The central theme of this podcast episode revolves around the impactful work of Dustina Gill, an enrolled citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, who serves as the founder and Executive Director of NIS'TO Incorporated. This Native nonprofit is dedicated to fostering youth leadership, skill development, and wellness through the lenses of environmental justice, art, and Dakota culture. Throughout our conversation, we delve into Destina's multifaceted identity as a visual and digital storyteller, along with her experiences as a published poet, highlighting her artistic contributions showcased in prestigious galleries across the globe. Moreover, we explore the profound influence of her family and community on her endeavors, particularly focusing on the significance of storytelling as a healing process in the face of personal and communal loss. Ultimately, this episode serves as an inspiring testament to the resilience and creativity inherent within Indigenous communities, as exemplified by Destina’s ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation.

Takeaways:

• In this podcast episode, we delve into the life and work of Destina Gill, a prominent Indigenous artist and community leader.
• Dustina Gill has founded NISTO Incorporated, a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth leadership and environmental justice.
• Throughout her journey, Dustina emphasizes the importance of storytelling as a means of healing and preserving Dakota culture.
• The conversation highlights the significance of community engagement and the need for intergenerational knowledge sharing among Indigenous peoples.
• Destina reflects on the profound impact of loss and the role of art in processing grief within her community.
• Finally, we discuss how contemporary Indigenous art serves as a reflection of current societal challenges, bridging the past and present.

Links referenced in this episode:

• elevenwarriorarts.com
• https://www.facebook.com/neeshtoinc/

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• NIS'TO Incorporated

Reyna Hernandez, a distinguished painter and muralist with deep ties to her Dakota heritage, elucidates the significance of public art and its role in fostering community engagement. Throughout our conversation, we explore into Reyna's artistic journey, which is profoundly influenced by her Ihaŋktoŋwaŋ Dakota roots and the cultural narratives that shape her work. She articulates how her murals not only challenge conventional representations of Native narratives but also invite community members to actively participate in the creative process. By employing a community-based approach, Reyna emphasizes the importance of collaboration in art, ensuring that the voices of those living within the mural's context are heard and reflected in the final composition. As we explore her recent projects, it becomes evident that Reyna's commitment to authenticity and representation is not merely an artistic endeavor; it is a vital act of cultural preservation and empowerment.

Takeaways:

• Reyna Hernandez's artistic practice is deeply rooted in her Indigenous heritage and personal narratives.
• The collaborative approach utilized by Reyna and her team fosters community engagement and shared storytelling.
• Public art serves as a crucial medium for expressing Indigenous identities and challenging colonial narratives.
• Reyna emphasizes the importance of authentic representation of Indigenous women in her work, countering historical misrepresentation.
• The community-based mural projects aim to create accessible art that resonates with local populations and fosters connection.
• Reyna's experiences reveal the complexities and challenges of navigating public perception and collaboration in art.

Links referenced in this episode:

• waterers.org
• elevenwarriorarts.com
• https://offthewallgallery.com/

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Waterers
• University of South Dakota
• Oscar House Art Institute
• Off the Wall Gallery

Mentioned in this episode:

The Waterers

This episode features a profound dialogue with Billy Mills, the legendary Olympic gold medalist and advocate for Indigenous youth. Mills, a member of the Oglala Lakota Tribal Nation, delves into the significance of his victory in the 10,000-meter run at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, which he transformed into a lifelong commitment to empowering Native youth through sports and health advocacy. He shares his journey, revealing how his triumph on the world stage catalyzed over five decades of advocacy, including co-founding Running Strong for American Indian Youth. Throughout our conversation, we explore the values of humility, compassion, and the importance of cultural heritage, emphasizing the role of storytelling in bridging divides and fostering understanding among diverse communities. Mills’ insights serve as both a reflection on personal resilience and a clarion call to future generations to harness their passions and dreams in the pursuit of a more equitable society.

Takeaways:

• Billy Mills, an Olympic gold medalist, dedicated his life to advocating for Indigenous youth.
• He co-founded Running Strong for American Indian Youth to support health and sports initiatives.
• Mills emphasizes the importance of cultural values and traditions in empowering future generations.
• His life's work reflects a commitment to unity, diversity, and the healing of historical trauma.

Links referenced in this episode:

• elevenwarriorarts.com
• indianyouth.org
• indiannews.org

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Running Strong for American Indian Youth
• Running Brave
• Crazy Horse
• Sitting Bull
• Red Cloud
• Haskell
• University of Kansas
• Indian News
• Dreamstarters
• SD Nelson
• Nicholas Sparks
• Wings of an Eagle

Dakota Hoska, is citizen of the Oglála Lakȟóta Nation, Pine Ridge (Wounded Knee). She joined Denver Art Museum in 2019 as the Assistant Curator of Native Arts. Previously, she worked as a Curatorial Research Assistant at the Minneapolis Institute of Art for four years and during that time, Dakota completed her MA in Art History, focusing on Native American Art History at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN (2019). She also completed two years of Dakhóta language classes at the University of Minnesota (2016), and received her BFA in Drawing and Painting from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (2012). Dakota’s curatorial work allows her to pursue her passions of working closely with her Native community while being continually surrounded by and learning about beautiful artwork.

Whitney Fear is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. She was born and raised on the Pine Ridge reservation, where her family has a small cattle operation. After finishing high school in 2005, Whitney moved to the Fargo-Moorhead community where she discovered a drive to pursue nursing as a career. She worked as a nurse in Emergency Medicine, Mental Health, and Community Health. While working in Homeless Health Services at Family Healthcare Whitney made the decision to pursue advancement of her nursing education to expand the services that she could offer for patients. Whitney completed her Master’s of Science in Nursing in August 2019 and is an ANCC board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP).

