Ichariba Choodee: Okinawan Voices & Stories

Step into the intersection where identity, activism, and solidarity converge in a powerful conversation on this episode of the Ichariba Choodee podcast. Join host Mariko Middleton and guest speakers Bean Yogi, JJ Ueunten, and Matt Miyagi Tuten as they explore the rich tapestry of Okinawan identity and its intersections with indigeneity and political organizing.

In this episode, our guests take us on a journey through their personal paths to activism, woven through the vibrant threads of queer and indigenous communities. Drawing from their Okinawan heritage, they illuminate how their cultural roots shape their commitment to collective liberation.

Prepare to dive deep as the conversation navigates through various political landscapes and settler colonialism while shining a light on the path to Palestinian liberation. Discover actionable strategies, such as BDS, that empower listeners to engage in meaningful activism right in their own communities. However, it's not just about politics—it's about finding community in shared struggles and embracing the digital realm as a space for impactful resistance. Tune in and join the movement as we explore the power of solidarity and the journey to meaningful change.

Photo used with permission: Mari Megumi, Seiji Igei, and Laura Kina

Do you remember the first time you saw Okinawa in media or pop culture? Was it represented the way you experienced it to be? How did it inform or re-inform your beliefs of what and who Okinawa/Okinawans are? Join us for a multi-dimensional conversation as we bring together three esteemed guest speakers in their fields: Risako Sakai, Elaine Cromie, and Ako Castuera. In this episode, moderated by special guest Laura Dux, we will dive into the complex topic of ‘Okinawan representation and misrepresentation in media’, and explore through each of our guests’ unique lived experiences and critical lenses spanning across academia, journalism, and entertainment. Ippee nifee debiru (thank you very much!) to Koji for providing this episode's music, ‘To Carry (On and On)!

In this episode, we speak with linguists and individuals working on reclaiming languages with three distinct Ryukyuan/Loochooan languages. These languages originate from the following locations known in Japanese as Amami Oshima, Miyako, and Yaeyama. Join us in conversation with Madoka Hammine, Michinori Shimoji, Martha Tsutsui Billins, and guest host Micah Mizukami, who share their focus in their respective languages, linguistics, revitalization, and identity.

We hope to dedicate an entire episode to each of these languages, so be on the lookout in future seasons!

Nifee Deebiru to Nami Oshiro and My Shima Playlist for the Shimakutuba Fundraiser graphic we used for our background image for this episode!

Join us in conversation with Momi Cummings and Lehuauakea as we focus on the intersections and connections of their identities as Kānaka Maoli and Shimanchu in tandem with their work and personal lives. This episode will be the first of yearly episodes where we share thoughts, identities, experiences, and histories of communities that intersect with our own. We also want to affirm and uplift the multidimensional identities of mixed-race individuals whose experiences are part of our Ryukyuan diaspora community's larger tapestry and share their voices with our listeners.

Assamiyo~ Can you believe it’s been a year?  A huge ippee nifee deebiru (thank you very much) to the dedicated podcast listeners this past year and to those who are just joining this evolving identity and discovery journey. You are an integral part of why this podcast has been able to gain the momentum it has and are what keeps it going.

In this anniversary episode, we’ll yutaku (chat) with the co-founders behind the podcast Mariko, Erica, & Tori – where they explore individual and collective highlights from the past year, projects that are in the works, and what they are hopeful for in the future. Gratitude to our amazing editing team for their work this past year: Joey & Emma and a warm welcome to our new volunteers: Adriane, Kiera, Carol, Isabella, and Harumi!

Looking forward to another wonderful year – Yutashiku unigeesabira!

In this episode, we speak with the editors of Shimanchu Nu Kwii Magazine - a community-led publication centering Shimanchu voices and stories throughout the diaspora. Join us in conversation with Sherry Schafer, Karen Tengan Okuda, and Carol Nakadomari who share their vision and inspiration for the magazine along with their personal journeys connecting to their Shimanchu roots. Please consider supporting this volunteer-led work by making a donation at ko-fi.com/shimanchumag and ordering the latest issue at shimanchumag.carrd.co. For more information on how you can get involved, contact [email protected].

Join Mariko and Erica with guest speakers Maia Hibbett and Kaiya Yonamine as we begin to discuss the current situation in Henoko, Okinawa. Around 25 years ago, Henoko, a coastal village in Nago, was announced as the relocation site for the US Air Force base Futenma. We’ll weave in personal stories and thoughts while learning a bit about the history of Henoko. The topics will include Japanese and US military relations that set the foundation for the present-day circumstances, individuals who are active in the movement protesting the base relocation, environmental racism, and try to keep it light as we talk about a heavy and challenging topic. We acknowledge the factors at play evolve constantly, and some details may have changed since the original recording in March 2022. We wish to share these essential reflections to bring more consistent and timely updates to our community and listeners in addition to our regular programming.

Yii Soogwachi Deebiru!

Join Emma and Mariko as they join Eric Wada-Shinshi of Ukwanshin Kabudan on this special New Years' episode! We'll delve into and about Uchinaa Sougwachi with a visual YouTube presentation alongside our usual podcast episode.

We are grateful to Wada-Shinshi and Ukwanshin Kabudan for creating the LooChoo Identity Summit in Oʻahu and hosting many educational online events, from culture to weekly language classes. He also has a LooChoo Podcast called Loochoo Nu Kwa, please check all of it out!

Join Erica and Tori as they talk to guest speakers Lex McClellan-Ufugusuku and Stephen Yogi of the Okinawa Memories Initiative (OMI). We learn about the programs history and how graduate and undergraduate students at UCSC are working to preserve the history of Okinawa.

We also have Sean Torralba as a guest writer who also participated in OMI as part of the communications team. Read his blog post to learn what his experience was like.

Join our co-hosts and new contributor Emma Anderson who will help guest-host future Ichariba Choodee episodes!  Stepping out from behind the podcast audio-editing role she’s been in, Emma shares her experiences with us as a gosei, fifth generation Okinawan and Swedish American, in this casual and laughter-filled get-to-know-you episode.  From her involvement in her local Kenjinkai, to her path playing Okinawan Koto in the Ryukyu Sokyoku Koyokai, to being a soul-funk Radio DJ... we are ippee excited to share the stories of another amazing Shimanchu! Karii and mensōre Emma!   And, as always, make sure to stick around to the end of the episode for our Okinawa fun fact of the day.