Podcast episodes
Season 2
s02e07: Federal Recognition Discussion
Episode 7 [1:37:47] explores the complexities of what is known as Federal Recognition, and the Federal Recognition Process, which relate to Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination. This is an extremely complex topic, especially in relation to Native Californian Tribes. Our guests, Dr. Olivia Chilcote (a member of the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians), and Dr. Vanessa Esquivido (an enrolled member of the Nor Rel Muk Wintu Nation, who is also Hupa & Xicana), both have expertise in the process as it relates to their Tribes' attempts to achieve Federal Recognition. And yet, this conversation just scratches the surface of this complex topic.In this episode, we depart from our usual format. This episode features a conversation about Federal Recognition between Dr. Chilcote and Dr. Esquivido, facilitated by our co-producer Dr. Martin Rizzo-Martinez and lightly edited by Daniel Stonebloom. Music by G. Gonzales.For additional information on Federal Recognition, please see the following:The Process and The People: Federal Recognition in California, Native American Identity, and the San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians, 2017 Dissertation by Olivia Chilcote“Time Out of Mind”: The San Luis Rey Band of Mission Indians and the Historical Origins of a Struggle for Federal Recognition, by Olivia Chilcote, California History Journal 2019."Unsettling evidence: an anticolonial archival approach/reproach to Federal Recognition," by María Montenegro, 2019."The Destruction of Identity: Cultural Genocide and Indigenous Peoples," by Lindsay Kingston, 2015."Creating the Space to Reimagine and Rematriate Beyond a Settler-Colonial Present: The Importance of Land Rematriation and ‘Land Back’ for Non-Federally Recognized California Native Nations," 2022 Dissertation by Cheyenne Reynoso."The study of indigenous political economies and colonialism in Native California: Implications for contemporary tribal groups and federal recognition,” by Kent G. Lightfoot, Lee M. Panich, Tsim D. Schneider, Sara L. Gonzalez, Matthew A Russell, Darren Modzelewski, Theresa Molino, and Elliot H. Blair, 2013.In addition, Dr. Olivia Chilcote's book on the Federal Recognition process in California will be published in Spring, 2024, by University of Washington Press.
s02e06: "This Work Has to be Done" (NAGPRA p.III)
The final part in this 3-episode series continues our focus on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), where we focus on CalNAGPRA, California’s effort to strengthen NAGPRA, as well as other steps taken to improve and refine this difficult process. But we will also hear about resistance to following through on the promises of NAGPRA as well, and hear a few longer personal narratives than in previous episodes, including all-too-rare success stories of repatriation.As always, thank you to the guests who gave their time and shared their stories:Dr. Brittani OronaSabine TalaugonDesireé MartinezDr. Vanessa EsquividoGregg CastroCindi AlvitreAlexii SigonaFor further reading and more information:The Social Life of Basket Caps: Repatriation Under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, in Hopes of Cultural Revitalization, Vanessa EsquividoHow to Report on the Repatriation of Native American Remains at Museums and Universities Near You, Pro Publica, February 2023.Righting Historic WrongsCeremony memorializes reburial of indigenous people’s remains at Cal State Long Beach, Press Telegram, September 2016.Reburying the Past, September 2016.After 70 Years, UC Berkeley Museum Returns Massacre Remains to Wiyot Tribe, February, 2022.U.S. Army Corps, UC Berkeley Repatriate Human Remains to Wiyot Tribe, North Coast Journal of Politics, People & Art, January 2022.UC Berkeley Anthropology Museum Returns 1860 Massacre Remains To Wiyot TribeChallenging Colonialism is produced by Daniel Stonebloom & Martin Rizzo-Martinez. All interviews by Martin, all audio engineering and editing by Daniel. All music by G. Gonzales. The title of this episode comes from Dr. Anthony Burris.This podcast is produced with support from California State Parks Foundation
s02e05: "Bury Them with Dignity" (NAGPRA p. II)
Part 2 in this 3-episode series continues our broad focus on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). As always, thank you to the guests who gave their time and shared their stories. This episode includes significant discussion of how ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred items, and objects of cultural patrimony have been collected in the past, continue to be disturbed in the present, as well as the process of repatriation and reburial. This is an extremely sensitive topic, but a very important one that deals with basic human rights and respect, or the lack thereof, and we want to make this clear up front. This topic understandably may be triggering for some. You will hear people discussing in detail the ways in which their ancestors’ bodies have been and continue to be mistreated. Please take care while listening.Speakers:Gregg CastroSabine TalaugonDr. Brittani OronaDr. Anthony BurrisDr. Vanessa EsquividoCindi AlvitreDesireé MartinezAdditional Reading:To share Native American culture and history the right way, artifacts should always be returned to tribes, San Diego Union Tribune, November 2022UCSB out of compliance with state, federal laws for decades; works to return Native remains, Daily Nexus, March 2023How to Report on the Repatriation of Native American Remains at Museums and Universities Near You, Pro Publica, February 2023.UC Riverside slow to return Native American artifacts to tribes auditChallenging Colonialism is produced by Daniel Stonebloom & Martin Rizzo-Martinez. All interviews by Martin, all audio engineering and editing by Daniel. All music by G. Gonzales. The title of this episode comes from Brittani Orona.This podcast is produced with support from California State Parks Foundation.