Whitney currently works at Family HealthCare in Fargo, ND. Her clinical specialties are trauma related disorders, substance use disorders, perinatal psychiatry, harm reduction and LGBTQ-2S emotional health. Whitney feels that an integral part of fulfilling the responsibilities of a nurse should include advocacy for issues such as health equity and social justice. Whitney serves as a board member for Indigenous Association. She is the current Chairwoman for the Fargo Native American Commission. In her free time Whitney enjoys spending time with her children (twins, Isabella and Remy), painting, creating traditional beadwork/quillwork and being outdoors.

SHIFT Podcast webpage:

https://www.shiftnursing.com/

John Isaiah Pepion is an acclaimed artist, muralist and educator who is a citizen of the Blackfeet

Nation in northern Montana. His plains graphic art combines traditional design and contemporary illustrations to create a signature look that is instantly recognized throughout the

country. John considers his art journey as ceremony because his understanding of his past, family, and culture grows with each piece he creates. “Through my art,” he says, “I find personal healing, cultural preservation and a deeper connection to place.”

A descendant of Mountain Chief, a Blackfeet leader who preserved history through numerous

winter counts, John aspires to have a positive impact on his community though his art activities

and beyond.

When not creating art, John is an active public speaker and educator who has traveled the

country speaking at public schools, organizations and with groups of aspiring artists. He holds formal degrees in Art Marketing and Museum Studies from United Tribes Technical College and the Institute of American Indian Arts, respectively.

In 2018, John began working with Native-owned Eighth Generation and their Inspired Natives

Project with the goal of increasing his business capacity. His goal is to bring his cultural art to

market while maintaining control over the stories embedded within it.

Webpage: https://johnisaiahpepion.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/john.pepion

IG:https://www.instagram.com/johnisaiahpepion/

Neal Ambrose-Smith is a descendant of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation of Montana, is a contemporary Native American painter, sculptor, printmaker, and Professor at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has also developed an app Artist Ideas with 100 ideas for making art, available for Android and Apple. His work is included in the collections of many national and international museums and institutions, including the New York Public Library, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, Galerie municipale d’art contemporain in Chamalières, France, and Hongik University in Seoul, Korea. He received his BA from the University of Northern Colorado and MFA from the University of New Mexico.

Website:

https://indianspacepainters.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/nealambrosesmith/

Whitney, Artist Statement and Bio

Thematically I am a narrative artist. Images are appropriated from either the Powwow interlaced with Hollywood or from the indigenous people of Turtle Island and filtered through my point of view to tell the tale of the coming of the Europeans, small pox, and the near annihilation of the people of this region. These historic and grand cultures were all but decimated in a few short years and those left standing were cheated of their traditions, religion,and freedoms. But, the ancient voices were not silenced and the drumbeats are strong again.

The celebration of the Powwow is one public declaration of the strength and tenacity of the indigenous cultures of this continent. Hollywood finds a place in the images but as an interloper and with tongue-in-cheek humor. Both the Powwow and They Came mezzotints are born from research, developed with a lot of wishful thinking, and then filtered through a contemporary point of view. I am intrigued by societies rich in imbedded belief systems and texture of ritual. I am fascinated by the way groups, historically and contemporarily, structure the day upon ceremonies, beliefs, and rituals. I appropriate interesting images or concepts from these various cultural fabrics, add a bit of contemporary color, and weave it all into my idea of story telling.

Although seemingly disparate, work created from childhood memories and from adult research spring from similar place. In both the images and my remembrances are appropriated and darkened with contemporary political meaning. The narrative is realized in the mezzotint processes and printed on Hahnemuhle copperplate paper.

Whitney is professor emeritus who lives in her studio. Her mezzotints have traveled throughout North America and Europe; and to Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, Nicaragua, and Russia. Her work was given one of four international awards at the International Mezzotint Festival in Ekaterinburg, Russia in 2019. Exhibitions in 2021 include: Indigenous: The Contemporary, Watersmeet, MI (award); Ink Only III – PaperWorkers, Birmingham, AL (award); National Juried Exhibition. Norfolk, VA (award); 62nd Midwestern Exhibition. Rourke Museum Moorhead, MN (award); Mapping Narratives: New Prints 2021/Winter Exhibition. International

Print Center, NY, NY; Gala Exhibition and Auction. Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND; Third International Biennial Exhibition. Yerevan, Arminia; Print Club of Rochester 2021 Exhibition. RIT City Art Center, Rochester, NY; Cimarron National Works on Paper, OSU; Indianapolis Art Center’s Exhibition “Women’s Work” Indianapolis, IN; 2021 Delta National Small Prints. Bradbury Art Museum, Arkansas; Webster Arts’ Under Pressure National Exhibition, Webster Grove, MO; Parkside National, Parkside, WI; America’s Paperworks 2021 NAC, MSU, Minot, ND; 57th JFAA Annual Art Exhibition. The Arts Center, Jamestown, ND (award); Prairie Village Arts Council State of the Arts Exhibition. Kansas. Hand Magazine. November Issue; Exhibizone 5th International Smart Online Group Exhibition, Canada and Heroes and Legends an online Exhibition, Ontario, Canada: Exhibitions thus far scheduled for 2022 include: Northwest Arts Center’s INT'L Paperworks 2022, Minot State University; Delta National Small Prints Exhibition, Bradbury Art Museum, Arkansas State University; 2022 PrintAustin 5x5 Exhibition, Austin, TX; Women’s Printmaking Invitational 2022, Kent State University, Four Rivers Print Biennial, Southern Illinois Printworks at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, IL. She has a solo exhibition schedule for 2023 in Ohio.

Website:

https://www.lwhitneystudio.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lwhitneystudio/

Vincent Schilling, Akwesasne Mohawk, is an enrolled member of the St. Regis Mohawk tribe, is an award-winning author that is currently working on a book commissioned by Random House / Viking about Native American Boarding Schools. He is the founder and editor of Native Viewpoint at www.NativeViewpoint.com. Vincent is also an award-winning producer, journalist and public speaker, in addition to serving as the current Executive Vice President and co-owner of Schilling Media, Inc. a Native American owned media and media relations corporation.

