast Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The arrival of the Mayflower in Plimouth in 1620, and the Pilgrims' feast with Wampanoag Indians a year later, are recalled each November when we celebrate Thanksgiving. But what actually happened at that three-day feast, and how did the narrative change over time? In 2021, host Suzanne McCabe posed those questions to Chris Newell, an award-winning educator and author, and a proud citizen of the Passamaquoddy tribe in Maine. In this episode, Chris returns to talk about Native American Heritage Month and what it means to him. Later, listeners can hear the original conversation about Chris's acclaimed book for children, If You Lived During the Plimouth Thanksgiving (https://www.amazon.com/You-Lived-During-Plimoth-Thanksgiving/dp/1338726374). With help from Wampanoag scholar Linda Coombs, Chris offers young readers a fuller understanding of how we came to celebrate Thanksgiving in the United States, as well as the toll that colonization took on Indian tribes. In the discussion, Chris and Suzanne were joined by Katie Heit, a senior editor at Scholastic and the editor of the What If book series. → Resources In 2021, Smithsonian Voices (https://www.smithsonianmag.com/blogs/national-museum-american-indian/2021/11/23/if-you-lived-during-the-plimoth-thanksgiving-by-chris-newell-exposes-new-truths-about-a-major-american-holiday/) spotlighted If You Lived During the Plimouth Thanksgiving. If You Lived During the Plimouth Thanksgiving is available from Scholastic (https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/if-you-lived-during-the-plimoth-thanksgiving-9781338726367.html) and Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/You-Lived-During-Plimoth-Thanksgiving/dp/1338726374). In this Nation article, (https://www.thenation.com/article/society/icwa-supreme-court-libretti-custody-case/) author Rebecca Nagle explains what's at stake in Haaland v. Brackeen, a case before the Supreme Court that threatens to overturn the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978. → Highlights Chris Newell, author, If You Lived During the Plimouth Thanksgiving: “English is a foreign language. Our languages are actually the original languages of this landscape.” “When we teach about Native peoples . . . we start in the present to make sure people understand that these cultures are still here. They are still valid, and they are still just as valuable to the future of this country as they were during colonization.” “The biggest issue we're facing right now is a challenge to the Indian Child Welfare Act. This particular case before the Supreme Court is a big deal for all tribes in the United States because it could affect the way the U.S. looks at the sovereignty of our nations.” “What we call Thanksgiving today didn't exist necessarily in the seventeenth century, and you learn that in the book…. I give people a more real picture of how our country actually came to be. There is some good, but there's also a lot of bad and ugly.” “It's about looking at these histories, being critical of them as human beings, and saying where things went wrong so that we can learn from them and create a better collective future for all of us.” “I wanted to make sure that in the book the Wampanoag people were being centered within their own historical narrative. That involves including the complexity of life before 1620.” “The 1621 feast . . . became a seminal moment of the creation of the country. And it's a very beautiful feast of Native people and colonists getting together. But as much as we have lionized and lauded the story in history, it was so unremarkable to the English that they actually only wrote a paragraph about it.” It wasn't until President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Proclamation that Thanksgiving was regularly commemorated each year. “The [Civil War] still raging. The North was winning. Abraham Lincoln was in charge of the Union Army, and they were thinking, ‘What do we do after the war is over? The Southern states are going to still be part of this country. How do we bring all these people together?' There was a lot of pressure on Abraham Lincoln to find a way to heal from the bloodiest war on this landscape ever.” → Special Thanks Producer: Bridget Benjamin Associate producer: Constance Gibbs Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl → Coming Soon Dr. Karen Mapp on Family-School Partnerships