In this episode of All My Relations, Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Temryss Lane (Lummi Nation) are joined by Gina Amato Lough, Directing Attorney of Public Counsel’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, to unpack the realities of ICE in Indian Country. We dive into the self-made crisis at the southern border of what is now known as the United States, and the dangers that face not just (im)migrant and Native communities, but everyone living here.

With the expertise of someone who has over 20 years of experience working in direct service with asylum seekers, immigrants in detention, survivors of violent crime, unaccompanied children, and victims of notario fraud, Gina guides this conversation with grace in contextualizing where we are right now. She reminds us that the inhumane actions taken by the Trump Administration like the implementation of Remain in Mexico Program and the removal of the CBP App, which eliminated the only lawful way for people to enter the border through – is rooted in U.S. imperialism and has devastating consequences for us all. 

We explore the unintended consequences and ongoing ramifications of our rapidly eroding democracy; how Trump’s deportation machine, if successful, ensures catastrophic consequences for our economy, our education systems, and the base of what supports all our communities. We are reminded that this is not a single issue. ICE in Indian Country impacts all of our livelihoods at every level. 

So, what does it mean to be a good relative right now? 

We must return to solidarity with one another. Gina reminds us that focusing on our shared history, cultures, goals and values binds us, and it is by design that communities of color are pitted against each other. The Trump administration’s “shock and awe” tactics are not just policy decisions—they are deliberate strategies meant to exhaust us, burn us out, and keep us on the defensive. 

So start by staying informed, knowing your rights, and sharing resources in the community. From a monetary standpoint, there are organizations you can support like Public Counsel or ACLU – links to all resources mentioned are listed below. 

This is a call to all relatives—Indigenous and non-Native alike. Keeping our communities safe requires knowing the tactics being used against us and resisting together. We must move beyond defense and take the offensive—leveraging our power through advocacy, spending, voting, and boycotts. Our creativity is more crucial than ever. Together, we are powerful.

• Public Counsel Donation: https://publiccounsel.org/donate/
• ACLU: https://www.aclu.org/ 
• Northwest Immigrant Rights Project: http

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Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Happy Love Day, Relatives! While Valentine’s Day may be wrapped in candy hearts and Hallmark sentiments, its origins are far from sweet. As NPR’s Arnie Seipel reminds us, its history is "dark, bloody, and a bit muddled." In ancient Rome, Lupercalia—a violent fertility festival—was held from February 13th to 15th, perhaps explaining why red became the color of love.

But today, we shift the focus away from romantic love and toward something deeper: self-love, communal love, and intergenerational healing.

In this episode, we are joined by the incredible Vina Brown, the creative force behind Copper Canoe Woman. Vina, from the Heiltsuk and Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations, is not only an acclaimed jewelry artist but also a scholar, currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, where she studies Indigenous food sovereignty and wellness. She is also the co-founder of Rooted Resiliency, a nonprofit dedicated to reclaiming Indigenous wellness practices.

Together, we dive into the messy, powerful, and transformative aspects of love. "Real love is messy," Vina reminds us. "It’s not pretty, it’s not perfect, but that’s what makes it so beautiful." We explore self-care beyond consumerism, moving away from the capitalist version of “self-care”—think retail therapy and spa days—toward a decolonized perspective. Audre Lorde’s words guide us: "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare."

Vina shares the story of her grandmother Elsie, a residential school survivor who embarked on her healing journey later in life, breaking generational cycles by learning to love openly. We discuss the power of community healing, the necessity of platonic love, and the strength in vulnerability. "We don’t heal in silos," Vina says. "We heal in community."

As part of this journey, we’re also hosting Reclaiming Wellness, a community event featuring Indigenous women leaders focusing on movement, meditation, and reconnecting with ancestral knowledge.

Join us as we recommit to self-love, embrace relationality over individualism, and recognize that healing is a lifelong journey. As Vina reminds us, "Our ancestors knew we were interconnected. The land, the wind, the water—they all hold us."