He is a U.S Army veteran that trained as a 91-A combat medic and 92-B medical lab specialist and served at Letterman Army Medical Center. He later became a commissioned officer and served as the battalion chemical officer for the 1-143 Field Artillery battalion in Walnut Creek as a lieutenant.

He is the former Associate Editor for Indian Country Today. He contributed thousands of articles to the publication for over 16 years. As a content media producer, Vincent help to orchestrate video content for news for over 16 years. In addition to the above organizations, he has contributed video media content to Marvel, NBC, Dateline, Now This News, CBC, APTN and more.

In 2011, Vincent was given a human rights award in the city of Virginia Beach by the Virginia Beach Mayor for programs created about Native American issues in the Hampton Roads region.

He is also the former host of Native Trailblazers, an online Indigenous radio program that aired every Friday at 8 P.M. on www.blogtalkradio.com/NativeTrailblazers from 2010 to 2020 which was nominated for an Aboriginal People’s Choice Music Award for “Best Aboriginal Music Radio Station / Program.”

He was given a Bronze Editorial Excel Award for the Winds of Change "Conflict on the Mountain" article featured in the Spring 2011 issue. As a public speaker, Vincent has shared his experience and expertise with public, governmental and private entities to speak about diversity in the workplace and in schools to overcome the stereotypes of Native American people today.

'I enjoy writing profiles on successful and inspirational people. I want to uplift with my writing. Every word I write - I write with the cognizance that hopefully, someone somewhere will make a change for the better--no matter how small--to improve their own lives.'

Follow him on Twitter and all other social media at @VinceSchilling. https://beacons.page/vinceschilling

Webpage: NativeViewpoint.com

Webpage: schillingmediainc.com

Twitter: @VinceSchilling

TikTok: @VinceSchilling

Instagram: @VinceSchilling

YouTube: @VinceSchilling

In 2019, Joy Harjo was appointed the 23rd United States Poet Laureate, the first Native American to hold the position and only the second person to serve three terms in the role. Harjo’s nine books of poetry include An American Sunrise, Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings, How We Became Human: New and Selected Poems, and She Had Some Horses. She is also the author of two memoirs, Crazy Brave and Poet Warrior, which invites us to travel along the heartaches, losses, and humble realizations of her “poet-warrior” road. She has edited several anthologies of Native American writing including When the Light of the World was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through — A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry, and Living Nations, Living Words, the companion anthology to her signature poet laureate project. Her many writing awards include the 2019 Jackson Prize from the Poetry Society of America, the Ruth Lilly Prize from the Poetry Foundation, the 2015 Wallace Stevens Award from the Academy of American Poets, and the William Carlos Williams Award from the Poetry Society of America. She is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, Board of Directors Chair of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation, and holds a Tulsa Artist Fellowship. A renowned musician, Harjo performs with her saxophone nationally and internationally; her most recent album is I Pray For My Enemies. She lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Website:

https://www.joyharjo.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/joyharjoforreal/

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/JoyHarjo

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/JoyHarjo

Get ready for season 3 of 5 Plain Questions podcast coming in February. With all new guests and a few surprises. You won't want to miss our exciting season with more amazing people doing amazing things for their communities. Be sure to subscribe and give us top ratings where ever you get your podcasts.

A member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, Chef Sean Sherman was born and raised in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Cooking in kitchens across the United States and Mexico for over 30 years, Chef Sean is renowned nationally and internationally in the culinary movement of Indigenous foods. His primary focus is the revitalization and evolution of Indigenous foods systems throughout North America. His extensive studies on the foundations of Indigenous food systems have led to his deep understanding of what is needed to showcase Native American cuisine in today's world.

In 2014, Chef Sean opened the business, The Sioux Chef, designed to provide catering and food education in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area. He and his business partner, Dana Thompson, also designed and opened the Tatanka Truck, which featured 100% pre-contact foods of the Dakota and Minnesota territories.

In October 2017, Sean and his team presented the first decolonized dinner at the prestigious James Beard House in Manhattan. His first book, The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen, received the James Beard Award for Best American Cookbook for 2018 and was chosen one of the top ten cookbooks of 2017 by the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle and Smithsonian magazine. That same year, Chef Sean was selected as a Bush Fellow and received the 2019 Leadership Award from the James Beard Foundation. Chef Sean currently serves on the leadership committee of the James Beard Foundation Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans and was recently awarded The Ashoka Fellowship. In July 2021, Chef Sean and Dana opened Owamni by The Sioux Chef, Minnesota’s first full service Indigenous restaurant, featuring healthy Indigenous food and drinks. Since its opening, Owamni has received rave reviews from around the globe.

The Sioux Chef team continues with their mission to help educate and make Indigenous foods more accessible to as many communities as possible through their non-profit arm, North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems (NĀTIFS) and the accompanying Indigenous Food Lab professional Indigenous kitchen and training center. Working to address the economic and health crises affecting Native communities by re-establishing Native foodways, NĀTIFS imagines a new North American food system that generates wealth and improves health in Native communities through food-related enterprises.

Websites:

The Sioux Chef: https://sioux-chef.com/

NĀTIFS: https://www.natifs.org/

Food Labs: https://www.natifs.org/indigenous-food-lab

Owamni: https://owamni.com/

Facebook:

The Sioux Chef: https://www.facebook.com/thesiouxchef

NĀTIFS: https://www.facebook.com/NATIFS.org/

Owamni: https://www.facebook.com/owamni/

Instagram:

The Sioux Chef: https://www.instagram.com/siouxchef/

NĀTIFS: https://www.instagram.com/natifs_org/

Indigenous Food Labs: https://www.instagram.com/indigenousfoodlab/?hl=en

Owamni: https://www.instagram.com/owamni/?hl=en

Twitter:

The Sioux Chef: https://twitter.com/the_sioux_chef

NĀTIFS: https://twitter.com/natifs_org

Owamni: https://twitter.com/owamni?lang=en

Youtube:

Indigenous Food Labs:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdVMZLJ-VQ1TR6puA1QzSw

Julie buffalohead. She is a citizen of the Ponca Tribe out of Oklahoma, and is a visual artist living in St. Paul Minnesota. Julie received her BFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 1995 and her MFA from Cornell University in 2001.

