“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.

Students Imani Haven and Carmen Thompson from Dishchii'bikoh Community School are competing in the National History Day. They have advanced to the national competition, using the platform as a way to spread awareness for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis. The students centered their research on Emily Pike, a young Indigenous girl whose life was taken way too soon, to bring attention to the issue. Their teacher Jeron Valasco has been their sponsor.

Shonie De La Rosa is a Native filmmaker who directed “The Arrangement.” The romantic comedy centers on the Navajo culture and arranged marriage with the actors speaking primarily in the Navajo language. The film was supported by Navajo Nation Film to help preserve and revitalize the language.

Arizona-based journalist Patty Talahongva (Hopi) and ASU Howard Center for Investigative Reporting professor Lauren Mucciolo go in-depth on the crisis many Native Alaska villages are facing amid rising temperatures and the fight for survival and relocation. The work culminates in the FRONTLINE/PBS documentary “Alaska’s Vanishing Native Villages” which will air on Earth Day, April 22.