Let’s reclaim love—love for ourselves, our communities, and our lands. Share this conversation, connect with us, and be part of this movement. ❤️

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Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Today is the Super Bowl, and while millions gather to watch, we’re here to ask: What are we really watching? In this episode of All My Relations, Temryss Lane (Lummi Nation) and Matika Wilbur (Swinomish & Tulalip) dive into the deep, complex relationship between Native communities and sport.

American football is more than just a game—it’s a battlefield. From its origins at the Carlisle Indian School to its modern-day spectacle of billion-dollar profits, colonial metaphors, and racialized labor, the sport reflects a larger American story. “Football is about violence. It’s about territory. It’s about power,” Temryss reminds us.

We discuss how sports have been both a tool of oppression and liberation for Native athletes, the NFL’s plantation-like structure, the devastating impact of CTE on Black and Indigenous players, and the erasure of Native identity through mascotry (looking at you, Chiefs fans).

“I can’t unsee it. Football is a game where predominantly Black players put their brains on the line for white owners to get richer,” says Matika. “And yet, I grew up watching it with my grandma, pretending to care at Super Bowl parties, and even playing fantasy leagues for years.”

We hold the contradictions of loving sport, recognizing its harm, and pushing for better. “Sports teach us belonging,” Temryss says. “It’s why Native people are damn good at them.”

Watch the Super Bowl if you must, but listen to this first. And for the record—Go Eagles. 🦅

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Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

In this episode of All My Relations, Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Temryss Lane (Lummi Nation)—sit down with Indigenous rights attorney Gabe Galanda (Round Valley Indian Tribes) to discuss the mounting legal threats to Tribal Nationhood, citizenship, and sovereignty. As executive orders and court cases attempt to undermine Native status and question our birthright citizenship, we unpack what’s happening and what’s at stake.

Together, we explore the legal history behind Native Citizenship, from Elk v. Wilkins to the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, and how the Supreme Court continues to challenge the political status of Tribal Nations. Gabe highlights the ongoing erasure of Indigenous identity under U.S. law, warning that Native people remain "sub-citizens," not universally protected by the U.S. Constitution, and that our status exists at the mercy of an act of Congress. He raises the unsettling reality that if a simple majority of Congress were to revoke the 1924 Citizenship Act, we could once again be placed in legal limbo.

We also turn inward, examining how Tribal policies around blood quantum and disenrollment are eroding our sovereignty from within. Gabe points out that over 70% of Tribal Nations still use blood quantum—a colonial, racialized construct—to determine belonging. We ask ourselves how we can continue to argue for our political status while using a racial measurement to determine our own citizenship? If we don’t address these internal challenges, are we eradicating ourselves before the government even has the chance?

This episode is an urgent call to rethink Indigenous citizenship and belonging before external forces dictate our future.

Join us in this critical conversation. Please share this episode, support Native-led media, and continue the fight for Indigenous rights. Consider becoming a Patreon subscriber to help sustain these discussions.

Big thanks to our team at Tidelands, our Patreon supporters, and all of you listening. Until next time… All My Relations.

Send us your thoughts!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

In this deeply insightful episode, we are joined by Professor Robert A. Williams Jr. (Lumbee), a distinguished legal scholar and advocate for Indigenous rights, to explore the enduring significance of treaties, how they impact both Native and non-Natives, and why it is crucial we continue to talk about and teach our treaties to future generations.

Professor Williams guides us through the profound ways treaties represent commitments under both local and international law, and ground us in the sacred responsibilities we hold to one another and the land. January 22nd is Treaty Day in Washington State so we want to take space to honor our ancestors for the protections they secured, safeguarding our rights to self-determination, and remind each other that the treaties they fought for continue to have great significance in Tribal sovereignty today.

This conversation with Professor Williams is a powerful reminder that treaties are sacred and we are part of a generational commitment to being in good relation.

