This 4th Tuesday of the month on Hemispheres, we bring listeners into a rare and expansive conversation with Reverend Atekpatzin Young, a Genízaro Apache curandero, scholar, and long-time Boulder organizer whose work spans the Chicano movement, Indigenous sovereignty struggles, spiritual liberation practices, and decades of resistance in this region.

In this episode, Reverend Atekpatzin offers a grounded and uncompromising analysis of gringismo — a term he developed in the early 1990s to describe the intertwined systems of white supremacy, capitalism, and Christian domination. He situates gringismo not as an abstract ideology, but as a lived structure shaping the history of Boulder, Colorado—from the slave-trade routes in the Southwest, to the repression of Chicano and Indigenous activists, to today’s political climate.

We talk about lateral violence, de-tribalization, the spiritual dimensions of sovereignty, and the deep work required for communities to reclaim their own wholeness in the face of ongoing colonial violence. Throughout the conversation, Reverend Atekpatzin makes clear that liberation begins with consciousness, dignity, and the refusal to submit to systems that deny our humanity.

Following that conversation, we turn to the case of Laura Gonzalez, a local indigenous activist now facing criminal charges for demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and calling attention to genocide. Her attorney, Cameron Bedard, offers grounding on the legal stakes of the case and reminds us that under both U.S. and Colorado constitutions, political speech — even loud, harsh, or uncomfortable speech — is strongly protected. He raises a critical question:

What does it mean for democracy if Boulder criminalizes dissent?

This episode asks our community to confront Boulder’s histories, its contradictions, and the urgent need to defend both Indigenous sovereignty and political speech in a moment of global crisis.

Master’s Thesis: CHICANISMO, INDIGENOUS IDENTITY AND LATERAL VIOLENCE: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF INDIGENOUS IDENTIFIED INDIVIDUALS IN COLORADO

Oral History Interview — Maria Rogers Oral History Program
Boulder Public Library Carnegie Branch Archive
https://localhistory.boulderlibrary.org

Books by Reverend Atekpatzin: Mexicayotl & A Magic Feather

In this episode of Hemispheres, Laura Gonzalez and Dr. Padi Fuster speak out about being suspended from Boulder City Council meetings for their pro-Palestinian advocacy. What starts as a conversation about signs and speaking time quickly reveals a deeper pattern of repression, racism, and the silencing of dissent in so-called progressive spaces.

From courtroom hearings to community organizing, they unpack what it means to confront power—and what it takes to stay rooted in mutual aid and resistance. This episode challenges us to rethink democracy, free speech, and who gets to be heard when the stakes are life and death.

Mark your calendar for Slice of Hope, a community gathering on May 17. Follow @sliceofhopeco on Instagram for updates.

Important links from the episode:

To learn more about why Ruckus wasn’t on this episode, Wayland Coleman.

Boulder City Council Study Session where the Boulder City Council decides to amend the rules of decorum.

The fated March 20th 2025 Boulder City Council meeting.  I start it with Mayor Brockett announcing the speakers.

Dr. Padi Fuster hearing part 1.

Dr. Padi Fuster hearing part 2. (April 10th)

Laura Gonzalez hearing part 1.

Paura Gonzalez hearing part 2.

Laura Gonzalez’s hearing part 3.

Frida Silva’s hearing

All it takes for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing.

Other pertinent links:

FIRE Flags Michigan Cities for Violating Public Speech Rights

A new report by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) calls out 20 cities and towns across Michigan for enforcing unconstitutional restrictions on public comment during city council meetings. From Grand Rapids to Romulus, officials are facing scrutiny for banning speech that criticizes elected leaders or includes language they find offensive.

FIRE warns that such rules violate the First Amendment and could lead to costly legal consequences — just like in Eastpointe, where the city paid $83,000 to settle a lawsuit after residents were silenced for criticizing the mayor. The advocacy group has sent formal letters urging municipalities to repeal or revise their public comment policies immediately, or risk similar lawsuits funded by taxpayer dollars.

The message is clear: free speech doesn’t end at the steps of city hall. And while cities can regulate time and manner, they can’t ban public criticism just because it makes officials uncomfortable.

FIRE is offering free legal help to municipalities ready to get their policies in line with constitutional protections. Read more and view the full list of flagged cities on FIRE’s website.

(Photo credit: Shannon Young)

Elected officials, university leaders and community organizers were at CU Boulder’s Renée Crown Wellness Institute Monday to discuss gun violence prevention measures, including the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

On this week’s Hemispheres, we share audio of the full panel discussion.

(Download Audio)

Speakers included:

The panel was moderated by Dr. Reiland Rabaka, Director of CU Boulder’s Center for African and African American Studies.

Audio recorded on location and packaged for broadcast by News Director Shannon Young.

It’s been nearly a year since women-led protests erupted in Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini. As part of international solidarity actions connected to the protests, a group of Iranians, Iranian-Americans and supporters in Boulder created an affinity group called Boulder4Iran.

For the July 25, 2023 edition of Hemispheres, KGNU News Director Shannon Young spoke with five members of the group; Shideh Dashti, Shawhin Roudbari, Rumi Natanzi, Sina Khosh and Sabrina Sideris.

(Download Audio)