Our guest this week on the Native Hope Podcast is photographer and chef Lois Ellen Frank of the Kiowa Nation. She is the owner of a Native American catering company called Red Mesa Cuisine, an educator of Indigenous foods classes and an award-winning author for the cookbook Foods of the Southwest Indian Nations. Carrying the wisdom of her mother, Lois applied the lessons from her childhood into her passion for food, health and heritage. Resigning from commercial food photography, she took on the challenge of incorporating Indigenous values into the Eurocentric food industry. Although Native cuisine was non-existent in the Western world, Lois used her graduate education to research Indigenous food ways. She applied her research in the kitchen by buying local, in season and supporting Native farmers. She has also made it her mission to have zero waste. Most importantly, Lois stresses the power of having a relationship with food in every step of the process, from the garden to the kitchen table. Lois encourages Native people to reclaim their health through understanding the ancestral foods that historically sustained us.

Tune in to the Native Hope Podcast with Comanche painter Nocona Burgess who believes in lifting others by sharing the knowledge he has acquired along his journey as an artist.

In this episode of the Native Hope Podcast, we continue the “Rez Metal” discussion, with our guest host, Vikki Eagle and indigenous musician, Thomas Manwell. Thomas is from the Jicarilla Apache Nation and is the founder of the metal festival Alien Fest and a member of “Obsolete.”  As the founder of Alien Fest, Manuel takes a trip down memory lane in this podcast, discussing what it took to create the first show and the inspiration behind it. He wanted to create a space to expose his home community of Dulce, New Mexico, to the genre of heavy metal music. He describes Dulce as a rural environment tailored to country and reggae music—musical diversity was needed. The first festival had a humble beginning but has expanded every year since. The purpose of Alien Fest is to bring the surrounding talent to his people, as well as to provide an inclusive platform for fellow musicians and metal bands. Aside from this, it brings him much fulfillment to see other bands expressing their “emotions” and internal identity. Nowadays, Alien Fest includes other genres and will continue to be open to showcasing other forms of music from all over the country within a drug and alcohol-free environment.

In this episode of the Native Hope Podcast, we are joined by Joseph Marshall III, who is a Lakota historian, teacher, writer, actor and storyteller. Raised on the Rosebud Reservation, Joseph spent his youth listening to the captivating stories of his grandparents. As he matured, he realized that there seemed to be less and less storytellers in the world. This instilled in him a drive to become a writer to preserve and perpetuate the Lakota perspective. As Joseph discusses his journey, he offers bits of grandfatherly advice to those seeking to make a difference in their communities. He talks about the advantage of fiction writing. He also speaks on the necessity to write about the Indigenous perspective in an ever-modernizing world. Joseph delves deep into his creative process, as well as the obstacles we must overcome. He describes the importance of storytelling, and how it unites us. Joseph ends his podcast with his future endeavors, as well as an inspiring message for aspiring writers.

Emerging artist, Del Curfman, of the Crow Nation in Montana joins us for this episode of the Native Hope Podcast. Initially inspired by French Impressionism his early works had an abstract focus, which he describes as “loose,” with importance placed upon color and vibrancy. His style has evolved into what he calls, “abstract realism,” where he “connects to memory, sound,” and the “places” he has been. Through his medium of oil painting, he regards his work as a “cultural vessel,” a tangible representation of life and more than just “a figure on a canvas.” As a “next generation” storyteller, he uses his visual medium to “celebrate” his culture and background.

Dezbah Rose Evans is a noted Indigenous cosplayer, model, and character designer. She joins us for this episode of the Native Hope Podcast, providing information about the interworkings of Indigenous cosplay. Much work goes into creating these looks, and she provides us with a definition of just what cosplay is exactly. Dezbah acknowledges how Native people make cosplay their own, by incorporating cultural “indicators,” whether that be tribally specific jewelry, patterns, and designs. She regards the potential within cosplay, to assert the balance between modern identity and cultural heritage. Often times Native American people are absent from mainstream media, in which heroic characters are notably not Indigenous. Although, as an Indigenous person, it is perfectly okay to incorporate their own twists and interpretation of these well-known characters. In doing so, Indigenous people show the mainstream world that they are in charge of their image and perception, beyond leather, fringe, and faux feathers.

In this episode of the Native Hope Podcast, we sit down with Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) police officer, active community servant, Native Hope Fellow, and devoted mother, Nikki Lowe. She shares her past experiences, which include growing up on the reservation and becoming a mother a young age, as the motivation to fulfill her life’s calling. Servicing the community as an officer is far more than a title for her, but is the means to reach those who are most in need, starting with the youth. Not shying away from personal details that involve losing loved ones and battling the sadness that results from such loss, she speaks from her heart. Before becoming an officer, her prior work was divided between the areas of suicide prevention, domestic violence, anti-bullying advocacy, sexual assault awareness, and substance abuse prevention. As a survivor of suicide, Nikki has risen from all obstacles, reclaiming her power over her own life and empowering others to see the value of their lives. She says, “Love yourself; you are important and are here for a reason, keep going so you can find out what that reason is—do what Creator put you here to do.” Nikki discusses what it took for her to discover her passion for martial arts and law enforcement. Many positive works are underway for Nikki and her example is sweet and humble.

Renata Yazzie is a Dine woman with a passion for classical music. At the tender age of three, she learned how to play piano by her mother’s side. She began formal lessons at the age of four. Her love of playing led her to study music at the University of New Mexico. Renata is wrapping up her Master of Music degree in Musicology and Piano Performance. Not only has her research led her to juxtapose classical music with that of her people’s music, she contextualizes what was happening historically in Navajo country at the time a piece of classical music was created. Renata also expresses the complications of being a Native student in such a conservative field of study. Whether it be financial difficulties or dealing with ignorance from the general public, she overcomes her struggles by seeking support and following her passion no matter what.

Tune into this week's episode of the Native Hope podcast as we sit down with this inspiring young man. As a Division I athlete at the University of New Mexico, a scholarship recipient, and an aspiring lawyer, Teton Saltes shares how football and his family upbringing has provided life lessons and the tools to fulfill his life purpose. Teton is Oglala Lakota from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and holds

his family, heritage, and culture close to his heart. Teton knows that reservation life can be one with many hardships, but knows that with handwork, persistence, and vision Indigenous youth can shape the world.

For this episode of the Native Hope Podcast, we have our guest host, Vikki Eagle interview two indigenous female musicians, Becki Jones and Channing Concho. In alignment with Vikki’s longterm project, “Ancestors Rez Metal,” she leads the discussion on feminity within the metal scene. Becki Jones, of the Navajo Nation, is a Sex Educator for Planned Parenthood and is the lead vocalist and bass guitar player for the band Weedrat. Becki uses her “femme voice” to “scream” rather than sing about the political issues facing women, queer, and trans individuals. Channing Concho, Laguna Pueblo and Hopi, is the drummer of the all-female trio Suspended. Using the power of their lyrics, she relays the importance of shedding light on colonization to encourage feminine strength and indigenous voice.