s02e04: "You Have Disturbed Our Ancestors" (NAGPRA p.I)
Part 1 in this 3-episode series focuses on the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). As always, thank you to the guests who gave their time and shared their stories. This episode includes significant discussion of how ancestral remains, funerary objects, sacred items, and objects of cultural patrimony have been collected in the past, continue to be disturbed in the present, as well as the process of repatriation and reburial. This is an extremely sensitive topic, but a very important one that deals with basic human rights and respect, or the lack thereof, and we want to make this clear up front. This topic understandably may be triggering for some. You will hear people discussing in detail the ways in which their ancestors’ bodies have been and continue to be mistreated. Please take care while listening.Speakers:Sabine TalaugonDr. Brittani OronaCindi AlvitreDr. Vanessa EsquividoDr. Anthony BurrisDr. Cutcha Risling BaldyDr. Desireé MartinezAlexii SigonaAdditional Reading:"Continued Disembodiment: NAGPRA, CAL NAGPRA, and Recognition” by Brittani Orona and Vanessa EsquividoPropublica database for institutions holding human remains or burial artifactsOur Story Lives Forever [documentary short by Sacred Lands Films]Carrying Our Ancestors Home website: https://www.coah-repat.com/“Returning the tataayiyam honuuka' (Ancestors) to the Correct Home: The Importance of Background Investigations for NAGPRA Claims,” by Desireé R. Martinez, Wendy G. Teeter, Karimah Kennedy-Richardson“The Politics of Archaeology: Diverse Concerns and Interests at the West Bluffs Project, Los Angeles, California,” by John G. Douglass, Cindi Alvitre, and, Jeffrey H. AltschulChallenging Colonialism is produced by Daniel Stonebloom & Martin Rizzo-Martinez. All interviews by Martin, all audio engineering and editing by Daniel. All music by G. Gonzales. The title of this episode comes from Cindi Alvitre.This podcast is produced with support from California State Parks Foundation.
s02e03: The Legacy of Kroeber, Ishi, & UC Berkeley
Episode 3 continues and deepens our critique of academia's extractive and complex relationship with Native California by examining the history of one of California’s most renowned and celebrated anthropologists, Alfred L. Kroeber. Kroeber helped establish the school of Anthropology at UC Berkeley, and, up until 2021, his name adorned UC Berkeley’s Kroeber Hall. This episode examines Kroeber & his legacy, the life of a Native man known as Ishi, and the renaming of Kroeber hall, from the perspectives of Indigenous Californians.Speakers:Dr. Cutcha Risling-Baldy (Hupa, Yurok, Karuk)Dr. Brittani Orona (Hoopa Valley Tribe)Mark HylkemaDr. Samuel J. RedmanCindi Alvitre (Tongva, co-founder of the Ti'at Society)Alexii Sigona (Amah Mutsun Tribal Band)Dr. Vanessa Esquivido (Nor Rel Muk Wintu, also Hupa and Xicana)Additional reading:We are Dancing for You, by Cutcha Risling BaldyIshi's Brain: In Search of Americas Last "Wild" Indian, by Orin Starn“Alfred Kroeber’s Handbook and Land Claims: Anthros, Agents, and Federal (Un)Acknowledgment in Native California,” by Nicholas BarronA Top UC Berkeley Professor Taught With Remains That May Include Dozens of Native Americans, ProPublica article, March 5th, 2023.Alfred Kroeber and his Relations with California Indians, by Dr. Nancy Scheper-Hughes, July 24, 2020.Grave robbing at UC Berkeley: A history of failed repatriation, Sage Alexander, December 5, 2020.L.A. Times Editorial: The real way UC Berkeley can make up for disrespect toward Native Americans, January 31, 2021.Challenging Colonialism is produced by Daniel Stonebloom & Martin Rizzo-Martinez. All interviews by Martin, all audio engineering and editing by Daniel. All music by G. Gonzales.This podcast is produced with support from California State Parks Foundation.