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You can find more of Professor William Jr.'s work at https://law.arizona.edu/academics/programs/indigenous-peoples-law-policy

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Additional resources to learn more about treaties:
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD) 

News Articles:
Understanding the importance of the Point Elliott Treaty - Salish Current

Native Values Impacting Treaty Making | Teacher Resource - National Museum of the American Indian

A Nation of Treaties - National Endowment for the Humanities  

Nation to Nation: Treaties Between the United States and American Indian Nations | NMAI Magazine 

Since Time Immorial Curriculum Treaty Resources 

Media:
Films about Treaty Day by Children of The Setting Sun

What If The U.S. Honored Its Native Treaties? 

Read the treaties: 

How to Find Treaties, National Indian Law Library

Read the Treaty of Point Elliot, January 22, 1855

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Credits:
Editing and production by T

Send us your thoughts!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Collective Rights & Responsibility features Dr. Tahu Kukutai (Māori) and Dr.Dr. Desi Small-Rodriguez (Northern Cheyenne and Chicana), with commentary from Dr. Keolu Fox (Kanaka Maoli), in a detailed exploration of the question: What is Indigenous data sovereignty, and what does it truly mean for Indigenous Peoples?

Mega corporations now trade data as their primary currency, and while subversive, our Indigenous relatives recognize the extreme consequences and harm that comes from losing control of our stories, and therefore our data. As every action leaves a digital footprint, opting out is not a feasible choice. Around the world, Native communities are addressing these extractive systems, resisting their impacts, and fighting the good fight to create tangible systems to exercise sovereignty and protect Indigenous peoples, lands, and communities.

Dr. Dr. Des and Dr. Tahu remind us that the concept of  “individual” data is an illusion. The decisions we make in digital space carry real consequences– not only for ourselves, but also for the land and our communities. For those of us who aren’t data scientists or daily activist warriors, this conversation serves as a grounding reminder that we are still part of this fight. Our understanding and ability to discuss these ideas create ripple effects that contribute to the broader movement.

From discussing tangible steps to assert our true Tribal sovereignty and self-determination by bringing data servers to Tribal lands, to fighting for law and legislation about accessing existing Indigenous data controlled by the states and governments, or to exploring ways we can use our existing Indigenous frameworks and protocols to humanize the data into stories that are accessible and relevant to our communities, this conversation elevates the realities of the Indigenous data sovereignty revolution and its impacts on our collective contemporary survival. 

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Editing & All the things by Teo Shantz

Episode artwork by Ciara Sana

Film work by Francisco Sánchez

Send us your thoughts!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Reproductive Justice: Birthing The Next 7 Generations

In this episode, we sit down with Camie Jae Goldhammer (Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyaté), BirthKeeper, Reproductive Justice advocate, and founder of Hummingbird Indigenous Family Services, to define, discuss, and explore how Indigenous birthing practices, breastfeeding, and community care intertwines to combat colonial and capitalist systems of oppression that disproportionately affect Indigenous, Black, and, Brown people. 

The maternal mortality rate of American Indian and Alaska Natives is 8 times higher than white Americans, with 80% of deaths being preventable. Before Hummingbird was founded, there were no resources in the Pacific Northwest specifically for Native parents and families. Camie shares her own birth journey and how it led to her career serving over 3,000 Native moms and parents.

This conversation with Camie is a love letter to Native mommas, parents, and communities as she shares her wisdom as an Indigenous Lactation Consultant and Full Spectrum Doula, having co-created the first and only lactation counselor training created for Native people by Native people. Hummingbird’s mission is to have healthy Indigenous babies being born into healthy Indigenous families being supported by healthy Indigenous communities. Our Indigenous reproductive justice is healing not only the future generations but also the ones that have come before us. 

This conversation is especially close to our hearts at All My Relations as Matika’s baby #2 is on the way, and resources like Hummingbird Family Services are so crucial to the reclamation of our birthing stories and practices.

