NextGen Native

Ever feel like you are so out of shape that you could never  get into shape? Joe Sarcinella may beg to differ. So much so that in this episode of the podcast, he states his belief that everyone could run 40 miles.

In this episode, we discuss how Joe has lost 85 pounds of weight, changed his eating habits and is now training to do something few of us may not realize is actually possible.

Images courtesy of Joe Sarcinella

Joe is actually training to run a 100 mile race in October 2015. And the crazy part is he is running that race to qualify for the 100 mile race he actually wants to run! He is documenting his progress towards these races at his website 100 Miles 2 Awesome.

The goal of this podcast, and this episode in particular, is to make stories from Indian Country relatable. To You. It is important to hear stories about someone else who did it. Someone else (Joe) who took that first step. Not even metaphorical steps, real ones.

We discuss other topics, too, mainly his journey to become a lawyer. Joe Sarcinella has a great story for everyone in Indian Country. Links to the resources and topics we discuss are found below. There are a ton in this episode!

OSD Tribal liaison

LSAT

ASU School of Law/ Indian Legal Program

Mashantucket Pequot Court

Navajo Nation Washington Office

Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run

Javalina Jundred

Japanese man takes NY state bar exam multiple times

Crossfit

Cherry Blossom Festival

Body Mass Index

Deadlifts

Kettlebells

Winklevoss Twins

District Crossfit

Food deserts

Fat Bastard scene

Drink Water

100 Miles 2 Awesome

Rez Girl Big World

Rich Roll

Liz Malerba is a member of the Mohegan tribe in Uncasville, CT. She grew up in Uncasville, CT where she has seen the growth of the community due to Mohegan Sun Casino.

Liz is the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET). Prior to joining USET, Liz worked for the National Indian Health Board and for a member of Congress, ultimately working on the staff for the House Democratic Caucus.

In this episode we discuss working on Capitol Hill. Congress is its own beast and by working on the Hill, you learn its language and how it works. The experience Native staffers gain while working on the Hill helps tribal organizations in a number of ways. As staffers, these individuals have a better understanding of Native policy than a majority of people on the Hill. If they leave the Hill and work for tribes or tribal organizations, they bring their knowledge and experience to help advance priorities for Indian Country.

We also discuss the importance of “taking up space” in DC. Often times, just being in the proverbial “room” makes a difference. As advocates for Native issues, we have to take up space so that we can explain our issues to the Hill and educate them about needed policy changes.

Show Notes:

Emanuel College

Allegheny College

Representative Rosa DeLauro

Representative John Larson.

House Democratic Caucus

Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship

Native American Contractors Association

Welcome to Episode 5 of the Next Gen Native podcast. Fantasia Painter is the cofounder and Acting Executive Director of Alter Native. It is a great play on words to provide alternative education to Native students in order to alter Natives.