Buffalohead creates visual narratives told by animal characters that embody human traits, freewill and individuality. She connects the mythical with the ordinary and the imaginary with the real, offering a space to which viewers can bring their own experiences. She coaxes us to discover additional layers of meaning–social, historical, political, personal – using metaphor, wisdom, and wit.

Website:

https://www.juliebuffalohead.com

The latest episode of 5 Plain Questions delves into the life and artistry of Keith Secola, a revered figure in contemporary Native American music. Born in Cook, Minnesota, Secola's journey is marked by a profound connection to his roots and a relentless passion for music that has spanned over five decades. His seminal hit, ‘NDN Kars,' which gained prominence through the film Come Dance Me Outside, is emblematic of his ability to resonate with both indigenous and mainstream audiences alike. Throughout this episode, we explore Secola's influences, ranging from traditional powwow music to the sounds of iconic bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, which have shaped his unique musical style. His reflections on songwriting reveal a deep understanding of the cultural narratives that inform his work, positioning him as not merely a musician, but a storyteller of his people's experiences. Secola's commitment to advocacy within the indigenous community is also a focal point, as he discusses the importance of addressing social issues through his art. This episode is not just a celebration of Secola's achievements but an invitation to reflect on the broader implications of art as a vehicle for cultural expression and social change.

Takeaways:

The podcast features a conversation with Keith Secola, a prominent Native American musician, focusing on his artistic journey and contributions to Indigenous music.

Keith Secola's song ‘NDN Kars' gained immense popularity after being featured in the 1994 film 'Come Dance Me Outside', highlighting his impact on contemporary Native American music.

Throughout his career, Keith emphasizes the importance of originality in music, advocating for songs that resonate with the experiences of Indigenous peoples.

The episode discusses the significance of music festivals and collaborations in Keith's career, showcasing how these experiences have shaped his artistry and connections within the music industry.

Keith reflects on the influence of various musical genres and artists on his work, illustrating the diverse inspirations that have contributed to his unique sound.

The podcast underscores the role of advocacy in Keith's life, as he addresses Indigenous struggles and community issues through his music and performances.

Links referenced in this episode:

Secola.com

elevenwarriorarts.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

Keith Secola

NDN Kars

Come Dance Me Outside

Bob Dylan

Gibson

REM

The Beatles

David Bowie

Lucinda Williams

Tom Petty

The Rolling Stones

Floyd Westerman

Charlie Hill

Red Bone

The Grateful Dead

Indigo Girls

Rosy Simas is citizen of the Seneca Nation of Indians. She is a transdisiplinary artist and founder and Artistic Director of Rosy Simas Danse.

Active since 1992, her projects merge decolonized physical movement with mixed media, sound and objects for stage and installations.

I had first become associated with Ms. Simas from an exhibition here at the Plains in 2019. Her work was unlike any of the other artists in the space, where her performance video, We Wait In The Darkness, with these beautiful maps and overlays on them filling a wall in the exhibition.

Her work combines themes of personal and collective identity with family, matriarchy, sovereignty, equality, and healing.

Thoughtful in her responses, and relatable experiences makes this interview so interesting.

Check out the following websites:

Website: https://www.rosysimas.com/

Rosy Simas Danse Website: https://rosysimasdanse.com/

All My Relations (A Place of Rest) website: http://www.allmyrelationsarts.com/yodoishendahgwageh/

Native Arts and Cultures Foundation website:

https://www.nativeartsandcultures.org/rosy-simas-2

John Little, PhD (Standing Rock Dakota), is a scholar, historian, filmmaker, and mentor. His presentations and research focus on Native student retention and success in higher education, decolonizing work in the university, cultural appropriation and Native American-themed mascots, Lakota and Dakota music, and Native American Vietnam veterans, looking at the fact that Native Americans serve in the military at a higher per-capita rate than any other ethnic group in the United States.

Dr. Little received his PhD in History from the University of Minnesota and is passionate about changing the way history is written about Native peoples. He is currently the Director of Native Recruitment and Alumni Engagement at the University of South Dakota. Previously, he was the Director of the 7th Gen Summer Program, a Native American college readiness program for high school graduates in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

He is the co-director, alongside his brother Kenn, of the 2017 award-winning film, “More Than A Word.” The documentary goes inside the movement to change the name of the Washington R*dskins football team as well as what’s at stake in contemporary debates about cultural appropriation and Native American-themed mascots.

You can reach him at: john.little@usd.edu

More Than A Word film: http://morethanawordfilm.com/

Watch the trailer here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A86QFzzp7s8

We're off this week but we want to thank everyone for the amazing and overwhelming response to our 5 Scary Questions podcast from last week. This encourages us to keep going and creating great content that you all keep coming back for. Our podcast family is growing and we are looking forward to what is coming next. See you next week!

Join us this week as we celebrate the Halloween season with true life scary stories from our past guests from the 5 Plain Questions podcast. We have a collection of different stories, all very scary and all very true. We thank Dwayne Wilcox, Roy Taylor, Falcon Gott, Vanessa Short Bull, Matt Barse, Gerald Cournoyer, and Arik Williams for sharing these intense and very real experiences.

Subscribe to AV's Black Coffee Show:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQPtGj_bhe2HRhHiqRtWgkQ

Follow on Instagram!

