Natural Thoughts and Talks
SS Sarah Dempsey
SS Little Spider
Smoke Signals Donovan Archambault
Smoke Signals Kostan Lathouris
NTT Aaron Soukphilanouvong
SS Arlie Neskahi
SS Leander Begay
SS Cheii
SS Michael Runningwind
di NTT
Sarah shared her personal journey of loss and recovery, which led her to pursue a career in grief counseling. She highlighted the lack of mental health resources on her reservation and the challenges faced by indigenous communities in accessing support for grief and trauma. Sarah emphasized the collective and compounding nature of indigenous grief, often exacerbated by frequent losses and a lack of time for proper processing. She described her efforts to create accessible grief support services on her reservation, including initiatives like providing staff with time for counseling sessions.
Little Spider shared his journey of learning and teaching grass dancing, highlighting the appreciation he has received from elders and the positive impact it had on bringing back memories of traditional ways. They described grass dancing as a middle ground between fancy and Northern styles, and expressed gratitude for his mentors who have helped him understand the history and techniques of the dance. Little Spider mentioned that their style was recognized as old-fashioned, which they embraced, and they were happy to have touched many people with their dancing.
In this episode of Smoke Signals, Venture interviews Donovan Archambault, an 86-year-old resident of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in North Central Montana. Donovan shares his life story, from being born in 1939 to his current age. He discusses the significant changes he has witnessed throughout his life, including the evolution of technology, culture, and society. Donovan expresses concern about the social ills prevalent in his community, such as alcoholism, drug abuse, and sexual abuse. He emphasizes the need to learn from the past and work towards a better future.
Kostan shared his journey to becoming a lawyer, initially inspired by his grandmother's involvement in tribal affairs. He realized the importance of understanding legal issues affecting his community and decided to pursue law school. Kostan emphasized the significance of community and his role within it. Venture shared a personal vision he had, which involved a sense of community and responsibility for future generations.
Aaron shared his recent realization about the importance of family and taking care of his children. He stepped down from his full-time work to a part-time role, which allowed him to spend more time with his family and be more present in their lives. This change brought him a sense of relief and happiness, and he emphasized the value of being there for his children. He also highlighted the importance of having a supportive partner in his life.
Arlie Neskahi, shared his life experiences and cultural insights, emphasizing the importance of Native American traditions, spirituality, and connection to nature. He discussed the challenges faced by Native American communities, including historical persecution and the impact of boarding schools, while highlighting the resilience and adaptability of their cultures. Throughout the conversation, Arlie stressed the significance of maintaining cultural identity, empowering youth, and working towards a more equitable and sustainable society.
Leander Begay, a Navajo artist, shared his journey from traditional art to digital graphics and skateboard design, emphasizing the importance of patience, branding, and work ethic in business growth. He discussed his experiences growing up on the Navajo Reservation, the challenges of maintaining cultural connections, and his preference for a quieter, rural environment that influences his creative process. Leander also highlighted the significance of giving back to the community through his art and business, encouraging youth to overcome past struggles and achieve success.
This episode between Venture and Cheii covered his background, personal journey, and experiences as a Native American jewelry artist. They discussed his path to sobriety, his family history, and his passion for creating and selling necklaces and earrings. The conversation also touched on the importance of unity, faith, and perseverance in the Native American community, as well as the potential for sharing inspiring stories and promoting traditional crafts.
Michael Runningwind introduces himself and explains the traditional greeting in his native language, which acknowledges the life in each person. He discusses the importance of language in connecting with ancestors and cultural understanding. Michael shares his background, including his military service in the Marine Corps and subsequent challenges in reintegrating into civilian life. Currently, he considers himself retired but self-employed, working on establishing a 501(c)(3) organization to provide scholarships for young people from indigenous backgrounds. Michael also creates and sells crafts, including jewelry and art. He focuses on Native American cultural practices and leadership. Michael shares his experiences as a spiritual leader and the challenges he faces in his community. He describes the process of receiving certain rights involving an intense sweat lodge ceremony lasting from early morning until late at night. Runningwind expresses frustration with the local Native community's tendency to seek permission for cultural practices from outsiders and their resistance to change as well as touching upon the complexities of American indigenous identity, focusing on its intersections with other racial identities and the challenges of defining indigeneity across borders. Michael who identifies as mixed Seneca, Apache, and Otomi, shares personal experiences to illustrate how appearance and genetic heritage can complicate indigenous identification. The conversation touches on the need for a broader understanding of indigenous identity that accounts for historical migrations, cultural intersections, and the artificial nature of national borders in the Americas. Thank you so much for joining the show Michael we cannot wait to have you back soon!
Holly and Venture discussed their daily lives, experiences, and perspectives on life, work, and community, with a focus on the challenges and benefits of living in a rural area. They also explored their family dynamics, work experiences, and the importance of learning from their elders. The conversation concluded with discussions on cattle ranching, bull selection, and the potential for documenting ranch life through social media. @holly.colgan