Tune in for an unforgettable episode on reclaiming Indigenous birthing practices and reproductive justice . 

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Episode artwork by Ciara Sana & Matika Wilbur

Editing by Teo Shantz 

Films by Francisco Sánchez

Send us your thoughts!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Dr. Keolu Fox (Kanaka Maoli) to explore the environmental impacts of artificial intelligence (AI) and what it means for Indigenous data sovereignty. From the energy-hungry servers behind our everyday Googling to the broader implications of AI on Indigenous knowledge systems, we ask: Can AI be done better?

Can contemporary Native communities live in harmony with AI, or is it just another tool of colonization? Dr. Fox breaks down the risks, opportunities, and what Indigenous-led AI could look like. If you've ever wondered how technology intersects with sustainability, sovereignty, and cultural preservation, this is the episode for you.

Tune in to join the conversation and rethink what AI could mean for the future of Indigenous innovation.

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Big Thank you's to Dr.Keolu Fox and the Indigenous Futures Institute. 
Editing & All the things by Teo Shantz
Episode artwork by Ciara Sana
Film work by Francisco Sánchez

Send us your thoughts!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

Thanksgiving is often celebrated with gratitude and togetherness, but the story most of us know is rooted in myth and erasure. Recorded live at the new Tidelands Gallery, this episode flips the script and reimagines the holiday through an Indigenous lens.

Valerie Segrest (Muckleshoot), a nutritionist and food sovereignty advocate, kicks off the episode by sharing real and practical ways to reframe our Thanksgiving table. She offers a preview of her upcoming show, The Old Growth Table, a project we’re proud to be working on at Tidelands, focused on ancestral foodways and Indigenous connections to the land.

Matika Wilbur (Swinomish & Tulalip) follows with a powerful exploration of the Thanksgiving myths we’ve been taught, unpacking the holiday’s colonial legacy and offering a bold vision for how we can ground it in truth, healing, and Indigenous resilience.

From reclaiming our food traditions to rewriting the narrative, this episode invites us to rethink what it means to gather, give thanks, and set the table for a better future.

Let’s reimagine Thanksgiving together, Relatives.

Send us your thoughts!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.

This episode highlights the incredible Native women at the forefront of the efforts to bring about President Biden’s recent apology for the harm caused by the federal Indian boarding school system.

We sit down with Deb Parker (Tulalip) to uncover the behind-the-scenes journey of this apology, break down its significance, and dive into the Truth and Healing Bill [HR.7227/S.1723]. This bipartisan bill, unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on June 7, 2023, strengthens Tribal sovereignty and centers survivor voices, offering a path toward truth and reconciliation.

✨ Special guest Freddie Lane (Lummi) reflects on his time at Chemawa Indian Boarding School and his reaction to Biden’s historic speech. His heartfelt story reminds us of the countless children who never made it home and the resilience of those who carry their legacy forward.

🚨 This bill needs our support NOW. 🚨
The Truth and Healing Bill is a crucial step toward accountability, healing, and justice for survivors and their families. Your voice matters.

What you can do:
🔗 Learn about and support the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition: https://boardingschoolhealing.org/
📣 Contact your representatives to ensure this bill passes into law.

🎉 This marks our second episode from the new Tidelands studio! Huge thanks to our amazing team:

💡 Creative direction & editing: Teo Shantz
🎨 Artwork: Ciara Sana
🎥 Film work: Francisco Sanchez

⚠️ Content warning: This episode discusses topics related to Indian boarding schools, including trauma, cultural loss, and the ongoing effects on Indigenous communities. Please take care while listening—gather your medicines, smudge, and lean on your community for support.

Send us your thoughts!

Support the show

Follow us on Instagam @amrpodcast, or support our work on Patreon. Show notes are published on our website, Allmyrelationspodcast.com. Matika's book Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America is available now! T'igwicid and Hyshqe for being on this journey with us.