Dwayne Wilcox:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dwayne.wilcox.505/

https://www.morningstargallery.com/gallery-artists/dwayne-wilcox-bio

Matt Barse:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lowdownent/

https://www.lowdown-entertainment.com/

Falcon Gott:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/___fal_con___/

https://www.falcongott.com/

Vanessa Short Bull:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/vanessashortbull/

Gerald Cournoyer:

https://geraldcournoyer.artspan.com/thumbnail_list.php?mgd_id=14442

Roy Taylor:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/indigeneity_rising/

https://www.kfai.org/personality/roy-taylor/

Roy Taylor (Pawnee, Choctaw) is with White Eagle Arts, Entertainment & Media out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is host of Indigeneity Rising on KFAI Fresh Air Community Radio 90.3 FM.

He is a:

Stage, Film, Commercial Actor

Performance Storyteller

Voice Over Narrator

Spoken Word Artist

Emcee, Moderator, Host

Radio Broadcast Journalist

Public Speaker, Presenter

Spokesman, Representative, Advocate

Humorist, Comedian

Playwright, Screenwriter...he does it all!

Over 25 years experience in public, non-profit, government work at the local, national and global level. Graduate of the amazing University of Oklahoma. Married, two adult children and two school age grandchildren.

Find KFAI online:

https://www.kfai.org/program/indigeneity-rising/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/indigeneityrising/

Melanie Yazzie is Professor of Art Practices and Head of Printmaking at the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado. Her works belong to many collections such as: the Denver Art Museum, Anchorage Museum of History & Art, the Art Museum of Missoula, the Institute of American Indian Arts, the Kennedy Museum of Art and the Rhode Island School of Design Museum. She has exhibited nationally and internationally and in countries such as, New Zealand, France, Russia, Canada, Estonia, Northern Ireland, Korea, China, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is known for organizing print exchange projects that connect communities across the world. She makes prints, sculptures, paintings, does surface design and jewelry design. She has been represented by the Glenn Green Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico since 1994.

Reflecting on the recent Wokiksuye remembrance of Robert Penn by the Dahl Art Center, Joe Williams is calling art Indigenous storytellers to start telling and representing their own stories such as Robert Penn's.

We messed up last week. We uploaded the unedited clip for the episode instead of the episode that was produced. Since we don't have an intern to blame and fire, and Joe would mean no staff would be on the podcast we will have to just offer our apologies for the mix-up. Please enjoy this redux episode of Keith Braveheart on Oscar Howe.

I want to introduce you to Angela Two Stars. She received her BFA in drawing from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids Michigan. Angela is a Dakota from the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate on the Lake Traverse Reservation in Sisseton South Dakota.

She currently lives in St. Paul Minnesota and the first Indigenous artist to install work at the Minneapolis Sculpture in conjunction with the Walker Art Center. Her work will be an interactive space where you can move through the space and see and hear Dakota words in it’s Native place.

This work will be open to the public on October 9th of 2021. I encourage you to make a trip to this location and see this amazing piece. Who knows, you just may see me there as well.

Let’s jump into this interview with Angela.

website:

http://www.angelatwostars.com/

Mary V. Bordeaux (Sicangu Lakota) is the co-founder and creative director of Racing Magpie, a collaborative space with a Native art gallery and artist studios in Mnilúzahaŋ Otȟúŋwah (Rapid City, SD). She received her bachelor’s degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts and MFA from the University of the Arts, both degrees are in museum studies with an emphasis in exhibition design and planning. Mary is currently a doctoral candidate at Saint Mary’s University, exploring Lakota women’s leadership. Mary has held curatorial positions with The Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School and The Indian Museum of North America at Crazy Horse Memorial.

Racing Magpie website:

https://www.racingmagpie.com/

First Peoples Fund Website:

https://www.firstpeoplesfund.org/

Joe Horse Capture's episode presents a compelling narrative of his evolution as a leading figure in Native American art curation. The discussion intricately weaves through his personal history, detailing his journey from a childhood influenced by the Alcatraz occupation to a distinguished career as the Vice President of Native Collections at the Autry Museum. Joe's upbringing in a culturally rich environment, guided by the mentorship of his father and other prominent figures in the Native community, significantly shaped his professional ethos, which centers on cultural integrity and community involvement.

A salient theme in Joe's discourse is the urgent need for museums to recalibrate their approaches to Indigenous art and culture. He articulates a vision where museums are not merely repositories of artifacts but vibrant cultural spaces that engage with and reflect the communities they represent. This shift necessitates a collaborative model, wherein curators work alongside community members to authentically represent Indigenous narratives. Joe's commitment to fostering these relationships is evident in his curatorial projects, which prioritize the voices of Native artists and emphasize the importance of cultural context in the interpretation of artworks.

The episode also addresses the complex dynamics of repatriation, as Joe discusses the ethical implications of museum collections and the essential role of Indigenous communities in determining the fate of their cultural heritage. He advocates for a future where the museum sector not only preserves history but actively participates in the cultural revitalization of Indigenous peoples. Joe's insights underscore the transformative potential of art as a tool for healing and reconciliation, serving as a powerful reminder of the ongoing journey towards cultural empowerment and recognition.

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the importance of community engagement in curatorial practices within museums, particularly regarding Native American art.
• Joe Horsecapture discusses his journey from being a river guide to becoming a prominent curator in the museum field, highlighting the significance of mentorship.
• The conversation addresses the evolving role of museums in relation to Native communities, advocating for the repatriation of cultural artifacts and community involvement.
• Joe underscores the necessity of developing tribal museums that serve as cultural spaces rather than traditional museums, which often isolate artifacts from their communities.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Autry Museum of the American West
• Minnesota Historical Society
• Minneapolis Institute of Arts
• National Museum of the American Indian
• Smithsonian Institution
• Ho Chunk Museum

Ann-erika White Bird is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She has a bachelor’s degree in English, Creative Writing from the University of Colorado at Boulder and has published poetry in various online platforms and anthologies. Her artwork is part of the permanent collection at the Denver Art Museum; one of her pieces travels in the permanent collection with the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS) in an exhibition called “Emergence”. She believes her most valuable contributions to the beauty of this world are her two children, Josh and Osina. Ann-erika is from St. Francis, South Dakota originally but sets up her tipi in Santa Fe, New Mexico where she resides with her two children and a four-legged, barking addition named Brownie Bear.

