Here Before, Hear Now

LaRae Wiley and Chris Park are the founders of the Salish School of Spokane. LaRae is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes. She and her husband Chris then made a huge life change to become fluent in her native language with the goal of creating more fluent speakers. From selling their house, to living undocumented in Canada with a fluent elder, their dreams have now become a reality.

Tami Shirley has been chosen as the 2025 National Johnson-O’Malley Association Teacher of the Year for the Southwest At-Large Region. She works in the Chandler Unified School District helping Native students. Hear her insight on the state of Native education in this latest conversation.

Sierra Yazzie Asamoa-Tutu has just been elected to serve on Gallup City Council for District 2. She says she’ll be the first Diné woman to serve on the council. She talks to Colton about why she decided to run and how she’ll use her Diné perspective and background as a social worker to serve the small, historic city.

“Rock Your Mocs” is a social media event that was started by Jessica Atsye from Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico. What started as a small thing among friends has flourished globally. It’s a call for Native people to wear their moccasins, traditional footwear, in a show of cultural pride during November’s Native American Heritage Month. 

Mary Ruth Barnes discusses her latest novel “Where Birds Land.” The story details Barnes family history of her great-grandmother, Ella, living in Indian Territory as Oklahoma was becoming a state. She navigates legal battles in fighting for land as she deals with crooked businessman.  

Eva Thomas is a Canadia First Nations filmmaker and screenwriter who is from Tucson, Ariz. Her new film “Nika & Madison” just had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. The movie explores the lives of two Canadian indigenous women on the run from authorities. It explores sexual assault and the criminal justice system through an indigenous person’s lens. Eva talks to Colton about the shift in natives and indigenous representation in film from “leather and feathers” to more complex characters.

Shondiin Silversmith is hanging up her reporter hat as she enters the world of academia. She’s reported on indigenous affairs for the bulk of career. Shondiin talks with Colton about career highlights and what’s next.

Colton speaks with Ohio Capital Journal reporter Megan Henry in her investigation into Ohio schools that use Native American tribal names or imagery as mascots. She found more than 80 schools use them as many states come up with laws to limit or ban this kind of usage. 

Natalie Benally is an OG guest from Colton’s first podcast. From her first interview back in the pandemic, Natalie has added numerous titles to her resume. On top of a recurring role on AMC’s Dark Winds, she now has two films she’s written on the film festival circuit. Listen to the two catch up and talk about her new endeavors.

Jourdan Bennett-Begaye is the first female to become managing editor of ICT News (formerly Indian Country Today). From the Navajo Nation, Jourdan is now based in Washington, D.C. She talks about coverage in Indian Country and the stories that need attention ahead of the Indigenous Journalist Association annual conference.