Emily Arthur (Eastern Band Cherokee descent) is an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves as Chair of the Printmaking Area within the Art Department where they will host (SGCI) Southern Graphics Council Conference in March 16 – 19 2022 titled Our Shared Future.

Arthur received an MFA from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia and has served as a Fellow at the Barnes Foundation for Advanced Theoretical and Critical Research, Pennsylvania. Additional education includes the Rhode Island School of Design, University of Georgia and the Tamarind Institute of Lithography at the University of New Mexico.

Arthur is awarded to the Notable Women in the Arts, National Museum of Women in the Arts and has been nominated for a Joan Mitchell Foundation, Painters and Sculptors Grant. She is the recipient of a Florida Artist Enhancement Grant provided by the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Her work is included in the permanent collections of the Saint Louis Art Museum, Chazen Museum of Art, Minneapolis Museum of American Art, Tweed Art Museum, Denver Art Museum, Autry National Center of the American West and the Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, Santa Fe, NM.

Arthur’s work is included in the recent 2020 book, Knowing Native Arts (Lincoln): University of Nebraska Press, by Nancy Marie Mithlo as well as Dr. Mithlo’s forthcoming book titled Visualizing Genocide co-authored with Yve Chavez, Ph.D. Arthur is also a co-curator and co-author of Re-Riding History: From the Southern Plains to the Matanzas Bay, edited by Phillip Earenfight, PhD. (The Trout Gallery: Carlisle, PA, Fall 2018).

Arthur has served as an International Artist in Residence in France and Japan with artists from the Diné/Navajo Nation and as part of the 2011 Venice International Print Studios where she exhibited at the University of Ca” Foscari on Occasion of the Venice Biennale 54th International. International permanent collections include the nations of Iceland, Russia, Estonia, Ireland, France, Italy United Kingdom, India, Argentina, New Zealand, and Japan.

Arik Williams is a Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ Dakota living on the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota.

Arik is gaming field agent with the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate. But this seemingly dedicated civil servant has a a back story and creative side that is so fascinating. He was the youngest DJ at KSWS 89.3 FM radio station in the late 1990s and early 2000s and later KXWS 89.9 FM, a tribal radio station at the Sisseton Wabpeton Oyate. His music knowledge, his cultural respect is so on par with any radio personality you’ll see in films today. He was a combination of John Trudell’s Randy Peone in Smoke Signal or Northern Exposure’s Chris Stevens portrayed by John Corbett. An Encyclopedia of music and pop culture yet thoughtful and well read, Arik was one of the most brilliant radio DJs ever to come out of South Dakota.

An internationally exhibited artist, Marwin Begaye examines the issues of cultural identity through the intersection of American Indian and popular cultures. His ongoing research investigates the technical processes related to printmaking and construction of mixed-media art. He has received numerous awards as an Artist in Residence and through juried exhibitions, often negotiating the cultivation of his own skills and opening doors for his students. His work has been featured in numerous publications and he maintains an active exhibition schedule, featured in exhibitions in New Zealand, England, Argentina, Paraguay, Italy, Siberia and Estonia.

Website: https://marwinbegaye.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/printmakingpapa/

Cameron Ulrich is a Cherokee Professional Theater Artist and Educator. Cameron has over 40 years of theater experience acting, directing, fight choreographing and producing theater. Cameron Holds a M.F.A. in Theater Direction from the University of South Dakota. He has worked as an educator for 28 years as a secondary teacher and adjunct professor. He is a Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Muddy Water Theater in St Louis, Missouri. Currently he teaches Theater at McCluer High School in Florissant Missouri.

https://www.hybridpress.net/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/hybridpress/

https://watermarkartcenter.org/bury-the-hatchet-prayer-for-my-pah-be-john-hitchcock/

John Hitchcock, born in Lawton Oklahoma, he is of Kiowa and Comanche decent. He’s a printmaker, musician, an educator, his CV is as long and adventurous as they come. He has been an artist in residence in Shanghai, China, Belgium, Italy, South Africa, and Argentina, and has exhibitions across this country. He received his BFA from Cameron University in Lawton Oklahoma, his MFA in printmaking and photography at Texas Tech University, and is currently the Associate of Arts at the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

But what makes John so interesting is his ability to collaborate. He’s got his disarming manner to him that draws you to him. Almost everyone I know has interacted with him, and vice versa.

Kaitlyn Jones is a Diné artist from New Mexico. Now attending the Institute of American Indian Arts, she is entering her junior year and is excited to continue her studies as a BFA major with a focus on painting.

She just completed her first year as a counselor at the Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute after attending the program three years previously as a student.

After graduating, Kaitlyn plans to pursue her MFA so she can begin teaching a younger generation of artists on her reservation and create more community art. Her own work focuses on combing aspects of her contemporary Indigenous identity with the past in hopes of better representing her peers.

Tylar Larsen is Bdewakantunwan Dakota from Cansayapi (Lower Sioux Indian Community, MN). He attended the Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute for two years as a student, and just completed his first year as a counselor. The OHSAI led him to the University of South Dakota, where he is an honors student currently studying psychology and public health. He plans to return to his community after obtaining his degrees to work combating the effects of historical or inter-generational trauma. Being 19 years old, he looks to the future and hopes to be a good relative for all the relations he has made so far, and all of those to come.

Join host Joe Williams as he sits down with Gerald Cournoyer and Inkpa Mani as they discuss Indigenous art education, the future, importance, and relevancy of Indigenous art education. It's an hour of shared stories and an insightful conversation you don't want to miss.

Let's listen to the story of Oscar Howe through the voice of John Day. Recorded in June 2002. We apologize for the recording quality, not the best recording from 2002, but the quality of the content is what this is about.

In this compelling episode of 5 Plain Questions, host Joe Williams engages in a thought-provoking dialogue with Dallas Goldtooth, a prominent Indigenous activist, actor, and comedian. Their conversation is framed by the pressing concerns surrounding the current political climate and its potential ramifications for Indigenous communities across the United States. Goldtooth articulates a clear and urgent call for awareness and action in response to policies enacted by the Trump administration, which he perceives as a significant threat to tribal sovereignty and environmental rights. The discourse is grounded in a historical context, drawing parallels to past governmental actions that have adversely affected Indigenous rights and resources, thereby establishing a continuity of struggle that resonates deeply with listeners.

As the discussion unfolds, Goldtooth emphasizes the importance of community engagement and grassroots activism as vital components of resistance against oppressive policies. He advocates for a collaborative approach between tribal governments and community members, underscoring the necessity of fostering strong networks of support and advocacy. The episode also highlights the significance of narrative control, with Goldtooth urging Indigenous peoples to reclaim their stories and perspectives in a landscape often dominated by external narratives that seek to diminish their voices. This aspect of the conversation is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the broader theme of cultural preservation and the need for Indigenous communities to assert their identities and rights in the face of external pressures.

Ultimately, this episode serves as both a sobering reflection on the challenges confronting Indigenous peoples and an empowering call to action. Williams and Goldtooth inspire listeners to actively participate in the advocacy for their rights, urging them to engage with their local leaders and the political process. The conversation reinforces the notion that informed and proactive community engagement is essential for safeguarding Indigenous sovereignty, cultural heritage, and environmental resources. As such, this episode encapsulates a vital message of resilience, solidarity, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination, encouraging listeners to reflect on their roles within this movement and to strive for a future that honors and respects Indigenous rights.

On the 30th anniversary of the Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute, host Joe Williams reflects on his association of the program starting in 1993 in a deeply personal story and tribute to the program and artist, friend, and mentor Robert Penn.

Prairie Rose Seminole is a citizen of the Three Affiliated Tribes of ND, descendant of the Sahnish/Arikara, Northern Cheyenne and Lakota Nations.

Seminole serves as a political consultant and coach, and policy analyst. They also serve as an Indigenous theological advisor and speaker. More recently,Prairie Rose Seminole served as the American Indian Alaska Native Program Director for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, serving American Indian, Alaska Native communities around the United States as an educator, and advocate, deconstructing colonial systems of oppression.

Seminole lives and works from White Shield ND, with her partner, their ten horses and seven country dogs.

Seminole has served on the Fargo Human Relations Commission in Fargo, the Midwest Advisory Council to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and currently sits on the advisory council to the Olamina Fund and the boards for Humanities North Dakota, I Vote For, the Midwest Advisory Council for the Innocence Project, board member for the Native American Coalition of North Dakota.

Lyle Hudson is an educator, he's a citizen of the Navajo Nation, or more accurately, the Diné. A first grade teacher from a family of educators. He's an individual who practices gratitude the first spouse we've had on the podcast. Lyle has dedicated his career to not just educator our youngest of students, but to model what it is to be a great role model.

Don Anderson is a citizen of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, he’s a Behavioral Health Professional at Circle of Nations School in Wahpeton ND. He’s of the very few Native American men in the United States that has his bachelors of Social Work.

Don is one of the most remarkable individuals I know. In my past work career working at Circle of Nations School we addressed numerous complicated and hard situations. His approach to problem solving came from a place that you cannot learn in school. His youth, his background, and his training makes him one of the most valuable community members I know.

We will not have an episode this week due to the passing of my father, Joe Williams. We'll be back next week with more new episodes.

Joe Williams

Waćiŋyaŋpi Wicaśta

Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ Dakota

28 September 1934 - 10 May 2021

Athena LaTocha, born in Anchorage Alaska, and currently living in New York City, this Hunkpapa Lakota and Ojibwe artist creates artwork that fills entire walls that are large enough to hold her unique peaces. Two years ago I was fortunate enough to witness a landscape she created for the Plains Art Museum in a residency she created. But when I say landscape, this isn’t a traditional Romanticism one would assume, but a created from a perspective and use of material one would not expect to see.

But what makes Athena so interesting, is the way she looks at the world beyond what is just there. It’s hard for me to articulate so let’s jump into this interview with Athena.

Links:

https://athenalatocha.com/home.html

https://plainsart.org/exhibitions/athena-latocha/

https://www.fridmangallery.com/land-escape

https://mailchi.mp/nyfa/nyfa-news-law-and-the-arts-a-free-resource-series?e=afe0c02aae

I want to introduce you to Waŋbdí Wašté. This Ihanktonwan Nakota is a citizen of the Yankton Sioux Tribe is a musician and filmmaker. Now, it is said that the backbone of any band is the drummer. They keep that beat that can either make or break any band, and as Ringo Starr once responded if he wanted a metronome, “He was the metronome! That means that Waŋbdí was the backbone to the greatest Native American rock band that ever was, Indigenous. But to limit our perception of her as just an musician falls short of her creative world. She is an artist, a filmmaker, a producer, and activist. She is a member of Black Owl Society, a blues/rock band that was created by her brother Buffalo Man in December 2010, with a focus on creatively bringing more awareness about indigenous oppression.

I am so honored and so excited to share with you this most unique conversation with Waŋbdí.

So let’s jump into this interview with Waŋbdí.

Your link to Black Owl Society:

https://linktr.ee/Blackowlsociety

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blackowlsociety

IG: https://www.instagram.com/black_owl_society/

Micheal Two Bulls is a mixed media artist. He's a graduate of IAIA in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a CAIRNS Research Fellow, and a member of The Wake Singers.

Join us in this fantastic 1/2 hour.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mtwobulls/

The Wake Singers on IG: https://www.instagram.com/thewakesingers/

The Wake Singers on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEqoJbGexePR-mlf0b7ArEQ

I want to introduce you to Andrea Carlson. She’s a citizen of the Grand Portage Ojibwe, and is a painter & screen printer based in Minneapolis–Saint Paul, Minnesota, though currently lives in Chicago Illinois. She received her bachelor of arts at the University of Minnesota in 2003 and an MFA from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2005.

I think what makes Andrea so interesting is her ability to address the relationships of Indigenous artists and museums. She recognizes and addresses the historic problems that institutions like museums with their colonial roots and their detrimental effects on Indigenous people, but also how Indigenous artists are now taking control of the narrative and reshaping the art landscape. She also talks about the concept of Indigenous Futurism, which I find so absolutely incredible.

You can find a link to her current works and representation at Bockley Gallery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Link: http://www.bockleygallery.com/artist_carlson/index.html

Craig Howe, founder and Director of the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS), earned a Ph.D. in architecture and anthropology from the University of Michigan. He served as Deputy Assistant Director for Cultural Resources at the National Museum of the American Indian, Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and Director of the D’Arcy McNickle Center for American Indian History at the Newberry Library in Chicago. Howe has authored articles and book chapters on numerous topics, including tribal histories, Native studies, museum exhibitions, and community collaborations. He has developed innovative tribal histories projects and creative museum exhibitions, lectures on American Indian topics across the U.S., and provides professional development and cultural awareness training to schools and organizations. Howe was raised and lives on his family’s cattle ranch in the Lacreek District of the Pine Ridge Reservation where he is designing and building Wingsprings, an architecturally unique retreat and conference center that is featured in New Architecture on Indigenous Lands. He is a citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

You can find CAIRNS at the link below.

https://www.nativecairns.org/

The conversation with DY Begay unfolds against the backdrop of her rich Navajo heritage, as she shares insights into her identity as a member of the Tótshoníí (Big Water) and Tachinii’ (Red Running into Earth) clans. Her narrative is steeped in familial connections, particularly highlighting her lineage as a fifth-generation weaver, which illuminates the significance of tradition in her artistic practice. Begay recounts her formative years, growing up amidst a community of skilled female weavers, where she learned not just the technical aspects of weaving but also the cultural narratives that accompany each thread. The episode reflects on how her tapestries serve as a canvas for her identity, embodying the natural beauty of the Navajo landscape and the profound connections she has to the earth. In her work, she infuses elements of innovation and contemporary design, challenging conventional aesthetics while remaining firmly grounded in her cultural roots.

The dialogue also traverses the theme of influence, as DY articulates the pivotal roles played by past generations in shaping her artistic journey. She affectionately speaks of her great-great-grandmother, whose legacy of weaving has been a guiding light in her life, ensuring that the art form remains vibrant and relevant. Additionally, she acknowledges her father's influence, who encouraged her to embrace education and explore the world beyond their community. This theme of intergenerational wisdom underscores the importance of storytelling within Indigenous cultures, as each narrative serves to preserve knowledge and foster connections across time. As the episode progresses, listeners are invited to consider the broader implications of DY's work, which seeks to bridge tradition and modernity, offering a new lens through which to appreciate Indigenous artistry.

As the episode draws to a close, DY discusses her future endeavors, including her upcoming exhibition at the National Museum of the American Indian. This exhibition not only showcases her remarkable tapestries but also encapsulates her journey as an artist who remains committed to preserving her cultural heritage while navigating the complexities of contemporary art. DY's approach to weaving is presented as a vital expression of identity, one that invites audiences to engage with the stories and meanings woven into each piece. The conversation serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of supporting Indigenous artists and the importance of sustaining the narratives that enrich our cultural landscape. Through her work, DY Begay stands as a testament to the resilience of Indigenous art forms and the enduring power of cultural expression.

Links referenced in this episode:

• navajo-indian.com
• elevenwarriorarts.com

BIO:

Marty Two Bulls Sr. is a member of the Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He spent his childhood in Rapid City, S.D. It was at the Rapid City Central High School’s student newspaper the Pine Needle, that Two Bulls first started drawing editorial cartoons.

Marty studied commercial art at the Colorado Institute of Art. Two Bulls worked television, commercial printing, and newspapers. He would become the graphics editor at the Rapid City Journal and later The Sioux Falls Argus Leader. Leaving newspapers he returned to college to finish his BFA degree at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe, N.M.

His work focuses on issues of political interest to Native American peoples who have been historically persecuted and marginalized by the dominant culture, which has reduced them to a minority in their own lands.

Two Bulls embraced a growing readership of non-Natives cultivated through social media, in the hope that one Lakota man’s point of view will bring a better understanding and support for issues that affect Native American Indians.

Marty currently works as a freelance artist, graphic designer and political cartoonist.

m2bulls.com

https://www.patreon.com/m2bulls

https://www.facebook.com/martytwobulls

https://www.gocomics.com/m2bulls

https://www.instagram.com/m2bullz

https://twitter.com/m2bulls

Access to the Northern Plains Summer Art Institute 2021 application:

https://plainsart.org/northern-plains-summer-art-institute-application/

Access to the Oscar Howe Summer Art Institute 2021 application:

https://www.usd.edu/fine-arts/art/ohsai-registration

And good luck!

Oscar De Leon is a Mexican-American filmmaker based out of Fargo, ND. He often operates under his artist name, “Guero,” which roughly translates to “white boy”, a nickname he grew up with. De Leon has been working independently since the age of 18, eschewing film school to pursue his passions. He has since gone on to write, direct, and edit award-winning short films and documentaries.

As an artist, De Leon changes styles depending on the subject he’s working on. His portfolio includes a vast array of work ranging from personal music projects, podcasts, commercial writing, and screenplays.

In 2014, he and Kevin Ackley created Chamber Six Media, a media group doing both commercial and artistic work that serves as a form of expression for both artists. Together they have had success as independent filmmakers with their work being accepted into international film festivals.

Chamber Six Media: http://www.chambersixmedia.com/

The Human Family: https://www.human-family.org/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fargoguero